Big Cliff

Well, something isn't adding up. If it is a virus then why aren't we seeing muskies floating in. The only fish that seem to be affected in any numbers are the carp and they are the only fish which are primarly vegeterian. They claim that this was probably spread by fishermen transporting bait and balist between lakes, why then is it only down stream from Scugog and spreading? I know for a fact that some people have fished Scugog and Balsam lake which is the highest in the Trent Severen system. I haven't heard any reports of dead carp over near Fenelon Falls but the current flows from Fenelon Falls into Sturgeon Lake then off toward Bobcayegon. According to my neighbour there was a hilicopter flying about 100' up and about 100' out from shore here yesterday. It came down as far as the marina near our house (where the Scugog River officially opens into Sturgeon Lake) then flew back up the shore line and followed the Scugog River. Paul suspects they were surveying the number of dead carp. There is a very distinct difference in the weed growth in our area this year, Paul has lived here for 15 years now and has never seen anything like it is this year. Mother nature or the Ministry?

Last night there were three along our shore line, tonight there were six. I was told by a friend this evening that as soon as the ice was out on Scugog there were a couple of Ministry boats seen dragging hoses in the water and applying some sort of chemical. The person was telling me that they thought it was something to try to control the weeds. Carp are for the most part vegetarian which would explain why it is mostly carp that seem to be affected. I wonder why it is taking the ministry so long to figure out what is killing these fish? Could it be because it is related to something they have done and they don't want to admit it?

Ahhhh quit your whining and get to work. At least you got to have a week at Lacair. Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all, wish I could have been part of it but a man with a sharp knife had other plans for me. I will be there next year no matter what!

I live on Sturgeon lake and I just came back up from the dock. There is something strange going on here too, the weeds are much thicker than I have ever seen them in the six years I have been here. We only have 70' of shore line but there are three huge (easily over 20 lbs each) dead carp floating. I have also noticed a big decline in the fishing this year. I'm not sure if it is related or not but there is something not right. What I'd really like to know is; why is it taking so long to get the test results back? This is SERIOUS. Do they even know FOR SURE if it can affect humans or not? There are a lot of people that draw their drinking water from these lakes. If this is a virus could it have any long term health affects? If it can spread to other fish species, could ingesting any of the fish cause problems? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered now, not in three weeks!

You know, it's not that long ago you had us all worried sick. I got to tell you, it's a real pleasure to be able to say Happy Birthday big guy! All the very best! Big Cliff

We think BIG in the Kawarthas Whopper LOL! Hope your day improved!

I might be way off base here but would a shorted coil correct itself after a couple of minutes of being under load? Is there a chance that there is some kind of "limiter control" in this CDI module or that part of the circuit? I know they have them in some weedeaters etc.

"Progress" just another word for a lot of work LOL.

Next time you are coming up to Sturgeon Lake, why don't you give me a shout, I have all the charts on my computer and we can sit down and compair notes. If you have a GPS, I might be able to upload some spots for you to try. Might even be able to share an afternoon on the water.

WTG Steve. You have worked hard and you deserve a day like today!

I ran into a similar problem, when I first moved here about 6 years ago, I would often go out fishing anytime of the day that I got the chance and use tactics that I have been using for years. I could almost always put fish in the boat. It worked well enough but then I started trying to improve on what I had been using. Don't we always look for something better LOL. I tried several different tactics and baits with mixed results but most of all I slowly started to change my style of fishing. I got to the point where I would usually just fish in the evening because that was when I could get the most action in a short period of time. Soon I would only go out about 1/2 an hour before dusk because that is just about when the bite would come on. not only that, but in looking back, I started to concentrate on just using what worked best during that evening bite. This spring I got some help from two members of this board (ya, I know, I live here and they don't and they helped me!) Most of what they did was to open my eyes and get me to broaden my approach. I also started to fish some new areas instead of just my favorite spots. I am pleased to say that it has made a big improvement, I don't always put fish in the boat every trip but I am spending more time on the water again and I now keep about 6 rods rigged with severial varations so I can change up fast if one thing isn't producing. I guess my suggestion would be; be flexable, do your research, keep records so you can look back and see what worked when and under what conditions.

I know of no other boards where you will get the quantity and quality of help that you can get here, you just have to be polite! I am a little courious though; since you seem to be aware of several other boards, why did you ask on this one? OFC is a family, we all try to help each other, not just with fishing but if you follow the posts for a while you will soon learn that very few questions ever go unanswered. I hope you will stick around and become part of the family! Enjoy your trip to Sturgeon Lake.

You must have a death wish or something LOL. A kayak if you are experienced in white water would be OK going down but you are going to have to carry it back up.

Beautiful! Congrats! Good luck on your charter business. Just out of curosity, what are your rates for a day and when will you be ready to start booking trips for.

I don't target bass at all unless I am with someone that wants to fish for bass but my neighbour is an avid bass fisherman. I was talking to him last night and he was telling me the bass fishing in Sturgeon Lake is the worst he has seen it in 15 years! He hasn't been specifically fishing bass yet this year (season isn't open yet) but he usually gets quite a few when he is fishing walleye and this year even the walleye fishing is really slow. So I would guess Sturgeon Lake would be a good place to avoid for now.

There is a ton of stuff at the bottom o those rapids from guys saying "How Bad Can it be!"

Change your fuel filter and you will probably solve your problem.

Good on you! It's called paying it forward and I have found it the best investment you can make in life!

I never measured our speed, we just paddled along at a comfortable pace, I would guess it was something in about the 2-3 mph range.

Consider Lindsay and area covered, let us know if you hear anything.

Ohiofisherman has it right, fluoro leader would be my choice. One of the things that I found most effective for trolling behing a canoe for specs or rainbow trout was to put a silver Cleo or something similar on my line, (don't go too big) remove the trebble hook and put about 18" of leader (I use to use mono) with a single hook and a worm. I liked to use a bait hook but would break the barb off. We would consistantly out fish everyone else (mind you we didn't tell them what we were using LOL). The other thing that I really like is small rooster tail spinners, brown body brass blade was my goto especially for casting but it worked well trolled in shallow water too. Let us know how it goes and enjoy your trip!

It is an excellent thread: I agree, it is never right to put someone else in danger because of your actions but sometimes people put themselves in danger because of their actions! Do unto others.... is my motto.

We eat a lot of fish and I refuse to go out and buy it from a store when I can catch it and know how it has been treated. I am very selective though in what I keep for the table. If it is walleye, I am looking for fish in the 1.5 to 2.5 lb range, anything outside of that goes back unless it is hooked badly and would die anyway. I don't fish for muskie or bass and in the last six years I haven't kept any other than one muskie that had it's gills badly torn up and would have died and perhaps the odd bass if I was fishing with someone that wanted to keep one or two for the pan. Each to their own though as long as it is within the law!

Beautiful pictures, excellent post! Thanks for sharing!

Fish Tank; try turning your Caps Lock off. When you type a message all in Caps, it is like yelling. If you are new to boating, did you take a boaters course?