solopaddler

Is that what your plate is? I thought it was IAMGAY

Awesome fish guys, wow!

If you have easy access to an Islander float reel, compare it's handles with the one you want to upgrade. Islander sells rosewood handles for their reels. They're readily available either direct from Islander in BC, or a local retailer that carries the reels. Not overly expensive either. Worst case scenario you might have to drill out the centre hole to enlarge it. If you're really lucky you won't have to do anything. Beyond that Tom at Angling Specialties has handles that he can customize to fit your reel, but you'd likely be paying a lot more.

Thanks for posting and welcome to the board. Hopefully that's not your first and last post, as it appears you'd be a welcome contributor. Do you have a background in fisheries?

Ed Crossman would've been the right man to answer my question, but he's been gone for 5 years now... Back in the day I had the opportunity to meet and speak with the man. A more knowledgable person I've never met when it comes to esox. Anyone know if there's someone else of his ilk out there?

I agree, in my heart I wouldn't consider it a true record. Still, it would be officially recognized as a record and being a stocked fish there's no real good reason not to kill it. Wasn't it 2 summers ago that a new canadian record rainbow was caught in Huron's north channel? That particular fish was a ridiculously fat pen reared escapee. I certainly don't count that fish as an official record, but everyone else that matters does.

Me too Dan. What still blows my mind is this potential world record brook trout that was released: It was caught out of a stocked lake in Manitoba. Not a wild Nipigon or Minipi fish....a fish from a stocked lake.

Interesting Dave. As far as not liking to see the beasts killed, neither do I. I would flat out, unequivocally release all trophy fish. In my day I've released a 51" pike, numerous brook trout in the 6-8lb range, 3 steelhead between 42 and 45", numerous walleye 12-14lb...the list goes on But I'm not talking simply trophy fish, I'm talking about probable world record fish. Big difference (at least to me).

A very tough nut to crack. Unless you're mobile and are equiped with a power auger and depth map expect tough fishing.

I believe that mindset is already ingrained amongst all but the most casual musky fishermen.

A prodigious tome, yes indeed. (Trying to psychoanalyse me will get you nowhere LOL!)

I'm not trying to stir the pot here, just curious as to what others feel. The recent potential record musky that was released got me thinking... What I'd like to know from those who're more of an authority than me, what does a fish that size and age provide for the fishery? I would assume that such a fish is long past it's spawning prime and is likely a fishy version of a senior citizen. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Because if I'm wrong then I'll have to re-think my stance on the issue... I completely understand the catch and release mind set, and respect for the fish. I'm just not so sure that if I was faced with the same choice I wouldn't kill the fish, and I'm not afraid to admit it. A potential record fish would bound to be a fairly substantial financial windfall for whoever caught it, no? Can't speak for anyone else but myself, but for me my family comes first. Hats off to Dale, I know what he did. What would you do?

Fantastic story, thanks for posting!

Jay, take the suction cup off the transducer and bolt it to a piece of wood (a 2' chunk of 1X2 works for me). Bolt an 8 or 10" piece of wood at the top to brace across the top of the ice hole. I usually tape the transducer cable to the wood with electrical tape to keep things neat.

Very nice Drew. Would have liked to have read the version you lost, that's too bad. (Happened to me last month after spending 6hrs typing. Almost had a stroke on the spot, so I can relate )

Speaking as someone who's spent long spells alone in the bush (4 months the longest) and have some skills in that area myself, I enjoy the show. Take it for what it is and nothing more, entertainment. The biggest danger anyone faces being alone in the wild is fear. If you can overcome that you'll likely be fine. It's all mental...

Very sorry to hear, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hmmm..if it was me I'd look for a private rental. This is just one of many similar websites: http://www.cottagelink.com/rentals.shtml

You guys are tougher than me. NO WAY would you find me out in that cold, my fingers are particularly sensitive.

C'mon Doug, "Like a fat kid on a twinkie"? More like "A bum on a baloney sandwich"

I've said it before, but really steelhead are easy fish to catch, success or lack thereof is a direct result of timing. Conditions looked prime for a particular trib midweek. Rain and snowmelt had blown it out on Monday morning. Warm temps, a dropping clearing river, along with a run of (mostly) fresh fish made for perfect conditions on Wednesday. I made the long 3 hour drive out there with an old friend and we weren't dissapointed. Most fish were caught on quarter sized roe bags of fresh uncured skein tied in a variety of different colours. Because of the aggressive nature of the fish finesse wasn't required. 5 and 6lb Ultragreen for tippet and larger than normal hooks aided in landing these surprisingly spunky fish. There are no pic's of my buddy Al or his fish because unfortunately he's camera shy. No matter as I managed to snap a few shots of my fish. It was a VERY good day. The numbers we put on the bank were amazing really. Here's a pic of what not to do LOL! This guy was wading pretty much exactly where I was hitting fish 5 minutes previously. He edged closer and closer 'till finally he greased me out . (No worries there were plenty of fish elsewhere). It's a truly beautiful river, especially when there's a dusting of snow. Day two was pretty much the polar opposite of Wednesday, not such a great day. Because of Wednesdays warm temps along with a smattering of rain, the river was pretty much blown out on Thursday morning. No big deal to me really, it's just part of the game. What made it hurt was my two companions on the day were two fellow OFC'rs, silvio and JDMLS. (Silvio and Dave). Being the first time we've met or fished together I really wanted to put the lads onto fish. Unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be. The river was still barely fishable when we arrived Thursday morning and my optimism rose when I quickly hit this spunky guy: Dave followed up with a couple of his own. First fish was floundering around Dave's feet and managed to escape before I could snap a pic. Did manage this blurry action shot though: Silvio tailed the second one: After that I figured we'd better hop in the truck and try to find greener (clearer) pastures. Man did I drive! And drive, and drive, and drive....LOL! Every single trib we checked out over a hundred miles of shoreline was blown. A bit disheartening to say the least. Finally I decided to push on and drive to another trib a good 11/2 hours to the west. (No one can say I'm not determined! ). We arrived around 2ish and hustled down the hill to the river to find seemingly perfect conditions. Yes! It appeared as though the fish gods were ignoring us though . The fishing was slooow! I hit one fish low down which quickly managed to shake my hook, then finally landed this guy at the 11th hour swinging a white jig along a sweet little seam a bit upstream: Unfortunately nothing for the boys. Still, I'm sure the guys will agree it wasn't a wasted trip. Silvio is as nice a young man as I've ever met. Very respectful and a keenly avid angler, he's a pleasure to fish with. Same deal with Dave. He's as cool as a cucumber, as laid back as they come. Great guy to fish with! Nice meeting you guys, I'm sure we'll do better next time. (The fish gods owe us one I think ). Cheers, Mike

Very nice Dave!

Great idea!, I was actually thinking new chrome rims would be pretty sweet as well.

So does this mean new snow tires for Christmas is a bad idea?

You would make a fabulous Fear Factor contestant!