NAW

That’s terrible news Wayne. I’m going to stop by my sisters on the way home from work and tell her I love her. My condolences to you and yours.

Well, Here's the pic of him swimming away. It's not very good quality picture. The pic made the fish coloring look blotchy or spotted. However, I examined this fish very good while it was boat side, and it was smooth colored, with some very faint patterning down his sides. Had a real funky smell to it which stayed on my hands all day. The tail looked much different than a pike as well. Not to mention the fight was WICKED. I'll be better prepared next time, and be sure to get one in the boat, for a good picture and safe release. I'm geared up to go after some more of these monsters now! Thanks to everyone for the advice!

I fished the Wab. chanel last weekend. I sayed between the bouys, and there was 8' - 12' steady to the bridge. I didn't go to the east of the highway though. Some guys where catching pickeral in the morning. I didn't catch any though. I went duck hunting in the bay last year. I never saw my prop bounce out of the water so many time before. Some very very shallow spots in there. Lots of logs, and debrise in the water.

Thanks for the tips guys. I used to bring a net with me all the time, but Murphy’s law, when you don't have the net, you get the big one. Someone asked what lure I was using - it was a 3" multi-colored rattling crank bait (the loudest rattle i've ever heard, you could hear it rattling at least 20' from the boat). One of the firsts posts that I read when I joined OFC was "You can call me capt'n Hook". If you remember, if was a little gory. I had that on my mind when I tried to slide my hand under his gill plate. Hence why I let go when he started thrashing real hard! I was able to snap a picture if the Musky swimming away. I will upload it tonight if anyone cares to see it. I do carry a good set of needle nose pliers, and clamps. But no cutters. As I was in the boat alone, I didn't have a chance to grab them. I will take your advice and go buy some good cutters. Anyone know the best brand of cutters for cutting hooks???

So I hit Sparrow this morning to see if I could catch some pickerel. No pickerel, but I did latch onto a ~40" ski. I have some questions for you Musky pro's.. Here's the deal: I was fishing for pickerel, so i didn't have a steel leader. I was using 10' braid, with a 4' fluoro leader (6.8lb test). The fish rolled a lot during the fight, so by the time he was boat side, the line was wrapped around his snout and mouth several times, and the flouro leader was about to snap. I didn't have a net, so I tried to get the lure out beside the boat. During my attempts to get the line untangled from the fish, the line snapped. I didn't want to lift him in the boat, because he was still full of energy, and I didn't want him trashing in the boat causing injury to him. The musky ended up thrashing out of my hands, and getting free before I could get the lure out of his mouth. What would you do if you had an energized 40" musky on, no leader, and no net? (and no musky catching skills, as this is my first Musky).

I only need about 4" of water to launch my boat, so the ramp worked great for me. I can see what you guys meen though. If you have a big boat, that is definitly not a good launch.

I live about 1 1/2 Km to a public launch on Simcoe. Head out after work atleast twice a month. Perch bite is good in the evening.

That's good stuff. I've had helicopter come pretty close to me on the water (not while I was fishing , the pilot was taking a second pass/look at my naked girlfriend, more like a long hover). Had a plane land on the ice about 100' away from me while ice fishing too.

How well do those dog life vests work?? Do they keep the dogs head above water? My dog is only 11lbs. Do they come that small? My dog knows no limits. Sometimes she'l jump in the water and swim away from shore, and not look back untill she's 100' out. Then she panics, and tries to rush back in. Only to turn around and do the exact same thing again.

I took my dog fishing last weekend. The little buger did a superman dive straight off the bow platform on my boat while the trolling motor was in 5th gear. I grabbed her as she was going under the boat, toward the prop. She loves swimming, but she's not used to jumping in from that height. So when she hit the water, she sank about 1 foot. Before she could surface, the boat was on top of her. I had to reach under the boat, and pull her out. I’ve never reacted to fast in my life. She was coughing up water for 5 minutes after that. That got my blood flowin'

This post is going to get a ton of replies. I have 3 that are always in the boat, and another 5 that are only pulled out when needed (12' tdr, and ice rods). I only replace rods when they break. Don't have enough room in the garage to stock pile rods, with 2 boats, a snowmobile, and countless other toys that my wife thinks are pointless! (what does she know)

It's a sad day for the Edge. Too bad to here.

Thanks for the info. Very much appreciated!

Like Ruthless said, not to many people just give away their hot spots. There is the odd post that will give out the body of water, and maybe even a rough location on that body. But that's rare. I don't think there's much you can do about the lurkers out there. If you're concerned about people catching on to your hot spots, then don't give them out!

I am going up to Sparrow Lake Thursday morning. Does anyone know of a government / public boat launch on the lake or river. I have been doing some research, and I beleive there's one at Franklin Park (off Kilworthy Rd). Can anyone confirm this for me?? Thanks,

That's an excelent report Fil! and Beuty pictures. Congrets,

I bought a portable Hummindbird. This is great for ice fishing and boating. The transducer has a suction cup mount (which I remove for ice fishing). The last time I was canoe fishing, I just stuck the suction cup to the bottom of the canoe, and turned the transducer 90° to what it is normally set at (for the back of my 14' aluminum). It worked great. You just have to be mindful that you have a transducer mounted on the bottom of your boat. Keep away from rocks, and remember to take it off before you pull your canoe onto shore. The unit was in the $300 range, and came with all the fixin's (case, battery, unit, suction cup, charger, etc.) It only weighs a few pounds. I suppose if I were a more serious canoe fisherman, I would make a bracket like the guys have shown above. However, for the little amount that I do it, I’ll just stick the transducer to the bottom of the canoe.

That's one obese fish.

I'm going there for the first time this weekend. I'm also intersted in how the lake is. What species of fish are roaming there?

Very good read man. Thanks for the report.

Wow, To much power, not enough brains.

It's to bad to see a monster all beat up like that. Is it just me, or is there a rope through his gills? Nice fish either way.

I definitely agree with the posts about TAKE YOUR TIME. A boat is not something to rush into. I waited for just the right deal. For $800, I got: 14 deep/wide boat in poor shape (few lose rivets, and some rotten wood on the seats) 1988 15Hp Merc in good shape (carb needed a few parts + cleaning) Galvanized trailer in good shape (needed new lights/fenders) I have rebuilt the boat interior, and painted the hull. Total cost into the boat is about ~$1600. That includes a bow mount trolling motor, new gas tank, wood, lights, etc... The boat is rated for a 40Hp, so upgrades are coming soon! The boat will handle Simcoe on most days.

I second the Ugly Stick. Never used a Ugly Stick Lite. I have one of the heavier ones. Great rod for the $30 I paid for it (on sale and BPS).

Not a post that I expected to see on Canada day. The one day in the year that raging patriots can go wild with their attire. I think it's a good thing. It would be a little weird if it were like that every day of the year. I expect and welcome it on Canada day though.