Kerry

Aside from the concerns of an ice wave I'm glad the idiot didn't hit your guys hut being only 30 ft away.If they ever hit a rut there'd be no way of controlling their vehicle out there. Kerry

It has to be a pretty good design as BRP is introducing the same type of system in their SKI DOO snowmobiles.Two strokes are far from dead yet and the technology with today's synthetic oils is proving to be as good as 4 strokes. Kerry

It would be nice if they could but there is so much water still backed up in the system throughout our area they have to let it out.If we had the same thaw starting today with what is now on the ground again here after the last few days it would likely be worse than the recent flood up in Huntsville in many areas throughout our region.Letting some water out may help keep the slush to a minimum under the snow too. Kerry

The really sad part is Quebec actually had a president/minister that used the resource(even if it may have been abused).Can't say that about Ontario can we. Kerry

The MNR can put any spin they want on it.It won't stop the ones that will leave garbage and old tents behind cause it's hit or miss when it comes to being checked.Seeing as the ice is considered as not safe they won't likely be out on the lakes till the snowmobile clubs start staking or at least that's the way it seems to be around Orillia anyway.They'll sit in the parking lot and wait for you.Anyway,I guarantee you regardless of the size of my Clam portable I'd have to be an idiot to leave it overnite unattended.It would serve me right if it was taken. Kerry

First,I want to say my condolences to the families that have to deal with the aftermath of this unfortunate incident.It's terrible but could have been avoided by simple common sense. According to the article in the local Packet here in Orillia the bodies were found 150 ft from Georgina Island.If that was the case floatation suites whether it be the Orange one piece or comparable two piece snowmobile type (Mustang Ice Rider) in conjunction with the hand ice picks may have given one or both a chance to make it to safety.ANYONE that drives a sled has to have seen the video that the OFSC has touted for years,and even if you don't ride trails most will have watched the snowmobiler television show or snow trax and they both promote safe habits when it comes to ice riding. Most riders that I know don't like the ice rider type suits including myself as they don't breathe like a normal suite,so you either sweat too much or you end up cold from the trapped moisture after.I can attest to that from my one piece if I'm walking out a long distance pulling my stuff,You sweat!If I use the sled while fishing I wear my one piece floatation and as a matter of course will punch a few holes enroute just to quell the nerves.I'm usually fishing Cooch or St John so ice conditions are pretty consistent and of course are much smaller bodies of water.Ice fishing areas are also pretty consistent so there is lots of common routes on the lakes. When we are snowmobiling I wear my normal suite but I also check the OFSC website before I ride the area that I'm going and will talk to people at stops along the way and get ice reports if possible as we ride if we are possibly going to cross water.We only do staked lake runs and as of today there are no lakes staked anywhere around us. Probably the worst case scenario is if an emergency response member gives up his/her life in the process of recovering someone that's already gone.That would be a shame. Kerry

I'll be due to replace the sliders on my sled(snowmobile that is) after the warmup next week.I'm gonna use the old ones on mine.Got any buddies that might have some old ones lying around? Kerry

Well talk about leaving it last minute,I just got mine 2 minutes ago.I'm good for 3 more years.Since it took so long you think they could have updated the picture on the card...like maybe a musky or somethin'.I liked the old one with the walleyes on it.Hope the artist gets royalties cause it looks like he's out of a job. Kerry

Sheesh! There must be something up with Nov 29th as I'm still waiting for mine too.If I knew they were going to make me wait 5-6 weeks on line I would have mailed it out. Kerry

Really nice crappies Glen.I'm jealous but hoping to change that on the ice this weekend! Kerry

I tried the leeches in the tub as I got those but to no avail. Kerry

I thought I knew a couple a spots too Gerritt but The fish knew we was comin'. Kerry

Hey Brian, If that's the case buddy I'm in serious Ca Ca cause other than mini tubes for perch.... and crappies IF I can find those guys I pretty much rely on tipped shiners.Keepin' my fingers crossed. Kerry

Ok my buddy got his north of Orillia,can't remember the name but he is not supplied by Jacob's.Right now all they have is a river chub of some sort.I prefer shiners and they won't have any for a bit.I guess we're in a waiting pattern. We marked lots of bait in St John today but nothing biting.I didn't stop in Rama to check there. Sure is good to stand on hard water.BTW St John had 5" of good clear ice and 2" of crap on top with about 2" of snow on that out from the airport side. Kerry

