CrowMan

I think a lot of us, at one time or another, have woken up bleary-eyed with that same thought...especially when it comes to cougars...

Yes....definitely could be a "Cougar"

I'm no expert by any means....but cats (big and small) walk on their pads, with their claws retracted. They only extend their claws to climb or capture. Bears, however, can't retract their claws. I suspect that might be a young bear.

Yeah...plywood is definitely the way to go. Can't beat Douglas Fir Marine Grade plywood....sealed with thinned out 2-part epoxy resin. Glue and then clamp together the two 3/4 inch sheets with the epoxy too. A little pricey and extra work to brush on the epoxy but you won't regret it 10 years from now. If you want to go all out...sandwich the sealed and glued plywood between two sheets of .100 guage aluminum. Cap the exposed top edge of the plywood with same...

Heading up for a week of fishing the second week of September. Staying at Lac Seul Outposts up in the NE arm. Bringing our own boat. Owners say guides are unnecessary. I do follow Ben Beattie...although he seems to fish further south and west ?? Anyone have any experience to share ? It sounds like getting a shore lunch of 'eyes shouldn't be a problem. Its the big toothy critters I'm unsure about. I'm organizing my Musky arsenal...any suggestions on baits/colours I should be stocking up on ? Will they still be relating to the cabbage or moved out to the offshore rocks by that time of year ? Prefer to cast rather than troll. I've fished LOW, Eagle, Indian Chain and some of the lakes around Sioux Lookout, but never Lac Seul...so any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

It's a lot simpler than it looks...as long as you're double vacc'ed. My buddy up at the cottage is from PA, he goes back and forth almost weekly...no sweat...and always brings me something from the Duty Free 😁 "Back to normal" could be a very long time. Never mind the constant mutations of this virus (and others...now it's coming from Curious George)...governments are very quick to enact regulations, and very slow (if ever) to end them.

You will need proof of being DOUBLE vaccinated. The second dose must be a minimum of 14 days before you cross the border. You will also need to download the ArriveCan app, fill it out, and upload doc's. Of course, you also need a valid passport. This should help: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

A spoon will definitely twist your line...vibration won't. Use a good quality ball bearing swivel...in either combination with your snap or between your leader and main line, and you should be fine.

My buddy who runs charters is sponsored by Okuma...so of course he uses them. However, he upgrades the drags to carbon fibre. Inexpensive and easy to do...makes a big difference. https://stores.tunasreeltroubles.com/carbon-fiber-drag-washer-set-by-dragmasters-for-okuma-cold-water-cw-303d-303dlx-303ds-453d-453ds-trolling-reels/

In the Okuma line up the Coldwater is OK, but the Convector and Magda have just way too much plastic for my taste. However, it's the drags that are a problem for me. They suffer from "drag creep" so you're constantly tinkering with the setting (especially when pulling something substantial like Dipsy's). Plus they also exhibit "drag fade" particularly with a fish that makes long powerful runs like a big King. Like I said, that's been my personal experience. Depending on the application you may have a different opinion. Okuma's come in at a great price point, but in terms of "value" like most things you get what you pay for.

Shimano Tekota's are bulletproof. The 500 is a good all around size. If you'd prefer a low profile reel, I'd look at the Daiwa Lexa. Not as rugged as the Shimano, but a good drag and easy to handle. From my own personal experience, I'd stay away from Okuma's. The drags are terrible, and they fall apart quickly.

The Nipigon River always has fish in it. Resident Brookies and Rainbows will be around through the summer. Mid-August might be a little early for migratory Chinook, Steelhead and Coasters but you never know. Most of the lower river is difficult to access from shore. Best spot is up at Alexander Dam Falls...about 15km north-west of town and the Trans-Canada Hwy. There is a short path to a viewing platform and a number of well worn trails to fishing spots along the shore. There's a boat launch there too. Locals like to use specially tied hair jigs, but heavy spinners and spoons (like little Cleos) that get down in the current work too. Best of luck !

If you want some for the smoker...GB is definitely worth the drive !

Probably your best bet is to chase Striped Bass. The numbers have exploded in the last decade, making this fishery world class. A few years ago we surf fished Miscou Island...wet waded the beautiful sand beaches by day, feasted on lobster, clams, mussels and oysters at night. Great getaway. Heavy bass or pike gear is all you need. If you're going to specifically surf fish then a 9 ft + rod is helpful. Stripers really put up battle and are great on the grill too. Not sure what the best spots are that time of year...they generally migrate up the rivers (the Miramichi gets a huge run) in late spring and by late summer you can fish the surf. https://www.outdoorcanada.ca/13-new-brunswick-hot-spots-for-striped-bass-fishing/

Yes....very murky. We fished eastern Lake O this April during the new early spring Catch & Release Bass season. We caught a lot of hog 21+ inch Smallies ...including some 23's that were definitely PB's for us. My understanding was that the OMNR explicitly stated "NO PHOTOS" when they announced the new reg's. However, there are countless photos of Lac Seul Muskies being hoisted up in a classic "grip and grin" photo...obviously being posed for the camera...not in the process of being released. A lot of these photos are from guides, lodges, outfitters, etc available online for anyone to view. Are they all evidence of "illegal activity" ? Like the early season Bass in FMZ 20....Lac Seul Muskies are strictly Catch & Release... What's the difference ? About as clear as mud...

