I'mHooked

You can say that again! And it doesn't even matter what species, I get stoked at them all! Even if there wasn't an inch every 2hrs, it was just an amazing time on the water! Yah, the guys were ok to hang with...I guess. Thanks, It's been a long time coming...would have had an equally impressive report from last outing with Solopaddler...until his camera went for a swim in the Grand. Let's go...I know where 1 or 2 live. Thanks Dax. I'm just hoping they can get incrementally bigger with subsequent outings. Well it's wishfull thinking! The Walleye? Best 2 days by far. What Walleye? Oh, the one that other guy caught. Thanks Frankie

Got out last Thurs & Fri with Cowanjo for a serious Musky beat down. It was my 2nd Musky outing and I was pumped for the opportunity! I was just getting hungry when we pulled in at 7AM and this gobbler greated us. Didn't end up with a turkey sandwich though. In the boat and on the water around 8AM. Raced to our starting position and BAM! Within the 1st 10 minutes of casting this stellar beast hammered my offering. Shy of 46" (Was nice to up my previous best which was my 1st ever Musky, last Oct in the rain at 42". See avatar) I think my partner was still putting his sunblock on or something. He did a great job landing, cutting the hooks, and taking one heck of a great picture of my 1st fish on only my 2nd outing! What an incredible way to start the day! Next came jr. around 11:30. Casting to some outside lines we see a boil on the other side of the boat 50 feet out. As I was just ready to make another cast, I landed the "double 10" about 15 feet past the rings and started cranking. Just got the blades spinning when WHAMMO! This scrappy 33" got the acrobatics started! Next, sometime around 1pm came Jr.-jr. This little guy was a bundle of fun. Got himself spun up really well in the line. After a quick detangle, he was freed and darted straight for the bottom. Had 3 more hook-ups that didn't get landed. Baits came back to the boat with teeth marks on the body, but didn't manage to get hooks into them. Why haven't we seen any fish from my partner yet? Well, the action for Cowanjo was unfortunately...lacking on day 1. The action on Friday sure didn't materialize as quickly as did the previous day. There were a few missed hooksets and a few follows through the morning, but nothing to take a picture of. Around 1 pm we met our 3rd partner 'Fishgreg' at the boat launch. He came prepared with a round of deli sandwhiches for all! Along with a few original style 'bottles' of Coke. Ahhh, refreshing! Ok, so now we've got some fresh enthusiasm on the boat (nothing landed in the past 24 hours at this point). Well, I don't recall the times, but it took another few missed fish by the time the next fish was landed 3 or 4 hours later. FINALLY Cowanjo manages to get some hooks buried into something sizeable. It was a 10" lure, so definatley wasn't a perch or crappie. After a good boat side tussle it revealed itself as a 28" Walleye! A PB Walleye for him. Didn't think they came that big in this lake. Nice fish Cowanjo! ...And because he's on some sort of tournament fish team, here's the official "team" entry photo...although I think he'll have to chime in with which actual team he is on. A couple more hours have gone by at this point and I think it's sometime around 8pm maybe. Fishgreg has been launching ICBM's from the boat in every direction looking for SOMETHING to come out and play. Finally his efforts were rewarded after tying on a topwater prop bait. Breaking up the surface of the water like a hydrofoil was racing by, we witnessed a surface strike which he nor I had previously seen in person. It was his first surface strike Musky! What a blast! Got a little wound up in the net, but was freed to get bigger and attack another day. Think his came in at 32": Ok, time for the "host with the most", Cowanjo, to get a hit by his 10th Musky of the 2 week season! (I didn't feel so bad for him up to this point as he already had 9 landed in the previous 1-1/2 weeks! ) A nice 34"er to round out the day of fish that made it into the net: By no means was this the only fish we saw on his line. There was a rather large tank that made an appearance for his lure boatside and had a good couple of rod bending headshakes, but alas, they were not to be...this day. Had an incredible 2 days (25 hours in the boat total), during the week no less, with fantastic 24-28 deg weather. Saw some spectacular aerial displays by numerous Osprey & Blue Herons, along with various other wildlife (bartender not included). Thanks for looking. This is also 1st attempt at using photobucket, so hope it worked alright. Cheers!