Hey all, Just a heads up,as of this morning I found out Tromblys doesn't have any minnows and Hook and Bow in atherley isn't open so i can't tell if they have any at this time.Apparently Jacob is in the hospital from a heart attack.I'm not sure but that was what I was told. So if anyone is considering fishing up here in the next little while either call ahead or get them on the way. I haven't checked the one in Rama but will be by there today.A buddy is checking towards Kilworthy as they are supplied from someone up that way. Kerry

Wayne, On the way back from working in Midland yesterday I coulda' swore I saw the huts out from Hogg's Bay already.I can't wait to get out on some hard water seeing as the boat went into the back yard last weekend. Good thing is we already have some early snowmobile trails opening up towards Haliburton and east so at least the sledding season is coming online quicker this year. Kerry

Percher, I would definately go with the Clam/Trap models.I have the trap pro which I got last year and love it.My only suggestion with anyone pulling one of these guys by hand is lengthen the rope so you have like about 6-8 feet of space between you and the sled.Wrap or secure it around your waist.Someone recently mentioned a weight belt which I'm gonna try cause I have one and they'll stay on while pulling.Distribute the weight in the box so it's a little biased to the rear and carry your auger(hand type) or spud bar.That'll keep a lot of the plowing under control when you gotta go thru snow. Kerry

I'm sure the individual that invented it Cliff had many 'fishless' outings.Great story and pics! Kerry

I'm going to echo Ron and say Lake Simcoe.The condition of the fishery with big perch,huge smallies a put and take smorgasborg of fatty lakers and whitefish,a herring moratorium,smelt coming back.Nobody allowed to fish for one.God if I was a musky I wouldn't need to look at a lure.She's already there.Probably die before anyone catches her. Kerry

I have lived with persistant fatigue for about 3yrs now and it's all (in my case) due to my back.Deteriorated discs cause all sorts of problems with your health,not the least of which is being contantly tired.I have charlie horses frequently, especially when sleeping or at rest.A lot of times it's just from a small movement or being in a crouched position,just like putting your back out on the smallest thing when for a week you felt like everything was back to normal. I can't say I have restless leg but our family including myself has a habit of foot movements while sitting that my wife has mentioned a few times,it's just normal to me. I won't use any sort of medication yet while I can still do things in basically a normal fashion.Exercise and monthly visits to the chiropractor are keeping me even but that doesn't really change the tired feeling.It doesn't help that fall is here and every day seems that much duller.Hope you can find an answer Gerritt. Kerry

007, I sure hope you send some pics from back home fishin' cause you've told quite a good story over the season here.Good luck on your future endeavours. Kerry

Surprisingly enough it wasn't windy really at all today till I headed off about 1:30 so I can't really knock the weather as I usually have much better days on the water when it's calm anyway. Incidentally Rizzo a couple of my winter projects are two sledges that I ordered.A 6" & a 9" weighted.Haven't really decided what colour I'm going with yet.I was using shad raps in the same manner today but I think something that will suspend and not rise real quick would be more appropriate as I couldn't really let those ones just hang there or they come right up to the surface.That'll have to wait till next year. Kerry

He was fat for sure,I caught him off the break in about 11 ft of water just before 8 am. The water temps were just over 50 as musky66 said.I really didn't get to do much of a pattern as he hit on my second retrieve and stupid me didn't throw out a marker while taking the pic so I kinda lost my position and after an hour working that area I moved on.I did find some warmer water almost 52 degrees off of Grand island and some colder at 49 by Ball island.Neither made a difference for me.I tried casting and trolling and there is still an awful lot of green weeds out there. It sure is fun building your own lures and catching something on them.I 've got lots of stuff to play with over the winter and it was nice to test things out and see how they worked.That 2ouncer looks really good in the water and runs really nice except it's a chunk and I made it with the intentions of slow rolling deeper drop offs.I made a couple of 1 oz ones which really throw easy and also retrieve easier for less depth. You know the season is fast coming to an end when you drive thru Mitchell and all you see is mud and stumps. Kerry

Well I got out on balsam this morning looking for a musky but it wasn't to be.Reaqlly nice out there and not many boats around.I did get this little guy early at Ant island and he fought like a champ all the way in: Best part was catching him on my just made this week 2oz spinnerbait.I'm gonna keep RealPro busy this winter! Kerry

Interesting read Cliff, I love catchin' them,I love cleanin' them and I espescially love 'Eatin' them.Mmmmm walleye fillets,walleye cheeks,walleye wings.Man,now I gotta get me some walleye!! Kerry