bigcreekdad

I've caught perch in the Wolesely Bay area, but never targeted them. Mine were caught drifting crawlers for bass and walleye. I'd think if you did the same, or used minnows, in the weedy areas you'd have as good a chance as anybody. You likely already know this, but can't access Lake Nip from that area. You'd have to trailer a boat to the Dokis Reserve above the Chaidiere dams.

Thanks Beaver I rec'd an email from Sue at Cranes's today.....big walleye still being caught....and the majority over the slot are being released. Wonderful for our future fishery. John

After my aborted trip to Crane's Lochaven lodge of 2 weeks ago, I was able to jockey my schedule to get back for 4 days...last Wednesday thru Saturday, returning home yesterday. Very odd fishing and conditions. Weather changed constantly. In the 4 days, I experienced rain and bluebird skies, chilly and near hot weather, windy and non windy (both east and west), rain and sunny. Wednesday and Thursday, I struggled to catch half a dozen each of pike and bass, but no walleye. While I did some casting for pike/muskie, I fished a lot with a basic black bucktail jig tipped with a small piece of crawler( I've been using them for 45 years) targeting walleye, but knowing anything will hit them. Friday was on and off rain until mid afternoon, when it cleared. Light winds all day. I would have thought perfect conditions. However...nada, zilch, nothing. My 2 buddies fishing hardware for muskie/pike only caught one small pike. Saturday was sunny, near hot, and almost calm all day. I'd have predicted lousy fishing. Instead, I was very pleasantly surprised to experience a career big walleye day. With few weeds (unusual for this time of year), I hit spot after spot with my trusty jig rig. I focused on areas that I know have weeds normally. By the end of the day, I found 2 productive walleye spots. They produced 11 walleye, only 2 of which were below 20 inches. The top 3 were 26, 27, and 28 (matching my PB) inches. During the day I also added 3 pike, and half a dozen bass. Talk about being pumped, and disappointed to have to leave yesterday morning. Oh well....I'll be back up with my 2 sons in a few weeks. During my banner day, I'd also share with you a musky encounter, but I'm not sure if it was real. So....I'll just keep dreaming. AS always, the folks at Cranes, and most guests, were awesome. If you are looking for an American Plan lodge, I cannot be high enough on recommending Lochaven. If you contact them, talk to Sue Crane, and tell her that John (me) said to take care of them. I have nothing to gain from this, but she has treated several of the folks I've referred there especially.

These lakes sound interesting for a mid September muskie trip I'm planning. A few questions: 1) Are there camps on all the lakes? Housekeeping or AP? 2) Can you get to all lakes without trailering your boat? 3) Are there islands and bays that offer prospects on very windy days? 4) What's the topography of the lakes....ie plenty of structure? Thanks in advance!

I've spent the last 20+ years every September on the French. Just to do something different, we are looking at a different location this year, and we are looking at some alternatives other than the French. We would prefer American Plan, but are not opposed to housekeeping. WE are looking at going the second to third week of September....that rules out some lodges. So....give me your recommendations.

Crane's Lochaven Lodge....it's about a 15 minute boat ride from Wolesely Bay. I've been going there several times a year for over 10 years.

Just returned today from a shortened trip to the Wolesay Bay area. Just 2.5 days of fishing and I had to give it up due to a friggin upper respiratory virus. In that short period, weather went from mid 80's and humid Friday, to 35 degrees and very strong east winds Saturday morning...staying cold and windy all day. Even better, winds from the East. Fishing was tough, but I did land one walleye of 25", a few slot walleye, half a dozen small pike, and two bass...one just under 19". All walleye on jig and worm, and the rest split between jig/worm, and a spinner bait. While I hated leaving, I just felt like hell. However, I'll be back with my sons later this month, so I'll be doing some catch up. BTW...a young lad in camp caught a 31" walleye while I as there....I saw the pig in the freezer...it's headed for the wall. Caught it on a jig and a plastic grub....in between two guys fishing minnows. Also, I ran into an old friend who had to leave the night I got there...he and his group did well on walleye up to 29". The French, as a walleye fishery appears to be on a comeback.

Liverlease.....don't you know there haven't been any walleye in those waters in years? Why not try the French? But, you need to get there before mid june as it dries up annually after that until the next years snow melt.

Pete....no offense taken. I get quite cranky myself at times. I'll write a report when I return.

Good God!! I was making fun. Your report did not surprise me in the least....I've seen much improved walleye there over the last several years. I'm heading up tomorrow and I'd be happy to have half your success. What the heck is wrong with people these days?

The original poster is either delusional or just a trickster. It is a known fact that the walleye fishing on the French, especially the Wolesey Bay area is horrible. Walleye are damn near extinct there. Perhaps the OP is confusing walleye with carp or sheepshead.

Spring is a great time to be pitching streamers, as well as nymphing.

