Andy

I think you should take up fishing for musky. That would involve a whole new set of rods, reels, baits and possibly endless days of casting only to see a big fish follow your bait and turn away from your offering in contempt. Very relaxing. Andy

I've stopped checking the batteries using the monitor on the trolling motor. I don't think it is very reliable. I've experienced the same thing as you. The gauge says the batteries aren't fully charged (even tho they just came off the charger),yet I can still get a good day of use out of my batteries. Andy

Nicely done...What kills me is that I was on the same dock, staying at the same place and my son and I didn't see a pike over 4 days. I was also telling Ken that I have problems catching bass at his place, yet you show up and clean up. That being said, my son and I focused on pickeral and caught limits every day. Just goes to show, I guess, that confidence in a certain species or technique leads to fish. Your report gives me hope next time I'm up. Andy

My son and I stayed at Nipissing Lodge from Sunday, July 29th to Wednesday, August 4th. Very hot, virtually no wind the first three days on the water. You could have gone anywhere on Nipissing. We focused on pickeral and were not disappointed. We ate fish every day with lots of fish going back in the water. A little over 20 slot fish caught in total. Picked up a few big smallmouth and some big sheepshead as well. We weren't early risers by any stretch of the imagination and still managed to catch good numbers of fish in the middle of the afternoon. There were a number of boats around, but when it came to fishing, it seemed pretty quiet on the water, the only "crowd" really was on Wednesday morning when there were about six boats working a couple shoals close together out by the gull rocks. Andy

http://www.scugog-net.com/kfa/k-pigeon.html This have what you are looking for? Andy

http://www.nipissing.com/nipissinglodge/ Check the site and give Ken and Trish a call. Beautiful spot, great family. Andy

If anyone has a moment, I was wondering what size and brand of hook you like to use when replacing the trebles on 9" Suicks and shallow Bulldawgs. I am also looking to buy a pair of Knipex bolt cutters (I understand they are the best) and was wondering if anyone in Ontario or Canada sells them. Thx in advance, Andy.

Easy now, no need to be bitter....There is no doubt that over time, certain cliques can develop any time people are together on a regular basis, including online on a board such as this. That being said, it does take a little bit of nerve to just start posting one day asking for people's hotspots (for a tournament, no less), giving people no idea what your all about and if you intend on sharing any info or just harvesting it from others. If I knew anything about the lake, I'd share specific techniques, but I certainly wouldn't give away specific locations if I didn't know who I'm giving them to and who they'd be shared with. Andy

I've only camped at Arrowhead once about ten years ago. A very nice park, some nice bike trails. Well wooded. It is canoe only(no gas motor) and is a busy park. That being said, my son and I fished the far shore near a shoreline filled with reeds, we had non stop action for about an hour late in the evening. Lots of small bass. There is a smaller and deeper lake in the park and it supposedly had trout in it. Not the greatest fishing, but we really enjoyed it. Huntsville is close by, and there are a number of good lakes near by. Andy

It's like asking someone what their favourite pick up truck is. Lots of opinions in past threads. I have a 15.5' Smokercraft Resorter. (now made in a 16' boat) I have been very pleased. Nothing fancy, has a 40 hp Mercury and moves pretty good. It is an entry level boat. I dealt with Can-Do Sports just south of Woodstock and have nothing but good things to say about them, mind you I have had very little trouble and hardly ever need to talk to them. Andy

The Hotmaps chip covers most of Nipissing. Unfortunately, it does not cover the West Arm west of the bridge at Lakair. The chip does not cover the French River. That being said, I still have a lot of Nipissing waypoints saved, and I know I'll enjoy having it this summer. Roy, do what feels right. Don't let others bring you down with their rational talk and logic. When you're old(er) and gray(er), do you really think you are going to look back and say, "Darn it, I wish I still had that $200 that I spent on that Navionics chip"? I think not! Andy P.S. I might require a little support in return, say, the next time I tell my wife I need a new rod and reel combo.

I picked one up at Bass Pro last winter for around $180.00. With taxes it was just a little over $200.00 I know LeBaron's and Angling Outfitters in Woodstock also sell them for about the same amount. Andy

Fear snell knots no more! The link provided shows a quick and easy snell knot. I have used it and it has not failed me. It's also easy to tie two hooks and get the distance between just right. Andy http://www.fishingkites.co.nz/fishingknots...hing_knots.html

Just wondering how things are on Nipissing and area. We had some nice showers down south of you a couple days ago. I know you didn't have a lot of snow last winter and was wondering how things are shaping up for the opener. Andy

For smaller lures and smaller fish, I use 30 lb. Berkley or Mustad leaders. They are available at Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, local tackle shops. For bigger lures and bigger fish, I like Stringease leaders in 65 lb. test. They are available at Bass Pro, are a little more expensive, but are better quality and have a snap that has a unique locking feature. I like black leaders, I read somewhere they are better than the shiny chrome/silver type leaders, but I really have no idea if this is true or not. Andy

Yes, I purchased the Navionics card for Nipissing this past winter. Took it up ice fishing on the east end of the lake and it's going to be great this summer. I'd have to fire it up to remember how far west it goes. I know the west arm is on it. I will still keep my charts with me. I've already got a bunch of waypoints saved, can't wait to get back up there. Andy

Mercury site re; ethanol. Andy http://northamerica.mercurymarine.com/serv...aqs/ethanol.php

I found this interesting. I knew earthworms came from elsewhere, but I haven't thought of earthworms as an invasive species. Makes you wonder, with millions of them being transported up north every year. Andy http://www.thestar.com/News/article/208509

Before you buy a tire at a place like Princess Auto, check the load rating of your current tire. I was planning to purchase a tire there but realized it was cheaper because it was rated lower. I bought a replacement at Canadian Tire, they do come on sale there every now and again. I've also used inner tubes before if the rubber is good, no problems. Andy

I replaced the drag washers in my Catala, Citica, and Curado this past winter. I bought the washers from Smoooooth Drag out of the U.s. I ordered mine by telephone. Excellent service and economical. I haven't used them on the water yet, but the drags are significantly smoother, especially when cranked down tight. I used the Carbontex washers with a light coating of the grease Smoooooth Drag sells. Do a Google search and they'll come right up. Do a search for drag maintenance, Curado drag washer replacement, etc. There are a number of sites giving step by step instructions. Good luck, Andy

Likely a dried piece of stem from a vegetable plant, possibly green bean. Andy

I keep my line in a drawer in the basement and this year I'll be using line I bought in 2001. I still have full confidence in it. I have a couple reels I used only a couple times last year and I'll be putting on new line again this year. Once the line has hit the water and been in the sun, I replace it in the spring no matter how good it looks. I have a habit of buying more than I need when it's on sale and feel it will keep for years if stored properly. Andy

Ken is being modest. He doesn't want to spam. Do a google search of "Nippising Lodge". I also posted the link on one of the other recent Nippising threads. Andy

http://www.nipissing.com/nipissinglodge/ I've been going to this lodge for a couple years now. It's on Fraser Island. Ken, Trish and the kids are great. (We joke that they are my, and my friend's, second family in the summer.) The cabins are rustic. It's beautiful spot, and reasonable. Andy

OMG!!!! I am so ticked!!!! 1) the Habs lost, not that they deserved to win, but who did?2) some of the penalties called are just ridiculous, this is supposed to be hockey, isn't it? I need another pint. Andy