solopaddler

Had a friend who made the trip 3 summers ago and the cabins were still there. There's gotta be someone in Terrace Bay who knows for sure though. Have a great trip if you go, that's one I've wanted to do myself for years.

Huh, strange. Could be you simply need to upgrade your bearings. A cheap set of bearings won't be improved much no matter what you do to them... Good luck with your Islander btw. Personally I like a more "solid" feeling reel, a bit more weight balances my rods better as well. Strange though, I've never heard anyone describe the Islander as heavy. Also, removing dacron backing isn't going to save much weight assuming you fill the reel properly with mono... You can get away with much less mono on the reel if you strictly Wallis cast though. If you want to cut down on weight you can use something bulky and super light for backing like a cheap level taper floating fly line. Cheers

Just a note, but you can improve the startup of any float reel by degreasing the bearings. Remove them from the reel, soak them overnight in kerosene, then put a couple of drops of sewing machine oil on them. You won't believe the difference.

Nice fish, man does that water look mint .

That first photo looks great!, good going guys.

Hey, weren't only government offices and banks still on holliday today? What were you doing home? LOL! (nice fish btw )

Nice job Bernie looks great! I know what you mean about the trim...I did the sunroom in my cabin a couple years back. Was not looking forward to doing the trim work, then amazingly my dad offered to go up by himself and do it for me. Very long story short, my usually very careful and meticulous dad managed to sever 4 fingers on his left hand using the table saw.. Like I said long story behind this one but bottom line surgeons managed to reattach his fingers (thank god) and he's got a pretty wild story to tell at dinner parties .

Educated guess here, but vaccum first from ceiling to floor then wipe the floor down with a rag dampened with mineral spirits. (Then do it a 2nd and 3rd time just to be sure )

Nice job Roy looks excellent! (and I can relate). I just finished refinishing the hardwood on the entire main floor of my house (living room, dining room and hallway). Finally got the furniture back in place on Saturday. Not a fun thing when your kitchen and back deck is piled high with furniture for over a week and there's an unhappy wife and 2 young kids in the mix.. I sanded mine down to the bare wood as well then rubbed in 4 separate coats of stain then applied 3 coats of oil based urethane. Looks mint, but with drying/curing time it took a while. How did you manage to do it in one long weekend? LOL!

Sweet! (nice rod, it looks strangely familiar )

If you can find an Apex for sale please let me know LOL! I've been looking for one for years now with no luck. Very rare, very collectable... To answer your question here's another vote for Islander. As far as readily accessable, moderately priced reels go they're bulletproof. Look around though you might be able to pick one up used. I managed to get one last week for $150 (not that I need it...just couldn't resist )

4 days in Michigan 2nd week of April drifting the Muskegon River for steelhead. The usual trips up to the cabin with some more back lake fishing this year. A trip to Nakina in August to fish a portage lake for big pike and walleye. And best of all 10 days in Alaska this Sept fishing for steelhead, cohos, resident rainbows and dollies. (thinking about what's in store is the only thing keeping me sane in the midst of my reno nightmare )

I agree, this is by far my favourite way to fish mid summer lakers on small inland lakes. As mentioned the fish finder and knowing how to use it is critical. Pump up the sensitivity a bit and slowly cruise 'till fish are located. I've most often found them to be suspended. The braid is critical as well. It allows ultimate sensitivity and good hook sets even when you're down super deep. If you're in a boat a bow mount electric is invaluable for keeping you on top of the fish. Otherwise as mentioned you'll need a calm day... I like to use a med/hvy baitcast rod and a light, low profile reel spooled with 10lb power pro. Lure wise I'm partial to 1-3oz bucktail jigs, anything with white in them. I almost always run a stinger hook and tip the jig with a strip of belly meat from a sucker (or small pike or walleye if you keep one for consumption). Here's my favourite jig, caught a bunch of fish on it last summer:

Nice going Paul! I hear you about the blahs, as mentioned yesterday stay in touch and "maybe" next week I can join you.

Hey guys here's a couple of fish I pulled out of the Grand recently: What'ya think is this bad?

That was great thanks for taking the time to post!, felt like I was right there with you . I did a similar fishing trip to Cayo Coco a few years ago and I've always wanted to go back. Great country, largely undeveloped with incredible coffee and rum as a big bonus (can't go wrong )

Another great outing guys, congrat's!

I'm currently in the midst of a reno nightmare and need some help. I want to install a small 2pc. bathroom in my basement and need someone to run the water lines and install a drain for me. It's directly below the upstairs bathroom so everything is right there, should be fairly easy for someone who knows what they're doing. Looking for someone who'll work for cash and do it fast (I need it done yesterday ). Before I start leafing through the yellow pages I figured I'd try here first you never know eh?

Depends on the lake. Smaller tannin stained lakes less than 30' deep will be easier to fish. Classic spots like inflows and outflows, fallen trees, beaver dams and the like will all produce. In the heat of summer dawn and dusk will most likely produce best. Springs have been mentioned and are always a good bet if you can find them. Telltale signs are mist rising off the water in unlikely spots in early morning, and white clay lake bottoms which are pretty easy to find. Use a thermometer to locate the springs... Larger deeper brookie lakes, many of which also contain lake trout, are a tougher nut to crack in mid summer, but will fish well all day once you've figured them out. Brook trout have a very specific comfort zone as far as temerature goes and in these kinds of lakes it's usually found in the thermocline. Drop a thermometer down at various depths and check to see at which depth the temps drop dramatically. That narrow band between the warmer surface water and the colder water below is where the fish like to hang out. Once you've determined the depth precision trolling is the only way to go. Either with a small rod rigged with steel line or a mini downrigger. Lighter spinning tackle can be used in conjunction with a wolf river rig. Any of the usual spoons, spinners or small crankbaits will work. If the lake you're fishing has perch in it as many brook trout lakes do, make sure to try a perch coloured Shad Rap or original floating Rapala. (They're deadly )

Interesting, I just bought an /06 Freestyle last month and found the same problem. Absolutely love the vehicle but by far the worst upholstery I've ever seen in a vehicle. Seems like it's a common theme with Fords. Bugged me so much I just ordered some custom neoprene seat covers to fix the problem. (Sorry HH didn't really answer your question but wanted to comment )

Just taking a break from refinishing my hardwood floors......you guys are killing me here LOL! Sounds like a great morning guys, congrat's!

Any premium 6lb mono is really all you'll need.

Great report, welcome!

7' 1pc St. Croix Avid, either the AVS70MF rated for 6-12lb, or the AVS70MHF rated 8-14lb. Both incredible sticks, I've got the first one rated for 6-12 and use it for the application you mentioned.

I know Doug, I'm just joking. (Or am I? ) Seriously I'm going mental, I've been putting in 100 hour weeks recently. Between my regular job, renovating my current house, and endlessly searching for a new one it's been tough. The end is in sight though, but still a long way to go. I need to get out .