I haven't fished there in 20 years (hard to believe). A buddy and I are thinking of heading there this Fall. We had some pretty good musky fishing back then, and Wanikewin was run by the Baker family, who were great. Has anyone been that way in the last few years?

I would bet many of these are not staged. Frankly, I don't think Bill is that good an actor.

When I first retired in 2006, I got a part time job working in the fly fishing department at Cabelas in Dundee, Michigan. At that time, we always had two people in the department during weekdays, and usually 3 (more around Thanksgiving and Christmas) on weekends. In addition, you could not work in many departments (fishing, fly fishing, guns, archery etc) without a pretty extensive background in it. In fly fishing, we had every type of gear imaginable. You could very seldom come in looking for something and not find it. WE had fly fishermen from several states and ONtario that came to our department regularly. THat was only a few years after the Cabelas brothers sold out and went public. Then, things started to change. THey started eliminating positions for several seasoned outfitters, then hired them back at lower pay. THe purchasing was all centralized in Nebraska. IE...they bought merchandise for all stores, not individually based upon what type of outdoor sport was biggest in a certain locale. THey also cut way back on specialty merchandise, which affected the fly fishing department greatly. To my knowledge, there was no regional to store specific purchasing. For example, many of our customers fished MIchigan's famous Au SAble River. A book written by the (now) late Rusty Gates on the Au Sable would have sold like hot cakes o=in out department. Rusty was/is damn near considered a god to Au SAble and Michigan fly fishers. I tried to get the book in the store. It was turned down, because we couldn't guarantee a certain number of books sold. Another example....a lure called the Golden Nugget is one of the most famous lures used in Lake ERie walleye fishing going back to the 60's. Cabelas in Dundee did not stock them, yet they host a walleye tournament on Lake Erie annually. Also, during my 2 year tenure, there seemed to be as much emphasis on outfitters selling Cabelas Visa cards as outdoor merchandise. Now they push warranties....why would anyone buy a warranty on a fly rod that comes with manufacturer warranties from 5 to 25 years. When I go to Cabelas now, there is one person in fly fishing, and their stock is maybe half what it used to be. THe department itself has never been busy when I've been there. Also, there seem to be more part time workers, many younger, who really don't have the experience in some of these areas (IMO). Very sad...it used to be a special place t go to, and to work. I think going public resulted in the way it is today, and, from what I heard, a lot of management hiring from big retail --- K Mart etc. Sorry for the rant.

Impossible!! How can Lake O freeze entirely with all this global warming?

Less than $600 might be tough if you are thinking American Plan. However, Camp Wanikewin on the Pickerel River is very reasonable for AP, and I think they will accommodate housekeeping as well. About 5 hours from Toronto, and you'd have a shot at a trophy muskie. Also, Irwin Lodge on Wolsey Bay of the French River has housekeeping as well.

I blame mine on Makers Mark.

i have no problem with anyone eating a legal fish, regardless of the species.

Arghhhh!....Man, I feel your pain.

A muskie is a fish. People eat fish. Whether someone keeps one to makes snacks, or to feed his family.....as long as it's legal...who cares? We get WAY too carried away with this IMO. I don't keep them, but absolutely no issue with those who keep them to eat , vs those that keep them for show, or to mount. I stuffed a muskie 25 years ago....and still regret it. Had I eaten it, with relish, or to feed my family, I'd have zero qualms. I, for one (and maybe only one), am awful tired of how we hold this fish so freakin high on what we consider sacred. I chase this species with a passion, and release all of them (exception noted above)....but they are still just a freakin fish. Ban me if you'd like

Magnets won't work on wood? Wow.....no wonder I've lost so much stuff to the depths.

I figure never too soon to start planning. We are heading to Pickle Lake in June via White River Air. I'm looking for a fish finder and a portable mount to use on the 14' boats that are at the outpost cabin. I saw one mount on You Tube that attached magnetically to the outside of the boat, but could not seem to locate a website. In any case, what suggestions do any of you folks have? Thanks in advance.

I prefer pike over walleye for eating. As for keeping big muskie.....A well known, but usually kept secret, fact is that tomato plants balloon when planted over muskie parts. The bigger the better. Just cut the whole fish into inch thick steaks....dig holes precisely 8 inches deep, and 18 inches apart. You'll get the biggest darn tomatoes you've ever seen.

Only been spooled once. In the BVI by a permit I'd guess at around 10-12 pounds. I was using a spinning rod with 12 pound test. Ironically, I had caught, and landed, a tarpon of around 25-30 pounds on the same rod and reel the night before. I freakin could not turn the permit...I was actually laughing at how helpless I was. I've never been spooled by a freshwater fish, although a silver salmon of about 15 pounds took me WAY, WAY into my backing on an 8 wgt fly rod in Alaska a few years ago. The hook pulled out on this bad boy after about 10 minutes. Who knows if I would have EVER landed him.