bigcreekdad

Does anyone have any experience/thoughts on this boat?

I've settled on the Hummingbird Helix 7 series, and am down to choosing the model. Anyone who has side imaging...is it worth the extra money?

Are there any opinions on this series of boats out there. I'm going through my annual back and forth on whether to trade off my now 20 year old Alumacraft Pro Magnum.

Floatnfly...that purple streamer looks awesome. I can see steelhead all over it.

I've never used it, but seems sewing thread will work out fine. Depends on the size of the fly and the size of the thread I suppose. Actually, I've done the opposite....used fly tying thread to sew on buttons. If you are thinking of ever tying commercial, I can assure you it ain't a way to get rich. I figure on an order of 300 flies, I might net the equivalent $8/hour. I do it for fun, and blow the little money I make on guide trips and fly gear.

I very seldom use head cement. If your whip finish is good just leave it as is.

Keep going. And go smaller as you get more comfy. I agree that this would work as a caddis imitation. I love making flies up. When my son was very young I let him design a fly. He chose the material and color, and I just started tying. WE had one that had so many colors it was ridiculous. It was also out of proportion to any bug I've ever seen. I showed it to some friends for possibilities for a name. After much discussion, we settled on "the Hoar". (Actually the spelling was hore with a w, but this sight does not allow such words...OMG!!) I've been tying flies for Gates Lodge on Michigan's Au Sable River for 25 years. Occasionally, I would tie a fly and show it to the former, and now deceased, owner to see if it warranted production in his shop. He was a stickler about flies he sold.They hand to be hand made by local fly tyers, and had to be tied perfectly. Occasionally, I would tie up a ridiculous "new" pattern, and would ask what he thought. One time, I tied an absurd looking purple and pink streamer. I showed it to him, trying not to laugh. He looked at it, looked up to me, turned his back and started doing something else. Wouldn't even respond. That day....I went to the Au Sable's South Branch and landed a very respectable brown trout on that ugly streamer. I took a picture of the fish, with that streamer clearly in its mouth, and emailed it to him when I got back to my cabin. Needless to say, I got no response from him at all. Just have fun. It's a great pastime.

sounds like a great trip...thanks

So sorry Cliff.

one of the best...the real deal.

I second Akrisoner...rod way more important than the reel. When fishing trout and bass, the reel basically holds the line. The only times I really needed a good drag were on tarpon, bonefish, and large pike. I worked part time in the fly fishing dept of cabelas. I got the question often as to which rod. When asked what the species fished would be it was usually trout and salmon.....obviously not a one rod answer. Yours is at least a little closer. I've caught bass regularly on a 6 weight, and this would also work for trout, albeit just a hair heavy. What I might ask is what you will be fishing with. A streamer can be cast well for both bass and trout. However, dry flies for trout lean more towards a 5 weight. Also, big poppers for bass really should be cast with a 7 or 8 weight. I know it seems crazy, but its the truth (IMO). If you have a Cabelas near, they can rig you up with something that will fit your budget Good luck...and have fun!!

This is a bit off topic, but my muskie fishing hero was Len Hartman, who used to fish those waters and catch fish of that caliber for years (albeit, it appears he may have bent the truth a bit). He wrote a book,"Before I Forget", about his muskie fishing life. Great book. In any case, I was fishing the Pickerel River about 25 years ago near where it meets the French when I pass a boat slowly trolling in the opposite direction. After I passed it, it dawned on me that the troller was using a heavy spinning rod...which is a tad unusual for muskie. In fact, I had only heard of one guy who fished for muskie like this. I turned around and caught up with the troller. I waved at him to slow down, motored over and, sure enough, it was Len Hartman. I felt like a ND football fan who has just met Knute Rockne. I was thrilled. I tried to explain all this to my friend riding with me....he had no clue and thought I was nuts. Sorry to deviate from Mike's monster, but this is what I thought of after thinking of the Larry.

Mike. I'll likely never fish there, but I had always thought that system was primarily trolling. Did you scope out areas for casting on your own, or is this pretty common there. That fish may have been ugly, but it would not have taken me a six pack for me to fall in love with her.

Helluva fish!! Where were you?

My son and I spent 5 days at Lochaven Lodge (just upriver from Wolsey Bay) two weeks ago. Two days before we arrived the river went up over 2 feet. This was a result of opening the Chaudiere dams. I've experienced this a few times, and every time it really screws up the fishing. Apparently "they" never heard of the word "gradual". Very maddening to take a long trip and have this just precede you. In any case, the typical shoreline bays and points in 6-15' of water were extremely unproductive. We managed a few pike and bass (only 14" largest). The guides, and knowledgeable guests, only found consistent fishing deep water (30-40'). I'd be curious to hear if others have similar thoughts on the water fluctuations on the French below the Chaudiere dams. That being said, on Labor Day, a Lochaven guest, fishing with guide Josh, caught a 55" muskie...they were targeting them.

