Jigger

Huge fish if true. I read this rumour on another site, CNR as well. Would love to hear the full account.

My wife doesn't like when I drive like this...

Appreciate the kind words guys. Don't remember what Gerrits thread was called, but mine was called Pimp my Lund. Keep a log and show us how you make out. Its definately a good way to pass the cold winter months.

Layers. Lots of em. One piece, t-shirt, longsleeve, hoody,bigger sweater, fleece, windbreaker. Bottom layer over the one piece are old pair of joggers cut to 3/4 length, joggers, insulated bib pants. Footwear, nothing but wool and a good pair of boots. I'm about as skinny as they come, this getup keeps me toasty and I work outside all year round.

Doesn't that reflect on the unique nature of this beauty? Personally, I'd only need a pic. You know, like take only pictures, leave only footprints? Congrats to the hunter. I guess thats the nature of the game. I've harvested fish, so I can't say hunting is wrong. Just not my cup of tea.

Thanks guys. Holdfast, the old trailer actually caught the ramp on the way out and it literally drives sideways. Taking it up the cottage road was really scary. Every bump, hump and pothole had me worried the boat was going to end up on the road. I'm glad I'll be able to put it behind me. As an aside. After I wrote the original post last night, I had to make a trip to the bank. Was doing about 80kn/hr when a nice 6point buck jumped in front of the car. Missed him by within 10ft. Fate could've just as easily goosed me. Cool story ehg.

A few years ago, I'm sure some of you remember quite clearly, a series of intense storms and tornados blew through much of Ontario. My in-laws have a cottage on Twelve Mile Lake in Haliburton. Although the neighbours properties on either side of the cottage were unscathed, my inlaws property was hit pretty good losing about 40-50% of the trees on the lot. There was no damage to any structures and the people inside at the time were more than a little frightened. But compared to alot of folks who fared much worse in the loss of property department, they did allright. The only thing that was damaged in the storm on our site was my boat trailer. Small peanuts, I know. But it wasn't worth it to me to pay the deductable and make an insurance claim. The trailer was crushed on the drivers side and the axle had bent down and to the rear of the trailer making transport impossible. A week or two later I got an axle from a guy in Lindsay and took the chance that the trailer would tow just fine. After doing my damned best to straighten it out with the trusty old 20lb sledge, of course. I got it straight and true and sure as the grass is green, I got it to run straight and smooth. And aside from a blown bearing, the trailer lasted another 2 years without incident. Fast forward. I did check regularily to make sure there were no defects to the trailer after towing the boat anywhere. But after one tow to Honey Harbour this summer, I noticed that there was a tear in the metal on either side of the center beam. Not a good thing, I know. So I put the boat back in the water and there it sat while I tried to figure out what to do about the trailer as it was no longer road safe with a boat on it. Eventually, I brought it to a buddys house, we took it apart, hammered it straight and welded some thick galvanized steel braces to the suspect areas. I was skeptical, but it ran true and it was do or die. I know some of you are thinking at this point"why didn't you just buy a new trailer?" Well, sometimes life gets in the way of things and I just couldn't afford a new one. About a month ago, I was ready to pull the boat out of the water. Fishing had been great pulling out some very nice smallies, but the moment of truth had arrived. I had convinced myself that everything was going to be fine and that I would have the boat home by nightfall...The water had been drawn down to a very low level and really my only option was to go to the marina on the lake. When I got there though, there was a big pickup parked crossways blocking the ramp. This guy doesn't like people using his ramp when hes not there to collect money from them, which is his right, I guess, so he blocks the ramp when hes not there. Never heard of an honour box, I guess. So my only option at this point was to motor back across the lake and pull the boat out at the hwy. ramp which was essentially out of the water. Wouldn't you know it, About a KM from the ramp...out of gas. Got about 500m before the battery died and the trolling motor ceased to operate. I'm cursing the guy at the marina, which also happens to be the only gas bar on the lake, something fierce. So I paddle. Finally get to the ramp and am not too exited at this point, to say the least. My father inlaw backs the trailer in, and in. The water is so shallow, he had to back in past the concrete ramp, which is what I meant by it being out of the water. I got the boat on the trailer, he puts the car in gear and I could feel the thud as the trailer hit the concrete. He backs up a little and leans out saying that hes going to give it some oomph and to hold on tight. I don't even have time to tell him to wait and hes already got the pedal down... I knew before I got out of the boat that something had gone wrong. But wasn't sure of the extent. I got out, checked the welds and everything seemed OK. Put the straps on the boat and started heading out. I looked out the drivers side rear-view to see how things were towing, but couldn't see the trailer?? Look out the passenger side and see WAY too much of it! At this point, I'm livid. So I Drive the boat back at a brisk 40km/hr back to the cottage where its sat, in the driveway, for the last month or so. Fast forward. We hang out at my neighbours place every once in awhile and share some laughs. Well one day, his buddy comes by and I'm telling him this same dude story and he tells me hes had a trailer sitting in his garage for the last 2 years and that if Im in a pinch, I could use it. The only catch is, its a sea-doo trailer. Not thinking too fondly of the idea, but hoping that I could alter it to seat my boat on it, I told him I'd come and check it out. I went over tonight and wouldn't you know it, it the EXACT same trailer as the one that I have!!! What are the odds of that? And because its been sitting in his garage for the last two years, hes letting me have it for much less than I would've had to pay even for the parts to get the old one fixed! I am so blown away by this twist of fate. I haven't been fishing in over a month, I was starting to wonder if I'd even be able to bring it home. Let alone go out again. But my season has been salvaged. I'll be getting the boat Saturday morning and fishing by the afternoon!!! AND its Muskie time WOOO_HOOOOO!!!! Thanks for reading this. Have a great end of softwater season. I know I'll be making the best of it!

