CrowMan

The season for Lake Trout is closed in a lot areas this time of year. Check the reg's where you plan to fish. They are fall spawners. Smallmouth were on fire today.

My buddy and I got a few 5lb fish today...small inland lake. Hard to see how that one is twice the size...

Cabbage Dragon...It's a moniker for Musky you often hear up in North Western Ontario...LOTW, Eagle, Lac Seul...

Thanks...great idea. A lot less expensive than the after-market racks.

I assume the advertisers help pay the bills. Where do you make the call on whats "acceptable "...its a slippery slope. If their money's good, well we still have free speech. If I don't like it, I just ignore it. Personally, I don't believe in censorship.

https://www.blogto.com/city/2022/11/ultra-rare-cabbage-dragon-toronto-harbour/ Long way from either Niagara or the St. Lawrence. I've seen some big Northerns come out of the Leslie St. Spit or the channel by Ontario Place but this is a first..

So they can get votes from little old ladies that think Coyotes are the coming of Armageddon. Seriously...yes, we fund Animal Control Officers to protect the public because they can't protect themselves. Same as any policing. But compensating an individual farmer for his loss with public funds when he knows there are all kinds of risks associated with farming shouldn't be the government's responsibility. Let the insurance companies do it, not the taxpayer. It's just like farmers taking out crop insurance in case of adverse weather. I certainly don't agree with farmers being able to kill any predators at will...just like I can't shoot the Deer that eat my veggies....unless the season is open of course..😁

Just don't get it...that's what insurance is for...leave it to the private sector. If you want to insure your crops or live stock then take out insurance. Let professional actuaries determine the risk, and hence the premiums and payouts. This should be left to to the competitive market place...the government sticks its nose in business that they have no clue about. Things like fish stocking of public waters are to the benefit of most Ontario citizens, and the scale and scope make it difficult for private business to accomplish. Compensating an individual farmer is a different matter and does not require the involvement of the government.

This pretty little kitty showed up on a trail cam by my place in Eastern Ontario a couple of weeks ago. These cats are certainly secretive...none of my neighbours ever see Bobcats, but obviously they're around...

I have no doubt that wild Cougars exist this side of the Manitoba border....but why is the government compensating farmers with taxpayer's money for livestock killed by natural predators ? I know we live in a welfare and nanny state...but isn't that an inherent risk of farming...jeez I don't even get the rationale behind that. So next time the Deer help themselves to my vegetable garden, the government should cut me a cheque ??

A lot of these seemingly random Cougars that have been sighted or killed east of the Mississippi ( or Manitoba) have turned out to be escapees from private zoos or pets. Plenty of "Tiger Kings" south of the border, and even a few in Ontario. I remember last year the cops having to corral an adult Cougar from a New York City apartment...where it had spent most of its life. Apparently not that unusual...

For the last dozen years (for a lot of my presentations) I've been using a braid mainline and a FluoroCarbon leader. For most finesse and bottom contact applications, I find this gives me the best of both worlds...the sensitivity, no-stretch, and casting distance of braid, with the invisibility and abrasion resistance of FC. Over the years, I've tried many different knots to make the braid/FC connection...Double Uni, Albright, Crazy Alberto, etc. All these knots work...however, once I tried the FG knot, I was sold. It's definitely the slimmest knot by far (no annoying tick-tick-tick as it flies through the guides), and virtually every knot comparison test that I've seen rates it as the strongest braid to FC connection. I've used the FG confidently from 8lb NanoFil to 6lb FC...right up to 80lb PowerPro to 120lb FC. However, the biggest issue I had with the FG was tying it. There are several manual methods of tying it from loading your rod and holding the braid in your teeth, to making a cats cradle with your hand. It's all about keeping the right tension on the braid. For me...with aging eyes and arthritic fingers...it was always a challenge...especially in a rocking boat, with the wind blowing, at dusk...well you get it. Most importantly, even though I eventually got it done, it was the time it took away from having a line in the water when the bite was on. A few weeks ago, I came across the "Daichi FG Knot Assist Tool 2.0". It's a fairly simple device...that elicits a "why didn't I think of that" response. I can now tie a FG in less than 2 minutes even in the dark. I got one on Amazon for $30...worth every penny. This video by JP DeRose will explain it better than I can: There are a bunch of other videos on YouTube describing it too. Even with the tool, it initially may seem quite complicated...but after a few tries it's as easy as making a few half-hitches. Although not necessary, I do recommend the "Rizutto Finish"...again, much easier than it looks. Anyway, I highly recommend this product...and if you haven't tried the FG knot...once you fish with it, you'll want to use nothing else.

