John the Fisherman

Hey Doc. I will give you some advice on Ski-Doo sleds with Raves. If it is cold, like -20 or lower, you have to let Ski-Doo's warm up for a few minutes before you jump on them and pin it. They have a reputation of blowing pistons if they are not warmed up enough. Found out from experience and the mechanics advice. Be sure to run a good oil. Synthetic is more money, but it is better. I have a 700 SKS now, and I have no problem pulling it over when very cold. You should pull it over just a bit to loosen things up. Even half a pull is good. It just takes some strain off the battery from the start. Happy trails. JTF

Having previously worked within MNR Fire for 13 seasons I have seen a couple co- workers become C.O's. As well as retired C.O's who started out within Fire. MNR will look inside itself for hirees initially. The best candidates are those who went to a college for natural resource field. Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Parks. Those with fire experience on a resume have just met all the travel requirements and working in inclimate weather part. When I was a crewleader I had to be taught fire investigation techniques along with C.O's for the purpose of court cases should a individual be charged. I was on the prosecution side. Computers and forms is where I would be after getting back from a fire. Using my notes and fire diary for the final report were included into the file. I too would like to see more enforcement for the land. I am not saying the applicants have to be from fire, but it certainly helps get you the interview. Interviews are done more on a point scale these days, so it is the individual with the most points at the end of the competition who has the first opportunity to take the job. I have worked with many C.O's while with MNR. Enforcement and Fire are probably the only ministries with a common history because we did'nt get crap from OPSEU. Ha. I am no longer in the public sector with MNR, but always thought about throwing my hat in at one time, but something else came along that suits me fine today. JTF

My uncle (non- status)has transported moose for his son (status) to the butchers on more than one occasion over the years. My uncle is retired, so he has plenty of time. My uncle was instructed to have a note from his son with the name: address: phone #: status card#, and a brief description of the hunt as to when and where the moose was killed within our Traditional Territory. When my uncle gets to the butcher, he gives this note to the butcher. For pretty much the same reason. If a C.O drops by to see the butcher then the butcher has his proof. An aboriginals "Treaty Area" is not the immediate area surrounding a local First Nation, it is much larger than that. The treaty areas within the Province are the: Robinson-Huron, Robinson-Superior, Williams, Upper Canada, #3, #5, and #9. Each aboriginal person is adhered to one treaty area. For eg. I am associated with Robinson-Huron. So, for me to hunt or fish I have to be inside my Treaty Area, but if I want to hunt or fish anywhere outside my First Nations "Traditional Territory" I will need to have written permission from the First Nation around whos area I may be near. I can be charged without this written permission by a C.O. I think that the kill cannot leave the "Treaty Area" without a note from the local First Nation as well. For example Kenora area to Timmins. That would be crossing borders from # 3 to #9 through Robinson-Superior. I seem to recall a status friend having his game confiscated because he had no note to transport across Treaty Borders. He had previous permission to hunt where he did get his kill, but he did not get a letter to take his game home. He was not charged with illegal transport, but now he makes sure he has it stated in the letter that he is permitted to take game home after the hunt. This is helpful to First Nations because it gives them an idea of what is harvested within their Traditional Territory, and these numbers can be added and compared with provincial numbers to assist in population estimates. JTF

I have hunted plenty with non-status friends for moose for many years. I pondered the same question, as did many of my friends, so one day many years ago I asked the C.O. His reply was we can hunt all together as long as I do not "Push" the animal towards one of my non-status friends sitting on watch. This is in a sense acting as a hunt guide, of which you need a license to do. Hence, Licensed Guide Services of which I am not. As for the Metis issue I would be handling that with kid gloves because it is a New situation, and the laws regarding hunting and fishing rights for Metis people is all new in the provincial courts. It is still "pardon the pun" trial and error. The Metis Nation of Ontario really has no authority in delegating the use of fish and game for its people. Unlike status indians with "Treaty Rights" these are adhered from the Federal Government. It is the feds who decide who is status and who is not under the "Indian Act" for which many First Nations people have a bit of a time comprehending. Good Hunting or Fishing. (Denny Crane style)

What's the difference between a cigarette vending machine and the Leafs? The vending machine has Player's JTF

I thought hunting was meant to be a time of getting together with old buds and family. Shooting the breeze and having a few cool ones at the end of the day. Not worrying about how one smells as close to dirt as humanly possible. I just put on my gear and go. If there is something there and you get a shot off, well that is great (if the shot is lethal). There is skill in hunting, but if your prey is more skillfull it won't matter if you scent bloc yourself from head to toe.

