CrowMan

Salmon in the early days...Pink Ladies and counting passes of the level wind...and then we graduated to a home-made downrigger made from my Mom's old clothesline reel, counting revolutions. After that, I thought I had the ultimate in hi-tech...I got together enough scratch to buy a Lowrance X-15...fond memories of trying to change the paper roll in 7 footers on Lady O...

Thanks for the input Bill. Sounds like I may have to invest in a couple of new sticks...even if it gives me a couple more hours of casting a day, it'll be worth the investment. Which begs the question...can you retro-fit them on an existing rod that has a traditional trigger grip ?

Yeah, even flat-lining or using snap weights it's the "repeatability" of a specific presentation that makes a line counter invaluable for me. Even with colored leadcore, my short memory span makes dialing in a specific number that much easier.

Back in September, we spent almost 2 weeks primarily targeting Musky in NWO (Eagle and Cedar Lakes). It seems that my age (65) is finally catching up with me. We prefer to cast, but tossing 6 oz + baits (and figure 8'ing) day in and day out takes a toll on these worn out shoulders and arthritic hands. Every day, after 3 or 4 hours of casting, I would make the suggestion "why don't we troll for a liitle while" .. Anyway, I came across a new series of Musky specific rods from St Croix that feature "GRASP" grips...it's like a pistol grip extension below the reel seat. Their marketing material claims that this keeps your casting hand in a more ergonomically correct position allowing you "to fish longer, harder and quicker hook-sets".. Anyone have any experience with this type of grip ? I'm hoping to fondle some at the local tackle shop when the come in...but just curious if anyone had any feedback ?

That's so you can beat the other guy who gets there an hour and a half early...lol

If you're looking for a reliable used truck, get a Tundra.

The "259 yard spool" should've been a hint that something was afoul. It only came in 150 yd and 300yd spools.

Agree...Rapala is notorious for introducing lures and then discontinuing them. Risto Rap was another great bait...it almost has cult status now. Some of the other gear mfgr's are no better...don't get me started on NanoFil..

If you're doing some exploring, FishONLine is your friend. Not only a topographic/satellite map, but the app also indicates what fish are present, when & how many fish stocked, regulations & seasons, boat launches, etc for practically every water body in Ontario. Lots of little backwoods stocked trout lakes in the Bancroft area, where half the adventure is just getting to them...summer and winter... https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/fishonline/Index.html?viewer=FishONLine.FishONLine&locale=en-CA

Bury the fish, and then sprinkle cayenne pepper on top of the soil. My Mom would bury Suckers, that my brother and I caught in the local creek, under her rose bushes...the hot pepper would keep the critters from digging, just had to re-do it after a heavy rain

Bluegills will often linger on the surface on a cool morning to warm themselves in the sun

Good eats...

Difficult to find leeches after the end of September. Once the water temp is below 55f or so, they roll up into a little ball of snot and are not too active...not very enticing to fish. So not much demand for them, hence no one's selling them.

Or https://roguemarinerentals.com/rental-rates/

I fished Memesagamesing for a weekend 20 years ago. A bunch of dink Smallmouth, but not much else. But who knows, things change. West Bay/Arm of Nipissing is a great multi-species fishery...lots of water to fish and shots at big Musky. Just make sure you have a chart, and follow the "travel routes"... the prop repair guys love that water...

I'm just re-reading your post. I get the impression that you're fishing alone ? Re-thinking our time on that water, that may be an issue. Although mostly deep water, the current is fairly steady and often powerful. There were 3 of us, so 2 would fish, but one of us would always have their hands on the wheel with the boat under power...even when drifting to make course corrections. Not sure how that would work when you're by yourself. There are slower pools where you could drift and cast..specifically right below the dam. Not sure how you feel about fishing moving water solo. It's like fishing the lower Niagara...although deep, the current is relentless...and personally I would always go out with a buddy...but that's me. But if you're experienced and comfortable fishing moving water... Of course, you can also just fish the mouth and bay below town. We saw several boats doing just that with success. Anyway...FireTiger J-13 for the Chinooks...and Hot Pink Blue Fox spinner or Rainbow Trout Little Cleo for the Pinks worked for us..

We fished the Nipigon River 2 weeks ago. There's a great launch with a dock right in the town of Nipigon at the mouth of the river. Another decent launch (but no dock) just below Alexander Falls Dam at the top end...pretty shallow though for a 20 footer. 15km of fishable water between the two...the river runs plenty deep and most rocks are pretty obvious. Be vigilant and not too cocky and you'll be fine. We had a 20 footer too...no problem putting in at the town dock and running up river. Plenty of Chinooks and Pinks around....even got one Steelie, but struck out on Coasters (Brookies)...as mentioned they're closed now. Also, some spots are sanctuaries..like Gapen's Pool at the Trans-Canada hwy where the world record Brookie was caught in 1917. Read the regs thoroughly. Some other species were in to feed on the Salmon run too. Got a little surprise when this 44" snotty shovelhead bit my spinner...it coughed up a 3lb Pink when flopping in the net...

Speedway Fuels on the Tyendega Reserve has signs saying "Ethanol Free Gas"... and it's definitely not. "False Advertising"...on the reserve...lol...they are their own Nation and don't have to play by the rules. They were openly selling weed on the Reserve 10 years before it was legalized...and if you want some Walleye fillets at a good price.. I'm not saying it's wrong...but that's just the way it is in a country with 3 founding Nations...

The only time I might run fluoro as mainline on a spinning outfit is when fishing spybaits....and it would be 6lb so not so stiff. Even then...with spybaits I just run a very long fluoro leader off the braid on spinning gear..

For fluoro mainline...Seaguar Tatsu..very limp and supple. For leader material (6 to 10lbs) Sunline Sniper or Seaguar Gold.

Hope you found your island Jimmy...

The only reason we have ethanol in our gas is the political system. It has nothing to do with climate change. The way federal ridings are set up, rural ridings have a disproportionate number of MP's compared to urban ridings. So a relatively small handful of corn farmers can effectively lobby for legislation that makes a relatively inexpensive product (corn) that more valuable. It doesn't matter what political party it is (Lib, PC or NDP) they will all cater to the agricultural lobby groups.

Nice ! Never tried freezing them. We do the same but can them in jars...fire roasted peppers with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic and oregano... Great on a sandwich...crusty bread with prosciutto, Calabrese salami, and provolone !

Yes...there are only 4 fuel refineries in Ontario....Imperial Oil in Sarnia and Nanticoke...Shell and Suncor in Sarnia. There is also one in Clarkson/Mississauga but that only produces lubricants.

The OMNR should just shut down Salmon fishing in the smaller tribs. It brings out the worst in people. I'll never forget a few years back on Bronte, some morons pulled a picnic table into the middle of the creek and sat on it as the old tired boots made their way up..one had a pitchfork and the other was using a kirpan (ceremonial sword from his home country). There's just something about 20lb fish in 6 inches in water that turns people into idiots..