The JAY

As I was typing that I knew it was going to be trouble....

Thanks for the reads guys. I loved the trip. Biggfish! Nice to meet ya. Ray's a great guy, good pilot, and knows his lakes! Irish, I included the Beaver shots just for you... The pic with the dolls was the tamest I could find for a family website. A lot of the pictures had to get cut, but it was the best practical joke, ever... Thanks again, and tight lines.

Well, I'm finally back from the bi-annual Fly-In trip with the boys. 2 new guys in with us this year, and one has never done much more than bank fishing for Sunfish, so I knew he was in for a treat. Sunday morning the gang packs into the mini-vans, and off on the trek. Hamilton to Windy Lake Hotel. Express... Unfortunately, not our boat... After a nice dinner in the Restaurant, it was time for the 'Getting to Know You' session that is key to these types of events. That's me on the far right with the white legs and no fashion sense. All other pictures from this night were removed to protect the parties involved... The next morning, oh so very hung over, it's back in the vans and a quick 45 minutes North to the Flight base. And packing the Beaver. It was 3 flights in beautiful Northern Ontario weather. Ray, our pilot, was happy to let us know that the ice-out was less than 48 hours ago, so the water was going to be chilly, but that was okay, because the Lakers wouldn't have gone deep yet. Fingers crossed. The first afternoon and next morning brought some nice weather, but the fishing was less than spectacular. A few little pike, but no sign of the Lakers. That afternoon brought me the first Laker of the trip. My buddy Trevor, not a hardcore fisherman to say the least, was putting up a good front, but he wasn't catching. I really wanted him to hook something nice to put a legitimate smile on his face. A little troll through a likely channel put a nice bend in his rod, and a nice pike in the boat. A nice one over 30", and he was now a truly happy camper. There's $5 on the biggest of each species, so we were happy since we were both in the lead. The following morning Trev and I set out again to look for some bigger fish. I was just lining up our troll pattern to try that lucky channel again, when Trevor called out that he had snagged. I didn't think that was likely in that area, so I scoped his rod tip and told him the good news that he was wrong. A 4Lb Laker and a grin that wouldn't quit. Okay, the grin was mine. I was so happy for him. In the lead in both species! After getting the fish on the stringer and the rods reset, we were again lining up for a trip through the channel when my rod went off in exactly the same place. A few minutes later there was a new leader for the Laker category. A nice 5Lb that is my record for that lake. For posterity sake, we had to get a picture of our days work. Although not new to fishing, we had another new guy in the group. Ken had some good fishing as well, and was the only one in the group to get Pike, Laker, and Whitefish. The best part was that he got them all on the same Syclops! Due to us bringing along a true joker, we even managed to has some visitors to the cabin... The Evil Mastermind behind the ladies even managed to find some time to catch some fish. A decent pike that nearly won him the pot. Well, Friday morning eventually did arrive. It was time to pack the gear and drag it down to meet the Beaver. Luckily were well prepared. We expected Ray at 8:45, but I think he was over an hour early, due to weather blowing in. One last photo-op, complete with a variety of 'Bunny Ears', and it was into the plane for the trips out. Well, there's the story, and I just want to thank all of the boys for letting me drag them along, even though we've been there 3 times now. There were no monsters caught on the trip, but my 5Lb laker to the pot there, and Jim, he one crouching in the above shot, got the pike award with a nice one North of 7Lbs. All in all, I had a blast and I'm looking forward to the 2012 trip... Wonder where that will be...

Thanks guys. I called Sunday and was told the following... The lake, 60 miles North of their base, was frozen, but folks were in at a camp 30 miles north. He expected the ice to be out by Sunday, and we're flying in Monday, so... Fingers crossed and warm thoughts. I'm calling him back tomorrow, but thought maybe someone on here may be able to tip me off prior, Thanks again.

Okay, we're headed up Sunday, and Flying in on Monday. We're flying out of Marquette Lake on the 144 between Sudbury and Timmins. We're flying into the Mississagi River Provincial Park. I've heard it's still iced up, is there anyone in that area, or nearby that can fill me in on the ice situation? Thanks!

My wife and I were there today. Same story. $50 gift card didn't cover the new baitcast reel and hardware for making my own lures... Wifey comes through in the checkout aisle!!!

Pictures!! They are worth a thousand words.... Congrats on the win!

Cool folks, the pointers are appreciated. I kinda figured the lift was the best/only way to go. I guess until we actually get down to the dock and see what we're in for, we just won't know. There apparently is a wheelchair lift at one of the local marinas, but they will not allow anyone to use it without proper safety training, which they won't help with, etc... Sounds like they just couldn't be bothered... I dunno. One way or another, he'll get out fishing. Thanks again!

