T-Bone

Not sure why it's posting like a quote, but anyway...

Check out Last Resort by Linwood Barclay, and I really enjoyed The Houseboat Chronicles by Jake MacDonald.

Mike...what are the top 3 by Rutstrom, in your opinion?

Thanks everyone...that's what I thought / feared. Too bad.

I can remember way back (mid/late 70s) that we'd go out on Pigeon every evening and catch loads of walleyes. Through the 80s it got tougher...and in the 90s we started trying new waters north. We now fish Quebec every summer and love the rugged wilderness far north and east of North Bay, and the fishing is off the charts.

Pigeon Lake will always be a favorite of mine even if the walleye fishing isn't nearly what it used to be. It's what got me hooked on going to Canada fishing every year over 37-years ago...and the tradition is stronger than ever today.

Fished Pigeon Lake many times over the years, but not since 1999 (wow, a long time ago). Since then, the group of guys I fish with has greatly enhanced our skills in both locating and presentation techniques to catch walleye.

The subject came up that a visit back to Pigeon Lake may be in order next summer. So I present this question.

With all things equal...relatively stable weather, fishing key walleye periods (total 8-hours a day or so), and using proven walleye techniques, what would an average day on the water at Pigeon Lake produce? I know there are a lot of variables, but if one was to have a "good day", what does that amount to?

We're just trying to figure out if the opportunity to locate / fish / catch the 'eyes in Pigeon is worthy of the investment of an 8-hour car ride from Ohio and the cost of a week on that beautiful lake. And we get it...fishing is great everywhere, but catching is even better.

Thanks for the insights.

Wow...Lake Nosi and Henry...some good old memories there.

We went up to Henzel's (that's what we knew him as) back in 1993 and had a weeklong commraderie with him...and his brother John, I might add. At that time his parents still owned the camp, but he was running it for the most part. Good guy...and very, uh, energetic as you put it. We still talk about him today amongst us that went up that year. The stories he would tell were great, and we partied with him everyday for a week...even went up to his pad in the woods one evening about 6-8 miles from camp for some more partying.

Looks like the fishing is about the same on Nosi. Small 'eyes, smallish pike, and healthy smallies. We fished mostly for pike and smallies...always had trouble getting those pesky 'eyes.

Great report...and I thank you for bringing back some good old memories.

We stayed at Crotch Lake several years ago....at Tumblehome Lodge. And I'll agree with everything that's been said so far; beautiful lake, owner of Tumblehome knows lake inside and out, just the 'odd' fish.

Seriously, we went there to catch some walleye and smallies. Three of us, all week...we caught 2 walleye and 1 smallie, and the 'odd' sunfish and perch. What a waste of fishing time. And we went there in search of better quality fishing versus Pigeon Lake! What fools we were.

If you're going to take a trip and want to catch fish...you may want to reconsider and go to another location. If you're going to just go fishing, it's a fine place to spend some time, but don't expect any fish dinners...

Thought you'd like that. But, in reality and after reading my first response, you were right to a degree. And I meant everything I said to Solo in my last post...I do appreciate it.

Okay....I give Blaque...if you have to be right, so be it....

Solo...awesome report, really...probably one of the best, if not the best, I've ever read. As a communications director, I understand that what you did in your report is not easy to do. You put your audience inside your experience and made everyone feel like they were there...and wishing they were there...with you.

I appreciate your efforts in detailing the trip, and I appreciate your position to keep the outfitter and location to yourself and your trusted friends.

With some work and some keen observance, I'd bet someone out there could 'figure it out' based on your pictures and the outfitters prose. I don't have time for it myself, so wherever it is won't see my shadow anytime soon.

Good luck with the remainder of your soft water season. Be safe out there.

Its funny how most that get upset about lack of details are the ones that just came to the forum with a handful of posts.

Once again, I'm good with the choice of Solo not to divulge the location/outfitter. Completely up to him.

As for post totals, I'd have about 2,000+ now if every time I read a post I'd reply something lame like "Great report...thanks for sharing." Stuff like that accounts for 98% or more of most members' totals. I've been a member for years, I just choose not to waste the space with idle-congrats to bloat the "perceived" value of my opinion.