Official report to follow in day or 2 with rest of catch, however here's my personal best out with Cowanjo Thursday & yesterday. My 2nd time Musky fishing with Cowanjo and total 6 fish landed (not including his own). This one a hair below 46" (I'm 6'1" 225 lbs ) (While this one wasn't on a Handlebarz, I did land a 32" as well which nailed my one and only Handlebarz lure, a Gold/Brass double 10! Only have about 8 Musky lure so far...it's a slippery slope!!) Woohoo!!! Yah baby!!! She hit less than 30 casts into the day before 9am.

That's it? Looks like an alright outing I guess. Nice looking beasts!! You've set the bar high. (We'll just have to get it even higher! )

Class act! Bet the kids loved it. Thanks for sharing Chris.

Finally. Great looking trip Mike. Looks like a soul cleansing type of experience. Nice to have the video memories. And you didn't have to carry any carcasses out of the bush!

Here's what can happen as a result of an unforeseen 'trailer' issue. 5 years ago on the QEW. Got jacknifed and ended up on the roof in the ditch...soft landing! Fortunatley I walked away with only some cuts from broken glass.

Wow, incredible shots. Sounds like a fun day Mike. Thanks for sharing.

Took my 12 year old to the 11am IMAX 3D on Friday...shhhh, don't tell his teacher! Was definitely the best of the Marvel movies to date. Some seriously funny one liners etc. Great flick! Even rivals Star Wars!

Hey great job Dax! Thanks for taking the time to help do some good for the fishery! Efforts are appreciated.

Can't beat "Run to the Hills", although there are plenty of great tunes! Nice ink.

Looks like an alright trip, I guess, if you're into that sort of thing. I was chomping at the bit waiting for the report! Spectacular outing! Without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life was as an 8 day Algonquin trip when 18. Although sadly that was 20+ years ago and the last time I've been to the park. Hopefully it goes without saying, if you want to share another 5k portage, just let me know when and where! (I'll carry the canoe) Also, as previously noted, excellent writing!

Wanna go again? Nice looking fish there! Damn, I've got the itch!

Definitely a good time fishing together, whether we had a 'successful' day or not. That's ok, no affidavit needed...this time. We'll just have to replicate the outing to be sure there's some evidence next time! Afterall, landing my largest Steelie & close to largest smallmouth doesn't happen everyday for this armchair fisher! Brendan sure looks like he enjoys his time with his old man! Looking forward to the Algonquin report next week. (Don't forget your camera )

Figure I did about as well with about $100-$120 worth for about $40. Sorry Brian I couldn't be on your "have met" list as well! At least I figured out which table was Bruce's Going to get into some of his 'Oh My' grade salsa tonight! (Good to meet you Bigugli!) Definitely was worth the visit and some pretty good deals to be had.

Wow, nice looking Silver! That 1st one looks pretty messed up around the gills? Was it worn away or a defect? Looks like a fun outing, congrats on the new gear working as expected.

Any salsas or sauces Bruce? Thanks for pointing this out. Going to check it out and say hi.

The carp wisperer!

No it's not...Didn't start high school until '84! great read Mike, and great memory to have.

Oh there's a good story...on the camera itself! Let's just say that there is no longer any "evidence" of some catches my wife wouldn't otherwise believe me about. At least I know what was on it! (and Mike can sign an affidavit verifying it! )

What about spray on gravel guard? It's the stuff that is often found on the rocker panels of cars etc. that has the orange peel type texture. It's basically a rubberized type spray on coating that is available in either black or clear. The clear would be an option if you dodn't want to have to paint over it. You can pick it up at Can. Tire, or any NAPA type store.

What about a bait caster?

I've never had Smelt. Looks good though.

Wow, fabulous looking rod! Nice work Chris. So, Mike...it's March...and I've got my passport...what next?

Was at Fishing World yesterday. Picked up some great X-raps (2 for $10) 8 of them, which is a pretty good deal. However, keep in mind that the 'no tax' event doesn't apply to any of the 'specials' they already have on. They have changed the layout of the floor, so it was like touring a new store. Just may still need some more of those X-raps! Also picked up some Terminator Titanium spinner baits which were on 2 for 1 (reg $10 ea.) I usually have good experiences there. Blake is definitely worth talking to.