4x4bassin

From what I'm being told all backcountry permits are being issued as of today with some access roads being closed . The west side of the park still has some flooding and some snow issues on some access roads making them impassable . Advisories have been posted for this area of the park . Good luck all !!!

Those guys have helped me out a couple times as well

Video looks great Simon , might look into that mount for my dog . On a side note and just throwing it out there for those who don't know ( I didn't till last spring) Dogs , specifically labs and other sporting breeds develop what is known as "broken tail" or "dead tail" from swimming in ice cold water for any length of time . My dog loves the water and will swim all day and last spring we were out throwing the ball around a local lake a week or two after ice out and she developed this issue . It was very painful for her and her tail actually looked like it was "broken" Took a couple days to recover and everything was good again but definitely no more lengthy cold water swims for her any more . Just thought I would mention this in case anyone out there ever experiences something like this with there own dog.

Just been looking at some pictures from Algonquin (Opeongo) and there won't be any fishing in those lakes over the next couple days unless you have an auger . Completely ice covered with a bit of melt around the shorelines. Next weekends schedule opening could be in jeopardy but it will be close with some nice weather coming in over the next week.

^^^ Last 4 years I believe

^^^ First weekend in May won't be a problem I can guarantee that . The ice conditions were a lot thicker last year in that area and the ice was off the lakes around May 1st so May won't be a problem this year .

^^^ No info. from Bancroft Locnar but by just looking at the above sat. images and from what I have heard from the Algonquin Park area I would say the lakes are still ice covered and are going to be for at least a week in the Bancroft area . It is amazing how that area still has as much snow and ice still today , take a look at sat. images of the Algonquin area and you will see . Not sure what lakes you are talking about but Bancroft is not that far from Algonquin so the closer you are to that area the longer the ice will be on the lakes .

Just throwing this out there for those that are heading up to Algonquin for the trout opener . I received notification today that all backcountry permits are delayed till April 28 thus putting a hold on getting to your favorite back lake in Algonquin for the opener . All lakes in the area are mostly ice covered and they don't expect them to be clear for at least another week or two . The back roads and portages are still snow/ice covered as well .

I received a couple reports today on ice conditions in central Ontario . Lakes in the Parry Sound area are 75-90%% ice free and what remains is very soft and melting fast . Lakes in this area should be 100% ice free over this weekend with the warm temps. and rain . Lakes in the Algonquin Park area are still mostly ice covered and I'm being told they will probably remain ice covered for at least another week . As of today all back country permits for Algonquin have been cancelled till April 28th due to the winter/ice conditions in the area thus putting a hold on plans for anyone going into the park for trout opener .

^^^ The video is correct but eventually that factory or original DWR wears out and you have to treat it with the spray or wash in . But like I said unless you are rolling around in the mud with your suit on I wouldn't wash it . Once it is washed a couple times that original DWR is gone and the treatments won't bring it back to original . Now the treatments do work for a little while but don't last as long as the original DWR .

One thing that has not been mentioned here and maybe a lot of people don't even know is that Gore-Tex comes in different grades . Most of the middle of the line suits are made with the regular Gore-Tex product and it's a great product that is very suitable for everyones needs . Then there is the top of line that is called Pro Gore-Tex that come in top of the line stuff but is very pricey . The Simms suit is made with the Pro Gore Tex that's why it's almost twice as much but it's a far superior rain suit and you will pay for that upgrade . I also believe there is a lesser grade then the above two that is cheaper to buy but obviously not as good . You will see these different grades reflected in the price for sure . Keep this in mind when you are looking . . As for the longevity of Gore-Tex the above posters are bang on in that you have to clean the product with appropriate cleaners when it gets dirty . Once it gets dirty/old and the water doesn't bead off it anymore the fabric will "wet through" and you will get damp/wet .Be fore warned and this is from my experience don't wash/treat your suit until its necessary . The original water repellent (DWR) on the suit is the best its going to get and once it's washed with the cleaners its gone for good and all the treatments won't bring it back to original .