Blaque, do you really value the opinion or insights of someone that has 5,000 posts MORE than someone that has 50? Really? If so, that's a shame and speaks volumes about you.

Yes I have provided the info to some of those who pm'd me asking. Not all though, only those who I either knew or felt I could trust.

 

I've run into the same negative reaction before from members who want info handed to them. Perhaps this might help make them understand.

I wasn't trying to cause a mess out here...or consciously break etiquette...and I wasn't being negative...I was just wondering. Yes...the catch was impressive. The price is downright cheap (I would've guessed $1500+). If you don't want to divulge the info in public, I understand. Like you, I have hundreds of profiles on outfitters from Quebec to Saskatchewan and hundreds of hours in the 'homework'.

However, if someone asked me "where should I go if I want to catch a lot of quality walleye..."...I'd give them the info I have...seems petty to say, "go do the homework yourself and find your own locations...". It's up to them whether they want to spend the money or go through the rigamaroll of a fly-in.

Neither position is right or wrong...just different.

Okay...I'll guess I'll try...seeing that four or so before me have failed.

What lake / what outfitter?

It's not like everyone is going to spend the big money (or even can) to head way north on a fly-in and spoil the location.

I read a lot on this board, and the tight-lipped non-disclosure of "where" on most posts always makes me laugh...

What? Is it some kind of taboo to ask? A breach of etiquette?

Bitsmith....staying at Alwaki Lodge in the central area of the lake...between Sunnyside and Hunter's lakes.

Can't wait to get there....

It appears I'm going to need a new spinning rod/reel set-up for an upcoming trip for 'eyes on Lake Kipawa...the old Shimano and Berkely Lightning rod are ready for retirement.

I already have my 'primary' walleye set-up with an Okuma spinning reel and St. Croix Premier rod...I love that set-up. What I need is a secondary set-up.

With that said, what would you recommend as a good performance / high-value reel and rod set-up? I want to try and keep it around $100 for both, and definitely want a 6' one-piece rod.

The Shimano Spirex with Cabela's Fish Eagle II rod looks okay, but I thought I'd check here first.

Let me know your thoughts....and thanks.

Lexapro....10 mg....1x daily.

Try this webcam view...looking west from downtown North Bay...

http://www.city.north-bay.on.ca/living/bay...on.asp?camera=2

Here's another just north of Callendar...sometimes it is up...sometimes not...

http://torbay.net/torbay1/dockcam.html

Les is great...have seen each episode many times. Survivorman is SOOOO much better than the other knock-off...Man vs. Wild. The goof on that show never sits still...it always looks like he has ants in his pants. He's always running or moving quickly to get to somewhere, but he has no where to go.

I've heard Les has a 2-hour or more show/movie about when he and his family when "off-grid" in northern Canada, but I haven't seen it yet. The new shows are pretty good (especially the Alaska episode), but the Temagami plane crash show will always be my favorite.

He apparently is suffering from the "They Must Be Catching Something Over There, So I'm Going There" lack of etiquette virus. I've seen it personally many, many times.

Though I suppose he may have figured that he has just as much right to be there as you. And who knows...maybe you were on "his" spot for 'skis. More likely, he was just clueless about your direction along the weedline.

Either way, he should have displayed some courtesy.

Sounds like eminant domain here in the States. Basically, if the government wants or needs your property for some reason, it's theirs to take. See the following link about it...it talks about the laws in the UK also. As for 'The Queen' leasing Canada to a big insurance company because she owns it...well, that just sounds a bit too far-fetched to believe. But, I never say 'never'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eminent_domain

Temagami can't be much different than Kipawa which we've been fishing for the last 8-years. Same latitude...same structure. Kipawa always has a shoal and drop-off pattern. Concetrate on transition areas of rock/sand, and the fish will be shallow <6-8 ft. in low light conditions.

Look around www.kipawa.net for recent reports of lakes in that area and other information on strategies and tactics in the Repository. I'm willing to bet the same approach will work for 'eyes on Temagami.