What an ass!!! Keeping fightin Mike!!

I just checked wait times crossing to Canada from US. At all three Michigan sites there is at least a 3 hour wait....hundreds, maybe thousands of cars with boats on trailers heading to Dalrymple Lake.

Good report....but way far from enticing. Is there an inlet or outlet? I'm wondering how fish survive a long winter in only 4 feet of water?

Reef I completely agree.

Sterling Not quite understanding your post. June is typically a good month for fishing walleye on the French.

Reefrunner I really hope I am wrong, but I heard that Brian developed some type of early dementia. You advice on a day on the Pickerel is a good one.

Dan I think your timing will be right on re: weeds. Weather has got to average out eventually. What are you fishing for primarily? My other son and I are heading for the upper French (Chaudiere Lodge) on the 14th. I last went there in 1966. And went to Casa Blanca Lodge in that area from mid 1990's to 2005. My mainstay now is Crane's Lochaven Lodge on the lower French, but returning to the upper has been on my bucket list. Time to pull that trigger. Please report back on your trip....I'll do the same. John

Woodenboater We never found the pin....but, it's quite possible. It's amazing, but the jaw spreaders we jury rigged work like a charm. I can't get the dar thing out now. Another project before I tow again.

Cliff So glad you had great fishing with your boy. I've got twin sons now 34. I started taking them on trips to Canada 25 years ago. They are my favorite memories. Hope you and your son get to take many more....just hope you can find better accommodations. I'm with others on this...the cabin and boats as advertised are nothing short of misleading. This is a much followed board...Mattice will hear about this I'll bet. They should apologize, and make some financial restitution. Frankly, if I was them, I'd beg you to come for free next year to a great outpost (assuming they have them) to clear the air. John

My first trip of at least two this season to the French. After crossing at the Sioux, we were heading east on 17 near Blind River when all heck broke loose. I was in a passing lane going about 60 when there was a lurch and my boat and trailer were doing wild fishtails behind me. First reaction was to hit the brakes, but that resulted in more severe zig zagging. After a very scary minute, I finally slowed enough to pull over. I first thought I had blown a tire, However, after getting out to look, I found the heavy round bar that goes through the ball insert had come out. My boat and trailer were literally being dragged by the chains and digging into the pavement. A car pulled up behind me and here comes a guy with the bar. He was the guy I was passing, and he actually saw it pop out and the trailer disengage. I think the pin that score the bar must have come off or broke. With much help from him, we got the tongue back on the ball, hurry rigged a new "pin" with jaw spreaders (how handy to have them). Everything looked secure, but I drove pretty slowly into Blind River and bought new rear tie downs that were torn loose and destroyed with the wild zigzagging. I was driving a GMC Yukon, vs my previous small Jeep. I wonder if we would have lost control of the much lighter Jeep. I consider myself very lucky as it turned out. No idea what happened to the pin. I've towed this and a lighter boat to lakes in northern Michigan almost 10 times already this season. I tried to pay the guy who helped me but he refused saying.."I'm a farmer, and we help each other". Amazing....there are good people out there, and I hope I remember this if I see someone in distress on the road in the future. I tried to imagine if this had happened in heavy traffic if I'd come through Toronto instead of the Sioux route....likely would have had a bad ending. Anyway, we finally arrived in Wolseley Bay, albeit about 90 minutes later than it should take. As soon as we dunked the boat and loaded the gear it began to rain. Then the wind picked up and was blowing in my face the entire 15 minute ride to Lochaven Lodge, where we were staying. We only donned our raincoats, so we were freezing and soaked below the waste when we arrived. That was how the trip began, and we had rain off and on for much of our 6 day trip. When it wasn't raining it was extremely windy. As fitting, it was raining when we left and rained half the way home. The fishing was typical French River finicky. A mix of poor, fair, and very good. Weeds were a bit behind, and finding walleye was tough. After trying worms and a jig and worms, I switched to Rebel Pop'Rs and a jig and yellow grub. The topwater bite was often wild..mostly smallmouth, with a pike here and there. Also, had a big musky take a 12" bass that just hit my topwater. The lure must have hooked the muskie as it stayed on and the bass was more than halfway out of the muskie's mouth. The fish never ran, just get trying to go deeper and nose down. We had it on for over 5 minutes and up to the boat 4 times, but never quite good enough for a clean head shot. Finally, got a good chance, but as soon as my son had the fishes head in the net, it shook his head and broke, or cut, the line (25b floro....i use 12" as a shock tippet with the Rebel). I'm guessing, but pretty confidently, the length at a high 40's fish. Disappointing, but really a long shot anyway. I was using 8lb mono, so if he ran or jumped I would likely have been toast anyway. Fun regardless, and always good to see one of the old people now and then. A first for me was a 20" walleye on the topwater. Even the lodge owner, Eddie Crane, said he's never heard of this in daylight. As usual Lochaven was a great place to stay. Final world....check those trailer hitch pins before you leave.....I certainly will.