CrowMan

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.

Warms my heart too. Just as a heads up...if you shoot them from a boat, the reg's state the boat can't be "in motion or under power". Obviously, you can't have the motor turned on ... but it seems that the "in motion" part could be up for interpretation, if their boat was drifting. Just don't want the hunters getting into any trouble with an over zealous CO, just because the boat wasn't anchored. The biggest issue with the Cormorant hunt is disposal of the dead birds. The reg's state you can take them to "an approved waste disposal site that permits the disposal of dead animals"...which are few and far between...or "bury them on the hunter's own private land"...Not sure I would want a bunch of them in my backyard where my dog would dig them up...besides that's a lot of shoveling...lol Other than that...the new season for them couldn't have come too soon.

Yeah, same dude has posted the same thing on other local fishing sites the last couple of days. Obviously looking for a reaction. Ignore and they will go away.

GBay Musky in general is not a numbers fishery...slow is usually the name of the game. I had a a cottage on Wahsoune Island for several years...any success I had was in the deeper channels leading out to the open water of GBay. Once the temp drops, there's a pattern that develops as the Whitefish start coming in for the spawn. BullDawgs in 15 to 25 fow...rock piles and points. Personally I preferred casting the big plastic, but if we trolled it was usually with Jakes or Triple D's. Natural Cisco/Whitefish colours. Never had much luck on Woods Bay itself....it got pounded to death by the weekend warriors. There's no such thing as too big a net on the Bay...

Thermal pads can be very comfy...ThermaRest makes a "luxury" model that is 3 inches thick. The key is to make sure the ground underneath is smooth and free of rocks or lumps. For even better comfort...we cut a bunch of pine or fir boughs and make a nice soft "mattress" before pitching the tent on top of them. The problem with cots (besides not being firm enough for my taste) is that cold air circulates underneath them with little insulation...however, a cot and pad combo may be a good solution for you..

Years ago, we portaged a tinny and 9.9 into Diamond Lake at the north end of Temagami. Set up camp on a beautiful sand beach. Left all our food (in a cooler and snap lid plastic containers) in the boat for the night...thinking it was safe from the critters. Woke up in the morning...and there was about a 300lb Blackie sitting on his haunches on the middle bench of the Starcraft chowing down on a pork chop...we ate Walleye and pretty well nothing else for the next 3 days. Lesson learned...yes, bears will climb into your boat to get to food.. Ohh...and a good thermal pad is a lot warmer than any cot..

I'm assuming because the mortality rate of Walleye in a livewell is much higher than that of Bass. Generally Walleyes are caught at greater depths so temperature shock is an issue. Walleyes also like to "nose" into the corners of the livewell making them susceptible to being beat up when traveling in rough water. Besides...Walleye are tastier than Bass...no shortage of people willing to take the dead ones...lol That being said there are live release Walleye tournaments...they are usually on a catch/photo/release basis...like the Rapala Quinte Gold Tournament.

This was no petty crime...they were about to get a cheque for $45,000 and over the last few years this pair has raked in over $3 million in winnings...

This has made rounds even on the mainstream media, but for those who haven't seen it...The video is 15 minutes long, but the last couple of minutes are the most interesting: More video:

Beautiful fish...thanks for the entertaining read !

Another mod I like for Suicks is adding a small spinner blade. Just drill a small hole in the metal tail...put on a split ring, a swivel, then a small Colorado blade. I like orange for stained water, silver or brass in clear.