Rod Caster

Hank Williams cover

Ahhh. We'll have to meet up on nip thise year then. Combined we can take 4 keepers! Haha

ugh, pure disgust. What the hell would possess anybody to be so stupid and shameless.

Jeremy84 and I are meeting up for the first time tomorrow to fish a small lake for fake trout (splake) near north bay. If anyone else would like to join us, please send me a PM. Plan is to meet at 10AM. Bring ice picks, floater suit etc just to be as safe as possible. Ice should be at 4", but we will be playing it slow and safe.

I really enjoy a white-bass meal! It sure looks cold out there... But a GREAT post for sure!

Best: I'm split between moosebunks arctic char (others as well) and Mike/Bill's sutton river.

They will be part of a package I'm gonna prepare.

I've already got several perch with your pockets name on it.

I'm working on some sweet prizes for this year!

Yup, it's the illegal crap that is the real problem. Poaching and netting. I'm ok with regulated netting....based on what I know and my opinions. It'll be interesting to see if they increase enforcement for everybody. Otherwise all this effort is really futility. I think Talon, Nosbonsing, tilden, temagami and Wasi will see the biggest increase in pressure. Most people fish Nipissing because it's convenient and won't bother trying to figure out the lesser known and smaller lakes up north.

No walleye there anyway. 'Whistle' That sucks for my walleye eating quota, but I'll have just as much fun catching them.

Good story haaha. Reminds me of the time I tried to "check out " a river while I was golfing and fell so deep into the mud... Talk about nasty looks haha.

The snow cover 'round north bay slowed the ice-making process. Not all small lakes are good here..... even with the recent cold temps. I'd say most small lakes have only 2.5 -4.5" right now.

Great report. I got a good laugh too

That is correct as a whole, but the MOE/MNR has a different role than the DFO or Env. Can. Different agencies with different mandates. There isn't much in the provincial legislations relating to public water access or shoreline protection/development. Ontario regs have more to do with water quality standards. Trust me, the DFO has (had) teeth. I've had to deal with them before with work. The overlap is actually good for protection because the Municipal and/or provincial regulators are sometimes left in situations that are beyond their jurisdication (or the problem is unprecedented), at which point the feds would step. There is definitely a reduction in protection here, it's not total, but there's less than there was. It's a matter of time before a case emerges where the gap is truly visible.

Haven't checked that spot yet... I might be looking for some perch next weekend so I'll probably check then. Today, still only 3" or less...the ice didnt' really form last night with the snow cover. So close, yet so far.

There roads were brutal yesterday and still today around NBay. Accidents everywhere. I guess this post was meant for southerners haha

Even inland and provincially bound lakes are part of larger watersheds. If the feds don't have a say in overall water development then we have a fractured system. The ontario MOE and the federal Environment Canada operate completely differently. Its not necessarily liberal propoganda becasue we don't know how these changes will affect water protection. Do you think the provinces has completely filled in the gap, so quickly? Its more than just a shift in control, its a chance to remove science and research from the process. The feds do not like environmental science if you haven't noticed yet. By the way, not all environmental proponents are liberal, shake your head for trying label and divide people.

I was in rant mode haha. I thought you had explained it well. Its funny how people are reactive and not proactive against these things, including myself.

2.5" black ice on a small splake lake today. Still not safe yet., but a good base. This is northbay area

Yup and blades are only 15 to replace

hahaha "you wanna bull whip that fly! Snap!"

Some real nice walleye slabs there! How were the fall walleye on the Rainy this year???

Unfortunately, the MOE has already been cutback bigtime and is dealing with a young and inexperienced laborforce. A lot of what they learned over the years with regards to the Provincial laws and nuances has essentially retired or quit. They are stuck re-training and making a lot of amateur mistakes, wasting resources and essentially losing the ability to properly regulate affairs. Now that these previously Federal tasks are downloaded onto the provinces, it'll further dilute their ability to regulate. The silliest thing is that many rivers and lakes are inter-provincial waterways which means the provinces, all with different environmental legislations, are stuck arguing between themselves with no overseeing powers. Who owns the Ottawa River? How the hell do you regulate that properly when Quebec and Ontario may have their own ideas of what is right. When they get into a big fight about this or that, who is gonna step in now? As far as municipalities, they typically don't get into environmental issues because of the fear of crossing into Provincial or Federal legislation and getting into lawsuits. Hopefully, from these changes, if anything, municipalities will pick up some of the slack.... but I doubt the Feds intend to contribute funds for this. Things that are beyond provincial borders should be regulated by the Federal government.....duh I wonder how this will affect water access, whereas before if I could canoe a river, I could use it (unless special provisions exist).... not sure how that changes now. I don't think the provinces have water navigation legislation.

Daniel Romano-Hard on You Another Daniel Romano...Cool Video!!