tipupesox

Some typical areas to fish are Goose bay, Long Beach, Sturgeon Point, Emily Creek area, McConnell island, Hawker's bay. We have caught ski's on bucktails, Beleivers and various perch style baits. The majority of eyes I have caught have been on twister tails, shad style plastics and the good ole leech, working weedlines or deeper rock structure. Sturgeon also has a good bass population, both smallmouth and largemouth. I know Big Cliff lives on the lake as well as ECMilley, they should be able to assist further. Tom

When I am home: Sam Adams Guinness Becks When I am visiting Canada: Keiths Sleemans Carlsburg

First thing I do is unplug trailer lights, remove tie down straps and insert drain plug. Boat is than backed down to water with mooring ropes and bumpers attached. Once the trailer tires hit the water I remove the safety chain and winch strap. I can't recall the number of times I have seen people remove these before the boat is ready to enter the water and the boat lands on the ramp, especially if you have a roller trailer. I have the choice to either drive my boat on the trailer or winch up for departure. Make sure to attach safety chain to bow eye and verify that engine has been lifted. You do not want to hear the horrific sound of your engine being dragged up the ramp. Just remember when backing your trailer in that the way you turn your steering wheel will turn the boat trailer in the opposite direction. Hope this helps. Tom

Lew, I have been using the following product from Seaguar for steelhead last Fall and this Spring, http://seaguar.com/Products_IX.html I do not have one negative thing to say about it. It has held up great when being bounced off rocks when drifting micro jigs. I am sure you would have positive results when using it for walleyes. Tom

I have been using the Seaguar 4 lbs. Invizx fluorocarbon fishing line for the past few months on my noodle rod, fishing for steelhead. I have found the line to be extremely castable and abrasion resistant. Tom

I wonder is something like this would work: http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0013371010567a.shtml

My wife purchased me the Executive Travel Kit from Daiwa - spinning. Rod is pretty decent and the reel is as well, I actually have been using the reel for steelhead fishing on my noodle rod. Here is a link: http://www.daiwa.com/TravelKit/ Tom

I would have to give a thumbs up to Sturgeon. I have fished the lake a few times a year over the past ten years and have to say there is a very good population of smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleyes, ski's and panfish (perch and sunnies), if you are looking to keep the kids busy. I have frequesnted the lake during the busy summer months but I do have to say there are areas you can fish that will get you away from the boat traffic. Most traffic is contained to the middle of the lake with people traveling from Lindsay, Bobcaygeon or Fenelon Falls. I am sure Cliff will be able to give you the heads up on some hot spots, he has been a valuable asset for me over the years giving me some insight on current conditions. Also from Sturgeon you will be able to other lakes by going through the Kawartha's lock system. You also have the freedom to drive to the various towns by boat and take the family for an ice cream or the ladies on a shopping excursion. Good luck on making your decision. Ecmilley/Cliff - Has there been any word around town on what the intentions are with the Gil Mar Resort property? Looks like our group may be going over to Buckhorn or Pigeon lake if we can't find suttable lodging on Sturgeon. Tom

Fishindevil, Not really sure how that will affect the number of people that have booked lodging for this upcoming summer season. We have been going to Gil Mar for the last ten years for an annual muskie fishing outing, usually the second or third week in September. I have frequented the resort in the summer with my family as well and will miss the grounds, it is truely a beautiful location. Ron has been talking about getting out of the business for the last 2 or 3 years, his estimate for the property value was around 5 million. The only thing our group could conclude is that they may possibly sell of the cabins and run the grounds as an association. You would pay fees or dues for grounds maintenace and the owners of the cabins would be responsible for there upkeep and maintenance. My friend has sent an email trying to find out what there intentions are, if I receive any additional information, I will gladely pass it on. I have to agree that hopefully the property does not get into the hands of a developer. It is a prestine location and should stay unchanged. Tom

The gentlemen that cordinates our annual Fall fishing to Sturgeon Lake just received an email from the property proprietor stating that him and his wife are leaving the business. Their son is taking control of the business, and he has other plans for the property, and will not be using it as a resort. Not sure if anyone on this board has stayed or plans on staying at this location in 2008, but I thought I would pass the information on. It would be interesting to see if they plan on selling off the existing cabins and run the property as an association. Tom

