bigcreekdad

[ There are no depth maps below the Chaudiere dams. I think it's because the rocks and shoals down there move around. That explains how I turned my prop into a donut sized knob a few years ago. "I swear that rock wasn't there last year!!" By all means....have a spare prop or two down there, and give every point a WIDE berth. quote name=blue pickeral' date='23 June 2012 - 06:22 AM' timestamp='1340446965' post='708486] Look into the French River Trading post - had some maps there last year. BUT not sure about whether they provide nav information or not. Floating logs - deadheads - can also be a hazard.

Nothing short of awesome!!

I've been fishing the French above and below the Chaudiere dams since the mid 90's.....I've never seen a muskie, or heard of any caught. You need to talk to the Indian elders to get any of the stories of muskie from the old times. That being said, we've caught some massive sheepshead, and, for numbers, you can't beat the rock bass.

CONGRATS!!!!

Hope you have a good trip.....where are you headed?

Just saw a few on Ebay for around $150

Explain????? There's your first mistake. Tell her it cost just a tad over $100. Kinda a white lie, if you get my drift. If you get into fly tying in a big way, you'll end up with a high end vice (Barracuda, Renzetti Master) anyway. Consider it a wise investment. Also, look on the net for a used one.

Been there...done that. I used to take trips with 4-5 other guys every year. Something like you are experiencing, as well as deciding to leave go home earlier than planned, finally caused me to either go alone, or take my son. I would tell him...."this is when I'm leaving... if you are there, fine, if not, that's fine too. Fishing trips to Canada are sacred to me.....apparently not to him.

I've been tying on a Barracuda vice for 15+ years. Besides tying for myself, I tie commercially 100- 150 dozen flies per year. The 'Cuda is nothing short of excellent, and the customer service is awesome. A lot more than $100, but trly a lifetime vice.

I hate to say this, but the PD's are lousy units. I went through two foot units, and finally just decided to move on after the second one failed. I now own a Maxxum.

Protect his camp? During a forest fire? I think he'd be paying me to go. LOL.

Honestly, I put up with a 24v Power Drive 3 4 seasons....then gave it away. Difficult to deploy and bring up (even after spray silicone treatments). Also, went thru two foot units. I felt foot units to be very fussy as to foot placement.....some times you got a different response than you intended. This unit could not have had any fishermen input in it's design. I moved on to a Maxxum.....and love it!!

I am thinking of doing a solo fly in somewhere. Not that I'm not fond of company, but in my mid 60's, I think I'd like one trip completely on my own...maybe searching for the meaning of life (LOL). Does anyone have any suggestions as to outfitters that I might contact? Please don't offer to join me....OTOH, if you are a female less than 35, please PM me.

Anyone have an opinion on them? How do they stack up against Alumacraft? Thinking of moving from my Alumacraft Magnum 165 tiller to a console. Any thoughts appeciated.

I hit the French last year in late May. However, fishing for pike was tough as there was very little weed growth at that time. Does anyone know if the French broke up earlier than normal this year, which might lead to earlier weed growth?

Try a Teeny T-300.......super line. I often only need one false cast to shoot it.

Another option would be to look on Ebay. I've bought and sold rods there for years with no problem. Also, pike do not run long (like tarpon or bonefish)....as such spend more money on a good rod....almost any real will work fine. Having said that, if you think you might do steel heading or salmon, the drag is pretty Important.

If you need anyone else to fill out the trip, please PM me.

What did he do? I believe in a jerk free environment when I'm on the water.

Did he try to revive it?

Has anyone fished out of this lodge? If so, or if you know someone who has, can you give me any thoughts?

I fished last summer for 5 days at Fireside Lodge 10 miles south of Sioux Lookout. Fished in late August, and did not expect it to be great. I was pleasantly surprised. Pike fishing was good, and smallmouth was very good. I had 3 musky follows, but no hits. The water has huge, relatively shallow, weedy bays. It is quite unlike the French River, where I go a couple times a year. You also have access to several smaller lakes, but I felt no need to explore further. I think if you went in June or up to Mid July, the pike fishing would be awesome. If I go back, I will go then and use my fly rods. Camp owners are nice, food is very good, and cabins are fairly new and some of the nicest I've stayed. Google it for more info, or PM me.

Thanks for posting. What was the tune and artist?

BillM.....When fished for them in the Florida Keys I used 12 and 13 wgt rods. However, many of those fish are well over 100 pounds. I usually use the 9 wgt for bonita in the BVI, but have landed the occasional tarpon on them. The few I've landed were in the 40 pound range (I'm guessing). However the 10 I hooked were in the 50-75 pound range (again...I'm guessing). The real key, in my opinion, is the boat. You have got to get them off the backing and on the fly line in order to pressure them to turn their heads. Once you get them fighting like this they will eventually tire, and your fight will be an ever reducing circle around the boat. Even with a 12 wgt, I think you'd have a tough time turning them from afar (ie after taking a big chunk of backing). I really knew the odds were against me the whole time, but thought maybe I'd get lucky. Loads of fun though. Also, I always use barbless hooks in salt water. If you can keep a tight line, you will seldom lose one. Also, there are a lot of toothy critters there that you don't want to handle for long....cuda, shark, and even big snapper.