F_ast

hint hint.. why cross the boarder?

http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=56431

One thing I have notices since the introduction of pike to the kawarthas (namely Balsam) is there was an exposion of pike that seemed to be everywhere and they seemed to be caught at will. This year, I have yet to catch one.

I am not saying they are not there, I am saying that with the high populations and size of the Balsam lake muskie, maybe the pike are congregating into separate areas away from the muskie populations. Maybe this says very little about the spawn periods, but I have not seen a declined number of muskie yet.

As far as the LSC goes, the strain of muskie found there are a stain that have been exposed to pike populations "forever" << Going to use that lightly. From what I understand, muskie that co-excist with pike pipulations actually spawn twice a season. Shallow and deep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVIBdemQ2yY&feature=related

This one should take you the day to go through... Holy crap

A report like that gets the heart beating! BTW with the hooks all falling out on their own, does that mean you go barbless?

Muskie can thrash in the net big time. It is not uncommon for a hooks to lodge in the netting and the fish literally pulls them out of their face. Since there is not pressure on the hooks either, they do tend to pop out.

Wolseley area is alright. Problem with the french is that almost everything looks like prime territory. Almost everything looks like it should hold fish and the feeding windows always seem to be critical. I rarely raise fish (primarily talking muskie) on time outside of a natural feeding window.

I have been fortunate with the muskies on Wolseley Bay area... Compared to most that I speak to anyways.

Never mind Rich... Guess it wasnt you. I now see where the camp is.

Hey Rich... Wolseley Bay? I saw a a couple on the 9th with 2 dogs in the boat at the 5 Finger rapids. It was the last day of my trip. I know one of the dogs was a yellow lab, but I cannot remember if the other dog was an Airedale or a German Sheppard. Was that you guys?

You are lucky you went when you did. I headed up to Wolseley (Bryer Lodge) on Labor day and fishing was tough... real tough until the Thursday (the 8th) when we landed 4 skis (48, 46, 45 and a 43)... non of out fish were that thick though. Congrates on the new PBs.

I am having a hard time believing that is a Kawartha strain fish. I do not doubt you got it in a Kawartha lake, but that looks like a Simcoe/ Trent/ Georgian Bay muskie to me. Thick fish for sure. Looks like it has October mass already.

The biggest difference in the GBay strain muskie and the Kawartha muskie (other than potential size/ mass) is that Gbay muskie (or any muskie that survive in with a heavy pike population) is that they spawn twice; from what I understand. I typical shallow spawn that is early and closer to the pike spawn and then a deeper spawn a few weeks later; which is away from the typical spawning grounds. I beleive this info came from a Wisconsin study on Leech lake strain several years ago. But it appears that most co-existing muskie follow this routine.

I would have thought any Norhter Muskie strain, GBay, through the french river and Nippissing, NW Ontario or the Larry would suffice as all these areas have healthy Pike/ muskie populations.

Perhaps (without giving away what the product is) you can elude to what the products category is.

I have several well known contacts that are interested in new product ventures. Persons that most would likely know on this board.

Either way, you have a pm.

I wish the St.Lawrence was in my backyard.

I look like a dumby in this pic, but this one will be tough to beat. Could be fatter though for a late October fish.

53x23

I have a hard time finding Sledges. Where are you guys getting them from.... Lew?

Not a good weekend for that Derby. The Top Bass Classic is being held on the Tri-Lakes that weekend.

After you've cut a few 7/0 hooks you'll wonder how you ever got along without the Knipex.

 

Well worth the $$$$, both for your safety and the fish.

They run about $50 at Lowes right? Anywhere else to find them? Any place to get a good price?

Smallies smash spinner baits and jointed minnow baits on our lake. They also kill inline spinners with black grubs line lining for lakers over 80FOW withing reasonable proximity to 35ft humps.

During night time, I have had good luck on rocky shoals. If the daytime is crawling with baitballs suspended over open water, the shoal bite picks right up. I am talking larger shoals though. Any other cover like weed patches, bolder fields or exposed surface rock helps too.

Trolling body waits is the way to go. I have never done as well on the jig at night.

I have to get myself a pair of Knipex. I have gone through a few sets of the cheaper mini bolt cutters. The cutting surface just cannot take the the hardness of hooks these days.

Love the phone cord idea LEW.

Hey guys,

Can anyone shoot me a pic of 2 of the sport trak brackets? I cant beleive how expensive there things are and looking to make a few myself.

One thing I am not use on (as I have never actually seen one on a boat before) is how they attach. I see from pics that they are a T shape to fit in the track, but how do they fit in and how do they stay in place?

I might end up with Lund brackets eventually, but how well do they hold up? any breakage issues? Can they take "muskie weight" rod holders?

Thanks

Hey Lew... Nice fish for sure. I'll take a bunch of 48s and a 50 any day... or week long trip.

Question; What was the later level like?

I'm hearing the French is low.

