solopaddler

Thank you sir! And thanks to everyone else as well!

What an unbelievable overwhelming sense of relief! (my guts are now slowly starting to unclench )

Thank you Peter that was truly heartfelt.

Hey, great report and nice fish!

HAHAHAHA!

I was thinking the same thing myself...yech! And yeah, yeah I know catfish are delicious . Still wouldn't catch me eating those things .

Now that was funny . They look great Jason, looking forward to seeing the results.

Fish shallow, from 6-12' deep. Key on weedy, reedy shallow seeminly mucky type structure. The type of structure you wouldn't normally associate with walleye fishing. Reason being, that's where the warmest water, baitfish and hence the walleye will be at this time of year. Protected bays near known spawning areas are classic, as are shallow neckdown areas. If the spot has a southern exposure, even better. The fish are recovering from the spawn and feeding but aren't on their summer spots yet, it's a transition period... I prefer to fish on the move...not static. Preferred technique for me is to crawl along at a slow steady pace with the electric with either a very light jig tipped with a worm, or a spinner rig tipped with a worm. If particularly fishy looking areas are encountered stop and cast. Remember go slow...

Well, that report squashes Dan's blackfly theory pretty good . Nice lookin' plane!

That would be the death march straight north of Merchant via Hemlock and Yard lakes (more bogs really). Quicker IMO than the route via Big Trout...if you're quick on the portage and can do it in a single carry. I've never done it, but the quickest way in is with squareback canoe and small motor via Proulx and Big Crow, then the throw everything on a dolly and wheel it into Hogan. Hogan to La Muir is relatively easy... I'm actually thinking of doing that next year (blasphemy! ). I've got a squareback canoe, 2hp motor and a dolly. Not exactly the usual Algonquin experience....but I imagine the fishing would be pretty good.

Hey bud sorry to hear that, but don't worry you'll get over it. Most guys have done similar stuff, it's a part of growing up. Personally if I ever write my memoirs I'm gonna call them "I ALMOST DIED!". Most of my best stories start with those 3 words .

I like Merchant for lake trout, especially the west shoreline. Fluorescent orange/gold spoons for whatever reason have worked well there. #9 deep diving Shad Raps are a good bet if they're a bit deeper. Chickaree Lake to the south of Merchant is an easy day trip with decent fishing. Personally while I have fished these lakes it's usually while enroute to La Muir which is much better IMO, although much tougher to get to as well .

Everbody parks in a small lot right on Olympic Drive where the canal crosses. You can't miss it, it's obvious. (Or you can park in my driveway )

Very impressive, well done!

Congrat's Dan, very nice!

Unreal, totally epic! BTW, what's a "poon"?

Sounds like a perfect Sunday indeed (a lot better than mine that's for sure ).

Nice report Mike, I'm guessing the fishing will be even better when you head back.

Thanks Jay. It's hard to say whether I'll make it up your way or not, with moving into the new house and all. You never know though, if I can swing I will. Personally I'd love to sneak into that lake east of White River we talked about last fall. Could be a last minute thing... Cheers

Uh....no. The only thing on tap up there is massive walleye transfer project from the lake to my deep fryer .

The last 3 months have been tough, between my regular job and the home renovations I've been averaging 100 hours a week. Thank goodness it's finally done! Among other things every single wall and ceiling in the entire house from top to bottom has been painted. Tired old light coloured hardwood on the entire main floor has been sanded and refinished in a dark cherrywood stain with a high gloss finish. We had a few windows that needed replacing including the front bay window. Now every window has been updated. Front entrance door was replaced. Back deck overhang has been reshingled. Shed has been rebuilt. Kitchen and main floor bathroom has been gutted and renovated. Brand new bathroom installed in the basement starting from the bare studs. Extensive cleanup, landscaping and planting outside. Every single light fixture and window covering in the house has been replaced. Brand new electrical box in basement. The list goes on! These pic's aren't the greatest...but they'll give you the idea . I actually worked on the basement bathroom right up 'till 1:30pm yesterday then my agent showed up for our open house at 2, literally right 'till the last minute. I'm telling you they could have made a reality show out of our lives the last 3 months . What's made things extra stressfull is the fact that we bought a house firm in Grimsby last month. Bit of a precarious situation. On top of that Joanne has been worried that all the money we've sunk into the house the last 3 months wouldn't be recouped. Constantly asking "are you sure that's necessary?, stop spending money!" LOL! Well tonight (Wed. May 7th) exactly 6 days since it hit MLS, 3 days since our open house (which we held with no advertising), we accepted a VERY good offer for the house . Baby I AM VINDICATED! My broker is on his way up to my office right now to get the papers signed on my end. Champagne WILL be opened upon arrival at the homestead tonight!

Sounds amazing, can't wait to see pic's!

Your wit is appreciated on this end, that was funny . But stick to the potty humour,it's the fuel that's running this baby! (let's see 12 pages, c'mon boys!)

I'd take a close look at the Eureka Mountain Pass XTC Plus. It's a 3 season dome tent with lots of space, a full coverage fly, and 2 doors each with their own vestibule, (that's a great feature). Not sure where you might find one in your area, but Lebarons has the 4 man Mountain Pass for $230. http://www.lebaron.ca/pdf_files_sp08/campi...a_elcapitan.pdf Cheers