jimmer

yup!

Thanks for the input so far! Jim

Let me know if you locate any good places in Ontario and I will do the same for you as we search through the options. We have started to discuss Quebec, because of our inability to find a place that suits are needs. Don't get me wrong, Nipissing is loaded with great places, we just haven't had much luck in the last few years. We always did well prior to that.

I mentioned in another post that our group is looking for a new ice fishing location other than Nipissing. Just wondering if anyone has done an ice fishing trip to the west side of Quebec in the winter? Any recommendations? What was the fishing like? We tend to like the cottage setup with a hut included for day use. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

Our group is facing the same dilemna. Probably many other groups as well. LOL Everyone wants those walleye, but there just aren't enough choices. We did go to Nosbonsing one year. I won't mention the place, it was terrible. We did catch the odd pike and small walleye. I caught the two best walleye when everyone else packed up and we were about to leave. The weather will play a role in our decision. The last thing we want to do is book off time and plan a Quinte trip, only to find the conditions are unsafe. So really, the choices are Nipissing, Temagami or Nosbonsing for ice bungalows or cottage/hut rentals. Bark Lake in Barry's Bay could be an option, but again the weather conditions play a huge role in that deep lake's freeze up. Not sure about the walleye fishing in the winter though, probably more trout and whitefish. Good luck in your search; I have been looking for other options for years. I did call that place on Oak Lake, but no body ever returns the call when I left a message.

Nice chinooks! Your going to break your personal best again this year if you keep it up. Regarding the fish changing. They definitely start changing in early August. I used to do a great deal of taxidermy work and the difference between a July fish and an August fish was like night and day. Scales all fall off in July (best to do a repro), but you could be careful cleaning an August fish and keep the scales on the fish. They are still chrome looking, but you start seeing more black in their scale pattern. I have also caught some fairly dark looking fish off of piers and some shiney ones in the river. They are not the same chrome as out of the lake though.

Check out the Pflueger President baitcasters.

You got up there! Quite the summer of fishing for you Mike. Nice fish. I will always refer to you when my wife gets on me about the amount of fishing I do.

Definitely bring it back to the dealer and ask why the lower unit oil is milky on a new motor. No way that line should have caused a leak. There could be a bad seal installed or a bad washer on one of the plugs.

Those trout look pretty good. Only one closing weekend a year, I would choose the fishing. You live in T.O., lots of time to finish those projects.

chinook

I saw a pile of crap like that on a Hoarders show I watched the other night! Could it be?

That boat would make it, but personally I would never attempt it and I have been operating boats for over 40 years. It's so tight in spots, with unseen rocks and boulders. Then you hear the stories of guys dying over the years. There is a way there without going through the rapids as Mike mentioned, but it's a little longer route from the south. Many guys have said that it's a worth while trip.

You could probably pay Leon to take you down there. The quality of the route can change throughout the year though.

The best thing about Happy Days is that you don't have to start off down the river and go through all those weedbeds to get to the main part of the lake. You're right in the middle of the lake with quick access to Gannons Narrows or to head to Bobcaygeon.

I went two years in a row and stayed at Leon's place right at the mouth. The first year was good. We caught a few nice sized walleye, some nice pike and a few muskie. The next year wasn't so good. We struggled to get any walleye and most of the pike were small. An amazingly beautiful place, but we decided to try a new location for the next spring trip. Here are a few pics from those trips.

Close enough Mike. It is on the French River system heading down to the French River Delta. Is there anywhere you haven't been?

Swimming pool of death maybe.

No.

You guys sound like you're bored also.

Can anyone tell me where this picture was taken?

That's an amazing looking fish! I also didn't think that you could eat raw freshwater fish. (parasites and all that)

The next time you go after those rainbows try various sizes of white twister tails on a jig. I have caught some smaller rainbows on panfish sized ones when they were active and near the top of the water. I also had luck with larger rainbows through the ice using a walleye size twister tail. Give it a shot, it can't hurt and isn't a big cost.

I usually don't catch small fish LOL, that's why I put one of my fishing partner's small ones in my place. Can't seem to find any of my own.

The Kawartha Lakes are quite built up, so if you're looking for wilderness scenery, not the place to go. The walleye fishery is not the same as 10 years ago either. August would be tough. You can check out the Martin River system that is north of Nipissing, Lake Temagami, Bark Lake (search for the one that is close to the town of Barry's Bay). Just a couple to consider to start with.