We're doing Lac Seul this September, primarily to chase Musky. We were having a few pops and discussing the logistics of the trip...when the subject of photography came up. This is a "100 % Catch & Release " Musky fishery...and the reg's state that fish must be "IMMEDIATELY RELEASED" So....is it legal/moral/ethical to take a quick photo of a 50 inch beauty ? In terms of protecting the resource, ideally the fish should never leave the water. Does hoisting the fish up for a photo still make the release immediate ? How about other fish that can't be retained ? an out of season fish ? a fish out of the slot size ? a snagged fish ? Should you take photos of those ? What is legal and what is ethical may be different things. The OMNR opinion: https://oodmag.com/qa-can-take-picture-caught-fish-closed-season/ My apologies if this already has been hashed out on this site...

Agreed, 129 is a beautiful drive through the heart of the Algoma highlands...well worth it. Gas is available at Tunnel Lake Trading Post and also Black Creek Outfitters. A couple of other stops that are worthwhile are Grindstone Falls and Pigpen Chutes. Both are short hikes off the highway. Bring your fishing rod to Pig Pen...Smallies and Walleye. On one trip, we were looking to kill an hour or two on our way up to Wawa. The folks at the Trading Post told us that Snowshoe Creek had Speckles. There is a bridge at 129 and some logging roads to the east that follow along it. We briefly tried, but didn't have any success...but it did look fishy. However, if you really want to connect with Brook Trout....the stretch of Hwy 17 from the Soo to Wawa along Lake Superior is a better bet. The Pancake River (above the falls especially), the aptly named Speckled Trout Creek, the Sand River (take the trail upstream of the falls beside the highway), and the Old Woman River (below the chutes)....all have Brookies. As a rule of thumb for Trout (like anywhere) the deeper into the bush you're willing to hike, the better the fishing. In mid-August you may even run into the start of the Pink Salmon run. Most of the lower ends of the Superior (and North Channel Huron tribs) get runs...but the Michipicoten River below Scott's Falls Hydro Dam is a dependable spot. Check out Speckled Trout Creek for Pinks too...from the falls at 17 down to the mouth....go upstream for Brookies. Another good spot for Pinks is Lauzon Creek ... in Algoma Mills, on the way back to Sudbury. There's an obvious spot where the locals fish just downstream from 17. Have a great trip !

Don't have to go far...the Niagara River (upper and lower) has awesome Smallie fishing . If you venture up Chippewa Creek you'll find some Largies too

For those who think a foot long bait is too big for Muskie... https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/video-shows-northern-ontario-angler-catching-a-pike-just-as-a-50-inch-muskie-eats-the-pike-1.5759093 The thing I found most interesting was that he was using Lamprey for bait..

I bleed them out in a bucket with water...head first. Just a slit behind the gills. That seems to get it done quickly. Then immediately on ice.

The Manitouwadge route is definitely the shortest. It's probably 90 minutes quicker than taking Hwy 17 all the way to Nipigon and then backtracking north on Hwy 11. There is a gas station in Manitouwadge, but I don't believe it's open all night. However, the Nipigon route is definitely going to have several 24 hr gas stations along 17. You may also consider filing up some jerry cans with gas to get you through. Either way, you may want to reconsider your timing. I have driven across northern Ontario hundreds of times over the last 50 years, and I almost always avoid driving at night. I've just seen too many collisions with Moose, to know that's its not an uncommon occurrence. Be very, very vigilant. I would leave earlier, spend the night in Nakina and be bright and fresh for your fly-in that morning.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/boat-industry-inflation-bear-market-and-recession-fears-104547131.html

If you can't find ethanol free...then you definitely want to add a fuel treatment.

Things aren't as bad as they seem: Today it takes the average Canadian worker 4 minutes to earn enough to buy a litre of gas. 30 years ago it took 5 minutes. Immigration is set to average 250,000 annually over the next 5 years. We can't build new housing fast enough to keep up. Supply and demand will keep the price of housing high. Productivity has been increasing at an average of 4 % a year due to technology...we're working smarter. The average Canadian family has 30 % more disposable income than they did 30 years ago. Hence, all the households with multiple cars and high priced toys (boats, ATV's, snow machines, etc). Vacation travel has also tripled in 30 years. There aren't many families now that can't afford a yearly winter vacation to Cuba. As Mr. Ritchie stated there's an unprecedented amount of generational wealth to be transferred in the next 20 years. Stocks are on sale right now...great time to buy.

I feel for the guys running charters on the Great Lakes this summer...it was tough to turn a profit before, most were doing it just to be out on the water anyway. This year...jeez...they'll have to take out a second mortgage to make a run out to the blue zone and back in a 40 footer