Kerry

Scotty makes a great downrigger Dan.Even the manual one with a ten pound ball is pretty easy coming up. Kerry

I did talk to a person on the floor who was on the phone with his manager-which one I don't know.He or she didn't come down and I wasn't there to do a hissy fit or anything but I wanted it made aware to the store the ad is wrong.There is no contact email on line that I saw or I would have sent a message in regards to the ad.However saying all that there could be two stores out there that have the featherlight ladders on hand and priced on sale.Mainly I posted for other trades to not be disappointed if they don't have what's shown and as I finished up on the original post I am satisfied with the deal on the Vulcan ladder.The LITE ladders are a good deal for that price but that simply is not what is advertised.Anyway that's why I said a little rant. Kerry

Well I ran up to Canadian Tire today to get the 20' and 24' FEATHERLIGHT extension ladders that are on and pictured in the flyer.The 20' shown is on for 99.99 and the 24' not shown is on for 119.99.Better than a great deal for featherlight ladders except when I got there I find the product code is for the LITE or PROLITE ladders.Not even a close comparison and two totally different companies.I brought this 'discrepancy' to a managers attention and basically got the "I can't do anything for you ' shrug.So I go to the online flyer and the details link it to the Tradesman series of LITE products.Regardless of the grading the featherlight is a far superior ladder over lite ladders.It's a good deal for the lite ladders and they are alright but the ad AND picture show featherlight,and that's what I expected to be picking up.Needless to say I'm very disappointed....but I'll still shop there.Does that make me a bit of a hippocrit? On another note I picked up the Vulcan !3' articulating ladder a couple of weeks ago from CTC on for 99.99.A hundred bucks off and am extremely happy.At least I got what was advertised and am satisfied. Kerry

HAha, Tell you what.Just use it and catch me dinner and we'll call it even! Kerry

Funny, I've hit really big eye's on Balsam trolling 8 & 10 inch believers for musky.My average speed is probably 2.4 miles per hour.Mostly off deep shoals where you might get a hang up or just skim the top of the shoal.It's always a surprise when it's a big eye coming up cause they fight a lot harder there for some reason. Kerry

Dave, I kill myself laughing every time I see your show.To me that's MERCER'S MAGIC.Keep up the good work and thanks for showing us products and ideas that help make us all better anglers. Kerry

If you happen to snag a small scotty stacker release off of the 7th or 8th of Oro or thereabouts that'll be the one I donated a couple of weeks back.Tried to adjust it hanging over the side and unhooked the dang thing by accident.Kinda ruined my bottom bouncing plans that day. Kerry

It ain't dentistry anymore,it's called Cosmetic Surgery.Dental plans are a joke, you're paying for it anyway and it plays right in to the scheme of revolving door dentistry. Six years ago I was told 'had to have a root canal' blah blah blah.I said no just a filling I'll worry about it when it starts singing.................Still waiting.I pay for my own, no plan. Kerry

Good Luck Skud,I got my first this year outside the canoe launch but it was only a mid twenties fish.Still looking for one over 36. Kerry

Very impressed with how it worked for me.Both outboards run way better,neither has been serviced for a while.I bought mine at Ideal Supply bout 12 bucks total.Worth every penny.Will use the same for my sled come the season. Kerry

Wow,what you miss after a few days away from the computer.My deepest sympathies to you and your family Wayne. 49 is just way too young. Kerry

Bly got it right and I'll add start right out front of the park and work the outer edge of the weedbeds from the opposite end of the swimming area to the canoe launch at the far end.Pay attention to the dropoffs and evenings do pay off for that approach.If you want to troll or cast stick with perch patterned Xraps or regular rapalas or stick baits.Keep them ticking near or over the weeds.Might not hurt to run a thin wire leader as musky like to ply the same water. Your boat and motor combo is perfectly fine,the most you need to be from shore is 2-300 yds anywhere on that stretch to hit the drop offs. Anyway just beware there are slot sizes and different limits on Balsam/Mitchell Lakes.Good luck on your camping/fishing and post up some pics! Kerry