Looking from the size of the bird i would say it is a red tail. In Western New York they are just flourishing. Witnessed an interesting encounter with a hawk at Sturgeon Lake (Kawartha's) this Fall. It was a beautiful Fall day in the 60's and the black squirrels were about feeding, all of a sudden out of nowhere we see a flash of brown and the screaching sound of a squirrel. Fortunately for the squirrel the hawk dropped his meal. All the black squirrels scattered. Nature can be truely amazing .................. Tom

I find it almost a must to have both a NYS and Ontario fishing license when fishing the Niagara as well as Lake Erie. Better to be safe than sorry............ My friends have been telling me fishing in the upper river has been slow along with Buffalo harbor. Tom

I used to use Ande fishing line on my downrigger lines for salmon. Never had a problem with break offs .........

After ten years of use I would change it. The impellor has a tendency to get brittle over time. All you need is a fin to break off and get clogged in the water intake. Your could fry your engine from over heating. Tom

I work in the snow belt area of Western New York. There have been some flakes in the air this morning but the roads are just wet. I guess they are talking about a few inch's of snow this evening. That is fine with me, we need precipitation to bring up the water levels on our local streams. It will be time to hunt for silver bullets this weekend.

Here a repair kit from Cabela's, it has three different size diameters depending on the blank size ......... http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...r&noImage=0

I haven't given my Starcraft Islander a formal name but my wife insists I call it "She Said No" .............

I was out this weekend and used a new fluorcarbon fishing line made by Seaguar. I was using the 4 lbs. test with my noodle rod and was very pleased with the knot strength and it seemed to hold up from the abuse of knicking bottom. Here is a link: http://seaguar.com/Products_IX.html Tom

Gander has hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor apparrel. They probably have some good deals on hunting, Fall gear. I would say it is the best all around outdoors store in the Buffalo area for outdoorsman. About a 20-30 minute drive from the casino, take Robert Moses Parkway to I190 to the I290 and get off on Colvin Blvd. Tom

Since we usually travel through Richmond, the way I go is as follows: I90 to I79 (s - Erie, Pa) I79 to I76 I76 to I70 I70 to I68 East (Maryland) I68 to I81 (south) I81 to I66 I66 to route 17 Route 17 to I95 (south) This route will take you right into Richmond and you will avoid the traffic around the DC area. Here is a web site that I use to map out my travels, this gives you the map for Virginia: http://www.sitesatlas.com/Flash/USCan/VAFH.htm Hope this helps, Tom

Where are you departing from, Kawartha's region? Being from Western New York I would think your best bet would be to go towards Kingston and enter the US at the 1000 Islands Bridge at Gananoque. You can follow route 81 south right down to Virginia. From there you will need to find the best path to get to your final destination. Where is the boat located in Virginia, I usually travel that way on a yearly basis since our family vacations in the Outer Banks, NC every summer. Good Luck, Tom

I know my friends have reported steelhead catches while fishing Buffalo Harbor in late October/November while trolling for muskies. Walleyes like to hit the baits as well, I was out with my friend in the evening on Opening day in Buffalo Harbor and he hit a 3 lbs eye trolling 4 mph.

I have run an I/O for the last 15 years whithout problem. Some draw backs have already been stated, access to shallow water fishing (which can be eliminated by adding a bow mount trolling motor to the bow rider), length of season (when the temps get towards the freezing mark time to put the vessel away), and engine work space. To drain the water there are (2) plugs to remove, one from engine block and other from manifold. Changing the oil can be difficult since the oil pan is on the bottom of the engine where there is limited space. You have (2) options, oil pump that removes oil through dip stick opening or by rigging up a funnel device and tube which exits out the drain plug hole. I have always owned a Mercruiser so I cannot comment on the OMC product. The weight of the boat can be slightly higher but that would depend on the size of the outboard engine. I have always found that I/O's are better on gas consumption when trolling, unless you are running a small kicker outboard. If you go with an I/O, I would have the lower unit serviced before taking it out next season. Hope this helps......... Tom

Sorry about not having any pictures Johnnybass. I very rarely take any photos unless the fish is a personal best. Talked to my friends that are still up there yesterday afternoon and they stated the ski fishing was still slow.

This is the first problem we have had in (10) years staying at the resort and hopefully it is the last. I usually make it up to Sturgeon twice a year, once with the family and the other with the guys for our annual muskie outing. If this occurs again we may start looking into a different location. Needless to say, Ron the propeitor, was irritated as well.