We stay at Alwaki Lodge now. We stayed at Corbeau Lodge (was shortly renamed Eunice Lodge after the owner's wife passed away) for a few years, but it has since been sold privately to Eric Lindros and is no longer an option in that area of the lake. Which is nice, as Alwaki is the only lodge within 4-5 miles and you basically have a large, fertile part of the lake to yourself.

We tried Taggart Bay Lodge in the NE arm of the lake, but found the fishing up there to be marginal at best. I know 3 Seasons does a good business, and the fishing seems to be pretty good around there.

Anyway, here's a link to Alwaki Lodge, and a link to an informaiton repository for the area. Read the discussion board on www.kipawa.net for recent trip reports and somewhat objective information regarding camps and lodges.

www.alwakilodge.com

www.kipawa.com

My group has been going up to Lake Kipawa since 2000 and we leave on Friday for our 8th trip to this lake.

I'll say this...we've seen many, many walleyes and several trophies come out of Kipawa. Personally, I fish for numbers versus size and throw every one back. Others I know fish for big 'eyes and get them 10 lbs.+ all the time.

Contrary to what Another said, we find fishing on Kipawa to be very easy. There are mornings you can go out and catch 25+ walleyes each guy in a couple of hours...same in the evenings. Nothing huge (1-2 lbs.), but fun none the less. You can get bigger if you troll, but I prefer jigging. I personally caught a nice 8 lb. laker while walleye fishing, and a buddy of mine caught a 12+ lb. laker still fishing 50 meters from the lodge. We've also caught 35"+ pike on cranks and spinners.

It's fast action...and a lot of fun. The best thing is you can fish all day, everyday for any species. No weeds to worry about, just a good drop-off and shoal pattern. And the scenery...breathtaking.

We kept searching all over Ontario including the Kawarthas (Pigeon, Buckhorn, Stoney, Rice), eastern Ontario (Crotch), North Bay area (Nosbonsing), Chapleau (Wabitongushi, Dog)...and found this lake in 2000 and have never looked back.

I can't wait...only 3-more days and a wake-up.

We're heading up to Lake Kipawa just over the border into Quebec in a week and will get there right in time for the 2-days before the full moon on July 29th.

I've always heard that walleye feeding activity is much higher during the full moon, but can't say I've ever consciously paid much attention to whether this is true or not.

Most of you fish a lot more than I do, especially for walleyes in Canada. In your opinion, is the walleye activity better during the full moon?

Thanks...as always, I appreciate your insights.

I vauguely recall, but cannot clearly remember a lake up near Elliot Lake that had a nice lodge on it. I believe it was Ten Mile Lake Lodge...but I cannot find their web site on any search engine or link directory.

Does anyone have any info on this place? Ever fished the lake? What species are there, and how would you characterize the fishing opportunities?

As always, I appreciate the insights and feedback.

I read some recent reports from Stoney that the bite for walleyes was pretty bad so far this year. We're driving up from Ohio next week for a 7-day stay at Pine Vista in Gilchrist Bay.

How's the walleye bite been lately? Any insights on tactics and patterns is appreciated.

Thanks.

The proposal came up recently to return to Lake Nosbonsing near North Bay for a trip into Canada, but there was concern with a member of our group that Lake Nosbonsing was “fished out” when it came to walleyes. We'd be coming from Ohio, so we want to be sure it's worth our while. We were last there in 1996, and fishing for pike, smallies and 'eyes was pretty decent at that time.

For anyone that has recent experience there or has heard some feedback on this lake, how would you characterize the walleye fishing there as compared to, say, 10 years ago?

Thanks for the info!

Taking the family up in mid-June to Stoney Lake...I believe it's our 3rd or 4th trip to that lake. Have spent many years on Pigeon, and several on Lake Kipawa, QC with the guys.

I know we can catch panfish all day long, and the kids like that. I've had decent success with largemouth bass, also quite easy to catch. But I've never had much luck with the walleyes. What might you suggest in terms of good walleye tactics for Stoney? I like to jig fish and that's my bread-n-butter on Kipawa, but the fish on Stoney always seem scattered and jigging is a long-shot technique most of the time.

Back-trolling the weedlines with narrow cranks? Thashing the weeds with bucktail jigs?

Insights, experiences and suggestions are appreciated.