solopaddler

Cool report glad to see your persistence paid off. I can't believe you'd park a mile from the trail entrance though LOL!

Nice fish bud, thanks for the post.

Nice goin' guys!

Lundboy is that you?

The description of your Sat was awesome!

You got me there dude.

Have to say I find that saying pretty ironic. The Cree of northern Quebec sold their souls to Quebec Hydro so that several huge areas of their native territory could be flooded and hydro-electric generators built. The environmental destruction engendered by these mega projects is so vast and far-reaching that even Hydro-Quebec spokespeople have admitted that the consequences are incalculable.

Each companies take on the prospector design is a bit different. The original design which my Langford is true to has more rocker than most flatwater canoes. Rocker basically means how much the ends of the boat curve upwards. Boats with more rocker have a smaller pivot point and turn easier especially in whitewater. Most true whitewater canoes have a lot of rocker. More rocker generally means a much more responsive, but tippier craft. Also makes the canoe harder to track straight in a flatwater environment. As mentioned each companies take on the design is a bit different. Perhaps the Nova Craft is a bit more flat bottomed.

Right on Mike, glad to see you boys had a good trip!

Just another day at the office eh buddy? Nice.

Me too. Between you and Ben the 2 of you drive me bonkers with your reports.

Nice fish bud, good luck up north! (At the present time the bugs are still not bad in my neck of the woods east of Kirkland Lake.)

It's at the lake bud. I'm there Jun 17-21, and again Jun 27-July 5. If those dates work drop by and we'll hit a back lake or two.

There's absolutely zero response to that. Great stuff Cliff, good luck on the musky hunt!

Scrolled down quick to see if anyone'd mentioned it. Yes the delta area of the Muskoka river is a key spot. Also the delta area of the Indian river. Earlier in the spring they'd be in the river, now they're likely dropping back. Troll the muskoka river at night for walleye.

I wouldn't use my 16' flatback Sportspal with that many people let alone a 14' model, so yeah I think you'd better look at an alternative. They're great for 2 people, iffy for 3 and no way for 4. You'd likely be best off grabbing a 12' cartop aluminum boat.

Really? Not with mine. Perhaps different sportspals perform differently. There's the regular double ended ones (useless for anything), Y-stern version (a bit better) and the straight flat back (best). They're very stable and light although a bit fragile.

This is true. I also own a squareback Sportspal that I use with my 2hp Honda motor. I've got the 16' version, but the 14'er weighs only 48lb's I think. They can easily be fitted with a yoke for portaging. If back lake fishing day trips, and not actual canoe trips will be your primary goal then this would be the way to go imo.

That's an easy answer, a jig of some kind.

The boat I just picked up is a Langford Prospector. Most major canoe manufacturers make there own version of the prospector....an age old classic symetrical design. It's a great boat, I love it, but it's not a boat for a novice canoeist. The prospector has way more rocker than your average flatwater craft. That makes it more responsive and a good all around boat for both lakes and rivers. But imo you've got to have some skill to paddle it safely. A novice canoeist is far better off paddling a true flatwater craft....less versatile but way more stable.

Even being smaller in stature you're going to want a minimum of 16' in length, anything less is very very limiting. If you're portaging it you'll want kevlar or even better yet ultra light kevlar or carbon fiber. Some of the better boats are incredibly light. I looked at an 181/2' Souris River last week that weighed 42lb's... You'll likely want what is commonly called a "recreation" style canoe. Suitable for flatwater, and a bit wider and more stable than other sleeker craft. Top brand names to look for in a canoe would be Swift, Langford and Souris River. Scott also makes a more entry level kevlar boat that's not bad as does Evergreen. Check Kijiji and Craigslist regularly that's your best bet. I picked up a used Langford earlier in the spring from a guy posting on Kijij. Almost picked up another boat last week that was on Craigslist. It was a 161/2' carbon fiber Swift Kipawa. The guy ended up selling it in about 5 minutes for $750. (Worth in excess of 3k new). The deals are out there if you're patient..

Perhaps it's time for a Mennonite party? Ahhh....a return to simpler times.

Yes. Pretty much, yes. I don't believe they have a choice for reasons already outlined. People like myself do. Narrow minded by its literal definition. Actually I would be fascinated to hear a Mennonites opinion of my way of life, if he could be "coerced" of course. I'm pretty sure there'd be some interesting criticism. (btw JP Jonny, welcome to the board! Agree to disagree?)

You know what? Maybe we should continue this conversation in person. You do realize I'm exactly 988m from your front door at the moment? LOL! (I work in the control tower at the airport, see your truck in the driveway everyday on my way to work. Seriously I've been meaning to stop and say hi, but I'm usually passing through either really early or really late. )

And just to add and hopefully end my part in this interesting debate... I don't really care. I do feel sorry for the young, but live and let live. As far as I'm concerned they can churn out as many blanket boxes and jars of apple butter as they want.