Jon

I prefer the Sportsman's Show. Seems to be more to do and see. And the Sportsman's Show is much more of a tradition for me.

It may not be much of an incentive for some, but if you purchase your Sportsman's Show tickets on-line this weekend, you also get a 1 year OFAH membership.

Sportsman's Show Tickets - Free OFAH Membership

Jon

That's a Walleye, not a PIckerel???.

Beautiful fish and a great looking hut!!!!!

Jon

Great pics. Barred Owls are cool.

Looking for saw-whets at eye level is a great approach but the last one I saw a couple of weeks ago was about 30 feet up a conifer. It was only found because someone heard a woodpecker alarm call and went to investigate.

My dad has done some digging recently and reported the following from a mechanic he was talking too. This guy suggested two brands - Compusmart (or something similar) and Viper. Both had 2 fobs. The Compusmart didn't have a good range and only a one-way fob and cost about $500 + tax installed. The Viper was about $600 + tax installed and had 2-way fobs and longer range. The OEM one I was looking at was around $600 for only one fob. I'm not sure if installation is included in that price. There was also a higher priced OEM one but that had a $50 annual fee to be able to use the app to start it remotely.

I'm not sure if vehicles with push button starts are more complicated than those with keys but you may want to confirm that too.

I have a Ford Escape with remote start (either fob or app) and it is quite handy. The ability to warm it up a couple of minutes before getting into it is nice.

Jon

Rudd. Non-native.

http://www.invadingspecies.com/rudd/

I don't think that Roach (Rutilus rutilus) have been documented in Canada or the US.

Jon

A guy at work put this together a couple of weeks ago. Data is from Pearson airport. Keep in mind it is average montlhy speeds, not maximums or dailies.

Jon

Polarized sunglasses are an absolute necessity in my mind. I can't remember the last time I went for a walk along a stream or fishing without them. I have always bought smoke grey lenses so I can't speak to the benefits of other colours. The safety aspects have already been mentioned but I would add that sunglasses will also help getting branches in the eye when walking through the woods to your favourite trout spot.

I also use circular polarizing filters on my camera to cut the glare in the sky or through the water. The difference is amazing and much better pictures.

Jon

Here is a Master's thesis on walleye movement in the harbour. See Chapter 3.

Walleye Movemement in Hamilton Harbour

Jon

My buddies and I went to the campground there 15 or so years ago. I have never seen so many bears and never had so many bear problems - on the roof of my car, destroyed one of our tents, trying to climb into the boat. Fishing was pretty terrible for us and as a result we never went back. Great scenery and I'm sure people have good luck fishing but not on my list to return to. Part of the Chapleau Game Preserve where there has been no hunting for around a century. Good spot for wildlife as a result.

Don't know if you don't go, though...

Jon

The MNRF is starting up their Fisheries Management Zone 16 planning process. There are four public meetings planned in late November and early December.

More info here - https://www.ontario.ca/page/fisheries-management-zone-16-fmz-16

Jon

Found this web-site that compares the price of gas and a barrel of oil.

http://www.TorontoGasPrices.com/retail_price_chart.aspx?city1=Toronto&city2=&city3=&crude=y&tme=1&units=ca

Jon

I had the strap connector break on a pair of Bushnell binos a few years after I bought them. Took them to Bushnell near Jane and the 407 and they said it couldnt be repaired. End result was a free replacement to the current model. Would I buy Bushnell again simply because of the customer service? Absolutely!

http://www.in-fisherman.com/in-fisherman-blogs/bass-length-to-weight-conversion-chart/

Based on this site, a 23" largie supposedly comes in at 7.17lbs.

I've got some largie data from a local lake and a 23.5" fish works out to about 6lbs there.

Jon

I respectfully disagree that those most or secondmost charged with fishing (or hunting) violations are from a couple of cultures. There are quite a few Canadian sounding names in the reports in the link below.

http://mnrwatch.com/category/offenses/

Jon

Here is a good summary of conditions in Lake Ontario from May 2.

http://ijc.org/en_/islrbc/news?news_id=600

Jon

Can't figure out how to post this without a Facebook link.

https://www.facebook.com/fisheriesqu/

Scroll down to the post on April 13 regarding Smallmouth and Largemouth diets in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. 86% of SMB diets are gobies while 44% of LMB diets are gobies.

Here is a more direct link:

http://www.eddmaps.org/ontario/distribution/

Click on the "Aquatic Animal" icon, then Round Goby from the list. Zoomable/scrollable map should load.

Jon

Had me going for a bit but after looking at the date, I realized what it was.

Though not dolphins, there used to be a population of seals at the eastern end of Lake Ontario.

"Harbour seals, called common seals in Europe or dotars in Newfoundland (the name I prefer), now survive mostly in small family groups. Originally they seem to have been more sociable and their colonies were scattered in bays, estuaries, and inlets from the Carolinas north into Arcitc regions. They also made themselves at home in fresh water. Prior to 1800 a colony actually lived in Lake Ontario, wintering below the great cataracts of the upper St. Lawrence River. What was probably the last member of this now-vanished band was killed at Cape Vincent on the south shore of the lake in 1824."

http://www.greyseal.net/ABOUT/history.htm

Jon

Looks like MNRF has ended the harvest of snapping turtles across the province. Also some changes to small game hunting.

https://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTMxMDUy&statusId=MjAwNjQw&language=en

https://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTMxMDUx&statusId=MjAwNjM4&language=en

Jon

I have rented the Nikon 10-24 and really like it. I haven't compared it to other similar lenses but would suggest it as an option. Hopefully the link works.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/91080279@N05/v9508H

Jon

( if the correct price of the product is higher than $10, the retailer will give the customer a discount of $10 off the correct price.

Now if only some tackle stores would sign up!

Happy saving!!

Jon

Chris:

I don't know if they accept one-offs or what the cost would be for a DNA sample but try here - http://ccdb.ca/.

Jon

I'm going to play devil's advocate a bit and suggest that charging people to fish in Port Hope is no different than charging people entry to a national or provincial park, conservation area or pay to launch a boat and then fish. And if the money goes to maintain the properties and enforce the rules rather than general coffers, maybe not a bad thing?

Jon

Any idea if that is upstream or downstream of the falls?

Jon

http://www.outdoorontario.net/AskMNR/mnrfaqfish.html

See question 182.

Jon