Slayingm

Great pics and fish!... gotta love Hali with its diversity, beauty and awesome fishing! Good job!!

Joeytier: Never fryed up a Herring before but rather brined and smoked them with Hickory along with some Whities and Lakers and they were awesome! Toad Hunter: Not a back lake but within 40 mins of Haliburton village and off of a protected bay thats see's early ice and am currently seeing between 3 and 8" of black ice on some of the lakes that way... extreme caution needs to be exercised and ice tested often while walking out as it changes frequently.. looks like floating a boat my be in order this weekend with the forcasted warm weather! - yikes. Terry/Ron: Hilarious! Whether posting reports or giving seminars at Bass Clubs, Bass Pro, Fishing and Sportman's show's over the years I always go out of my way to try to share as much details as possiible in a attempt to make folks more successful and knowledgeable anglers. When I don't share details I get asked anyway and find that by far the majority of folks appreciate it. Sharing information such as products and successful techniques used, water depths, productive lure presentation(s), line test etc. makes us all better anglers and what its all about! If you go back and review the majority of my posts you will find the above true.. what you will NOT find is 1 word/sentence posts in a attempt to hit a 'Fishing God' or 'All Knowing Angler' status Be safe all and see you on the ice!

With little sleep and after working a long shift my son Mitch hit up his Dad's'Knowledge Base' (and some gear) and spent his day off yesterday to target Lakers on some of the Haliburton lakes I have fished for 30 years. Using the Marcum LX-5 Flasher and drilling a number of holes is was not long before hard/soft bottom transitions and deep breaks were lighting up on the screen along with a few streaks! After catching and releasing some smaller lakers and Herring it happened in 62 FOW!!... the large Red bar slowing moving to the Blue Fox Flashspoon and minnow worked 10' of bottom.. after a couple of gentle giggles and pauses it came... that 'thunk' followed by multiple line screams and a fight lasting over 10mins on 4lb line. Contrary to his tired expression Mitch was elated with his BP Laker sporting a 20.25" girth and 33" length the behemoth weighted in a 17lbs. A number of these lakes are teaming with both herring and Rainbow smelt and catches of Lakers in excess of 30lbs have occurred over the years. With my winter guided fishing adventures are already over 70% booked to the end of March and I'm thinking its going to be a record trophy year enjoying some new toy's and fishing in comfort in my new Rapala Cruzer M2 Ice Shelter! Good Fish'n and be safe out there!.... Greg.

Finally had a break of guiding and had a opportunity to take my son Mitch and his buddy Jay out for a day on the water!.... We decided to hit Balsam today for a mixed bag and were very successful at our quest!! We worked inside weedlines in rock and weed areas in 5 to 10' of water using tubes, jerkbaits and jig/n pigs and got into a number of great fish!!.. was really surprised given all the thunder storms and rain yesterday and the N.E. winds and blue sunny skies today. Attached a pic of my son Mitch with a couple of nice Balsam fish.... wish it was a tournament today cause we really got into some big fish!! Take care and see you on the water... Greg.

Finally had a break of guiding and had a opportunity to take my son Mitch and his buddy Jay out for a day on the water!.... We decided to hit Balsam today for a mixed bag and were very successful at our quest!! We worked inside weedlines in rock and weed areas in 5 to 10' of water using tubes, jerkbaits and jig/n pigs and got into a number of great fish!!.. was really surprised given all the thunder storms and rain yesterday and the N.E. winds and blue sunny skies today. Attached a pic of my son Mitch with a couple of nice Balsam fish.... wish it was a tournament today cause we really got into some big fish!! Take care and see you on the water... Greg.

Hi Dave, lol!!!!..... no was not that lake but know the one you mean... have fished it lots over the years and taken some limits from there also.... and another good lake approx a 10km ATV ride N. from there on the powerline trail have done well on that one also. I have a log cabin on 25acres on Harburn Rd 10min N. of Haliburton village and get up there and into the back lakes as much as possible!

