BillsTheBassMan

Should point out that G Loomis was also recently bought out by Shimano, and it is widely felt that this will hurt the quality of G Loomis rods as Shimano will try and fit them in their rod "hierarchy." Also, if fancy rods are more sensitive and you can feel more structure and finicky bites then they certainly do catch more fish. Nice pickup.

They've killed an island on Couchaching . . . Shipa Island. It's a "dead" island now and looks quite creepy. It doesn't smell too good either.

They actually promote you to keep your pike @ Island Lake. They aren't sure how they got there originally but they don't want them there - they hurt the bass fishery and in the spring floods they get into the nearby river systems and terrorize the young trout. The Bass fishery is voluntary Catch and Release only, but they really push it, and if you're going to fish for Bass there you should follow it. There are numerous good trout spots in the area and good lakes. We were in the area yesterday and were commenting on how Orangeville wouldn't be a bad place to live. Cheers, Ryan

Trout fishing for this season is now reaching the point that it is much more difficult for us to fish and for fish to survive when you catch them. I'll probably fish for Browns until the Bass Opener, but our Brookie season is over. You can TRY targeting them again from Sept 1 - Sept 30.

First Off, Nice Fish! Second Off, even after what appears to be a successful release, you often have to circle back around the area a few times to make sure the fish isn't on the surface, barely living. Then, you'll need to spend more time reviving the fish (provided you have a net to grab it again). It sounds to me, that despite the fact you were Musky Hunting, that you didn't really plan on catching one. Make sure you're better equipped in the future (and it sounds like you plan on that). Use 80 lb test. Just remember, they're big, they're rare, and they're very fragile.

Welcome to the boards!

European Soccer Leagues have a system where the bottom 2 or 3 teams get relegated to a lower league and they have a 4-5 league system with 60-100 teams. The NHL should implement something like that and we'll see what happens to the sorry leafs

Yeah BUT, If she is stuck in an office, posting on a fishing forum instead of working on company time, doesn't it kind of mean that you've won!

What kind of "little" trout are you catching? There are a few things you can do to handle them in order not to hurt them. It's a shame to lose little fish like that, but they LOVE to hit just about anything, so this information should be known. 1) Most importantly, PINCH DOWN THE BARBS on your hooks/lures. You don't miss landing fish from pinching down barbs. You miss landing fish from not keeping your line tight enough. Barbs have very little to do with it. At first, I was hesitant to pinch down the barbs on "that $10 Rapala" but it really NEEDS to be done. Pinched down barbs make for better photo opportunities, more living fish, and easy/clean unhookings. 2) Avoid using worms (live bait in general) in areas that are littered with lots of tiny and/or young stocked trout. These fish inhale spinners, you should see what they do to a worm. 3) Make sure you are carrying a net and that the fish isn't out of water long. You can hold the fish in water while you are unhooking it. Needlenose pliers are a must in your vest/tacklebox - they can, and do, save fish. 4) Make sure your hands are wet before handling a fish. 5) Don't grab the fish by their gill-plates. 6) You may have to revive a fish you've caught (big and small alike). After unhooking them, hold them in the water column facing the current. Place one hand under their belly and one hand gently near the tail and rock them back and forth slowly. This gives them oxygen and helps the shock wear off. You may have to do this for awhile at times, but usually they get their "feet" again and quickly swim away (though I spent 10 minutes reviving a big brown this week). 7) Last, and not least, STOP TARGETING TROUT WHEN THE WATER HEATS UP. Trout are a coldwater fish, and require cold temperatures to flourish. When the rivers/streams/lakes heat up @ the end of June - Early September trout survival rate after being caught and released goes way down. They deplete their oxygen during the fight much quicker and many are lost. You should focus on something else for the peak summer months (the trout bite, save for the dumb small ones, gets a lot tougher anyways). Cheers, Ryan

I don't think the "there are lots of other people like him" argument holds that much weight.

"The things I come across while Fishing. Kinda funny, but not really pics." Reminds me of spot-checking trip with user Timmeh a few years back near his cottage. We walk up to the bridge. "Anything?" I ask. "Just some dude getting _ _________," Tim says. I laugh it off and go to check the spot. Yep, just some dude getting _ _________.

Thanks everyone from the great replies. @ Mike: He's definitely in the same camp you were then - the kid is obsessed with bugs and will probably prefer catching bait (until he starts catching some bigger fish). @ Torco: 11 weeks and fishing books? Hahaha, what does the wife say about that? @ TC: I've never been carping, could be an experience for both of us, we might just have to try that, particularly when we don't have time to drive into the sticks. @ Everyone: I'll try to get some pics on Sunday (and hopefully a few fish for his memory bank). Hmmmm, maybe Belwood isn't the answer if you're looking to catch fish, Guelph Lake maybe!

I definitely recognize that spot - can't seem to remember where it is though I think we'll start at Belwood this weekend for some stocked bows from their pond and we'll slum it on the wall or below the dam with live-bait. If it comes down to it, I'll run some worms on the bottom to try and put a bend in his rod. Thanks as always.

I'm very aware of Rainbow Sports and Chad's tremendous efforts at that store. I was actually the one that put Rainbow Sports in the directory of this website and I have continually recommended them on these boards and at the riverbank (search Rainbow Sports for yourself). When I rediscovered fishing 5 years back, Rainbow had 100% of my business. Nowadays they have about 30%, with Fishing Fanatics having roughly 60%, and other stores having about 10%. Chad is extremely helpful and he is extremely passionate about all-things-angling. Price points, however, just aren't as good as other stores (Raven split shot pack $7.50 at RS, $5 at Fish Finder = big difference, Suffix Siege $14 @ RS, $10 @ Fish Finder = big difference. Close to 50% in both cases - just two things I bought recently and saw the difference). The guys at Fishing Fanatics are equally helpful, parking is better, they're beside a beer store, and they have better hours. Chad has recently started opening on Sundays and that should help bring me back when the rainclouds are out. In fact, when I bought my first fly-rod this year, it was on a Sunday at Fish Finder because Chad wasn't open, my business was geared towards going to RS for a fly-rod - turns out that was his first Sunday open). I'm still in Rainbow on a bi-weekly basis, never leave empty-handed or disappointed, but I must say my preferences have shifted. I understand the guiding service at Rainbow is second-to-none and that Ted is the man to talk to for the Grand River fishery. Cheers, Ryan

How much and where did you get it?

