solopaddler

Smallest was 26"?, wow that's impressive. What was the biggest?

I agree your teacher had no right to mention anything so off the wall.

Yeah, there's no doubt whatsoever you guys are absolutely right. I've done more than my share of those kinds of trips myself. The big advantage of a fly in is the ease of planning and logistics. You can take off for a 3-4 night fly in trip to an outpost camp with nothing else to plan and bring other than you're food, clothes and fishing tackle. Concentrate on nothing else other than fishing and having fun. The back lakes/bush bashing trips are awesome, but they're also a lot more involved.... They're both great in their own way....

Fantastic, well done!

If that's the Birch Lake that feeds into the Cat Lake chain of lakes then I'm familiar with it. I paddled through year a while back....

Congrats Wayne, have a great time up north!

Now that was funny!

My gawd what an ugly mutated slob of a fish!

Hey Cliff, what the heck did you do with all your time before August /06?

It was a "general" statement Phil....there's always exceptions to every rule. I still maintain that the best outfitters don't do shows anymore. Between word of mouth, repeat business and especially the advent of the internet they just don't have to do them anymore. cheers

I've been on dozens over the years so I have a bit of experience here. When you're going blind, first time ever, the best thing by far you can do is solicit advice from a resource like OFC, or (can I mention another board?LOL!), Walleye Central. After you've narrowed down your choices, ask your selected outfitter(s) for references you can call. If they're not willing to give you any I'd shy away from them. Many will tell you to attend sports shows where a bunch of outfitters have booths and you can talk to them face to face. I disagree. The best outfitters don't attend those shows at all, they're business is all repeat and word of mouth. The guys at the shows are usually the ones who have to fight for every booking they get. Fly in trips can range from 5 star expensive lodges where your pampered, to relatively inexpensive "outpost camp" trips where you take care of everything yourself including food. They're usually smaller, more intimate lakes with the outpost being the only camp on the lake. If you're more self sufficient and appreciate the isolation, the outpost camp is the way to go. Definitely more my cup of tea... Anyhow, you can do all the checking and asking as I mentioned above OR you can just ask me! I'd be happy to offer my recommendations to anyone who's interested. cheers, Mike

That was great, thanks.

Congratulations!

Was that a Freudian slip or did you mean to say that? I have to admit I felt bad for the Sen's and their fans last night, that was painful to watch. Congrat's to Anaheim, they're a heckuva team...

Ah yes, Kesagami, It brings back memories....Some great, some good, some not so good. It's definitely one of Ontarios premier fly in lodges and it looks as though their policies have improved the fishing over the last 15 years. Thanks for the report TJ, looks like you two had a fun time (but then you always look like you're having a blast ). You guys sure get around, first B.C., now Kesagami.....where are ya going next?

Boiling them first has always worked for me, but I've never cooled them down in the fridge overnight. I'll have to try that....

Wow, there sure are some touchy people on this board... Right back atcha bud!

Now repeat after me: I deserve good things! I'm entitled to my happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am an attractive person. I am fun to be with, And gosh darn it, I just know we can win this hockey game! (Just couldn't resist )

Have you ever heard the expression "pot calling the kettle black"? (it's just a game buddy relax!)

Very cool! I've fished that lake many times and always stayed at Parolins, Tom and Diane are great! (pretty good ice fishing as well btw)

Where there's a will there's a way, eh bud? Great report and great way to salvage your last trip! Question for you: How come you're saying the sea runs are done for the year? I always thought they ran in late August/early Sept to spawn... What's the deal with these James Bay fish, are they on a different timetable? Just curious...

LOL! Actually I'm not overly familiar with Bisco....neighboring adjacent lakes?, different story. The one very very obvious spot on Bisco is the current area at the south end of the lake where Ramsey feeds it. I do have friends in Sudbury who fish it, I know they do really well on the walleyes trolling spinner rigs with a worm (as long as the blade is chartreuse!). Sorry, can't be much more help than that..... cheers, Mike

Definitely looks a fun day! Fishmaster seems to the man as well .

Nice job Cliff!

That really was some front wasn't it? Pretty dramatic and interesting to me being a weather guy... Probably a wise decision to pack it in at that juncture, although if anybody could've caught fish under those conditions it's likely you guys. Glad to hear that Lew is getting back in the swing of things.... cheers, Mike