brw

On a semi-related note, can anyone chime in as to the huge decline in the alewife population on Georgian Bay? From about 2009 or so to the present, they've been non-existent. From the mid 70's until then, they were thick as thieves, especially at night. It was like a flip was switched and they just disappeared. Thanks to all who respond.

If you had one question to ask a fellow walleye angler coming off a successful day on the lake (and assuming he/she was willing to answer), what would it be? Mine would be: :"At what depth were you catching your fish?" More than water temp, lure, lure color, etc, this one would be most valuable to me. Interested in others thoughts on this topic. Cheers.

Done. AND great pic to boot! Hope she wins!

I certainly have no answers and learned a lot reading this thread. But here's my contribution/observation: time and time again, my Canadian brothers and sisters show the capacity to discuss a social issue civility and respect and manners. I can't tell you how many times here in the states a similar thread will IMMEDIATELY mutate into name calling, idiocy, and f-bombs. Tip of the cap to you my friends!

Cliff I don't know you but I'm pretty sure after reading that post that you're a class act! Feel free to vent, muse, or whatever you want. This site is chalk full of people who can lend a hand or an ear if you're in need of one. Best to you and your family in these times...

Irishfield hope you are right. All I know is that since the mid to late 90's?? or so until this year, seems like they pulled the plug in The Bay. If only we know who "they" were!!!

Eye am amazed at that eye's eye! Your hookset probably knocked off his eyeglasses...

Chris Brock is spot on. I've fished that area for over 30 yrs. The smallies we catch (by accident while fishing for walleyes) are usually very tight to rock, many times in 4 ft of water or less. A depth finder is key. look for depth changes that transition from shallow to deep in a hurry. plenty of spots there with drops of 5-6 ft to 19-20 ft by the length of a boat or 2! If you see an interesting piece of structure like that, throw out a marker and fish all around it, both deep and shallow. If you can find weed edges or pockets near those shelves, all the better. 1/4 oz jig w/ a twister tail tipped with half of a crawler or a harness will bang both species. At dusk and beyond, a stickbait/long profile bait or a shad rap would be my weapon of choice. 99.99% of the walleyes I catch are in 4- 18 ft of water. For what it's worth. Good luck!

Gotta be All- Canadian for me! Lots of Neil, Joni, and Gord--and Canadian Railroad Trilogy is a must! And when the Mrs and I go to GTA end of Summer for a NF trip, it's an updated but still Canadian list: Arcade Fire, Owen Pallett, Caribou, and Grimes....

Agree I use 15 or 20 lb florouclear P-Line. Only real difference is the 20 lb is a little harder to snell b/c the diameter of the line is too thick for some hooks' eyelets as you try to double back to snell the hook. Both sizes acquitted themselves well recently after a week of pounding by both the rocks and walleyes of Georgian Bay. I was pleasantly surprised with their durability. Also, I have found that the easiest way to store is to slice a section of pool noodle about 3/4 to 1 in and thread the harness one per slice. The blade sits well inside the hole and you can stuff a bunch individually into a plastic tackle tray. This worked better for me than slicing a larger section and threading 5-6 per section.

BillM it was rain, not sweat.Lower third of Phone was full of water. Agree 100% that if I even take it now I will ziplock it. Lesson learned. thanks for all the suggestions.

After about an 8 year run with mismatched but functional rain gear, I decided to upgrade and spent $200 on set of Gander's Guide Series matching bibs and jacket. I was profoundly disappointed in the jacket. Whole shirt was damp and it ruined my I-Phone w/ some great Canada pics of some decent walleyes (had it tucked away in a heavy duty pocket). This was a steady but light rain and I shouldn't have gotten soaked. Returned the gear and needless to say am in the market for some sustainable gear. Any recommendations greatly appreciated. thanks!

Mike: I a self-designated honourary Ontarian. I have been coming north for 35 years, am a certified Neil and Gord fan (have seen both in concert numerous times), can fillet a walleye blindfolded, make my own harnesses, can name all the provinces and the PM, and am addicted to ketchup chips. Does this count for anything? Sincerely, One groveling American....

No question Neil Young. Others would include Al Lindner and I'd include Solopaddler on the list as well!!

Guys I'm sorry every time I type an N it comes out a C...WTH....

OFC!!!!

Darn it damn editing option didn't work I meant OFC friends! Sorry!

Whoops typo I meant my OFC friends...........

Wow thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. Looks like I have a ton of homework to do and some logistics to plan. If anyone ever wishes to visit Canton OH, I'll make sure to return the favor!!! (but I'm not expecting a flurry of activity from my OFC friends on that score--and it will be a much shorter list--and no good fishing downtown!!!) Cheers!

Thanks Paudash and K-Frog for the good advice. We will do just that. Still apprehensive about embarrasing myself w/ bad French though...all those years goofing off in French class will finally catch up w/ me....

Friends: The better half and I will soon be celebrating our 25th on our 1st trip to Montreal. Although I consider myself a well worn vet of traveling in God's Country and Ontario in particular, this is our 1st trip to Quebec. Although it's been years since I had French class, we really want to try to respect the local customs and cultures, including trying to speak the language. Any do's and don'ts (as well as handy reference language translation guides) and/or war stories would be greatly appreciated, or should I say tres bien! Thanks to all who respond.

Something similar happened to us on Georgian Bay this summer. 2 boats of us were drifting parallel to shore with a marker out that was marking the point/edge of a weedbed when a boat w moe, curly, and larry pulls in and gets right in between our boats while we're on our drift...AND ANCHORS!!! Now we don't own the water and if they would have "got in line" and started a similar drift, that would have been OK by me. But I have never experienced someone anchoring in the middle of a tight drift of 2 boats. They essentially anchored about 20 yds from our marker and ruined our drift.... these same jagaloons then picked up and were drifting within about 6 inches of our marker. We never said a word, despite their rudeness, because in the grand scheme of things, it's just not worth it. As karma would have it, I busted a nice smallie on a bladebait by accident (we were targeting walleye) right in front of their noses. The best remedy I've found is to either ignore them or leave. The second you arrive at your next fishing hole all the steam comes right out of your ears....

Mike: Great report and thanks for sharing. Of all the trips I've taken with my fishin buddies, the ones with the kids I look back on most fondly.

I'm a huge Silva fan but no matter who you are--athlete, politician, etc--when you think you've reached a station where you think you're invulnerable, life and karma have a way of leveling things out. In retrospect it appears that he needed a few PSI released from his inflated head. Bigger question is what he learns from it....

Great report and thanks for sharing. Looks like a fantastic walleye fishery. Quick question about the CPAP--was it a battery powered one your friend used solely for the fly in, and can you or he recommend one? Looking for options for my father in law, who uses traditional (electric) one and may need to look into a battery powered one for our next trip. Thanks! Cheers, Brian