Congrats on your PB and a awesome Walleye! WTG Captpeirre!

Well, who can complain about the amazing weather we have been getting the last 3 weeks or so now? After a number of successful trips for Walleye, Jumbo Perch and Crappie it was time to change gears. Since my upcoming weeks are booked with Guided Fishing Trips I was fortunate to hook up with fellow NPS Pro-staffer, great friend and tournament partner Steve Delyea for a couple of fun days chasing Rainbow trout on a couple of my fav. lakes in the Haliburtons. One of the lakes we targeted had slow action due to a major May fly bug hatch.... the flies and lava were all over the surface and fish gorged on them... we made a lake change in the afternoon and bingo!!!!... hit another lake where the hatch had no yet happened and the action was simply amazing. A combination of light line trolling with small crankbaits and gang-trolls with a fly tipped with a small piece of worm was the ticket. We could see on our graph that most of the Rainbows were suspended 10 to 20ft down over 25 to 45 FOW so we focused on those areas with great success. These trout offer not only some of the best acrobatic jumps you will see but also some of the best table fair around!. Check out the MNR offices for a listing of stocked lakes and next time your up in the Haliburton's or Muskoka's give these amazing fish a try!! Good luck and don't forget your bug repellant! .... Greg.

Well, who can complain about the amazing weather we have been getting the last 3 weeks or so now? After a number of successful trips for Walleye, Jumbo Perch and Crappie it was time to change gears. Since my upcoming weeks are booked with Guided Fishing Trips I was fortunate to hook up with fellow NPS Pro-staffer, great friend and tournament partner Steve Delyea for a couple of fun days chasing Rainbow trout on a couple of my fav. lakes in the Haliburtons. One of the lakes we targeted had slow action due to a major May fly bug hatch.... the flies and lava were all over the surface and fish gorged on them... we made a lake change in the afternoon and bingo!!!!... hit another lake where the hatch had no yet happened and the action was simply amazing. A combination of light line trolling with small crankbaits and gang-trolls with a fly tipped with a small piece of worm was the ticket. We could see on our graph that most of the Rainbows were suspended 10 to 20ft down over 25 to 45 FOW so we focused on those areas with great success. These trout offer not only some of the best acrobatic jumps you will see but also some of the best table fair around!. Check out the MNR offices for a listing of stocked lakes and next time your up in the Haliburton's or Muskoka's give these amazing fish a try!! Good luck and don't forget your bug repellant! .... Greg.

Got that right Dave!!!.. I can do just under 60MPH in 4ft waves on Simcoe and still drink my Timmies coffee!! lol. sd

Lol!... Thx CaptPierre. Straps back on and she is locked and ready to roll!

Yes, my arms and shoulders are sore today but Its that time of year again! I spent a full day washing and waxing my boat for the season and so glad its done and ready for a full season on the water now! I remember my father saying "you only get out of life what your willing to put in".... and always took that to heart. Especially when it came to maintaining and looking after my boat and vehicle. With the cost of a nice boat and motor package these days I need to look after mine as best I can to ensure years of enjoyment. This mean's everything from regular engine maintenance (I change the plugs every year and gear case oil x2 times per season), using premium oil to Manufacture's specs., maintaining and cleaning all livewell, baitwell and bildge pump motors! It also means looking after the hull. With the time I spend on the water in various weather conditions and the intense UV rays during the summer I want to protect my investment and a intense wash and cleaning and premium wax and buff is all part of that. In addition I changed up all my marine batteries (I have 4 of them) with all new and cleaned and protected all connections to prevent any down time or issues on the water. I guess, like my Dad told me... you only get out of something what your willing to put into it!... my boat is my 2nd office so that is just a given now! Have a safe season and see you on the water... Greg.

