Homer Is King

Yes, my research has lead me to this area. It is now called the "Haliburton Highlands Water Trails". There are several canoe routes, campsites, day use areas, and hiking trails. You can now view the maps and book online. https://secure.camis.com/HHWT/HaliburtonHighlandsWaterTrails?Map More info http://www.algonquinhighlands.ca//?cat=trails&page=water Apparently, a nice novice loop is Herb Lake into Gun Lake. Anyone have any more info on this area. Do they have thunder boxes / toilets on the campsites? Are motor boats allowed on the lakes?

X2 - these are the knots I use too. I've lost a lot of fish but never from knot failure! I think the 50% strength reduction applies to any line or rope with a knot in it.

That sounds like a great trip. I'm familiar with Walkerton and the Saugeen River but never thought of doing something like that! Thanks for the tip! We have done similar trips on the Saugeen near Paisley and on the Grand River (before kids). It is a really good time. Float and fish, paddle just enough to keep you going straight. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories. I definitely have to work on a few day trips like that. It will be on top of this camping trip.

Knuguy, Thanks for the info. I called the park yeasterday and I have a map coming. They suggested the same route into Sucker Lake! Jasper - No 4X4 ...

Torco, I completely agree about the portage. One quick portage of 500m or less really separates you from the crowds. My wife is dead set against one but I am working on convincing her! I just ordered a bunch of maps for several areas around us. There are so many options it's hard to decide. My wife has her heart set on Algonquin which pretty much means I have my heart set on Algonquin! Anyone have any experience with Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park?

Thanks for all the replys!! You've definitely given me some great leads to follow up on!

The wife and I used to do some canoe in trips. We phased that out for a more luxurius / drive in style of camping once we had kids. Our kids are now of the age that we want to introduce them to some canoe in / back woods camping. Unfortunately all the Algonquin trips we did would be too much for the kids! Can anyone recommend a kid friendly canoe in camping spot? We have 4 kids aged 9 to 4. We are looking for something with a 2 - 4 hour canoe trip, no portages, on a "no motor" lake. A spot with good fishing would be a bonus!! I've been looking at Algonquin but I am worried that all the lakes with no portages will be busy or all booked up by now. I did order the "Canoe Trips" book which should help me figure out a route. I've also been looking at The Massassauge. It's a canoe in only provincial park. I have no experience with this area. Is it suitable. Any other suggestions?

Great footage, ,icely put together! Well done! Congrats on your first open water fish of 2012!

Congrats guys! A day well spent!!

Cool videos! Thanks for sharing! My daughters grade 3 class did that last year. It's a great program. It really gets the kids engaged! Here's my report from last year: Atlantic Salmon Field Trip

Looks like a great day!! Good job!

I HAVE to field test it to make sure it's appropriate for the kids!!!

Those are great pictures Ryan!! I love fishing with my kids. They take me back to what fishing is all about!! I think it was one of your posts last year that got me thinking about the Voltaeus. I like the feel of it. Can't wait to field test it!

Thanks for all the options! A couple of makes / models that I hadn't heard of. The Cheerywood gets a lot of good reviews! That Shakespeare Excursion at Walmart would be hard to beat at $16!! Geoff, thanks for the review. I picked up a 5'6" UL Voltaeus at Gagnon's on sale for $30 (with a life time warranty). I paired it with a 500 series Shimano Sedona that I already had. It should be a great little combo for the older kids. Plus the silver on silver looks really good! Hirk has a couple rods I'm going to have a look at ... hard to pass up half price. I may regret not sticking with the time tested ugly stick but a little variety is good...I hope!

I always hate to see the end of ice fishing season but LOVE the start of sooo many others!! Especially crappie!! Thanks for getting us warmed up!

Very nice!

To be honest....I broke 2 of the 3 rods that we lost last year. I slammed on in the van door and the other snapped in 2 while I was casting. The third one is sitting on the bottom of Rice Lake. The 4 year old was tired of holding it and just let it go while we were drifting. By the time I got back to it, it was gone.

Thanks for the response guys! Ugly sticks have proven the test of time as far as durability goes! My wife even drove over one of mine with the van when we were camping. She didn't see it leaning against the van (so she says!!). The reel was smashed but the rod was undamaged. The kids are still using it today! My oldest is 9. When she was 2 I got her a cute little Dora rod. It lasted one trip!! They are toys and complete garbage! The next rod was a 5'6" Ugly Stick combo with a spin caster (push button reel with a dome on top of it). It was $30 at Canadian Tire. This thing worked great for young kids. The rod was unbreakable and the reel never ever tangled. And it went through a lot of abuse!! It is now on it's 8th season and it's 4th kid and it is still working great! I own 4 now. The drag is poor and I wouldn't fish for anything bigger than pan fish but it's a great starter rod. My 2 oldest (9 and 7) have now graduated to a spinning combo. My third (age 6) is close and this year she will make the move. My 4 year old will be on the spin caster for another couple of year. The other spin casters are for other kids when they come fishing with us. I was planning on upgrading their setup. Maybe I'll upgrade one of my rods and hand my old one down....

I do a lot of fishing with my kids. As you can imagine they can be hard on gear. We "lost" 3 rods last year so I'm in the market for some new ones. Does anyone have experience with tough, low price, rods? Any Suggestions? I have a couple of Ugly sticks that have passed the kid test. They really are indestructible. I am tempted to get another one for the kids. In the same price range is the Shimano Voltaeus. They are billing it as "extremely durable". I think it might have better sensitivity then the Ugly Stick. Anyone have any experience with these rods?

I just downloaded the "U Find Fish" app for my iPhone. It was free so I figured I'd give it a try. You need to create an account in the app (no google account required). You then have access to "hotspots". The hotspots are overlayed onto Google maps. How credible the hotspots are is anyone's guess. I don't know if I'd pay for it but for free it's fun to brows around on.

Great report! You are all over them this winter! Nice job! Love those crappie. Great eating!!

X3 on the longer rod. I have a 7ft ultralight that I really like. It's the bass pro Micro Lite. It was about $60. It can really launch the smaller jigs and floats. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Micro-Lite-Graphite-Spinning-Rods/product/10204875/98847

Thanks for the update. I work near there and tried it a couple of times last year. Same results as you! Plan to head out there again soon!

I was thinking the same thing! This will be my first season and I'm excited to give it a try!!

Beauty fish! Absolute BEAUTY!