That's what I'm leaning to...I can buy a lot of rods for a $1000...lol...and I hope to do this trip again in the winters to come.

I guess my wife can ride in the back...lol One of the rods is a St.Croix 8'6" I've given it a lot of thought, and unless somebody has another idea (that's why I posted) the "rack" solution might be the only thing that fits the bill. Anyone have ideas on a less expensive rack ? Doesn't need to support much weight, just the rod bazooka.

I can get a 7 footer in the cab...but unfortunately not an 8. Finally retiring...doing a month long road trip this winter...fishing along the way from the Carolinas down to the Keys. I'm arranging some charters and wanted to bring some of my favourite Musky rods for some of the bigger salty critters...Stripers, Amberjack, Tarpon, Grouper, Cobia...

Well, of course, I can bring the stuff inside my room...I do that with anything valuable that I leave in the bed of my truck when traveling..it doesn't take much to rip open a tonneau cover. Perhaps I should elaborate more...my issue is two-fold. I do have a lockable rod "bazooka" that fits the rods and have used for air travel. However, obviously, it will be sticking out beyond my tailgate, so I won't be able to fully close the tonneau, and I would like to keep it closed to keep the rest of my stuff dry if it rains. Secondly, my wife likes to stop to go shopping, eat, sightseeing, hike a trail....well you get it. So, if I leave my bazooka in the bed that also exposes all my other gear to prying eyes because I can't lock the tonneau. My thoughts are some type of rack that I can secure the bazooka to, but still lock the tailgate and tonneau...or perhaps some other solution ?? Something like this, but I don't necessarily want to drop a g-note. https://www.amazon.ca/TruXedo-Elevate-Rack-System-1118570/dp/B09VH9ZF83/ref=asc_df_B09VH9ZF83/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=579166840760&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5795310157817414435&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000834&hvtargid=pla-1840329705792&psc=1 BTW, I really don't like 2 piece rods. I only make an exception for my Steelhead gear and fly rods.

Same fish, same weekend, different sink...nothing like a good fish fry !

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjvaW6msDi_/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Going on a multi-day road trip (stopping at hotels along the way) in my Ram 1500 with a short bed and a folding tonneau cover. Amongst others, I have a couple of one piece 8 and 8.5 ft rods I'd like to take along. The passenger seat will be occupied. Usually, I carry these rods in the rod locker of my Lund, or in my SUV, but I'm taking neither. Any suggestions on keeping them safe, undamaged and secure (away from sticky fingers) on the journey ?

All good advice....also disconnect your batteries completely, fully charge them, and then periodically trickle charge through the winter. Some of the Smart Chargers have a "Winter Mode" that you can leave on all the time...especially benificial for AGM batteries. I actually remove them and store them in my basement (not on concrete). And...good time to scrub and polish the hull before it gets too nasty outside.

Looks like they may be spending some time in the crowbar hotel.. https://torontosun.com/news/world/fisherman-caught-cheating-at-tournament-charged-prosecutor

They made quality boats...right up there with Lund, however now that BRP bought them they seem to be taking a different direction. A good thing or a bad thing...I guess time will tell.. https://youtu.be/8Tf6DvkHkIQ

Looks like this was the bait...if it was a "Single 8" as stated... Not something I would necessarily use to troll, but definitely Kawartha colours...

https://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/news/peterborough-region/2022/10/11/angler-catches-big-muskie-in-chemong-lake.html

You will need an Ontario Small Game Hunting license, and since you can only use a shotgun ...you will also need proof of firearms accreditation. Season is open until December 31st...daily limit is 15. Here's what the reg's state: Cormorants can only be hunted using shotguns, including muzzle-loading shotguns, not larger than 10 gauge with non-toxic ammunition. You cannot use a shotgun loaded with a shell containing a single projectile. Hunters are permitted to hunt double-crested cormorant from a stationary motorboat.