I guess it all depends what you are getting on the water with. Canoe, Jon boat, Bass Boat, etc. etc. Cassels and Rabbit have been good for walleye this season from what a friend tells me. Red Squirrel has not been too bad either. Blueberry lake has some good bass I know of from past experience. Thieving Bear has been a dud. Temag has been producing walleye as well. (location,location location). Pike are a plenty in many area lakes.

I went to N.S years ago. (twice). Our 1st trip was through Quebec and into NB, and then the ferry from Saint John(s?) to Digby. Not much to see as far as I was concerned. The 2nd time we went via USA into Vermont, New Hampshire. So much more scenic that way. If you go that way you should check out Mt. Washington NH. (highest point on eastern seaboard) I would check out a little town in NS called Alma. Nice little scenic town on the coast. Anywhere around Lunenburg is nice too. With our dollar as high as it is with the US dollar I would go US all the way again. The Cabot Trail is another good trip to do if you have the time. JTF

With the economy being what it is and people taking "Staycations" the houseboats @ Three Bouys have been stationary for the past few weekends. There are a few out, but not like in the previous years. There were 6 or 7 h-boats tied to the dock yesterday, so I am thinking you could luck out by calling the Garehs (owners) as they may have an opening for when you need. Can't hurt.

It is not inside a Provincial Park area, and there are canoe routes through Red Cedar, so I would suspect camp sites. There is no fee for camping on crown land unless you are in a within the boundaries of a park zone beit a campground or wilderness park. eg. Lady Evelyn or Quetico. Just just take time to clean up when your done, and have a good time. JTF

We then headed further up the lake and found someone's hut, hopefully not John the Fishermans, had tumbled for about a 1000 feet. We picked up the wreckage... fishing rods.. axe... heater.. propane bottles and put it all inside the wreckage and moved on. I must say that it was very windy on Friday, and my hut did move a bit. About 20 ft, but thank Christ that was not my hut you came upon. I am sure whoever owned (not much good now) that one appreciated your help in gathering up their stuff. Good post and pics. And yes I agree with you about leaving the mess, and using those Chub. They don't come from here, so they don't belong here (unless their used as dead baits). JTF

Umm... the 3,000,000 people living just 3 hrs to the south would'nt have nothing to do with the lack of fish around here today now would it? Cry all you want ya bunch of whiners. Like I tell some of my uncarded friends ( and I do consider them friends). "There was plenty of fish and game around here before you guys showed up."

A few years ago (04 I think) when we had little snow and a ton of good ice I had put more miles on my truck going to work or fishing than I did on my sled. Travelling Temagami pretty much every day on the ice and going just about everywhere when the bite is on (except where you should not take a truck) is just something that is part of my life. I need to get to work, I fish, and I have to look after a hut, and a little golf in March / April when the ice is just perfect for smacking a few balls around some islands (9 hole rounds). I bring my truck on the lake when I know I can use it, and I take it off when I know I can't use it. There are people on the lake who I listen to, and there are those I pay no mind to. Some times I've been the first to go, but I read the ice by checking it myself (on my sled of course). Come spring when the ice begins to thin out and turn black in mid April the sled gets uncovered on a daily basis. I think it is all based on your surrounding habitat and the knowledge one learns from living there over a period of time (years/decades). As for the insurance, I got into an fender bender on Nippissing years ago, and I was covered. Temagami First Nation vehicles are covered, OPP and other government agencies are covered. My buddys was covered this winter when his came to rest on bottom. If you had no coverage on the ice, then you would not be covered in a shopping mall parking lot, some back woods logging road, or any other area where the Highway Traffic Act says you are covered. I sled is insured, and so is my truck. But, I like my truck more because it has a much better windshield. JTF

You could also try Temagami Boat Livery (569-3321) I know Temagami Shores use to get shiners from Laperrier's. Maybe you could see if the Shores will sell you some if they have any now. I think they may have surplus since one of their huts burnt down Sat. night. Ha.