F_ast, just spoke with Herold at Wolseley lodge, water levels are still low. Trying to do a last min. trip myself possibly the same week you will be there, but staying at Wolseley again. Good luck, maybe we will cross paths up there. Bill

Hmmm, first I have heard of the water being down. I know earlier in the season the waters were up with the heavy snowfall and rain through May. Hoping the water is not as low as last year.

I'll be in a Black Lund Outfitter 1750ss... or is all comes together in time, a 2011 Lund Predator 2010ss.

I cant stand thieves. Nothing more rotten of a person to do than steel.

Seems to be far too many people with cars broken into and stuff stolen. Just last week my buddy has his jeep and his wifes car broken into. Both 407 transponders gone, CD player face plates gone, everything from the gloves box thrown all over the place.

Had my garage gone through once as well. Fishing rods, tackle, chainsaws, bikes, power tools, golf clubs, roller blades and everything you could image you keep in your garage gone... The real kicker, it was labour day weekend and they took the 2 cases of beer out of the beer fridge.

Sorry about your loss. When you do the math, it is a much more expensive bag than you realize.

I have stayed there in the past. Bryer Lodge is a great place. Very clean, the location is awesome and the cabins are very nice. I have stayed a variety of place on the French now and this is by and large my favorite.

 

Ab

Good to hear. I am booked for the First week in September.

i would highly recommend chaudiere lodge on the upper french.i just got back from4 days of fishing .( working on my report) i have to say that steve and his crew up there are fantastic . you wouldnt be dissapointed.

I have fished up there near Chaudiere... Is it accessible by truck, or do you have to boat to it? I found some great areas to fish Muskie up that way.... minus some of the netting that goes on.

Just got back from Bryer Lodge last week. Bill and Louise are great hosts...very accomodating. Cabins have been updated and modernized and very clean! It is a family oriented camp and is quiet as well, no late partiers when we were there. Enjoy and good luck !

Thanks

I am thinking of heading out there in mid-late September, how is the fishing in the Upper French around that time?

Mid-late September isn't bad at all. I find it is that transition time when the weeds still produce and the fishing is just starting to pick up. Pretty cool nights, and you will be there before turnover, which is good. I have been on the French the last 3 seasons when turnover is happening. This isn't usually until the send week in October.. but you see night dipping well below freezing then too.

Stayed at Bryer Lodge two years in a row, cabins are GREAT, Almost home like, in fact, one is the previous home of the owners, nice boats for rent, good dock. The years we stayed there , water was down, and the fishing was not that great. Could have been myself but no one in camp had much luck. Just down the bay from Totem Point and Wolseley Lodge, go up the bay and across the French Main and you're by Lochhaven Lodge. Never did find the rapids west of Lochhaven, fishing may have been better below them. Not much luck at the base of Five Finger rapids though.

 

Bill

I have stayed at Wolseley 6-7 times in the last 3 years. Place is getting a little dated IMO now... at least the cabins are. Nice new docking system though.

As for Lochhavens, the American plan is not for me and they seem really expensive... plus I like a place I can drive my truck too. As for the rapids there, they are about 200 yards South(?) of Lochhavens dock. You can hear the rumble from there. They are just on the other side of the shallow bay beside them and behind the boulder complex in front of them.

Five finger area has some nice structure, and we nailed a few muskie and a decent pike there, but nothing in the fast moving water. Everything we got was in the calm waters outside the mouth of the faster water.

You don't have to go far to find nice fish. I was at Wolseley last September for a week. A guy from Ohio landed 6 muskies, with the largest at 50", between Wolseley Lodge and Rainy island. Hit the weed beds and some of the sandy shorelines also contain some weeds coming out. I had one on, but lost her during the fight. I heard of a musky being caught in that same area, and measured at 49". I wonder if that's the one I had on ? Won't be making it there this year, but hope to be back next year.

We must have been at Wolseley at the same time... or at least close last year. I was there when that guy was there. But he was leaving the day after I got there. We did alright as well for the conditions, with 5 muskies, quite a few decent pike, and some 5-6lb smallies.

I will give me impressions of the place when I return. I will be there from Sept.6 - 9th.

As I stated, I usually fish this area between last September and early October... I find the muskies a little more predictable (rock shoals, and finger points). But I will let you know how it goes. I hate waiting for trips. I want to go now!!!

Anyone happen to know the water levels? They were brutal last year; down 5-7ft from seasonal average.

By biggest problem with this story is the plain cloths. I dont get that. When you are that far north and have a couple of guys running at you in a secluded area like a fly-in lake, first instinct would be to swing first and ask questions later.

I am not the type to start something ever, but there are just too many movies... and I dont want to ever "squeal like a pig". LOL. I just think it was an irresponsible move by the mnr to approach in plain cloths IMO. And sounds a little too covert of a mission. Weird.

Yes,

I looked for reviews and they also have a facebook page, but I was looking for some more input. But I just booked it.