cram

Curious - pros and cons btwn a curado and calcutta (aside from the shape/size, which i don't have a preference for either way)??

I bought 2 subs at bronte subway yesterday and they didn't even know what the ballots were (or where they were).

How do Fenwicks compare with Okumas and Shimano Compres? Anyone know where to get Okumas in southern Ontario? I haven't looked around except for online but pretty sure Lebaron and Basspro don't have them.

That's actually a great point. Is there any chance the metal in those has improved? I have never had a problem with mine. On one hand i catch fewer muskies than the rest of you. On the other, the hooks i have cut out were big bait hooks. Even one of the singles on an MM spinnerbait, and i'm pretty sure those are 8's or 9s. Cut through everything, no problem.

I have a pair of those, and they're fine most of the time. Much better than having no cutters at all. And, if the only last through 10 muskies, or even 5....who cares? Get a new pair. Knipex do rock though, if you can swing the $80.

Guys - this site is great. Remember that there's always a few bad apples in every bushel, so don't let it bother you when one of them shows himself. For every 10-20 great guys there are going to be 1 or 2 idiots. Its simply a matter of volume. I do like the members only area though. Makes a lot of sense. I also wonder if you guys thought about grouping threads based on topic...there could be a trout section, a musky section, fly fishing section, etc etc. It'd be great for access to content and building productive micro-communities amongst the bigger OFC umbrella.

Short term fix - call the OPP. They won't know or care about all of the fish and game laws the way a CO does (# of hooks on a lure, etc), when its something like what you described i'm pretty sure you'll get a response. Long term fix - if the fines were larger (and they should be), then there'd be a business case for putting more COs out there (collecting more revenue). There's a reason cities employ LOTS of parking police...brings in REVENUE.

And people crap all over landowners who don't want people fishing on their property....its idiots like these who ruin it for everyone.

If it helps you can find rental cars online...i book them all the time for enterprise rent a car. Its not always accurate (whether there are vehicles or not) but pretty close.

I sometimes cut just to make it easier to extract the hooks. I still pop them out or plier them out. That said, if you leave the point of a hook in a musky (with the rest removed so there's nothing obstructing the oral pathway) i don;'t see it doing much harm.

3 things to keep in mind.. - some bucktails have hooks that easily separate from the bait (ie. connected via split ring). - if you've ever been stung by a hook from a thrashing musky, just cutting the hooks might sound like a good idea - hooks aren't expensive...25 for 10 bucks or so? So for the price of a sub sandwich you get to make 25 releases really easy. Doesn't sound too bad to me.

If its multiple hooks on a plug and there hooks aren't just popping out, i find it fastest/easiest/safest (for the fish AND me) to just cut them. Plus, the hooks aren't really expensive guys. Maybe you guys catch more muskies than i do. If its on a bucktail or spinnerbait... A - there's generally only one hook and B - its usually integrated right into the bait (i.e you ruin the entire bait by cutting the hook) ....so its worth the effort and is a little easier/safer anyway. If its really stuck, i'd just cut anyway.

1) In general, do you feel that a trip to Algonquin Park is/would be a) inexpensive; b ) moderately expensive; c) expensive? Inexpensive 2) Do you feel the $11 per night interior fee is reasonable Yes. I would pay double that. 3) Do you feel the $13 per vehicle day-use fee is reasonable? Yes. I would pay double that. 4) Are you aware that one can rent all the needed equipment from the outfitters surrounding the park? yes. 5) From the GTA, Algonquin Park is about a 3 hour drive. Do you view this drive as too far for a day trip? Yes. Too far for a day trip. A little far for a 2 day wknd. Completely fine for 3+ days. 6) What activities are you aware of that one can take part in at Algonquin? None, but wouldn't care so haven't paid attention. 7) If applicable, when making a reservation with Ontario Parks, was your experience a) pleasant; b ) frustrating; or c) average? A - pleasant. 8) When thinking about Algonquin Park, do you think of a) rugged terrain; b ) lots of bugs; c) untouched wilderness; d) summer crowds; or e) paradise? (Choose ALL that apply). a, b, and e. 9) Would you attend a cultural event if it was held at Algonquin Park, such as: Chinese Lantern Festival, Easter Egg Hunt, etc. No. 10) As arguably Ontario Parks' most popular and significant park, do you feel Algonquin Park should be marketed specifically to the public and tourists? No.

A group of us went to algonquin park annually for 10 yrs....when choosing the actual spot, i remember getting more info from Friends of Algonquin Park and myccr.com (or whatever it is) than the parks info site itself. Also had some information in various ontario parks publications (what fish were in which lakes, etc). That said, not sure any of that stuff convinced us to go to the park or spend more (with the park) while there. I still think algonquin is a jewel, and we end up really enjoying what is for us a truly unique experience (relative to other drive-in parks). We spend a fair amount of money, but much of that is to the neighbouring outfitters.

debbie downer. :-)

Thanks uglyfish....if I have 2 free saturdays in the next 3 months, where should I spend them?

Hey guys & girls, Moved to Oakville last fall, and would love to learn more about the fishing opportunities available nearby. I've always fished up north, and never down here. I'm a musky/SMB/pike/walleye fisherman, so all of this would be new to me. Have heard about carp in bronte creek, and salmon off the piers. Is there anything catchable via kayak? Educate me. What options are there? (and, thanks in advance for your help/ideas).

Its a mudpuppy, not a peregrine falcon or a whooping crane. Give the guy a break.

btw - Jocko....you're probably already doing this but just in case not, the water you keep the mudpuppy in should probably come from the lake. If you're using dechlorinated tap water or well water (like you would for a goldfish) it may not do as well.

Good balance of rock, weed, and open water structure. Some deep holes. Water is a bit tea stained so i use yellow (vs. white), gold (vs. silver), and orange/chartreuse sometimes as well.

1 - are you sure mudpuppies are protected? Its illegal to use them as bait, but i don't think their status is any different from a garter snake or wood frog. Are you mixing them up with mudpuppy mussels (which are at risk?) 2 - a person who keeps in captivity for the purpose of personal education a single game reptile, game amphibian, …, specially protected reptile, specially protected amphibian … (for details on release see section 46(4)); (Note: It is illegal to keep more than one individual of any species of game or specially protected reptile or amphibian in captivity. It is also illegal to keep more than one individual under these categories in captivity (i.e. one individual each of several species). This subsection was put in place to recognize that well-meaning individuals, often children for the home or classroom, pick up an animal which they find interesting. Individuals may possess this animal indeterminately. Release is not necessarily encouraged, unless it is immediate and in the location where the animal was captured. All other sections of the Act apply and an animal kept in captivity under section 40(2)( may not be sold, bred, consumed, served or killed." 3 - they're very common on nipissing (and the lake i'm on, which is nearby). As in you can catch 10+ of them in a weekend of ice fishing.

Give me a break. Its a mud puppy. No different from catching a bucket of frogs. Let his kids have some fun and learn something and quit being the hall monitor.

How does one target pike and not end up catchign musky? Seems like a weird rule to me.

A car that's arguably better than the Venza (and certainly bigger) is the Mazda CX9. Its bigger (longer) than the highlander (smaller than the acadia, maybe the pilot as well) but drives like a sports car. And being a Mazda, its actually from Ford (albeit made in Japan, whereas many toyotas and hondas are made here).

Ford flex is supposed to be awesome. We are looking at them right now, along with acadia (my favourite but apparently has some bugs) and highlander. Echo what randy said about the expedition as well. I had one for 2 months for work....it was hell on gas, but a super nice ride.