Well, The snow on the lake has gone down at least a 1/2 foot. The ice road was a little soft on top today, with some small skims of water on top. TFN has been plowing with the 5 ton now, and today would be a good day to plow before all those little tire ridges freeze by the weekend. I have not been on the sled in a few days, but I will say that the snow was getting almost a bit too deep before this melt. 700's can be a bit hard on gas when driving around breaking trail. Not tough going with a good sled. Just MPG. There is slush to be found, but it is not very deep. I was on a lake just past that I was on a few years ago with slush over the knee. There was none the other day. Once it turns -17 for Fri. night that will stiffin it all up on top for sure. It should be perfect for heading into some unbroken back lakes for specks or pike. JTF

Hey Terry. Temagami itself is particular to first and last light for walleye. Not many during the mid day, but it does happen on occasion.. I am currently fishing (and always have) between 35-60 FOW. Look for these kinds of shoals and structure that provide a sharp change in depth. They are hitting both jigs (I use nothing but silver and blue Williams for everything) and still lines (pickeral rig with good hooks, not those cheap ones) They are not pre spawn aggressive yet, but they are taking it hard and soft. Soon they will bulk up for spawn and nail a bait hard(as far as walleye are concerned). Other lakes such as Cassells, Net, Rabbit are a bit different as far as time of day. These lakes can provide a bit more walleye action during mid day, but theres nicer walleye in Temagami. The trout are bitting good right now. Better than the walleye, but at least it can keep you on your toes prior to the feeding frenzy's that can occur. Also, the bite may only go for 3/4 to 1 hour. Thats when I pack up and go home to clean em. JTF

That would be cool for the Temagami area. I remember back in the mid- 80's when rally organization "The Rally De Voyaguer". Then the cars would race to Wahnapite down Red Squirrel and back to the train station in the middle of town for maintenance. I remember the teams would have the parking lot covered in flood lights so they could work on the cars after dark. Sometimes past the bar closing at 1.a.m. I have spent some time thinking of this kinda event for Temagami, but there is just not enough accomodations around here to support just one weekend of racing. Need sponsors to provide cash for winners for their expenses at the least. Anyhow, that is cool and those are good pics. Formula 1 starts in 45 days. Can't wait.

Umm... Bigbuck. Sorry, and not discounting your buddy's dad on his stories of catching fish here back in the 60's, but there are, and never where any muskie in Temag. Nice pike and walleye for sure, but no Muskie. I would not want you to fish here expecting to catch the cousin of a pike, and just catch pike. The closest lake around here for muskie would be Nippissing and the French River. JTF

Well, our illustrious MNR with OPP enforcement was out on Temagami for the first time over the weekend (Sat) to be precise. It was late when they stopped by the hut on the way to town. About 7 p.m. Never had fish to claim, so no issues to mention. Got to talking about the usual "catch anything?...No. " Walleye not hitting very hard...missed a few. Same as further up the lake. They left, I finished my pint, then I left. Head lights coming towards your hut after dark may not always be the common man. Heads up!

The vehicle that went through on Temagami was a Kia SUV. The occupants were on their way home to Bear Island and pretty much went through a few hundred yards from their home in Flyers Bay. The vehicle is still on bottom, but the driver is getting an insurance settlement. As for driving like an old lady on the lake, I sure would not want to go with you guys very far up the lake at 18km. I drive every day on the lake and have done so for years and years. Never had a wave pop up in front of me at shore. My speed is comparable to highway driving pretty much all the time. I drive a pick up not a 5 ton or a semi. You have been watching to much "Ice Road Truckers". Proceed with caution is a good practice, but if there is over 12" you can relax a bit.