hogman3006

DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE RODS. I have two of them, or rather did, and was very happy with them until I had i guide break on me last May. I contacted Dan Sturges by telephone and he said to send it in. So I did, and I ordered a third rod. Now, I am a Top 50 member and fish tournaments all the time, so I asked him to try and expedite the repair, but I had no issue waiting for the new rod. No problem, he said, you will have it back by mid June. I still don't have the darned thing back and I guess I have written it off. Customer service my butt. I also had him lined up with North Bay outfitters to carry his rods and they backed out because of this issue. Every time I emailed or called, he had an excuse. So, mister Pro staff and mister rod builder, pass this on to him. DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE RODS. Buyer beware. Stay away. Go buy a St-Croix. I sent one back to them and I had a replacement within two weeks.

I personally think that it is nothing more than a cash grab. If they were really serious about safety on the water, they would require some type of license that actually meant something. Perhaps a two day course on how to read charts, recognize markers, dock a boat without smashing into the dock. Maybe some etiquette for some of the PWC riders out there in regards to safe and respectable distance from recreational pontoon boats, kids swimming and fishermen. I would have no issue paying for a course that might teach me something, instead of dealing with unskilled and reckless boaters that have no clue they are such. And maybe, just maybe, they should add a small blurb about boat launch protocol, so everyone could get out there asap.

Two years this past February 23rd. Best thing I ever did as well. If I can do it, anybody can. (Darned hard though.)

Salmo Chubby darter in size 3

I have spent the winter getting my website up and running. It is now ready and waiting for the spring to get here. www.ottawavalleytackle.com 5% discount for OFC Member. Just enter the code "OFC member" at the checkout. Paypal and credit cards accepted. I will add a banner to this site soon. Thanks Ken

I stopped buying Shimano quite as few years ago. broke a brand new Sensilite rod on a hook set and they said it was from abuse. I took it from the store to the water and used it for about two hours. I also had way too many problems with some of their reels. If it says Shimano on it, walk away.

thank you so much for the plug Tom. I appreciate it. I am glad your experience was a good one. And just to correct, I am up near Mattawa, still in the Ottawa Valley though. Ken

Off of Hwy 17, turn south on HWY 531. Go to the end of this road and hang a left, then a right just after you cross the railroad tracks. The public boat launch is located just past the closed down Bonfield Hotel. Turn right at the stop sign and go to the end of the road.

bump

My partner backed out on me for the Tournament on Nosbonsing this coming weekend. It is on Sunday June 14. Cost is $220 per team + $20 for big fish. Total $120 per person. I will cover the gas this time. I have a 17' with a 115HP Opti and I am totally set up for this thing. Let me know ASAP. I am in a bad spot here. I live in the area and know the lake fairly well. So if anybody is interested, I may consider a more formal partnership for more tourneys.

Does anybody know where they went to. I want a couple of cherry twists.

I am going to buy a new unit this year. I have been looking at the side imaging stuff from Humminbird. My questions are, can these units be used as regular sonar as well? I can't find any information anywhere. How well do they perform at locating fish? Would anybody recommend them? Just to start an discussion, what is the best bang for your buck out there?

I am looking to have a couple of drift socks made. Anybody have any patterns?

I was out with my dad yesterday and the lake trout were biting like crazy. We caught seventeen trout in five hours. My question is, when should you decide to keep a fish knowing it has been wounded. I don't like to keep too many fish and especially try and throw back the big ones. We had a 7 1/2 pounder that was bleeding from the gills. Not profusely, but significantly. We let her go. A side question, is there any way to differentiate between males and females? I have no pics folks, the batteries were dead when we took the camera out and my dad heard about it. I have never had a day of fishing trout like that.

I have told my wife that she is never to buy that chicken or I will throw it out. That "French" chef is the most annoying thing that I have ever seen

Randy, I have one of those cards. I do not abuse my right to harvest. In fact, I use the same slot size that you do when I fish Nippissing. My brother and I took one moose this year and split it up between six people. We also harvested one deer for the two of us and took one bear. It is unfortunate that some do not abide by the slot and limits, but I know of some outdoor card holders that don't either. These are called poachers. Regardless of what license or card that a person happens to hold, it is every individual's responsibility to ensure that our children will have some resources left when they need them in the future. There will always be people that abuse what is there and feel that they are owed something. I have had some pretty heated arguments with some of my fellow card holders about the abuse you are talking about. These people will never be convinced that conservation is the only way to preserve our heritage. With the cuts in the MNR over the last decade, poaching is on the rise and these people will never be convinced that they are stealing from us all. Thankfully, most people on both sides are aware and encourage the effective management strategies that are set forth by the MNR as well as the First Nation fishing communities. The only thing that we can do is continue to try and get the message across and not point fingers at one another.

I agree, someone write to WFN and send them a link to this thread. Charlie Moore sucks.

The whole thing is a money grab. It is also a farce to allow people to write the test until they pass. If the government truly wanted to improve boater safety, they would make it mandatory to take a course and have a tightly regulated testing system similar to the driver' s license requirement (although this is questionable due to the things I have seen on the roads). Maybe a lesson in navigation and markers would be part of it. I would have no issue with something along these lines, and gladly pay for it. As it stands now, I am not the holder of a card and I don't plan on being one.

I couldn't find what I wanted, so I bought a mastecraft toolbox for $9.99 and divided it up into 77 individual hanging compartments, with 1/8" lexan, for all my cranks and stick baits. I is similar to a musky hanger box. I should have done that years ago, it is the best thing that I ever owned for tackle

I used to guide out of Totem resorts on LOTW. Wiley Point has some great guides that will take day trips to Shoal lake. The fishing is second to none and the folks at Totem know how to make your trip a memorable one.

I generally fish the Ottawa closer to Mattawa, but that is only about 20 miles upstream from where you are and they have been biting very well of late. Bring both minnows and worms, as well as some Gulp. Jigs are key in this area of the river at this time of year, although bottom bouncers and spinners will work. Look for steep drops, or mid river structure in the 25-35 foot range. You will need some heavy jigs if you are going to fish the current. I repeat, steep drops are key. Good luck.

I would report it to the MNR and see what they have to say.

Chatterbaits

blarg, drive down to Nosbonsing. it is not far and the Astorville end has a great boat launch. Head out to the main lake, through the narrows and fish the shoreline to your right as you get into the main lake. There is also railroad bay, which is a little further up the lake, but worth the trip with an 11 year old on board. Throw spinner baits or rattlin' raps, and you will catch a ton of northerns in this lake.