solopaddler

Hey guys, hope everyone had a great holliday! Just getting back into the swing of things now, and thought I'd check in here and post a few pic's. The first couple are my 3 year old daughter Riley, and 3 month old son Brendan The last pic is myself with one of many steelhead caught on a recent trip to Pennsylvania Cheers!

Not exactly fishing related, but the best thing by far that I bought this year was a small, wall mounted, propane powered on demand water heater for the cottage. I've got gravity fed water feeding into it....For hot water all you do is turn on a tap. The water flow starts a small turbine spinning in the heater which sparks a small ignito and lights the burners. The water gets heated as it flows through the unit. Unlimited hot water at up to 6 outlets at the same time within 10 seconds. To shut the thing off simply turn off the tap. Very, very cool system! (my wife is really happy that showers are HOT now! )

I'll be fishing Ohio tribs later this week, would be happy to pm you with details if you so desire

You're more than welcome anytime Lew! This past season many of my trips up there were alone as they were primarily work trips.....One time in June though I talked my (very pregnant) wife to come with me along with our 21/2 year old daughter. I got them settled in, then got to work removing one of the walls. The logs were rotting and needed to be replaced....Anyhow, I was immersed in the work when we had a sudden brief rainstorm. It was hot and humid and was nearing sunset....and almost instantly the worst swarm of mosquitos I've ever seen descended on the cabin. They instantly filled the interior (wall wasn't up yet), and my wife and daughter were in a panic, being bitten relentlessly. After I quickly stapled up a tarp, I got them out of there and fogged the interior. 15 mins. later I literally had to sweep the dead carcasses up with a broom. Had 2 full dust pans in fact. Just unbelievable! Needless to say they weren't too happy!

Thank's guys. As far as the housewarming goes, well, if you're good with a hammer you're welcome anytime! (and I really, REALLY, mean that! ). I figure I've got 2 more seasons of work, before I'm totally finished....

I get up there quite a bit Doug. My work schedule is condensed Mon-Wed, so each week I'm off for 4 days . That allows me to get up there on a regular basis. I always bring the family up for a couple of extended hollidays every summer as well.

Well actually when I bought the place a few years ago there was no lights or running water. This place is water access and off the grid as well. Of the many improvements I've made are a solar lighting system, and gravity-fed running water (built a water tower on the hill behind the cabin). Many, many cosmetic improvements as well....I don't know, maybe it ISN'T a cabin anymore, could be time to actually call it a cottage! As far as fishing goes, there's 10 more km of lake that continues north up past my place, but there's an awesome shoal that's about the size of 2 football fields, tops out at 17', surrounded by 40-50' of water, directly in front of my place (within shouting distance). I can sit there 'till I get bored catching walleye's (some pretty good ones too!

Thanks guys, working on this place really is a labour of love. A whole lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into it so far, with a lot more yet to come, (but sooo worth it!). I should have mentioned, those pic's were taken by a friend of mine who was visiting. I just recently bought my very first digital camera. Still learning the ins and outs, but plan on posting more of my own pic's in the future. Cheers

tt

Wow, IMO if there ever was a case to justify speeding, yours is it. If I was in the same situation I'd have likely been clocked at a lot more than 81km....When it comes to the safety of your child, well that comes first and foremost as far as I'm concerned. Can't believe the cop wrote you a ticket, by all means fight it!

That's actually a pretty tall order Doug.....Trying to find that kind of quality lake trout fishing in northern Ontario is tough, in a fly-in venue at least. The first one that popped into my mind was actually one that Moosebunk referred to. There used to be an excellent camp on Big Trout Lake in far northwestern Ontario, huge, huge lake trout and very abundant. I actually don't even know if it's still in operation, but it was called "Bug River Camp". The beauty of fishing Big Trout Lake is you can fly into the native community on it's shores via small commercial airline, either out of Thunder Bay or Sioux Lookout if I'm not mistaken. Much , much cheaper than chartering a float plane when you're talking that kind of distance. Another option that isn't "exactly" what you're looking for, but the fishing is mind boggling, is Labrador Air Safara (labrador-airsafari.com) out of Baie Comeau in Quebec. From S. Ont., the drive is about the same as going to Nakina and is incredibly senic. They have several camps north of the 52nd latitude that are remarkable fisheries, mostly huge bodies of water that are largely unexplored. What I like about it is it has the best "multi-species" fishing I've found, which equates into the best bang for your buck. These waters have world class lake trout, landlocked atlantic salmon, brook trout and huge northern pike....Now the only downside is this is an outpost camp situation and you'd be on your own (personally that's the way I like it!). I'd be more than happy to offer my personal guiding services if you're thinking about going though!

There's been better goalies passed up by other teams on the waiver wire already this year. IMO getting anything for Telly was a coup for the Leafs. I suspect that taking Nash was the price the Leafs had to pay to get any kind of pick. As it stands, you can now subtract Telly's salary from the Leafs cap, Nash already was playing in the minors and he'll undoubtedly be a depth guy for the Marlies and won't be counted against the cap, plus they got a pick. Good move all around.