Not sure if the look on his face is strain or if hes trying not to puke. What a big boot!

I disagree that this thread should ever have been started. Since it is here though, I'll say that I'm very pleased that as many people got out and looked past racial boundaries to elect a black man into office. Definately a moment in history and one to be proud of in terms of humanity moving forward. That being said, I'm very dissapointed in the Canadian voters who couldn't give a flying flock to get out and create the kind of movement that we saw yesterday in our neighbours down South. Congrats Obama, hope what Irishfield said doesn't come to fruition. I kind of expect the same, unfortunately.

Congrats on the PB man! Sounds like you had the hot hand that day.

Unless you're riding a bike. Then its a game of tag.

Huh, sounds like you need to buy better spinnerbaits Iguess...

Results so far, some good picks, Steve. http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/hardy...at-ufc-89-14838

I think Vera/Jardine can be either fight of the night or a real snoozefest. Either way both guys can do the other in a few different ways. Both guys just have to push forward to make it a good fight. I'm going with the Dean of Mean on this one. I think I'm rooting for Bisping, but I have a feeling Leben will crack him with a left hammer and expose Bispings chin. I'm glad this card is free either way.

Blades flying off during a cast might be happening if the wire shaft isn't bent closed around the split ring. Smallies attacking the blades happens quite frequently and often the bait is hit so violently that the blade will be "smacked" off. Has nothing to do with how expensive or cheap the spinnerbait is, just have to check them regularily to make sure they're in good working order.

I fish alone 99% of the time. I don't wear a pfd 90% of the time unless its really rough out or getting near freeze up. Like Lew said, stand on the lower part of the boat and you automatically find yourself more at ease. If you feel sketched out by something, you probably should find a safer way to do it. Accidents are more often than not a result of bad planning, un-organized boat with lures and rods everywhere, etc... I try and make sure, especially with the temps dropping that theres nothing to trip on when fishing standing up.

Congratulations on a great year Steve! You really put the boots to 'em! The hard part is staying on top. Good luck next year.

Nice fish indeed! It was nice to meet you Steve. Don't know why you're lying to all these good folk, though. Theres no fish in those waters... Sweet haul man. Let me guess...Lucky Craft was the go-to lure today? Congrats to Kelli on her lunker!

Nice pics! Heres a few from up Haliburton way over the past couple of weeks. Best time of year, IMO. Especially considering the summer we had this year, this weekend was really one to be thankful for! My favourite fall colour...

You should add stabilizer to every tank if you're running a 2-stroke engine. I had a bad batch of gas a couple of years ago. It really buggered my engine. Not sure what the protocol is for 4-strokes, but it was recommended to buy midgrade fuel and add a stabilizer to every tank. So thats what I do and haven't had an issue since.

Thats some sweet bronze right there. Nice haul man!

Great report and sound advice! Thanks for sharing.

The trick is figuring out how they start the tab. Sometimes the author will flip the high and low E making things sound completely wrong. I'm a drummer, but I like to noodle around if theres a song I want to learn, tab is the way.

Nice going man. Too bad the 'skis weren't home. This is by far my favourite time of year. And the bronze will just get fatter. The smallies there are on fire right now! Congrats on the haul!

I don't get up too early in the fall and find smallies most active mid-day. A warm patch like SingingDog said will bring smallies up shallow to feed. As the water cools, I slow down and gradually go from a horizontal retrieve to a vertical presentation as the season wears on. Obviously, let the fish tell you in the end what they want. But as the water cools, look to use baits with less erratic movement and decrease speed while increasing depth. And good luck with the 6lb avg thing. Even at this time of year with their bellies at their biggest, thats a VERY low % chance of happening.