Raf

definately a nice walleye, congrats.

I am very saddened to hear of this news. My condolonces to the families.

hey mattitude, good advice by mtp, the only thing I will add is about the pound test. too many people get hung up on 30lb, 50lb etc. being overkill. just because the line can handle that much pull strength doesn't mean you will set your drag that tight. my best advice is to match the diameter of the braid you plan to use to the diameter of the mono you are used to using. 10lb mono = 30lb braid (approx. depending on brand of braid mono). bass won't care about whether they can see the line or not. if it's a confidence thing for you, then use a 12"+ fluorocarbon leader but it is really unneccessary. the upside is you will feel everything and straighten hooks before you lose lures to snags. like anything, braid has a time and place. there are instances where i prefer mono (ie. ice fishing) but for bass fishing, i think you will love it.

Priceless!!

There are not very many pike in the Kawarthas. You are limited to panfish and walleye this time of year.

I think I'd pass it on it as well Roy. Two trips a year just isn't enough of a justification in my mind. Besides, you are not going blind, you know the area and have a hardcopy. You can still mark 'spots', trails on your gps just no luxury of an electronic map.

looks like a fiero w/a bodykit. I kid I kid! nice pics. Dont see too many El Caminos anymore. You're a great mom. Congrats to the son!!

i don't view that as a problem. have fun getting those baits eaten, wherever you use them!

nice haul of stuff. KY has a muskie population does it not?

yeah I do think that's it. nice work Camp Chef and team OFC.

...and not "Bob" or "Belinda". I am fairly clueless when it comes to birds. This guy took one off the noggin by flying into the window. He flew away on his own some time later.

Start lifting weights! You will feel 'the burn'.

lots of smallies around everywhere but current areas are prime. can't really help you with walleye as i don't fish them much.

Perhaps the piston in the caliper is seized up? Touch the wheel after driving (and being easy on the brakes). Is it hot? If so, I'd suspect caliper.

try the upper 40 feet, sometimes 15 feet of the water column. planer boards, long lines, and dipsey divers, will all net results. you can leave the riggers at home. the water temp is at a point where they can be anywhere in the water column.

you end up with two loops, one on either end. depending on the type of snap you are using you can put it on once the loop is tied. a swivel with welded rings on the other hand, you obviously can't so make sure you put it in the right spot before cinching the knot down. it will make sense when you are actually doing it. also, nothing says you could not use some type of clinch knot to tie the fluoro to swivel and snap but the loops are just my preferred way of doing things. I use spro and stringease snaps and swivels (welded rings). they are not cheap but they are very well made and I can usually re-use them once the fluoro or wire is toast. I think the sizes I use range from 3 or 4 to 6. some guys prefer to just use a split ring instead of a snap as a lure attachment point too.

yup there she be, nice n easy. i dab a it of crazy glue. not sure if it really makes a difference but i sleep better at night. just remember to thread the swivel through first.

I make my leaders one of three ways. For my pike rods that do not see lures that twist (ie. spinners/spoons) I tied the braid directly to the fluro using a uni-to-uni knot, a perfection loop (google it) on the other end and a snap. For setups that will twist, I make leaders with a quality swivel on one end and snap on the other. I use a perfection loop to make the loops. I've been using 45lb seaguar fluoro for pike, but next time I will go a little heavier, say 60. You should still be able to tie with 60lb. For muskie leaders I've been using 130lb fluoro and crimping, not tieing although some guys still tie, I just find the thick fluoro tough to tie. Same deal as above, welded ring swivel on one end and a good snap on the other.

that appears to be one of those flying carp that flew into chuck norris' fist.

There's a lot of truth to that. As the season progresses into the summer, you will generally not find large pike in the same areas as the small guys. You have to fish for them. They are almost like two different species with different preferences.

Nice job. Those paddlefish look like they belong in the ocean.

FinS, the usual suspects, spoons, spinners and minnow baits. We'd sometimes take a hot bait off just to see what else we can get to work. I think LipDip has an article on ice-out trout in the March or April '06 OFC newsletter that summarizes this topic well. Thanks gang. Spring is a great time of the year, air is crisp, trees are budding, wildlife is abundant. Don't wait till the end of may or you'll miss some of the best fishn to be had.

rent the canoe. most places charge about 20-25/day. i personally would not want to be out on the water in one of those inflatables. i think it is better suited to your backyard pool.

to me, May 2-4 pretty much symbolizes the end of spring, beginning of summer. sure the nights have been cold and it may not quite feel like summer yet but sure as shoot we'll be complaining about the stifling heat soon enough. not sure yet if I will be out this weekend or not but i thought i'd post a photo summary of how the spring season has gone. 'eeeeeeeeeere we go first fish didnt take very long or the 2nd there were some double headers and double releases some great action and some nice fish yeah, even some personal bests fabulous sunsets ...and best of all, FISH WITH TEETH! Bring on the summer!

We used to target & catch them and yes, eat 'em 20 years or so ago out of Lake O. They taste great smoked. They are most active at night and we'd use liver or some other form of stinkbait on the bottom (much like catfish'n). Tricky buggers would often wrap themselves in structure. They are also a handful once landed, sharp teeth and squirm endlessly. Salt or a pitchfork where the tail meets the body would instantly paralyze them. They're a very interesting species if you are into the science. Opposite of Salmon in that they spawn out in saltwater and mature in our lakes.