turtle

Thanks. I checked out that website-quite the hobby (obsession) for some. Did you buy from a local retailer or online? Pls advise.

I've tried the wood chips in tin foil on the BBQ method and didnt work out so well. I would like to get a dedicated smoker to smoke fish and meat. I am looking at a couple propane models at Home Depot, a Broil-Mate for $199 and a Vermont Castings for $149. I have also seen charcoal briquet models for less $, except for the Weber. Any experience and recommendations? Thanks.

I forgot to mention, if travelling on foot (the safe but slow way), bring cleats for your boots if you have them. The snow cover is pretty well gone and it's slippery when wet.

I was out twice this week. Virginia all day on Monday-at least 24 inches of good ice, cars and trucks on the ice (we parked on shore), shoreline ice still good-fishing was real slow. Yesterday morning at Port Bolster-still at least 24 inches of ice but the ice there was mostly white. Shore ice starting to go where there is water flow into the lake but still no problem. Trucks still on ice (I parked on shore). Fishing much better-caught approx 30 perch and kept 12 in four hours, approx 20-25 FOW.

Over the last while a few of my spinning reels have conked out. I've used Aikmans (?) before down in Mississauga, but thats a long drive for me now. Is there a place that does this work north of Toronto, for example Markham, Newmarket, Port Perry? Thanks.

I recommend looking at some canoe-kayak web sites FAQ's etc. and trying out several before you decide. Generally they are short maneuverable ones for rivers and fast water. medium size "recreational" ones and longer tripping-sea kayaks. I have two-a 12 foot and a 14 foot. The shorter one turns better but plows the water more. The longer one is faster, tracks better in a straight line but doesnt turn as well. They are alot of fun and I prefer them to solo paddling a canoe because the wind doesnt push them. A canoe is better to portage though. On big water you may want a longer kayak and a spray skirt to keep the water out.

I'll be at a friend's place on the north side of Scugog this weekend-Pine Point I think. Is there any bait shop for minnows on the north side or am I going down to Port Perry-Causeway bait? Thanks for your help.

I have a trip planned for this weekend coming up-Kennisis Lake area. I fished Boshkung on January 5th and there was approx 6 inches of ice-2 inches of white on top of four of good ice, but that was before the big thaw and high winds. Anyone been up there in the last week or fished last weekend? Any ice condition reports? Thanks.

A few years ago I saw a doe while driving up the Don Valley Parkway. It was on the east side between the Bloor and Don Mills exits. There are lots of them in Scarborough around the zoo. Also a few years ago I saw a coyote or coy-dog walking in daylight at the bottom of River st-also near the DVP. I think some of the newer development for example in Markham takes way their habitat and they move through the valley parks to new habitat.

I have an Excalibur x bow at 305 fps. While I have yet to kill a deer with it, in practice I am only real comfortable with a 30 yard or less shot. It shoots flat to about 25 yards and at 30 or more you have to raise. I did practise to 40 and 50, but I would not take anything over 30 yards in the field, preferably less.

Lake Simcoe-closer and relatively easier to catch one-average size is probably 4-5 pounds and at least 22 inches. Ice fishing may be required. Lake Nippising-further away and harder to target because several species can be caught from same area. Smaller average size than Simcoe. Ice fishing may be required.

Depends what you want it for. The material choices are fiberglass, kevlar, plastic or the traditional cedar strip or all wood. The cedar strip and all wood are expensive but are the classic type. Cedar strip and all wood require more care and caution and are heavier relative to kevlar. The cheapest is probably fiberglass. Plastic (one type is Royalex) is forgiving-good for running rivers-but also heavier than kevlar. I have had two canoes. The first fiberglass with a flatter bottom and keel-good for sitting on the seats and fishing, not good for long distances. The second a 16 foot kevlar-good for distances, canoe tripping and portaging-weighs 45 pounds. Kevlar is not cheap-I paid about $1,200 or so (i recall) for a used 16 foot Evergreen canoe in 1999. This time of year look for used canoes coming into the bigger stores. Outfitters sometimes sell used canoes in the fall.

I was on 12 mile lake from 85 to 99. While I was there the odd small musky was caught, usually in adjoining Boshkung Lake coming from the Maple-Grass chain through the Beech river. A couple years after we left there was an article in the local news about a large pike caught in Little Boshkunng. I also heard that there are some pike in Kushog Lk that also runs into Boshkung.

I look at wind direction, moon phase and game activity tables (best times)-but find that it really doesnt make any diffrence. There can be trends, but fish and and game can be unpredictable. I can catch fish in an east wind, in the middle of a moon phase and at mid-day and also get skunked when all the predictions say best conditions.

On the cottage lake I am on the larger lake trout (26 in + and 4-5lbs plus) eat smallmouth, rock bass and smaller lakers. A friend kept a larger trout and it had three rock bass (small ones) in it.

The older, larger bucks with the biggest baskets are the usually the hardest to take or even see. They have survived 4-5 or more hunting seasons as well as the natural predators. Some are taken every year but the majority harvested are less experienced and less cautious younger bucks and does. The other factor to consider is that a dominant buck can mate with more than one doe.

I am in Haliburton but a bit further north of Drag Lk. Water has warmed up since I was last up in the first two weeks of July when it got colder. Last weekend one lake trout caught down 45 ft in around 60 ft on a Yozuri minnow bait and the sm bass on tubes has picked up.

Very nice back country exploring, well worth the work. Also very nice saving the premium beer for dinner (Leffe) and having the bud and ex for the boat and portgaging.

I also saw them at the Masonic Temple (Concert Hall) in probably 79 or 80. When music (the Ramones kind) was about energy and attitude. Every song starts with 1-2-3-4. Remember thinking the floor might collapse into the basement because the pogoing.

I have a cottage on the lake. PM sent.

I liked the Fishin Musician (John Candy) on SCTV. Seriously, I like the shows where you can learn something and or see scenery for your dream fishing trip, not the reality show Bull.

I was at my cottage in Haliburton for the first two weeks of July-fishing (catching) really has slowed down. The surface water temp went from over 21C at the start to 18C last Sunday. Never had two weeks of consistent cloud cover and rain before. Five lakers 14-23 in for the two weeks and the bass (normallya sure thing when I get skunked on the trout) were off. Needed the rain up there though.

I find they are flaky like bass and tasty out of cold water. I also find they hit anything but give up quick.

I am up around the Minden area and havent caught a laker or brook trout (yet) this spring. One OOS bass last weekend and skunked this weekend. Put in several hours but no serious fishing yet, just in the kayak and off the dock. Last spring picked up for me after the May long weekend, the skitters were bad but the fish were biting.

Fished Saturday in the north end of Haliburton. About a foot of soft ice with the shore ice melting and broken up. Will not last long. River water levels are low and most of the snow is gone. Open water on the south part of Mitchell Lk. on hwy 48 on the way back.