jediangler

Valens is having their yearly bass and pike derby on Saturday. There are also categories for kids. It will be very busy on the lake. Last year every rental boat they had was in use. They usually have some pretty good draw prizes as well. It is a heaviest single fish contest with length being the deciding factor in a tie breaker. You also get a 6oz bonus for live release. The bass winner is always between 5-6lbs. Last years pike was just under 9lbs but usually it is between 10-13lbs. I've had good luck on perch coloured baits for pike at Valens in the past. Maybe see you there.

Congrats on the nice skis. I love the sky in the first two pics

If you have a transom mount electric trolling motor you can mount your transducer to the bottom of it, like this. Then whenever you rent a boat or buy a new one your fishfinder is already to go. The mount is made by Eagle and can be bought or ordered wherever they sell Eagle products.

Great report. The pic of your daughter is awesome. Mine fishes with small power bait grubs exclusively. Keeps me from dealing with live bait all the time.

I'm not familiar with the river anywhere but from Elora to Blair. If you want to fish this section try these guys. http://www.canoeingthegrand.ca

Found a x-rap in the Grand last week. We used to find full cans of beer in the Elora conservation area. The guys who float down inside inner tubes would lose them and they would all end up along the shore next to an eddy.

Nice ski and congrats on the new PB.

There are largemouth and crappie at Kelso conservation area right in your hometown. You can fish from shore or rent a canoe or kayak. I'd suggest taking along an ipod or some earplugs because the 401 is loud and very annoying when you're there. Bronte off the pier can be non stop goby action if you're into that. Just let your lure rest an inch off bottom. They will hit spoons twice their size all day long.

Nice fish muskygoddess. I've never heard of a 50" first musky before. My PB came from Pigeon last September, it was 48".

While fishing the Grand many years ago, two amish kids about 12-13yrs old came over and asked if we had any water. They had a 3lb smallie on a stick they were taking home they caught with bamboo rods and old knuckle buster levelwinds. I showed them my cooler bag and told them all I had was Pepsi. They shook their heads no and stated they can't drink that. I told them I wouldn't tell anybody and threw a can to the kid, then turned back to the river. They walked about 10yds away and drank it in seconds. They then brought the can back to me and said thank you. Good, polite, respectful kids. I complimented them on their bass and made a comment about keeping our little secret. Well I had kept it secret for years. Besides It's not like they've got internet access...do they?

Soon as I put on my lifejacket I have sharpening stone, measuring tape, 2pair of pliers, stringer, Normark glove, whistle, line clippers, and fishing licence. When fishing in the kayak I take one plano box of assorted goodies and my camera and that's it.

If you're gonna fish for 4hrs or more you have to be comfortable. I use these padded boat seats mounted on quick releases for my canoe. They are very comfortable but you'd have to install the quick release mounts wherever you intend to use them.

Great report and pics. That is a nice walleye for sure. I've seen a 27"er weigh 7.3lbs out of BOQ, but it was fatter than yours. I caught a 27"er out of Puslinch lake that weighed 5.8lbs but it was a bit slimmer. So I'm guessing 6.5lbs.

There is a public launch right under the bridge where #30 goes over the river. Just south of the town of Trent River, and west of Seymour lake. If you launch there go upstream to the island and fish the right side where the weeds grow next to deep water. I've caught smallies, walleyes, carp and a musky there.

Very nice, congrats. How long was it?

Very nice fish regardless. Congrats, don't forget to get a pic with you holding it before you release it. That will give it better perspective for size.

Stayed clear of the Grand river today and instead drove toward Paris to hit a pond for bluegills and maybe a largemouth bass. It was a late start this time as I arrive at 3pm to see the pond is all mine. Fished for 2hrs with little 1/16oz jig & grub combos that the bluegills loved tearing the tails off. I bet I went through a dozen grubs on twenty bluegill. Most of the gills were this size, also caught a hand sized sunfish that put up a great fight. I did get a shot at a decent largemouth (15-17") but he tailwalked towards me after I set the hook and spit the jig away. No problem, I know where he lives Everthing was released to swim free for another day.

Great report. That pic with the trophy is classic. The fact that she won by working hard for her fish will not be lost on her. Nice looking trout on the grown-ups too.

You could go to Lake Eugenia and fish for bass off the causeway.

I was right in Kitchener Microhole, and yes Dan it can be quite peaceful. It's funny how many people living near the Grand never even try fishing it. Others get caught up in the big boat, long drive aspect of the sport and forget how a few jigs and a walk on the riverbank can clear the stress of a whole week in 30minutes. Anyone in the Derby hear what size bass is leading at this point?

So I get my kayak down to the Grand river and there are people fishing everywhere. This is Grand river Bass Derby weekend, and I forgot. Not that I was going to enter, but I usually steer clear for the weekend and fish Shade's, Guelph or Valens conservation areas instead. I was after crappies anyway so I didn't let the crowds bother me. I landed at least 20 crappie, all but 1 were between 8 - 10". This was the best of the day at 11.5". I fished from 10am-1pm and also caught a little smallmouth. All fish were released to be caught another day. Talked to a couple of shore fishermen who were using minnows that told me they caught 2 pike earlier in the morning. All they caught while I was there were carp.(Not that there's anything wrong with that...)

That's a hammer handle pike. When they are little their markings are a bit strange.

That's a nice tiger musky for sure. Where were you fishing? PM me if you don't want all the lurkers to know.

Nice fish Rico, now get back in your kayak

Mine was a 1974 VW Super Beetle.