CrowMan

My kids got me a Bubba Electric (lithium battery) Fillet Knife for Christmas. It's a game changer. Comes with different sized blades. I like to put on fish fries at the cottage for the all the kids and grandkids. Of course, Grandpa would have to do all the work. Now its so easy....zips through a pile of fish in minutes...

As you can see from a chart there are literally 100's of offshore reefs out there. Some are absolutely loaded with Smallies, some are barren of fish. The best reefs top out in 10 to 15 fow, have broken rock (not smooth) and ideally have some sparse weed growth on top. If you find one with boulders from softball to basketball size, you've hit the jackpot. Best approach is to map out a bunch of them, pick a flat day, and then run 'n' gun. You'll know within 5 minutes if it's a productive reef. Once you develop a milk run...it's easy pickn's. Top water bite usually peaks with the "frog migration" later in September when the water cools a bit...and the SM come back into the shallows for awhile. That being said, there always seems to be a few eager ones willing to slurp something off the surface in the morning or at dusk, regardless of the calendar. Sometimes, in the middle of summer right at sunset I've caught them on topwaters in over 70+ fow. Packs of Smallies will drive Cisco/Shiners/Shad to the surface. It's almost like saltwater fishing...you'll often see a bunch of Seagulls and Terns swooping down as the baitfish boil, jump and scatter on the surface...with the Bass underneath.

No...sold that place 10 years ago and bought a place on Crow/Bobs Lake in Eastern Ontario. My wife would spend the summers on the island...she can drive a boat, but was always worried that if there was an emergency and it was stormy or at night she wouldn't make it to back to the marina. As you know, lots of boating hazards in that area. So...we bought a "drive to" cottage on the same lake as my family had a cottage on back in the 80's. Yeah, the world record Ken Bailey fish was caught at Blackstone. In my time there, I saw some that were probably almost as big....always got my knees shaking when you see one of those monsters...getting them to bite is a different story. My best success was with silver Bulldawgs in the deeper channels around the outer islands in late fall. Whitefish would stack up with big hooks on the sonar mixed in.

Nice...thanks for the report. Yeah...that area is a Smallmouth factory. I had a cottage on Wahsoune Island for 12 years. Kept my boat with Chris at Moon River Marina. There was an offshore reef that I had waypointed on my GPS...maybe half an acre across and topping out at 10 ft (during the low water years). Most people would just fly by it. I once made a bet with my buddy that was visting for the weekend that I could catch 10 Smallies on 10 casts...I ended up at 17 before I finally made a cast without a fish. Musky were a tough bite in summer, but come November they would set up in some of the outer passes chowing on spawning Whitefish...still few and far between but yeah some of the thickest fish I've ever seen...

Bring some small (size 0, 1 and 2) Mepps, Blue Fox, or Panther Martin spinners...tipped with a piece of worm...can't be beat for Brookies in the rivers and creeks.

I've fished in LSPP many times over the years...mostly the tributaries in the spring and late fall for Steelhead. The Pancake R, Speckled Trout Cr, Agawa R, Sand R, and Old Woman R...all get runs of migratory Salmonids. A little early for Steelhead but you should run into Pink Salmon this time of year. This is Trout Country. Most of these tribs also have resident Brook Trout (some even migratory Coasters). There are trails that run off hwy 17...the further you hike in, the better the fishing. You can catch Pinks and Speckles on small spinners and spoons, or trout beads under a float...or even just a worm. The Pinks also like green or pink gaudy flies and jigs. Most of the lakes in the Park have just Lake Trout and Speckles...a few with Pike. Never really ran into Bass or Walleye. The Trout in the lakes will be deep this time of year...I'd focus on the rivers and creeks. Enjoy...it's a beautiful part of the Province...lots of wildlife, beautiful (cold) beaches, unbelievable sunsets, and the best scenery this side of the Rockies..

Lots of choices in smaller Musky hard baits beyond Jakes and Suicks...however non are cheap: Believers, Triple D's, Super Shad Raps, Super Shadow Rap, SaltWater X-Raps, Producers, Raiders, Ernie's, Chaos Minis...to name a few With bucktails...I always have a rod ready to go with Double CowGirls...there's something about the Esox species and spinners.. Also don't overlook spoons for Pike...a large Williams Whitefish hammered gold/silver tipped with a 4" curly tail grub has put countless big snot rockets in the net for me...

Pierre Beaudoin is Chairman of the Board of Bombardier and Corporate Director at BRP...hmmm

I am referring to both...yes they sold off Power Sports, but that business was long supported with gov't money. Given that they bought Evinrude to get into the outboard motor market...20 years later they're no further ahead and managed to kill off an iconic brand in the process. As for the former parent that's making jets...well that might as well be a Crown Corporation. Both CEO's are born and bred Québecers (not that there's anything wrong with that)...and the BRP guy came from the parent right from the start...it seems like the senior execs are political appointees more than anything else.. I have no problem paying my fair share of taxes, but I don't want politicians that never signed a paycheck in their life trying to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. Excuse the rant but...

