SylvanOwner

Doesn't look windy/wavy to me..... .....what's the problem? Great fish! Very jealous! Just hearing someone say "Lake of the Woods" has given me goosebumps since I was a kid. Saw the lake for the first time last month as I was driving to BC. "Blue lake and rocky shore. I will return once more...."

What a truly inspiring young lady. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. Remember the happy times as she would want you to do. Peace be with you Jen

Nice going Rick. That big girl is very respectable! Looks like it might've been caught in the back bay where I told you I got my big 1?

I would check the municipal by-laws on firearms discharge before using a bow in the GTA (or anywhere for that matter), I'm pretty sure you'll find this to be a problem. Also check on the definition of 'firearm', some municipalities class a bow as a firearm, some don't. Please also give some thought to the reaction of 'public opinion'......even if it's legal what about from the perspective of risk and perceived risk, do you really want to put yourself in the position of being 'called out'? Even the practicalities of undertaking this action should be considered. Do you want to walk from the parking lot to the river/marsh or wherever with a bow case and other equipment. Someone is going to call the police thinking you are doing something illegal, police have to respond, have to locate you, watch what you're doing, question you, maybe lay a charge (they might not know if what you are doing is legal or not), newspaper, etc.

Yes Doug. Those are them.

x2 on the TSC shoes on sale.

Check out TSC. Aluminum frame Chinese made stuff but have been working well for me so far this year. I took the approach that it was like buying a tent.....2 man for 1 person, 3 man for 2 people, etc. So I went with the 250lb rating, 34" even though I'm about 180lbs. I bought them at 50% off, you can't beat the price. I can't seem to be able to 'paste' the link but search "snowshoes".

Very interesting, going through my M now. Also, regarding the pleasure craft licence. Would a renewal trigger a paper trail for any unpaid sales tax? Just keeping an eye out for my fellow OFC'er of course.

Great post Mike!! You and Telly have the best names....."Rubik's Cube" and "middle of nowhere" spot are a couple favourites, and of course "Clayton Cut" are just a few I've been introduced to. My gang isn't quite so creative.....I know of at least 2 spots we call "point of plenty", wouldn't be so bad except they're on the same waterbody....lol

We were up in early July for fly-in in that area. We stayed at the Wawa Motor Inn, had one of the cabins down below, easy load/unload and I have to say that I thought the food was very good as well. Good luck!! p.s. We did the long route although there were family of the operator flying in at the same time who came from Sudbury and they did take the Sultan Road and found it to be in good shape.

I quit 3 years ago this September....love it.....whatever it takes is worth it IMO. I'm not a doctor but I'm pretty sure some weight gain is more than a fair trade for smoking. My boss is a die-hard smoker (no pun intended but......), I've known him for over 20 years and he is the most dedicated smoker I've ever met. Pack or more a day, so not crazy amounts but he loves smoking and freely declares it. He's tried to quit many times, as did I, but I've never seen him more encouraged than he his now with the use of e-cigs. He's been "vaping" for almost 3 months now and experimented with flavours and strengths before he found the combo that he was happy with, he's since been reducing strength and is close now to the 'big day'. He cheated a couple times during this time period but never more than 4 or 5 in an evening and he always went back to e-cig. A few weeks back he cheated and said he hated the taste and actually threw a half finished cig in the fire - I never thought I'd hear of him doing this!!!! WOW!!!! He's normally very grumpy when he quits but this time he's HAPPY!!!! Yes, still getting nicotine but he also did with other smoking cessation products and was grumpy, really grumpy. I've heard him speaking with others, smokers and non-smokers alike about the e-cig routine, it's like I don't know who this person is....lol. This is a guy who should be doing an infomercial for e-cigs and quitting, he's that keen. Anyway, I could go on and on here Brian but here's what I think. Smoking is a ridiculous habit....think about it. All habits can be broken. This may or may not be the way YOU break the habit but what do you have to lose? For you, a lot if you don't try....I read your reports, life is good. If you're concerned about the cost, you shouldn't be. There is some moderately significant expense up front (at a pack a day this is less than a week of smoking real cigs) but even if it fails to work I can almost guarantee that you will save that money during the time you try therefore this is at worst case cost neutral. 2 other guys in the office tried "going digital"....lol....and failed, they're back to "analog", after many weeks of few or no cigs, so it ain't for everybody but if you don't try you'll never know. Good luck!!

Excellent report!! That's a great way to spend time, doesn't really get any better than with the kid in a place like that.

Hey Mike, the kid sure looks like he's having fun, well done!! Congratulations on the PB to him and congrats on the new boat partner for you!!

He IS the BASS MASTER!!!!

I've seen it in North Bay as well, to the point where they were shoveling and sweeping the walks in front of McD's. I actually found most interesting was the theory that because of increased environmental protection the water quality has improved, presumably, if you follow this line of thinking this would be a more routine (and maybe more widespread) phenomenon. Cool.

Yes, very interesting. My question is what defines a "sea" that qualifies Lake Superior as being one?

Looks like a pretty good spot. I'm banking on catching my biggest ever Walter judging from your pics. We're booked in for July 8th-12th.....can't wait!! Mind if I drop you a PM for some info?

I would try contacting the MOE for this type of information. The organization I work for would collect clams from Balsam Lake to use as the 'control'/base level of toxicity. The other clams would be deployed in traps along the Toronto waterfront and at the end of the season the accumulated toxins would be compared to the 'control'. Why Balsam you ask? It's the highest point in the Trent Canal system so everything flows out and away, hence less likely to accumulate toxins. "Clean" is a relative comparison.

It'll be 3 years this September for me! Love it...hate smoking, never again. Quitting is awesome. Feel great!

Great stuff Mike!! Looks like the boy had an awesome time and double that for Dad! I totally appreciate where that comes from, my son doesn't really fish but the one year I did get him out was probably my most memorable opener, I have no recollection of how many I caught that year but I know the kid got 1....we've named a pool after him, when the guy's chat it up and the pool gets named it's usually to reference something else (2 pools up from Marcus pool...), for me, it always means more... Dan

Hi, you're right in my neighbourhood. This is where I've taken my boat, http://www.citymarinetoronto.com/, very good staff, and is very close. The address on the website is Rangeview Road in Mississauga which I think is where my buddy has been but I've taken mine to the store on the Queensway just across the street from IKEA and west a bit. Dan

Pretty sure you can access at the town of Caesarea. Good luck

This is very good advice on both fronts. Good luck when you do get out!!

I was thinking more like a soft jerkbait.....

Got to agree with ya' on that one Irish. I wouldn't consider myself well travelled by any means but Aruba won't be a place I'd return to for that reason.....commercial beach strip and inland is cactus, not much more. Used to be the place to go for gold jewelry if that's your thing and the night life is rumored to be good but i didn't find it very interesting. I was amazed by the number people who return year after year to Aruba....different strokes for different folks. St. Lucia this past winter was way way better, just more to do and see, mountains, rainforest, incredible coastlines vistas. Anyway, to the OP, glad you enjoyed your trip and congrats on the nuptials!! Great looking fish and even better looking dinner....that really does look excellent. I tried a bit of casting from shore when I was there and had what I'm quite sure was a bonefish follow in a few times but hooked nothing.