lunders

Salvelinus alpinus - Arctic char.

Hi all! Just wanted to share a little story about my boat troubles this season. And a then a happier story as I'm finally able to enjoy the boating/fishing season! I launched my boat mid-May, for the first time this season. Had winterized it myself, and thought everything should be fine. Man - was I wrong... Started up, and checked the engine compartment. Bad news. Cooling water flowing out the side of the engine. Shut it down, and pulled it out of the water. Turned out I hadn't managed to get all the water out in the fall, it froze and pushed one of the core plugs. Was still not sure about the condition of the block... My boat is a 20 ft bowrider with a mercruiser inboard. To replace the plug that popped, engine has to be lifted up. So - I called a workshop I have used before, and agreed to bring the boat to them. I get on the road, and start hearing bad bearing noises from my left trailer wheel... Not good. Turned around, and drived slowly back to the marina. Just 500 metres, I figured I would be fine. Man - was I wrong. Again. All the sudden the wheel started wobbling - then BANG. Off it goes. Rolls across four lanes and stopped on the sidewalk. Luckily didn't hit anyone. So there I am - On the Lakeshore downtown Toronto with a trailer with no wheel. Lots of cops and tow trucks later, we get it on a flatbed and drop it off at the shop. They repair my trailer, replace the plugs and test the engine. Lucky me, the engine block wasn't cracked. So, I'm back on the water a week into June. With several lessons learned, and apx $1500 out of pocket. I'm sure the most of you have good maintenance schedules on your boats and trailers, but for those who may not, please learn from my mistakes. I was very lucky to not cause a bigger accident, and potentially hurt people. A quick summary: If you're winterizing your boat yourself, make sure you know what you're doing... If not, have professionals do it for you. Second: Don't ignore your trailer maintenance. Make sure to inspect and repack your wheel bearings at least every year.... Now to the fishing part: Have been out a few times, but not much luck so far. Fishing around the Toronto Islands for pike, and trolling the big lake for salmon. But yesterday my luck changed. I was trolling over apx 200 fow, with dipsy divers and spoons. Had them down apx 40-50 ft. Got a solid hit, and landed it fine. A beatiful acrobatic fish. Thanks for reading!

I got my license at the Humber Bay College just over a year ago. Quick and easy. Showed up, waited for an hour to take the super challenging practical test with their 15 Ft aluminum. Then the written test, and that was it. Temp license in hand, the card showed up the mail a couple of weeks later. BTW, they also send you course material when you sign up, so you can prepare for the written test.

I have a "Mustang Survival" that I'm really happy with. Lightweight and comfortable. Bought it at the sportsmans show i T-O. It's automatic, but can also be manually inflated if needed. As far as I know, most of these don't inflate by water pressure. It's a kind of tablet/pill that dissolves in water and then activates a springloaded mechanism to release the CO2 bottle for inflation. It needs to be really soaked though, I don't think heavy rain will do it. (The mechanism is covered for rain.)

I had a similar problem on my mercruiser inboard. When turning the key, I could hear it "click", than nothing. Also noted a voltage drop on my volt meter, down to apx 10 V. I thought (hoped) at first it was a bad connection on either the battery or the starter. But it turned out to be the solenoid on the starter. It would "click" in, but not connect properly to connect power to the starter motor itself to turn. I had it replaced with a rebuilt starter, all good now!

Nice fish!!! Good job!

The Toronto Islands are in zone 20, opened Saturday May 1st.

I was out in my boat around the Toronto Islands Saturday, Sunday and today. I caught a carp the first day (!) and a nice pike yesterday. No pictures though... I talked to several other guys, both in boats and fishing from shore. They were all catching pike. So they are definitely around! I was however hoping to see more fish, but it's probably just me not doing it right... Was fishing with various spinners, spoons and Rapala's. Caught the pike on a perch colored Rapala.

They spelled my name wrong as well. Sent them an email about it, but never heard back from them... Then I forgot about it. I've had my card for two years now.

That is awesome!!!

Thanks again, for good advice. I'll try again. Definitely had no success with my trolling, will focus more on casting/jigging.

Great photos!!! Thanks for sharing...

Congratulations! May I ask you where you went? I'm kind of looking myself for a camp/big lodge or something for my upcoming wedding. Will have friends/family from overseas, would love to have something on a lake for the weekend to get married. (And get in some partying and fishing as well...!) Am looking for something preferably within three hours driving of Toronto...

Welcome! I'm kind of new myself. Have been reading lots here, but not been to active! Have to say - It's an amazing forum with tons of knowledge and help to get. Enjoy!

Went back out today, fishing around for about four-five hours. Tried trolling spinners and rapalas. Stopped here and there around "promising" weed beds, trees etc. Tossing all kinds of spinners, texas rigged worms, jigs, frogs etc. Got skunked today as well... Not even a bite. Is it something wrong with me, or is fishing just hard these days? Talked to a few other guys, one of them had caught one small bass I think. That's it. But - Never give up, I'll be back!