ccmtcanada

Love it!!! See you tomorrow!!

Just use common sense. The great thing about Toronto traffic is people are not afraid to "communicate" their feelings. Lights flashing, horn honks and cutting you off are the gentle ways they let you know you are annoying people on the road! It's not like towing in say, Los Angeles, where there is gunplay on the freeway at times!

Nothing much more to say on the 401 driving, but I find I have to brake hard more often when I'm travelling on the roads north of the 401. You know, the guy who turns onto the highway you are on RIGHT in front of you causing you to hit the brakes hard... and when you look in the rear view there is not a car in sight???

SWEET!!!!! Loved the "guys, there's a big one on at the back of the boat!"

I fished barbless when I was in Alberta this year. I was a bit nervous about it, but like you I landed more than I thought I would. Makes you pay attention more and ultimately makes you better at fighting them I think. The big pike put up a good fight too! Fishing for bass in the slop would be a different story for me I think. When they get caught in the weeds I have a feeling I'd lose a lot more.

I believe you got yourself a chinook salmon there...I'm looking on my blackberry so its hard to see the mouth clearly...but it looks black to me. Black would be chinook, not steelhead. Nice fish tho! And no, I wouldn't eat that...

DVP closed and part of the Yonge subway. Perfect! Need to head there a little earlier!

Great job on the basement!!! I told my little one about the kid's fishing day and she said "YEAH!!! I want to go!!! I have Dave Mercer's DVD!!!" See you there!

I've been following this thread today while at work...didn't notice anything in Toronto. When I stepped out of the car at home in Whitby I could smell it...weird...

I always love your brook trout reports!!! One species I have never caught and they are incredible looking fish! Awesome pictures as usual Dan!

You are right, those bass photos give way too much away! Will get right on that!

Slipped through the net?? LOL I'd never have guessed to troll while on a plane at 10mph!!! Sounds pretty exciting though when the fish come up so aggressively!! Beauty muskie there Rizzo!

I don't know of any specific shore spots at either of those places, but to better your odds you should be going out at dusk and fish into the night. Don't give up...fishing with a lighted float and a minnow at night increases your chances as the walleye wont be anywhere near the shoreline during the day...they will come to the shallows to feed after dark though. Good luck!

Congratulations on the biggest fish win and the new waders! Your dad taught me lots about steelhead fishing...he's a great teacher! I can't wait to see you posing with a nice steelhead!!

Thanks Joey! Bass fishing is perfect for me...they say you have to hesitate before you set the hook. That comes naturally to me!! LOL.

Sweet fish porn!! LOL. I have learned so much from members of this board, so keep on networking and before you know it you'll be a pro!! I learned to filet a fish from Youtube!!

Awesome shots Bill! My fav is the eagle staring right at you with his catch clutched in those talons!! Almost daring you to come and get it!!!

Great action shots there! Always amazes me the shape a pitcher's arm gets into...they say the human arm isn't designed for overhand throwing...and seeing those shots only confirms it for me!!!

More secret than the Colonel's secret recipe!!! Actually, HH pulled it out of his float jacket...which he cant remember the last time he even wore it....

Very impressive work!!!! My trip to Quinte isn't the same anymore with you gone! Good to see you around here more though!

