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?

Some progress. Changed fuse, and hooked up battery ....no go. I was doing this with the motor still in the non lowered position. I decided to Lower it just to see how easy it was and voila ...two of the indicator lights came on, so battery was effectively powered to motor. The other two lights had to do with synching to wireless foot pedal. That was the next step....pushed the required button(s) on the pedal; to no effect. I did check to see if there were batteries in the pedal....there were. So, one step forward, but not far enough to get things working.

Just picked up a very nice looking Crestliner Pro 1650 Tiller on Friday. Towed up to my cabin today, and I'm loading it with my gear. Decided to check the trolling motor and get nothing. It's a Motor Guide IX5 with GPS control. Wiring to battery looks good, battery is fully charged, but nothing. There are 4 indicator lights on the motor which should have lit ups when it has juice.

Of course, the dealer is 3 hours away, and was of no help over the phone (understandably with seeing everything). They had me try a couple things but nada.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks Rizzo

Trap....no, the Yamaha is 2008

Shag...go for it! I have no idea how I lasted 22 years.

Done deal.....closed the deal yesterday.

Lew...you are a wonderful man. Too bad we never met.

I am obviously crazy. Spent a ton of time seeing what was available, pricing and researching them....even getting opinions from many of you.

So, yesterday, decision made. Chose Crestliner. Put a deposit down, and made arrangements to drive the 2 plus hours on Wednesday to drop my boat off (1998 Alumacraft Magnum 165T). Dealer is installing my Yam 60 4stroke on the new boat, and buying my boat.

Today, I was cleaning out my old boat, and decided to go fishing for a few hours. All the time fishing (lousy fishing btw, and embedded a damn hook in my left index finger) I a looking over the Magnum....seems pretty damn comfortable, still rides great, fishes just fine, etc. 

So, I start feeling stupid, and kinda bad, about getting rid of a 20+ year fishing partner that still functions quite well. Actually, ended up a little depressed, and started to think of cancelling the sale.

Anyone ever go through this? 

Sniff.

Dave...had a welded Crestliner for several years before  the Magnum 165....it was a fine boat IMO.

And the winner is....Crestliner! 

Built in gas tank. more storage, and better stability (I'm thinking) tipped the scales. As many of you said.....neither a bad choice.

Finally, dealer offered to mount my 10 year old Yamaha 60hp 4 stroke own it, and still buy the 21 year old boat. Actually, this was another minor issue with the Lund. With it, I'd be buying the 50 hp Merc. I really wanted to continue to use my local marina, but, while they work on Mercs, they won't do warranty as the pay from Merc is low.

Thanks to all who chimed in.....I gave thought to all comments.