bigcreekdad

Geesh!

Depends on the trout. If you are fishing for large browns, steelhead, or lakers, I'd go 7, maybe even 8. Depends on the size of the quarry. I've used an 8 when fishing for large brookies and lakers in NWT, Manitoba, Quebec, and God's Lake/River. We were using midsized (3 - 4")streamers. If you are stream fishing in Ontario, a 5 or 6 should do well.

I've used 8 wgts quite a bit. Not too big for bass, and can handle pike and muskie. I like the articulated with a lot of marabou. Where you headed?

Honestly, if you can get a full refund, I would head to the upper French. Many lodges to choose from. I've fished the French both above and below the Chaudiere dams for 30 years. Probably well over 75 trips. Fishing has sometimes been tough (it can be on a 3 day trip), but is usually quite good. Walleye, Bass, Pike and Muskie. Lodge possibilties: 1) Crane's Lochaven ( my personal favorite....talk to Sue) 2) Chaudiere 3) Lunge Lodge 4) The Tilted Toque (Used to be Casa Blanca...went there for 15 years). 5) Totem Lodge 6) Breyer Lodge 7) Wolsey Lodge Also, you might take a guide first day. The whole friggin river looks fishy.....not the case. Crane's has a fleet of pontoon boats ( sans covers) that make for very comfortable fishing. Includes a wonderful shore lunch. Tell the guide you'd like to fish relatively close so you can fish the spots in your last two days. Walleye can be awesome. But, take some small topwater (ie Rebel PopR). Bass will nail them ( let them go), but pike love them as well. And....you be surprised at the muskie that will hit that smaller plug. Now I wish I was going. Damn!

Curious...does the no fire thing mean no fish cooking? That would be tough to take. Regardless...great post and looks like a wonderful trip!

I traded in a 16.5' tiller last year that I owned for 21 years. Like 60+ trips to Canada, and plenty of other use in northern part of Michigan's LP. Excellent boat....very stable, lots of storage etc. I traded it on a Crestliner, but that was only because I couldn't find any similar Alumacrafts for sale in Michigan. You won't be sorry. I truly think the top 3 in aluminum fishing boats are Alumacraft, Lund, and Crestliner. I've owned all three over last 40 years. I would take any of them, but I'd say the Lund is a bit overpriced compared to the other two.

LOL...Weeds, I never heard of any of those. Are you toying with an old man?

You should post a tying video....awesome looking bug. Do you use primarily for trout?

Damn....not available outside Canada.

If I had to pick one for the French River, it would be the Rebel Pop R. Everything, including muskies, attack them. Easiest my favorite smallmouth bait if I'm not fishing below 10 feet.

I've got a Crestliner 16' 9' tiller....love it...tons of storage

I'm pretty friggin teared up listening to these tunes. Got Bless our vets, and those that didn't make it home.

Going to be buying one for my new boat. Basically only using for depth and bottom structure, weeds etc. Any recommendations? Also, I would like to use a separate small as possible battery to run this. Need some advice here as well

Sounds like an awesome trip.

Finally...success! Found a short you tube video by "the Weekend Angler" that showed the process, and sequence (very important) pretty clearly for both footpedal and remote. After viewing it one more time over a cup of coffee, I decided to try again. I started with the foot pedal in the recommended sequence and...still nada. On a hunch I changed from the preloaded batteries and repeated sequence....voila! Next, the remote. It didn't work. Decided to change batteries in this. Voila again! Hopefully that is the end of my problems. Thoughts: 1) Why didn't the dealer include the instructions? 2) Why put batteries in units before they are going to be used. 3) Obviously, the dealer was wrong when he said service tech ran the motor in prep. One final comment. This unit is a whine to get back into horizontal position. At least for someone in their 70's. Any Ix5 users out there experience this?