bigcreekdad

Brian These pics don't do justice to the ones I saw that you kept. You and Jeff are darn near pros at finding, and catching the big walleyes. It's funny how many times I've heard that the French is fished out. While it may not be what it was in the 40's and 50's, if you are knowledgable and persistent ( as were Brian and Jeff) you will see there are plenty of big fish left in the French. I was concentrating on the fly rod with pike, smallmouth, and (someday) muskie. Unfortunately, the cold and wet spring, and the high water, really limited early weed growth, which is the key to my fly fishing up there. Oh well, I'll be back up second week of July with my son, and will keep flingin those streamers.

Did you guys see any pike?

If I can do it, you can too. If you had an alcohol problem and quit, you will find, in hindsight, this is nothing. Good luck!!

I'm thinking of heading up to NW Ontario in the Fall. I may fly, and am looking for some recommendations for a decent 2 piece muskie rod. Thanks

I've been taking my 28 year old developmentally disabled son up to the French River for years. First at Casa Blanca, and the last five years at Crane's Lochaven Lodge. We are so high on the Crane's hospitality and the French ambience to go there at least once a year as long as I can forsee. However, I'm getting a bit up in age and was thinking of a fly in trip for some really great fishing for him to experience this August. Obviously a fly in, but good consistent fishing in the farther north. Thinking northern Ontario, Manitba, NWT, Quebec, or Saskwtchawan (sp?). Looking for some ideas. Thanks in advance.

I'm listening to....."No One Cares What Song I'm Listening To."

Actually, and you have to swear not to pass this around, but the best fishing is off the dock. You may catch nothing much at first, but if you stay there all day, you'll see what I mean. Remember....shhh.

, If we cross paths and I'll buy you a beer. And, I promise, I 'll tell you exactly where I have success. I'm old enough that I'm not as competitive as I once was. I'd love to hear you did as well, or better, than I. Imay be stupid, but I love directing newcomers to spots. It's stillo up to them to figure out how to catch them. You are right about Crane's. If it was just fishing, I probably would try other locations. However, this lodge, as well as the French River ambience, is special. On the other hand, there are some awesome muskies there, and my biggest (47") was caught while Ed was cooking us lunch. I take him or his son Eric, a couple of times a year for the comaraderie and a good old fashioned shore lunch. Also, I have a 28 year old developmentally disabled son I take along at least once a year. Ed, Sue, and EVERYONE there treats him like one of the family. I'm there for life, even if all we catch are ten inch perch. I hope we can link up.....I've made many friends there.

"That American"??.....not sure how to take that. I fish at Crane's 2-3 times a year, and while I have discovered many, many spots "where to fish" on my own, I would never hesitate to ask a lodge owner where he may be aware of early weed growth. He's as interested in you having a good experience as much as you are. Also, finding weeds after mid june is never a problem, but prior to that, good weeds may be hard to find. Moreso when the water is at above average and it's been a cloudy spring. On a short trip, this kind of advice can go along way to having a good trip.

I might be there myself around that time. Any early weed growth will usually have pike and walleye. A good graph will help you locate them, but Ed will likely steer you to them.

I knew we would get him eventually. If there's any time to rejoice a death, it is now. Good riddance to a very bad man!!

I've fished that area out of Casa Blanca Lodge (not sure if that is still open). To be honest with you, August can be darn tough. If there is any way you could move the trip into September, or back to July, you might have better luck. How did you make out in the Wollsey Bay area?

Another place to consider is God's Lake Lodge in Manitoba. It is not as pricey as some and the fishing for pike, walleye, and brookies is awesome. There are lakers too, but it would depend on what time you go. I was there in 2009 and had a fabulous trip. I was in a group of 8, and all we used were fly rods. We estimated 1500 pike alone that week, up to 46". WE even caught walleye on the fly rod, but if we had used spinning gear we could have taken loads. The God's River holds some of the finest brookie fishing I've ever experienced. Google it, or send me a PM if you want to talk more.

I have to do the beach thing every year, and, unfortunately, it's more than $2000. However, while she lays on the beach, I take a Boston Whaler out and catch bonita, spanish mackeral, and barracuda. A couple of times during the trip she will let me go down to the dock at night and cast a fly rod for tarpon (had 7 hookups last year, but only one landed). Also, this trip buys me at least two trips to the French River. Is it worth it......heck yeah!!

I've been fishing the French off and on since 1966, when we went to Chaudiere Lodge. Then spent a bunch of years in the Kawarthas. In the mid 80's, I fished on the Pickeral River, and then came back to the French. I fished out of Casa Blanca for many years, but left after Brian and Liz split up. Since then, I've fished out of Lochaven Lodge in the lower French. I love Lochaven, and will continue to go there, but I miss the upper French and was thinking about a trip there again for old times sake. It looks like Lunge Lodge has fairly new owners, and it looks like they've spruced it up a bit. I was thinking I might go there, but wondered if Casa Blanca is still open, On the website, their rates are from 2008. Does anyone know if it is still in operation? Also, any feedback on Lunge Lodge? Thanks

I've had a Minn Kota Power Drive for 5 years now, and I've not liked it almost from the start. The effort it takes to get it out of the water is nonsense, and when you go to turn, it does so so quickly that I've darn near gone overboard a few times. It's newest gimmick is to run continously if you try to turn left. Also, it has actually turned on by itself twice....once at the dock of my favorite lodge when the motor was out of the water, and no one was in the boat ( two others witnessed this). In any case, I think it's time to move on from this poorly designed machine. Any suggestions?

Flat coated retriever.......our Seamus is the greatest dog we;ve ever had.

Now that the season is pretty much over, does anyone have any Fall French River reports?

I second the barbless hook thoughts. You keep a tight line, you won't lose many at all. And fish survival rate goes way up. I've taken 5 fly in trips to Quebec, Manitoba etc. and used barbless streamers for pike, brookies, and lakers.....we very seldom lost any fish. I believe it's the law in manitoba.

Reminds me of a spot on Michigan's Au Sable River I fish. It was a tricky drive thru the woods (not quite two trackish) to get to it. Anyway, last year, we went back there for the first time of the season, and found someone had been regularly dumping trash in the woods. We drove past it a few more nights and finally couldn't take looking at it anymore and went back and darn near filled the back of an SUV with rear seats down with trash. I was furious the whole time, and must have screamed "friggin pigs!" a hundred times.

Gee.....I was just wondering if anyone else had a bad stretch on the French.

I'm the OP, and I have seen nets as late as September before you head up to the Chaidiere dams. My post was not specifically about walleye, as I seldom fish for them. I was more astounded at the lack of any fish activity during.....pike, muskie, bass, and walleye.

Give us your insight....explain what you mean by adapt. I'm not trying to be a smartass, just intersted in your thoughts/ Also, I'm familiar with turnover, but water temps ranged from 57-61 degrees, so I don't think turnover had taken place yet.Thanks/

Unfortunately, that makes sense.......and is a damn shame!

Bernie What happened 10 years ago? I started fishing the French in the early 90's.....at that time the upper FRench out of Casa Blanca Lodge. Used to take my sons up in June, and we always caught walleye. Satchels Bay in particular would yield many of them up to 7-8 pounds. Sometime in late 90's the walleye fishing took a nosedive. I hve no idea why, other than locals would tell me the Indians would take them over quantity limit and out of season. I fish out of Crane's now, in the section below Chaudiere dam. I don't even fish for walleye specifically anymore. I was at Crane's 3 times this summer and caught 2. I have heard from regulars who fish that section of river that the Indians net walleye below the dams during spawning season. That certainly has to have a significant effect. In any case, Bernie .....share your thoughts.