^ Those look good Drifter

Exactly what Joeytier said . From my experience the lake trout really don't start getting active till that first warm spell after ice out . Once that warm shot hits , the lake comes alive and the lakes food chain really ramps up and the lakers become super active . If you can time it right , start in the north - north west part of the lake (warmest water) and troll . You don't have to be in deep water either. On my spring trip I will troll around in these bays and they range from 10-30ft deep . Anyways , this pattern really works for us and is worth a shot in your lake . You might be surprised !

^^^ That's funny JoshS , well not really . That happened to me last year as well . Coat flew out of boat and I didn't realize till the end of the day . Big kick in the ass there !!! Anyways , the one I lost was Guide Wear and it was a very good coat . Replaced it with another one and it has been flawless . I had an older Guide Wear coat that was pretty good as well but these newer ones are a lot better in my view . One thing I look for is how much Velcro is on the product , hate the stuff so less is best in my eyes . I do a lot of backwoods trekking/fishing and found that the Velcro on my old coat would pick up every pine needle and such making it look like crap but also deeming the Velcro almost useless . The new coat has very little Velcro compared to the older models . Also Cabelas has a great warranty program with there products . I know the Guide Wear goes on sale every so often compared to the BPS 100mph which hardly ever goes on sale . Either way they are both great products and you won't lose with either . One more thing , don't hesitate in spending the money on a good rain suit . Bar none , one of the best investments I have made . Nothing worse then being on a camping trip and getting soaked to the bone in cheap raingear . Been there , froze and not doing it again

Just got an ice report from some inland lakes in the Parry Sound area . Still 10" of ice on most lakes with some areas being less due to incoming streams and sun angles . Still a ways to go before ice out in this area but it is melting fast and will soon be unsafe for travel. I will post more updates for this area as I get them .

That's a terrible position to be in and as much as I love dogs I have to say you made the right decision here . Your safety first in that situation . Who knows , the dog might of got out and headed home .

^^^ "Selling cougar teeth for boner medicine at Dundas and Spadina" that's funny but sadly , probably the truth !!!

Thanks for the read Smitty !!!

Nice , love the lakers !!!

I will say the same as everyone else . Stay clear of the shipping/courier companies and go with USPS if possible . A $100 item can turn into a $200 item pretty quick with all those fees !!! I actually bought a coat from Cabela's .com a couple years ago that I thought was a great deal but by the time it got to my door it was more money then if I went to the Barrie store and picked it up myself , lesson learned .

Seen it as well , way to go fella's

My deepest condolences as well . I am in shock like so many here today . She was a long time member here and her contributions and great photo's will be sadly missed by myself and other's . Take care Paul .

Enjoyed that , thanks !

Like others have said and from my encounter the two things that stick out in my mind is the tail and the speed in which the animal evaded me . Had many adventures in the back woods over the years and have seen a lot of things but have never seen anything like I did that day .

Interesting topic to say the least that has been talked about for years . I have my own story that I don't talk about too much because I don't want people to think I'm crazy but I know what I saw . About 8 years ago I was driving in the area just NW of Orangeville when I seen something walking on the side of the road . It was approx. 100 yards in front of me and I first thought it was a big dog which didn't really alarm me but as I got a bit closer I realized it wasn't a dog but couldn't really tell what it was . I quickly sped up to see if I could identify the animal and of course it disappeared down into the ditch in the blink of an eye . There were two things that really stuck out with this encounter and one of them was the animal had a long thick tail that I immediately noticed as I got closer and realized it was not a dog and the second thing was where I seen the animal it was fairly open farm land and a fence row with scrub and trees . I was not that far away from the animal when it jumped into the ditch (dogs don't evade) and I fully expected to see it in the field or in the tree line but do you think I seen it again , no chance ! What ever it was, it made off at lightning speed or was good at hide and seek . Now , I know what I saw that day and the details are etched strong into my head. I still can't imagine it would be a cougar but that is the only thing it could of been. I Believe !!!!