tipupesox

You may have, if you saw a beige and blue Starcraft Islander, that was me. I would usually drift the southern shore past the weed bed in front of Gil Mar lodge going towards McClaren's marina, that is were I caught most of my bass. Usually pick up a few eyes but could not get them to bite. My friends will be staying there until Saturday morning. They have a green and grey Lund, black and beige Sylvan and a grey and blue Crestliner. All have NY registration numbers. Disturbing trip this year, someone stole a 50 gallon cooler and (2) cases of beer off of my friends cottage porch in the middle of the night and than came back early Sunday evening and stole beer out of the coolers on our porch. First time this has ever happened, hopefully whomever it was is smart and does not come back.

If you plan on flat lining lures or running off of boards you will be fine with the mono. I would suggest using a non stretch line if you plan on running dipsies or diving disks. Good Luck....... Tom

Fished Sturgeon Lake from Friday early afternoon-Tuesday afternoon. Caught a 32.5" ski on a Niagara River walleye jointed 10" Believer just before the winds picked up. We saw the front coming in so we ran back to Gil Mar Lodge and called it an evening around 5:00 PM. Very windy and cold on Saturday, fished for a while Saturday evening but only could muster up a few smallies. Casted Sunday morning for ski's in the Hawker's bay area. Had a nice 40" class fish follow my bucktail to the boat off the weed edge but would not commit. Had a 30" class fish short strike at the boat fishing in the weeds but the hooks pulled. Caught more smallies Sunday evening but could not get the eyes to go. Monday and Tuesday afternoon concentrated on just the skis but no success. Still have some friends staying for the rest of the week, will report how they do on Monday.

I had surface temps on Sturgeon in the 65-66 degree range Tuesday afternoon at the western portion of the lake (Islands, hawker's bay area).

After seeing this report I am looking forward to hitting Sturgeon starting Friday. Hopefully the cold front this weekend doesn't turn the fish off......... Tom

I'll be over on Sturgeon lake starting Friday afternoon-Tuesday. If any is fishing the area and see's a beige and blue Starcraft Islander, give a wave ..............

I researched the Striper boats before settling on a Starcraft Islander. Being from the states I nearly purchased one from a delaer around the Turkey Point area, I want to say Durham was the town. The 21ft. Striper/walk around cuddy model was $10,000 cheaper than one I could purchase in the states, year end close out. Only draw back is it had a Johnson FICHT outboard, which had a ton of service issues. I enojoy the Islander but would of much rather had the Striper, just could not justify the cost. I have fished with a gentlemen that owns one, very deep and seaworthy boat, the boat does have limited sitting in the cockpit area. I assume this could be resolved by adding a cooler with a seated cushin top, same as a jump seat.

I beleive the place that Zamboni is reffering to is called Pigeon Lake Resort. Stayed there a number of years ago, very peaceful, family environment as well. Good fishing right out on the weedline in front of the cabins and Nogies Creek and the Island is very accessible...........

Try Gil Mart resort on Sturgeon Lake, Big Cliff's body of water: http://www3.sympatico.ca/gil-mar/ Good walleye, bass and muskie fishing not very far from the resort location. the resort does have boat rentals, 14 foot aluminum boats with 9.9 hp engines. Cottages are very comfortable and the grounds are very quiet and peaceful, Ron (the owner) tries to keep it a family environment. I will be up there starting the 14th of September for 5 days with a group of muskie fisherman from the Western New York region.

You can purchase Phantom Black paint from a Mercury dealer or do a search online. I have a spray can that I use for quick touch ups on my I/O as needed. I am sure a dealer will be able to set you in the right direction for decals as well.

I use the Berkley power tubes quite often. They scent can last a while. If you stop catching fish on them do not be afraid to change. Keep the bag sealed when not using...........

The bay just to the right of Scotsman's point holds a number of ski's and largemouth bass.

Talked to a friend who has been limiting out on the NY side trolling between the departure buoy and Seneca Shoals (40-50 foot). He has been plugging bottom with harness's as well as using Jet 10 and 20 divers. Hope this helps ................

The video is from the Upper Niagara River. Jim Kinner is a member of the Niagara River Muskie Association and an avid diver.

Sean, I live in the states and was not charged any additional fees, as it was considered one of my checked bags. I have friends that have gone the PVC route as well and it does work fine. Only advantage is I can put a lock on my tube, possibly preventing theft of contents. The tube is also adjustable in legth making it slightly more versatile if you traveling with (2) piece rods. Hope this helps. Tom

I have the Bazuka Pro 6095 from Falmbeau and am very pleased: http://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/otdrs_fish.../rod_cases.html I have taken serveral air trips using this case and my rods have arrived undamaged. Hope this helps....... Tom

Goose bay, try trolling the horseshoe (weed edge)

Cliff, I use 4 lbs. Vanish for fishing steelhead running the Lake Erie tribs. I have never had a problem or a fish break off, but again I use a float so there is limited contact with the bottom. Not sure how it will hold up to jigging over rocks and through weeds. I have never tried the P-line stated above but may give it a try this Fall to compare results. Tom

Cliff, Glad to hear your surgery was successful. Now you have to get back into game shape so you can go out and catch some of the eyes on Sturgeon. Tom

Being an Islander owner myself, enjoy your new ride.

I myself am a fan of the Mepps Black Fury for the snot rockets up in the West Arm/bay area. I have made a spinnerbait in the same color pattern and it works fantastic. Tom

You can fish the great lakes in a 16 footer but you just need to keep an open eye on the weather conditions. The first boat I purchased at the age of seventeen was a 14 foot Sylvan, open bow and full windshield, and fished Ontario and Erie regularly. Bad part is in rougher water you need to run slow so you don't kill your hull (rivets) and your kidneys. I presently own a 19 foot Starcraft Islander (cuddy cabin) and I am sure the manufacturer makes a few boats in the style you are looking for. I also have a friend that purchased a Monarch last year and it rides quite well and is reasonably priced. Hope this helps..........

Had a few hours to fish the last two days so I stayed local and launched out of the Small Boat harbor in Buffalo and fished the dumps off of the steel plant. Started out Sunday from 12:30 - 3:30 PM. landed a number of smallies, some in the 4-5 lbs class, (2) walleyes and sheephead. Was drifting a green and gold fleck power tube with an insert rattle. Was able to get out again last night since the wife had to catch up on some work, fished from 5:30-8:30. Using the same program as the day before caught more smallies, smaller in size than the previous day, and sheephead. Was marking a good number of fish on the deeper edge, assuming they were eyes, but could not get them to bite. Maybe next time. Sorry no pictures, I am terrible when it comes to bringing a camera. Good Fishing, Tom

I guess the answer at the end is up for interpretation from the viewer. Does the family unit go on or does Tony get whacked from the interesting man that walks to the bathroom just before Meadow walks into the restaurant.

Stayed there a number of years ago, cottages were nice and clean, quality boats and motors. Owners were very attentive to our needs. We went in the Fall and the weather conditions were tough, multilple cold fronts, so needless to say the fishing was tough. We did catch some pike and eyes in the areas mentioned in the articles on the Welcome Lodge web site.