In so much as we did not have a winter this past season and the lakes thawed early the Crappies are still acting normal and moving in and out of traditional spring area's based on weather conditions and water temps. I have been out on a couple of various Kawartha lakes and been finding fish moving in and out of of area's on a daily basis. That coupled with the northern wind blasts have made for the slow bite the past few days. Employing super Ultra-light line and baits and a very stealth approach has been so key in getting better bites and boxing some quality fish. Clearer water this spring has meant light lines and smaller then usual suspended plastics under a small float for success. Also, adding a bit of scent and leaving the float in one spot longer then usual has accounted for more fish this year so far! Until the water warms up and we get a few days of stable weather the bite will be slow so exercise the above tips and have fun landing some nice fish!! Attached is a pic from this past weekend.. enjoy!... Greg.

Lake Simcoe is a World-Class fishery for a number of fish species and Yellow Perch are no exception! With a Year-round open season and a amazing Perch fishery spring fishing can account for awesome catches in both Quality and Quantity. I have had the privilege to fish the lake for over 25years and currently having awesome success on guide trips the past few days and expect that to be the norm till the 1st week of May or so. I have a number of main lake sports where once these shallow fish finish the spawn and move out my deeper water fish are just starting and the action is nothing short of amazing! Ultra-light rods spooled up with a max of 4lb line and a combination of mini tubes, 3" Trigger-X minnows on a drop-shot rig or a small jig head is all you need. Ultra light rods with light lines are such a fun way to catch them and there is not a better tasting fish in the fry pan! Remember that big perch spook like any other fish so if you really want to tag a trophy take advantage of the wind and make long casts on your drift! Good luck and remember to be safe out there!... Greg.

Lol!!!.... Funny guy Roy!... I may just need to do that one day!

Yup!... that was supposed to be a preview and I posted instead!... DOH!... Thx Terry... just watch the Video son! lol.

Brutal year for being able to get out onto my GPS spots on Simcoe for Laker's and Whitefish. The spot I got a 20lb Laker the week prior was open water!! but this secondary spot in 57 Ft and good ice still proved to produce some nice fish for a last outing on the main lake!... Enjoy!... Greg.

Hey Caster... GPS point is 10km N.W. of Beaverton in the main lake! . I can't stand fishing or taking clients out in the crowded fish bowl like Kemp bay. Be safe out there and Good Fish'n... Greg.

Have not been on Lake Joe yet this winter but it holds some great Laker's. I have done a number of Laker and Whitefish guide trips in the Haliburtons and on Lake of Bays and been doing very well on them!... look for drops and humps in the 40-60ft depths... small minnow tipped spoons in Siver/Gold and blue combo's and run a set line with a minnow (if the lake permits a 2nd line)... Good luck and be safe out there!!!... Greg.

Thanks guys and yes blessed to have Simcoe in my Backyard and enjoy it for so many years. Thanks Roy and Wormdunker you will love that machine for sure!... I have tried them all in the past and the best I have had for sure!.... Good luck to all!... Greg.

You are in God's country for sure and those are awesome fish... WTG!!... question is?... so you have a matching pair of fuzzy pink slippers for the gloves?