Beauty fish. Congrats

I wonder if Pat Kane is going to assault anymore cab drivers tonight? He's probably going to get pretty drunk and offensive. That guy is a piece of trash period. Congrats to the rest of the Hawks (particularly Mr. Toews - WHAT A YEAR!)

I think everyone is missing the point that this guy (TC10Z) is making sure he has all the safety equipment BEFORE he goes out. That's the whole point of this post. He's covering his bases. So, even if he isn't wearing his PFD (which most of us don't during fishing hours on a boat) he'll be covered both for safety and potential police run-ins. He's doing his homework, so there's no need to take the moral high-ground here and preach at him. As of now, he is still allowed to make decisions on his own safety based on circumstances. And for the record for anyone who may reply to this, I agree with the proposed law to make life-jackets mandatory for MOVING vessels under the mentioned length. TC, just check off the boxes on your checklist, put that stuff in your boat, and catch some fish. Also, post a report of the fish you caught. Cheers

Welcome aboard and a gorgeous fish indeed. From a Brown-Fan to another, it is great to hear he went back to get even more finicky and rewarding for the next guy.

I'm in the KW area and fish the surrounding area often. I always keep my eyes open for animals and have yet to see a badger. When, and if, I do, you'll be the first person I contact. Cheers on the good project and for making it known. Also - does anyone know how rare mink are in the area? I've seen two recently. One was fishing and doing better than most anglers I know Ryan

In an earlier thread or two I spoke negatively of Natural Sports in Kitchener. My first three trips there were either extremely negative or luke-warm unimpressive. I didn't completely rule them out and have been there twice in the last ten days, and I've found that the service, assistance, conversation, and general experience has been much much better. One trip, in particular, was great. Two other guys were working and they were extremely helpful, spent a lot of time showing me different rods, and were willing to discuss locations and conditions. I got some stuff on sale (marked way down) and my disposition towards the store started to change. I was there again this evening, and the trip was positive again. Got another good deal or two and was met by some other employees and the owner himself who were all nice, helpful, and knowledgeable. I'm posting this to give them their just desserts. If I'm going to speak negatively after negative experiences, I should speak positively after positive ones. I still don't love their Bass tourney, but the people themselves seem ok. They are back on my tackle shop map and I will go regularly to check their sales, merchandise, and to talk fishing when I'm in the area. Still, in my mind, the bar-none best fishing store in the KW area is Fishing Fanatics. These guys really care and really like to help out their customers. Every employee there has something great to offer and understand the principles of service. I'm hoping to get out on the water with a few of the employees in the near future too. A great group. Regardless, kudos to Natural for changing my mind. They'll see some (and maybe a lot) of my business in the future. Cheers, Ryan

Very Very Nice. I, also, love the elusive brown. I've really had a good season and am sad to see the best days of the season behind us. Hopefully from here until July I can get into some bigger fellas before I write it off until September. Ryan

Make sure you read up on how to handle and release Musky properly. They're big, but very delicate. Sometimes you need to allow a lot of time for revival. I've been a big supporter of having a proper Catch-and-Release topic pinned to these boards for musky and all other species of fish, so please do your research before you end up on the water. Some Resources: www.petemaina.com www.muskyhunter.com Ryan

Hello Again Folks, Within the last year I've been mentoring my six-year-old nephew on how to fish via education (books), tinkering with tackle, and actually fishing. So far we've mostly gone sun-fishing, as I understand the best way to keep kids interested is by actually catching fish. We generally go to the sunfish-laden Bloomingdale Pits. Now, I think we can elevate our game . . . This Sunday we have opportunity again to take him out for the afternoon and we would like to go after something other than sunfish. We're thinking Belwood Lake so he can fish the stocked trout pond for kids, and potentially below the Shand Dam for "something bigger" like a pike or a sucker or a wayward brown. He was removed from his home (for the second time) over a year ago and has now been adopted by my sister. He's a great kid with a good spirit, but he has some issues from his previous living environment. This prompted me to start the "Lure For a Good School Day" program. I gave him my first tackle box, and every time he has a good school day he earns himself a lure. If he has a not-so-good day, he loses it. It has been working well. I'm hoping that fishing is something he can attach onto and use as an outlet, relaxation technique, and a general passion throughout his life. Despite my username, I have become an avid brown trout angler and have a hard time getting him on those waters with me. In the long-term I will show him the joys of trouting, but feel he is too young to wade. At what age is it safe for kids to wade in rivers? I guess what I'm looking for from the OFC Community on this one is the following: 1) Your personal experience with mentoring children with fishing - successful, and unsuccessful practices you've experienced. 2) Good resources for educating children about fishing - books, courses, programs, activities etc. 3) Good sunfish places in the Fergus to Cambridge Ontario area. My girlfriend and I are also planning on taking him for a 1 or 2 night camping trip (his first - needs to be somewhere close to home) this Summer. We don't want to travel too far away from home (A radius of 1-1.5 hours away from Kitchener is our limit). If anyone has any good recommendations for a child, fish-friendly campground, please send them my way! Cheers, Ryan

Welcome Aboard Brufan!