Dave Bailey

And yeah, I'm giving away locations, not like these are big secrets anyway, I'm sure many of you have been to them. Lucked into a run to Huntsville yesterday, so why not try the reliable town dock, says I. The answer was "yes", so the raincoat went on and the casting commenced. I've got pike here before, usually deep, so a weighted hook with an Xzone Swammer, green and white, was chucked straight out, and then hauled along near the bottom. After a few casts a snag... no... it moved. Typical pike, not much of a fight. A shade over 2ft, wasn't going to bother hauling out the tape measure for a definitely non-trophy. But still a nice way to spend a few minutes. Hit a few other spots on the way back to Chez Bailey in Pickering, another everyone will be familiar with is the narrows on Lake Dalrymple. Serenaded by an osprey while there, strange how such a big powerful bird can sound like a sparrow or warbler. Flung a large Zara Spook, again hunting for Esox lucius, had one nice burble, no hook-up. Okay, try pulling it through the same spot... BAM! Oops, OOS largemouth, maybe 3lbs. Released quickly, and decide to head off in case I got another. No point carrying on with OOS fish. On the way back found a Blanding's turtle nesting alongside Kirkfield Road, nice to see as they're rare in Ontario. Some areas have healthy populations, not sure how they're doing in the Carden Plain but nice to see. Now please Boss, can you send me to Sudbury today? Smallmouth are open year-round in most of FMZ 10!

I use flip-ups that I got from Bass Pro, about $30. Probably (Well, definitely) not as good as megabuck ultra-chic stylish prescription ones, but they serve me fine. They come in various shapes to match most lens styles.

Apparently the guards in the courtyard areas are unarmed, because they don't want to take a chance on the prisoners getting hold of weapons.

25 years for me. Never was a regular smoker, more of a casual one, but still glad I ditched them. Send it to me for disposal. I, uh, recycle it.

Don't know how deep in the flesh the transmitter is, but a possible explanation: Cookiecutter shark. It could have bitten out and swallowed the spot where the transmitter was, and then descended; they dive very deep. And they aren't big: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookiecutter_shark

Do what I do: target bass.

Here's the one I spotted almost immediately: the map has Lock 35, Rosedale, between Balsam Lake and Kirkfield, when it's actually between Balsam and Cameron Lakes. A sharp-eyed poster on another board said that there's also a bridge near Bobcaygeon missing,

Here's a link to the Wikipedia page on the Trent Canal. Can anyone spot the mistake on the map on the right-hand side? I'm open to bribery for hints. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trent%E2%80%93Severn_Waterway

You can close the thread now, it's been won.

Smart move, wind + canoe can be dangerous. Even if you don't tip, the canoe will catch that air and you will go wherever it takes you, and you might go where you don't want to.

Yeah, they're going to have a post-hibernation feast to rival a Roman orgy! I've heard it's pretty brutal on Mitchell and Canal Lakes in the Kawarthas, they're both quite shallow so I suppose many areas froze to the very bottom.

If you haven't got amphibious floats, and you're not near suitable water, it's an ideal way to get off the ground. Airspeed is airspeed, doesn't matter how it's attained.

No boats of any kind allowed on Grenadier Pond in High Park. Sucks, but them's the rules.

Yeah, looks fine. But I've always noticed yellow under the wings, and field guides mention it. But now I can't find a picture on the web that shows it. Head scratcher...

I wish my wife would say something like that when I'm watching porn.

Are none of us safe? http://www.funker530.com/navy-seal-mini-gunner-attacked/

Frenchmans Bay in the east. Heart lake Conservation area in the west. A little further out you can get a canoe into the ponds in Erin, fair number of fish in there: 43.774987,-80.076261

Haven't got my Sibley's handy, but shouldn't there be yellow under the wings? Great shot though, and regionally rare. There were quite a few in the fields at YYZ, never got a chance to photograph one.

Never met him, but I've heard that in person he's a very nice guy. As far as annoying catch-phrases that are thrown out every couple of minutes, I defy anyone to give me the name of a fishing show host who DOESN'T have their own repetitive phrase. And the poaching thing? Yeah, it was a long time ago, he's paid his debt to society in money and public shame, move on. A long Rapala commercial? Most shows (all shows?) are long commercials for products, services, or travel destinations, they're just a little more subtle and/or sneaky about it. Yes, his demeanor can be a bit grating, and ending every message on his board with "God bless you" seems a bit over-the-top, as if he's still trying to assuage his guilt by calling upon a higher power. But I find his info to be simple and understandable (with a dingbat like me that's a necessity), and he's obviously doing something right or he wouldn't still be going. If you don't like him, don't watch, no point griping to everyone. If he was endorsing things that were flat-out wrong, illegal, or otherwise harmful, take him to task on that, but right now this seems like a non-issue to me.

If they can get revenue out of those breaking the law, maybe the costs will stay down for those of us who obey the law.

Never a skunk if a kid's having fun! Priceless pictures, very well done.

If you would like to see it properly restored you might want to donate it to someplace like the Muskoka Marine Museum. They can issue you a tax receipt, they'll probably pick it up themselves, and you won't have to worry that it will be snapped up by someone who initially has grand ideas, but who then lets it rot in a backyard. http://mmm.vianet.ca/

Neither, a few years ago my kids bought me a fishing vest as a birthday present, and I love it. I still have a box, but it's only to hold stuff to reload the vest.

Then they should remove the possession limit.

Nice pic! There are a number of them close by at Frenchmans Bay, but they've never stayed still long enough for a picture.