The last trip for this year to Bernie's cottage didn't disappoint! It was a full house this time around with Gerritt, Spiel, Fishnsled, Headhunter and myself showing up Friday afternoon. Gerritt and Spiel arrived a few hours before we did and were told that we had to "catch up". Had no idea what them meant since they hadn't left the island yet! LOL. Anyhow, we ate early...some amazing 2" thick steaks Will brought up, so we could hit the water for the evening bite! He remarked when he bought them that when he saw $25 on the scale that it was a great deal! When the final bill came, he realized it was $25 PER KG! LOL. Anyhow, there was a contest on...winner of the biggest fish gets $5 from each person there. The hunt was on! Armed with our secret bait (well, maybe not a secret after these pics are shown), we headed to some spots known to produce. As you can see, I was at the top of my game...ready to feel the subtle hit of a walleye taking a jig... Cant remember who caught the first walleye...but here's a few...didn't get any big ones, but our fair share of ones this size... HH with his giant!! HH then hooked into what was for sure going to be the biggest fish of the night! It fought hard...took him some finesse skills to land this beast! Too bad it was the wrong species!! Notice the approval in the background from Fishnsled!! Then Fishnsled caught the only fish we measured for the night for the money... As the sun went down on one side...the worlds greatest sportfish showed up with the almost full moon lighting up the waters on the opposite side of a great sunset! We went back to Bernie's place to all kinds of accolades about how they had bigger fish than the 13" walleye Fishnsled hauled in. We asked for the pictures. "we didn't take any". Then "Go show him the fish and measure it Gerritt!". Gerritt said "Uhhh...they are filleted already!" LOL. Score $5 a head for Fishnsled!! A few drinks were consumed and a hearty game of phase 10...which by the way is better if you play it quickly. Problem was, the more beer we drank the harder it was to add up the points let alone play quickly! The next morning came and we hauled ourselves from our deep slumber. The sunrise was a beautiful sight! About an hour later we hit the water! I didn't say we moved fast...but we did move after some coffee! The morning bite was slow...just a few small walleye. Headhunter, who loves those freshwater drum, kept on saying "baaaaaaaaaaa" as Fishnsled fought a nice sized fish!! To HH's disgust, Fishnsled and I were quite happy with the catch!! Here he is with his prize! Same fish...but with HH's seal of approval in behind...and yes...the secret bait catches all species! We headed in for lunch and after consuming some awesome smoked roast beef sandwiches (courtesy of Spiel), everyone but Fishnsled and I wanted a nap. A NAP??? Come on guys! We headed out in search of bass and maybe some pike. The bite was slow, but we managed to find some bass hidden in the slop on the edges. I LOVE running bait across the top and seeing the explosion as a bass inhales something from the surface! Fishnsled forgot to put hooks on his line apparently, but I was lucky enough to pull a few out. We headed in for dinner...a perfectly cooked pork roast prepared by Headhunter himself! OH and just a warning...if Gerritt ever says "Try these...they're not spicy at all", don't believe him! I took a bite of something...my tongue caught fire...but hey, my sinuses cleared up! After that it was the evening bite again...and although the bite was slow, the scenery was incredible. Yet another species that cannot resist the secret bait! That night, it was jam night! The guitar and bass came out and we played parts of hundreds of songs...LOL. I think we got through two songs from start to finish! A few beverages were consumed once again! Sunday morning was the last chance to fish...so HH, Fishnsled and I hit the waters one last time. Again, the bite was slow, but we managed a few in this range... Well, the time we all dreaded had come. Time to pack up and leave this island paradise. Thanks so much Bernie for once again opening up your place to a bunch of hooligans! (me excluded from that statement). Fishnsled...thanks for the driving and your big boat! (honest, we like you for more than just your boat and the fact that you'll tow it anywhere to fish). Spiel, Gerritt and Headhunter...the laughs just kept on coming! It was a great weekend guys...thanks for everything! Here's Bernie on the dock...smiling as we headed to the launch...but we all know he's thinking "Why do I do this 3 times a year with that bunch? They stayed longer than they usually do...glad to have peace and quiet again!!" PS. I'm really hoping that Gerritt or Bernie took a few pics to add here...I realized I got home and had NO pics of anyone not in Fishnsled's boat!!!

Great report! He has the classic bass hold down already! My little one says "here fishy fishy fishy" as well and she always schools me! She sometimes adds "I'll put you back and you get a free worm!" Lol. The smiles say it all...love these kinds of reports!

Count me in for those dates!

Great report Joey! Fantastic pics as usual. Paul with a muskie??? Wow!!!!! Lol Too bad you had to come all the way back only to drive back again! Good luck on LSC when you do go!

Yeah Brian...just hoping his friend isn't 42...put Shawn's mind at ease...