After a couple of great guided ice fishing adventures on Friday and Saturday my Sun group had to reschedule and thought great!.. I could catch-up on a few things around the house. That plan went out the window when my good friend and fellow Normark Pro-staffer Steve Delyea called me mid morning and said "lets go fishing Greggy and scout Simcoe"! Steve and I have fished tournaments together and been hunting and fishing buddies for years and he already knew my answer would be a resounding yes! It was a beautiful sunny day with basically no wind and with little snow on the ice it made for easy ATV traveling and most importantly able to see the pressure cracks and ice fields out in the lake. We kept checking the ice conditions along the way and after trying a couple of spots in the 40-50ft depths and only marking a couple of fish we continued to venture out further to our next area. We continued to find good ice along the way and stopped at just over 65 ft of water. As soon as I turned on my Hummingbird 55 Ice Machine I told Steve there are fish down there. Within minutes I could here Steve's drag going as he said "Fishon"! Before the fish could finish its first screaming run we knew she was a laker. Steve fought the nice laker to the hole but she ended up getting off. In the next 90mins we both put some Whities on the ice and lost a couple of fish then things slowed down. Time for a move.... and what a move it was! The next spot was loaded with fish and they were all Lakers!.... There is nothing more exciting then watching a big trout torpedo up from the bottom towards your lure then start reeling up until it crushes it!! We both got to enjoy that feeling and rush a few times before it was time to leave. My last fish was a huge mark on the flasher and absolutely crushed my tube as fast as I could reel up then Bang!!... FISHON!! When this fish took its 2nd run and almost spooled me I knew I was into a good one! The hardest part of the whole fight was trying to get its massive head into the 10" hole. Eventually I had my chance and was able to pull this monster pushing 20lbs out of the hole for a couple quick pics before releasing her. After a couple of high fives we packed it in and made our tour back to the shore as it was getting late in the day. We both had our GPS units out and together have over 250 co-ordinates out there for our Whitie and Laker spots. Those units combined with the Navionics map chips and good electronics flasher units or graph's are a must and have always been a key to our successes out there over the years. Even though we did not get onto the lake until after lunch we still ended up with another awesome memory and great time together on one of our favorite lakes! Be safe out there and Good Fish'n.... Greg.

In so much has it has been a brutal yearr for ice this year so far the conditions on the North Eastern sections of L. Simcoe are good and have had done lots of trips out there the past few weeks. This past weekend I had another group of clients out from Michigan for Perch and Perch we caught! Although conditions Changed from Sat to Sun the weather was still rather stable and the fish co-operated in depths between 28 to 32 ft. Because of the lack of snow on the ice and hence brighter condition's below the fish were really relating to hard/soft bottom transitions and also stacked ice piles in the lake. Sections of the lake where ice had broke and piled up offered a shadow below and concentrated good quality fish. Some of the Jumbo's we caught were coughing up baby gobies up to 3 inches long and others crayfish and shiners. Small hammered spoons in Blue/Silver and Gold/Orange combo's tipped with a 1/2 minnow tail produced as well as #2 and #3 Rapala ice jigs in the white/chart and Firetiger patterns. We used 2lb Sufix Fluorocarbon and seemed to make a huge difference in getting bit as many guys were moving all day to find fish. We caught ton's of big fish both Sat and Sun and would hate to even guess at the number landed as it would be in the hundreds for sure. Good electronics were key to find the transitions and also watch fish respond and work your jig to entice them to hit. Here is just a couple of pics of some of the size of fish were got over the weekend. Your's truly with a couple of nice ones: Jason from Michigan with his 1st reel Simcoe 'Pig'! Be safe out there and good fish'n... Greg.

Well, this season mother nature has dealt us a different hand of cards for sure. I have had to take a number of my clients to the Haliburtons/Muskoka area for Laker's and Whitey's this year so far because of the ice conditions on Simcoe. Given the forcast the next week I am hopeful that come next weekend I will be able to get out to some of my GPS spots and spank some Simcoe pigs! I have had clients out on various Haliburton lakes the past 3 weeks for Lake Trout and Whitefish and the action has been awesome with mostly limits each day! We have been fishing with light lines and small minnow half tipped hammered spoon's and light light in 40 to 60 fow and also still lines set with minnows on a small octopus hook and split shot on4lb line. Here is a pic of a nice 5+ lb Haliburton whitefish. I had a Father and son out the other day and we all limited out on Laker's... not big put amazing to eat and even better smoked! And don't discount the Northern lakes for size.. here is a nice fish I got but have also taken Laker's as big as 30lbs up there! Here is hoping that we can get out onto the Simcoe main lake this weekend. The forecast looks great and I'm optimistic! Good luck to all and remember to be safe out there..... Greg.