CrowMan

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

Maitland and Bayfield Rivers have Smallmouth Bass in the lower reaches, but the season isn't open for a couple of weeks. Both those rivers also receive runs of Steelhead (Rainbow Trout) but they're long gone and back in the lake. However, Catfish are an option. Do you have a boat ?

Back in the day...some "ganja gardeners" would use dry ice in their grow ops. Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, when it "melts" it becomes CO2 gas, which super-charges plant growth. The fact that as it "melts" it becomes a gas and not a liquid makes it great for storing food in a cooler...nothing ever gets soggy.

You can have it shipped to you. https://www.dryiceexpress.ca/

Bay of Quinte has a decent population of Silver (White) Bass. From shore try the Trent River below #1 Dam at Trenton. Might be a little late as they typically run into the rivers in late May. The Moira and Napanee Rivers also get runs. I've always had no problem catching them with a #1 silver Mepps spinner tipped with a little piece of worm. Small tube jigs like you would use for Crappie work well too. A lot of fun on UltraLight tackle. As for Walleye or Bass from shore, try below the dams and locks on the rest of the Trent/Severn system. Can't go wrong tossing a 1/4 oz jig with a curly or paddle tail soft plastic. Keep in mind some areas are sanctuaries, and SmallMouth and Largemouth Bass season in southern Ontario doesn't open for another couple of weeks. There are also slot sizes if you plan to keep any Walleyes. Best of luck ! https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-fishing-regulations-summary

Strange spring....surface water temps are already in the low 70's, trilliums are done, and lilacs are almost done. Meanwhile, 2 days ago I saw a couple of Steelhead trying to get up the ladder at Corbett's. Last weekend Pike were in 12 inches of water and looked like they spawned the day before. Morels were non-existent this spring, and fiiddleheads went from nubs in the ground to ferns in a couple of days. Last week we had Blackflies during the day and Mosquitoes the same evening. Today the lake is swarming with Dragonflies. To top it off, last Saturday we had a line of storms come through that looked like they belonged in mid-summer.

Black flies are finished in Central Frontenac...same latitude just further east of Apsley. Warm weather burnt them off last week. Dragonflies are out, which is a sure sign that Blackflies are done. Now it's just Mosquitoes at dusk, then in a bit the Horse and Deer Flies during the day...oh and of course the Gnats. Then later the Wasps and Hornets. Also watch for Ticks when walking in the bush. Yeah, in Ontario cottage country there's no respite from bugs of some kind until September....but it sure beats being in the city. I certainly wouldn't let a few bugs keep me from helping out a buddy.

I used to fish with Keith before he moved to Alaska

Found an old photo of a younger and slimmer me out on the Pancake River.

Thanks for the photos and the memories. One of my favourite parts of the world. We used to camp late April/early May at the mouth of Speckled Trout Creek in Lake Superior Provincial Park. During the day we would chase Steelhead in the local tribs...Chippewa, Pancake, Sand, Agawa, Old Woman, Michipicoten...and at night we would dip for Smelt at the stream mouths. Nothing like a feed of fresh Smelt fried in Ritz cracker crumbs over an open fire on the shores Gitcha Gumee.

The Americans get it...they realize that anglers and boaters bring lots of money into the local economy...restaurants, accommodations, supplies, etc. The incoming revenue offsets the cost of maintaining the launch and parking. In Canada, the first instinct of our small minded municipal politicians is fees and taxes on everything. Here in Oakville, nevermind charging for launching, they have banned fishing from many of the piers. It's pathetic that you can't take your kids down to the waterfront to dunk a worm for a couple of hours. Another piece of Canadian culture taken away by the soccer moms that run town council. Penny wise, pound foolish.

Good news is that manufacturers are recognizing this trend and are realizing that if they don't want their products to to be on-line (or big box store) commodities, they need to protect the little guy. Last year, Daiwa introduced the "Kage" product line. It features some of their best technology at a reasonable price point. It's only available from INDEPENDENT Daiwa retailers. I have one of the rods and a MQ reel...for the money they are excellent products. I was always a Daiwa fan, but this marketing strategy only reinforces my fondness for the company and their products.

As I said..."when you can". I buy on-line too...some stuff you just can't find locally...like feeding my JDM addiction..

Regardless of where the products are manufactured....I'm also a believer in supporting your local retailer...when you can. Whether it's a big box store or your home town shop, bricks and mortar retailers offer real people giving local advice. Over the last few years many local fishing shops have disappeared. Especially with rods and reels, I would personally have a difficult time purchasing something without feeling it "in hand". As a die hard gear junkie, one of my simple pleasures is wandering the aisles of a fishing store and feeling or eyeballing the merchandise. Whenever I'm on the road, I always make it a point to stop at a local shop and support it with even a small purchase...sometimes the local knowledge you gain is well worth it. I would hate to lose that experience to a Jeff Bezos vision of on-line convenience. Or maybe I'm just an old fart who should get with it....

Yeah...the septic beds of the trailer park are practically at water's edge on Fairy.

Yamaha and Suzuki both have EFI versions of 9.9's. Not sure about the others. Whether it's half a pull or half a crank EFI motors start instantaneously no matter the temperature or conditions. Saves your arm if it's a pull start, or your starter if it's electric. Nevermind having to rebuild carburetors every few years because they get gummed up or leak.

Largemouth, Crappies and some surprisingly big Pike in Fairy Lake.

Regardless of the brand...try to get a motor that has fuel injection. Saves a lot of grief and headaches.

Not be overlooked are the estuaries of the Lake O tributaries. The Credit, 16 Mile and Bronte all have boat launches. Depending on the time of year you can catch Silver Bass, Smallmouth, Carp, Catfish and the occasional Pike. Steelhead and Salmon in the spring and fall.

Mountsberg fits the bill....decent fishing too https://www.conservationhalton.ca/park-details?park=mountsberg