I would assume that air intake has a fitting that connects to some kind of "snorkel" either in the boat or higher up above the waterline. Yes, Bombardier is probably the most mis-managed corporation in Canadian history...they're fortunate to be headquartered in Quebec so the Liberals keep them afloat for the sake of political expediency. Hopefully the engineers there aren't complete dolts like the senior executives..

Sorry...didn't realize that was a "cuss" word....they call metal files by the same name.. It's also used many times in the Bible...a child born out of wedlock.. Anyways...where do put a kicker on this thing ? And no seat base for the rear platform ?

So BRP gets into bed with Alumacraft and this is what they spawn... Not sure about having the power head right at the water line.

https://webapp.navionics.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxveXBhDDARIsAI0Q0x1iNQaGQ6Z88-6AG9DkiS2hyynHMYnhDJQmqSjkthwFnMO22lmuXs4aAm91EALw_wcB#boating@6&key=sqjhGbsfeN

55lb thrust should be plenty for a 16 footer, plus there is no eay easy way to add a second trolling battery in that boat. However make sure you get the i-pilot...it is a game changer. Between spot lock and auto-pilot it will change the way you fish.

One more thing...yes as Fisherman suggests drill a pilot hole before going bigger, but before you make any holes, use a counter-sink bit first...that way you won't chip the gel-coat. Just use a center punch to begin, so it doesn't wander.

Same as above, but I used 1" StarBoard HDPE as a backer under the glass.

Can you say Pavlovian Response...I'm drooling..

That is basically my recipe as above... Cut salmon or trout into pieces the size of a jumbo hot dog (skin on). Brine is 1 part kosher (pickling) salt, 1 part dark brown sugar, 1 part maple syrup. Let soak in brine for a minimum 12 hours, pat dry and then on a rack in the fridge (or a cool spot) for 2 to 4 hours (a "pellicle" should form on the fish) . Smoke on lowest heat possible with apple or cherry wood chips/pellets. Every 30 minutes or so brush fish with a mixture of half Rye Whiskey and half Maple Syrup. Also sprinkle with coarse ground black pepper after the last basting. Will take from 2 to 3 hours, depending on thickness of fish pieces and temp of smoker. You are looking for an internal temperature of 165 F. I have a Traeger pellet smoker...makes it real simple. It even has wi-fi...I can be out on my boat fishing while I control the smoking temp, and monitor the internal temp. Makes doing an 18 hour smoke with a full brisket easy-peasy. Best Christmas gift my kids ever gave me...

Yes, I agree..the "Stay-Lok" snaps are a pain. However, a couple of things...I wouldn't use a swivel on a crankbait, just the snap. I feel the swivel is unnecessary on a non-rotating lure and detracts from the action. Secondly, if I am using a swivel, I always use a ball-bearing type..just had too many of those barrel swivels freeze up and cause me grief....buts that's just me.

Looks delicious ! What species ? What's in your brine mixture...just a straight salt and sugar mix, or a little somthin' somethin' blended in ? I do an Indian Candy with Maple Syrup and Rye Whiskey...perfect with an nice hoppy Ale watching NFL on a Sunday afternoon.

A little off topic...anyone running lithium batteries ? Prices have been coming down, just wondering if there's any major benefits that make the investment worthwhile.

Even if you don't have a hard copy or a digital one on your phone with you it's no big deal. As long as you've gone on the website and paid. Last week, 3 of us were fishing in my boat. A pair of friendly female Conservation Officers pulled along side us. They asked to see our safety equipment, my Boating Card, and all our fishing licenses. They also asked me to open my livewell. All good, except my one buddy had left his Outdoors Card and phone back at the cottage....which he apologized for, but he insisted he did have a valid license which he purchased on-line. The CO asked for his name, date of birth and address...we assumed she was going to write him a ticket. Nope...she got on her phone called in to her office (this was a Sunday), got the admin to search the data base, and verified my buddy did indeed have an up-to-date licence. They wished us luck and went on their merry way. Very pleasant government employees who just wanted to make sure we were safe, and went out of their way not to fine us.

Brenda told me minnows are no problem for them this season...however, apparently there have been issues all over NWO this summer. Personally, I too prefer soft plastics to live bait. The last couple of seasons I've become hooked on the new Berkely MaxScent. Outfishes livebait in my experience...easier to keep, stays on the hook longer, and pannies don't steal it as much. The FlatWorm in Goby colour is crack cocaine for Smallmouth...either on the drop shot or Ned Rig.. And that's coming from a diehard Z-Man, Keitech, and MegaBass devotee.. Walleye can't resist it either...the Jerk Shad is killer... Check out the purple bag on my dash...

Fyi...Ken had triple-bypass heart surgery this spring...he's spending the summer at home recuperating. However, speaking to Brenda, it seems the camp is in good hands this season.