Okay, a buddy has an 18' Doral bowrider, and we're trying to figure out how to get his dad, who is in a powerchair, into the boat. None of the local marinas had much in the way of help. We don't really want to build a crane, but does anyone know of a simple rig we can build or buy that may help? The sticking point is getting him from the dock to the boat. We're at a bit of a loss, and hopefully someone on here has seen a good idea that we can use. Thanks!

My band ended up doing a private party, and I ended up sleeping on a picnic table for a few hours afterwards.... Looks like a fun time was had by all... I'll be sure to make it next time.

I do love my still... Well, it's mothballed now, but it was fun while it lasted... Maybe I'll see what I can do over the winter with that too....

I love seeing what folks do, other than fishing, in their spare time; and there are some excellent examples shown! I've got a few hobbies that I've picked up over the years: wine and beer making (that snowballed into me building my own still... 192 proof rum is scary stuff.) guitar and bass playing with my band, airbrushing, custom knife making... This winter I've got a couple of airbrush jobs lined up, and a few knives that I'm wanting to build. Add to that, cleaning up the boat I bought this year, and a few jobs around the house, and I think I'm going to have a busy winter. Here's some examples of some of the things I've done: Custom computer case for a hard core Star Wars fan. Airbrushed goalie mask for the Toronto Rock Lacrosse team. Harley horn cover. Viking Seax re-creation with a Dragon blade etching. Approx 24" long and razor sharp. A little utility knife with African Blackwood scales and a little file work under the thumb for grip. A delicate little Bird and Trout knife. A neck knife for a fly fisherman. Had a one hand, rare earth magnet sheath. A big Camp knife with a bear etching. Bloodwood scales. My first filet knife with Cedar and Maple scales. Thanks for looking, and let's see some more passtimes!

Never had much luck using the solunar calendar as a guide. No more than on 'off' days anyway. Paid pretty close attention to it this year... But, then again, some swear by it....

Wow, that's a nice pic of the plane taking off, and the water color is amazing... I'd love to know where 100 lakers a day is possible! Thanks for sharing. Ps. Does it make me a geek that I understand the physics behind the Bernoulli effect Irish is talking about? Yeah, I thought so...

Lost a cheap little spinning rig this year up on Lady Evelyn. Bass pulled it right over the transom while I lit a smoke.... And like Headhunter, I tied on a Storm walleye with a big:asshat: treble on it and got my rig back on the first cast... with the bass still on it. Your case, I'm guessing a big 'ol carp. I grew up down by the lift bridge in Hamilton, so I've seen how big they can get.... Scary at times....

Excellent. Thanks to everyone that tipped me off, here and in PMs. Big round of clap for all of you!!!

Very cool. Thanks to both of you.... Now, fingers crossed, I'll meet up with some swimmy buggers....

Well, using up my last week of holidays next week, and the wife decided she wants to go to Grand Bend for a couple of days. She's very patient with my addiction to standing at the edge of any water looking for fishies, and will sit for an hour or two while I .. My question is, does anyone know of any places in GB, Bayfield, or Goderich area where I might try my luck for an hour or two? I've fished almost every inch of the river in The Pinery, but outside the park, I'm lost. Walked around the harbours in GB and Goderich, and I'm guessing there's probably perch or something there, but that's just a guess; and the river under the highway in Bayfield looks like a likely spot for fish comming in from the lake right now. Would I be wasting my time chucking spoons at the harbours? Anyway, enough rambling. I'd appreciate any tips anyone familiar with the area may be willing to part with. I'll also be stopping in Port Franks, hoping to meet Jim Downie to talk custom knifemaking for a little while, so I could look in that area as well... Thanks! Sorry for the randomness of the post. Too much coffee.

Hmm, now I'm a little leary of showing up.... J/K... I'll be there....

Or how much he likes his kicker...

Okay, Vinnie doesn't always have the best fish stories on here, but it is ALWAYS entertaining when he goes...

Nope, not too late, yet... 2 years ago next week my wife and I were at The Pinery in Grand Bend and we found 14 of them popping out of a hole in a dirt parking area. We talked to the folks at the Nature Center there and they said it's pretty common for them to emerge around now and head into the water, so that's where we put them. Cute little buggers. Not as cute, but still neat, when they get to be 30Lbs bigger...

That's cool... I've got a case right by the front door, ready to go. Vinnimon I have met, but work/life got in the way of meeting more folks since I've been a member. Sounds like a good idea to me.

November to May... You're probably looking at ice fishing down at Pier 4 or in that area. I usually put away the gear over that time, but maybe ice fishing won't be that bad.... Never tried it, but buddies are bugging me to try it with them. I think I remember seeing folks at the dam in Caledonia during that stretch, but others can probably tell you for sure. Welcome to the Hammer!

I bought the CS, not the CSx, since I don't like the barometric altimeter, but otherwise it's identical... Oh, and I love this unit! Looking back, maybe the barometer would have been a good idea for trending pressure for fishing, but such is life.... You can't go wrong with these units, especially at a price like that.