The JAY

Was fishing BOQ for the walleye opener about 87-88 and trolled a black Mepps with a worm trailer and managed to hook... A freshwater clam..... Weirdest thing I've ever caught on a line. Trawling in the North Sea and pulling up an Angler Fish.... Eeewww...

Thanks for the info. That's what I was looking for, but was hoping for an endorsement from a user. The Inland Lakes - Ontario is the one I'm going to go with. Now I have to find someone with a copy....

I picked one up a few months ago, at full price, and am completely satisfied with it. Of course, I'd love a $700 rod, but can't really justify the price. Bang for your buck, you can't go wrong IMO.

My 2 cents, I had a 1994 Mazda B4000 5-speed. 378K on it, only got rid of it because I don't do body work. Pulled like no-body's business. Fuel economy was very good... Darn, now I want to go pick up another one... I will agree with others, get some good rubber for it.

Okay, I'm heading up to Lady Evelyn for a week in September, and being the tech junkie that I am, I would like to get my hands on a Garmin map for the lake. I've got the Bluechart maps for Ontario and Erie, but I can't find a map for Lady Evelyn. I can't even find one on the Garmin site. I've found some aftermarket map companies on the net, but I'm a little leary of 'no-name' maps. Does anyone have one that they have used and would recommend? I'm trying to find structures in the lake, and the mroe detail, the better. Thanks!

Okay, I was never a Boy-Scout. Being prepared for any situation is not my strength. I prefer to deal with issues as they arise... After a huge meal at The Mandarin to celebrate 2 kids graduating their respective schools, and a 3rd going off to start Ranger Camp, I was a bit stuffed, a lot lethargic, and not up to doing much that required movement. My wife was in a similar situation and just wanted to watch a movie, and suggested that I go and do a little fishing. I know of a great little spot on the Grand where some nice folks have stashed a couple of patio chairs, and excessive movement wouldn't really be an issue. I arrived at the spot and saw more than the usual number of vehicles, so I figured spots may be at a premium, but lucked out as no one had grabbed the chairs! I hooked up a bottom bouncer and worm, figured I'd drown him and see if any Cats, Bass, or Walleyes were in the neighbourhood, as I'd had some of each in the prior week. After the second drift down the channel, I got up to re-cast and resume my 'nap'. A nice guy a few feet over decided to take this as a chance to have a chat with me. While talking about the Holiday/work/etc I missed my target for the cast and ended up in a little backwater. Started bringing the rig back in, and thought I caught up on a submerged tree I was trying to avoid. Then the tree started head-shaking and heading into the channel! Like I mentioned, I was not prepared for this. Ultra-light rod, 6LB line, no leader, no net... Oh, and I was standing on a steep bank 3' above the water. Crap! After 15 minutes of fighting, trying to get my phone out of my pocket for one of the guys that materialized to snap a picture (No camera either), sliding down the bank, and 5 good runs for deep water, I had a beauty pike at the bank, and she was finally tired. Instead of jumping into the water to grab her, I tried to lift her head out of the water with the rod so I could grab her behind the head.... Snap.... I've never heard 5 guys all yell the same expletive in such unison... Well, despite the fish escaping before I could get a shot for posterity, and bragging rights, that was by far my best fish of the season. At least so far. There are some really big pike in the Grand, and now I'm a believer... And next time, I'm going fully equipped...

I've done a few paintings from photos. You can see some of my work at my site: www.freewebs.com/criticalair/

I like it!!! Cool work, and nice pictures. Good job. Gotta love the little ol' band from Texas...

Yamahas? I've had good and bad, Norman's are nice, Seagulls are very nice, and Godin make some great guitars. My advice is to go into Long & McQuade, try every guitar that catches your eye, even if there are 2 of the same model they may play very differently, especially with less expensive models. Low price doesn't always mean poor quality, just less consistant quality in the line. I've played some beautiful $250 Yamahas... What it all boils down to is until it's in your hands, you just never know... Good luck with the purchase!

I picked one up to put my baitcast reel on. 6'6", medium action. I got it for an all-around rod, and have used it from everything from a goby to a 4LB cat. Love the way it feels, and for the price, it can't be beat. The lifetime warranty is a nice added bonus as well. It's going to be getting a much better workout in September on Lady Evelyn, but so far, I'm impressed.

Love the wood carving! I love whittling while I'm sitting round a campfire, but I just manage to turn big sticks into small slivers. Very nice work.

Can't help with the diagnosis, but I can attest to the reliability of the kicker!!!

One started yesterday, I believe.... Scroll down!!

The rain was pretty heavy, but going by the McKenzie Creek Flow Graph, McKenzie Creek Data, it hasn't raised the level much. Of course, that being said, the river may be a different story...

Never been in Musky waters, but done a lot of pike fishing. After seeing the last baby duckling swimming in line disappear (seen it 3 times), I wouldn't dangle any body parts I was partial to in the water musky are swimming in....

When I used to fish lakers in Lake Ontario, back in the days before braid, we used to troll with blue and silver Cleos with tons of line out. This was for catching them behind the Wave pool, not too deep, 20-30' For really deep, use a thin line, (read: braid) and a 3 way swivel. Lure on one leg, lead weight on the other. The thicker mono would stop the rig from dropping as deep because of resistance to the water.

Aargh. The worst part is that he's probaably telling the truth... Now to find the starting point...

Wow, great story, and a beautiful, I'm sure tasty, fish. As pennance for your tardiness in posting, you gotta tell me how to get to that lake! Welcome aboard!

Okay folks, we only need 2 more of us two sign up for the 2010 OFC Tournament. You got 8 fellow anglers dangling in the breeze... So here's an open invite to anyone not yet signed up to do it now. And as a lesson, I'll sign up early next year... My bad....

I've used the Dagr, very nice brush. Createx makes some great latex paints, and that's what I use for shirts. The AutoAir line is latex as well, you may want to look into them. Brushes are all about the viscosity of the paint, and these come out of the bottle perfect every time. Keep up the great work, and I think you've inspired my to try my hand a t making baits, or at least getting some unfinished ones! Cheers!

Matt, what kind of brish and paints are you using? AutoAir makes some killer colours for baits, (Well, actually for cars and bikes...) I've got all the paint, just have to learn to make my baits. You can see some of my painting at my site. www.freewebs.com/criticalair/ Check it out, you showed me yours, I'll show mine...

As an old airbrush instructor, I gotta say you did a nice job. I haven't done much shooting myself lately, but you're making me want to break out the brushes and try making some lures.. Thanks!

I'm going to go get me a cheap rig just to train the muscles for it. Probably only use it in the yard until I learn to gracefully hook tree branches.... Then I'll spend some money on making myself look dumb....

Lunatic, I grew up on Woodward, and we've fished the heck outta all of the water in the area. The only thing I've seen pulled out of that area is carp. We used to bow-hunt them in the creek too, up between Brampton and Rennie. And we used to try for Salmon up at Barton... Ahh, the good ol days...