Try a large Shad Rap in the bass/pumpkinseed colour and use a very erratic retrieve to simulate a bass that's been caught and being reeled in.THEN show us a picture of your released hog! Kerry

Also musky in there.Many just troll the channel.You'll notice my avatar is taken at the launch just outside the channel heading into Mitchell. Kerry

I love pike fishing like the next guy but if I'm going to Balsam it's for musky not pike.I'll stay at home and fish Cooch or St John for pike.The Kawarthas have been managed for Musky.The more we can do to help the better.CNE is a good approach. Kerry

Great pics and I'm glad those pike aren't from balsam.Had me thinkin' of doing some preventative catching and eatin' Kerry

WoW! Imagine what the weight would be if the body matched the size of his head.Beauty pics and a great report. Kerry

A couple things. You may be a little close to the motor and it's cavitation may be affecting the reading. Check to make sure it's not in line with one of the keels underneath as that will also cause a cavitation problem.Air bubbles around the 'ducer can affect it.Also check to make sure your power and 'ducer wires to the graph aren't crossing wires going to the motor or controls or at least try to insulate them from that.Sensitive units can be affected. If you can see the normal water line on your boat at rest while on the trailer try levelling the 'ducer to that and I would definately raise it a bit. Your other 'ducer is set up on a flat chine which is the best spot.If you could try switching the spots and see if that stops the problem. Kerry

If you're hoping to get in Bass Lake on opening weekend for bass you're probably out of luck.It's usually booked way early for that weekend.Check the on line registration for availability if you plan on camping too. Kerry

Hit Balsam today out from the Prov Park.Spent the morning chasing marks on the graph no fish. I had bumped into a fella at the dock asking about the fishing.Told him to stay pretty shallow for musky.Bout an hour and a half later he comes trolling by with a big grin and says thanks.Got himself a 36 incher.Well at least I can talk a legal into some one elses boat.Any way after a bit I moved on down towards the canoe launch and started firing out a perch coloured Wally Minnow hoping for dinner.Not much happening for a good 15 mins when BAMM boat side on a halfhearted figure eight.Go figure soon as I decide I'm walleye fishing now up comes a musky. I'm still trying to catch a legal size but at least I started the season off with some slime. Kerry

Balsam was between 62 and 63 today.Got ' slimed' for my first outing. Just a mid twenties fish but great to get one early. Kerry

Do yourself a favor and try a good auto parts supplier( Ideal,Garage Supply,or Parry's) and get the double lipped seals.Most of the trailer bearing sets don't give you the greatest seals.May have less problem with the grease blowing the seals out. Normally when I grease mine I watch for the inner cup to just start to push out,then stop pumping the grease. Kerry

My wife and I were in Lindsay today shopping but I had to check out the river.Just using a 1 1/2" red and white tube and float I caught a dozen or so rock bass, 4 perch raised a nice largemouth about 2lbs and the surprise a 14" walleye just beside the boat launch.This was on the Sturgeon Lake side of the dam.Didn't keep any,was really hoping to get some crappy and if I had one or two the wally would have went home too.The wind roared all day. Kerry

I like your method better.What the other video shows is wasting a lot of good meat from the tail section and belly.Pike have lots of meat around the rib areas and under.Much more than you're used to seeing when cleaning other fish.Why waste it. Kerry

Well Sinker, I didn't go to the meetings but I did do the online survey for my input as I love fishing in the Kawarthas.Balsam Lake being my favorite.Really hope that a winter panfish season comes into play in the future for the Kawarthas. On that note to answer to the original post I have no problem eating whatever I catch IF I'm in an eating mood.I only want for a good fresh fish dinner once a week as well.I'll eat the same in bass as walleye although I prefer bass to be no more than a pound max. Gary2rs Don't forget that fish spawn too.It's not like the lake/s have a finite number that is being whittled down to nothing.Some lake populations need enhancement others just need management.Most need the cormorants culled and everything would be fine.At least that's my view. Kerry