Raycaster

Just finished a novel Brad Thor : Hidden Order which uses the US Federal Reserve as a back story. Yes its fiction but the back story about the federal reserve history and function are a real eye opener. Its written like a Dan Brown suspense novel with a sprinkling of odd true facts that catch you off guard. Very interesting topic that I think I will research a little...

I've searched around for info about Canal Lake (Off of Mitchel and Balsam) but have found very little. Spending Thanksgiving up there with the pontoon and wondered if I should stay on Canal or trailer over to Balsam that I know. Did hear that it is pretty weedy like Mitchel with some bass action but haven't heard much more. Any info very much appreciated. thx.

Mike you should be paid as an Ambassador to LSC! Trip is planned!

X2 Fang. A few years back the family had a trip to Europe and I took a million pictures. Online I dwindled it down to 250 pictures and uploaded to a site using built in templates etc. Took about 2 hours works but 3 weeks later delivered to our door we had a hard cover "storybook" of the trip that remains on a coffee table. It looks very professional and back then it was only $45 which to us was a miracle bargain. I have a home server with terabytes of family photos/videos and have WDTV plus AppleTV but very rarely view the pictures. I'm a computer/photo geek and still have not found an economical way to print cheaper or better than Walmart/Blacks/Costco etc. Expensive print cartridges that your scared to use just dry up and color corrections etc... just not worth it to me. Just like getting a custom frame/matte estimate last year at 50% off and told it was still $325!. Found a prefect economical frame and got a custom matte together for $125. Gotta save money for the important things in life like... new lures and boat repairs!

Just want to put a big thank you to KawarthaKev for the pointers on lower Buckhorn. Also big thanks to the forum for pointing out the launch at Sunrise Resorts. The owners of Sunrise Resort were just as unbelievably friendly and helpful as many have posted here! About the fishing: Lost 2 nice bass and lures with leader problems. Went with tackle store monoflorament leaders that untied. My local tackle store generously built them for me and they looked rock solid. One untied from my line (my fault) and the other from the leaders knot (tackle store fault). I know there is a thread here about it so I'll give it a read. Crazy glue time on the knots? Pretty sure I was on a muskie early but let it run 20' while looking for my net. Went to reel in and being unprepared cost me... Lesson learned. Ended up with a few smaller bass and one very large Black Crappie, never seen one before. After spending 2 days on the lake I have to say its now one of my favorites. Beautiful lake and beautiful weed beds, not too busy and my pontoon was able to slip carefully into the hidden rock areas. Have to read up on the "leaders" thread as I have a few days lined up for LSC in 2 weeks!

Thanks guys for all the help this year. Finally got a boat in the water and also lucking into a lot of fishing time. Hitting Lower Buckhorn next Monday also! Again thanks for all the help.

First time out launching from under the Skyway bridge and zig zagging the Hamilton/Burlington edges. We trolled about 2-4 miles out 35' to 65' but had a very hard time even marking fish. We had the dipsy divers and wobblers running and trying to stay with any fish marks depth. Do you usually have to go deeper or is it day by day that you just have to go find them? Gotta say even with no hits it was still enjoyable and a good change from casting all day. Thanks for any help guys.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Finally got an ok from friends for a quick fishing trip on Buckhorn Aug 5-6 and looking for accommodations. Just need 1 night and boat slip and was hoping for suggestions. Check Three Castles and they are booked solid. I can always find a spot in Fenelon Falls but was hoping for an easy launch to Lower Buckhorn etc. Any suggestions welcome.

Thank you! Will give a call.

Not having much luck finding a local supplier of Sunbrella material in Hamilton area. No one seems to have any in stock (I'm not picky on color) and must order it in. I could order it also but hoped for somewhere local, just need 6 yrds. Any help would be very appreciated.

The bass on Balsam will basically stay right beside you and let you turn rocks over for them to eat the crayfish. If you're ever wondering if your lure speed is too fast watch how quick they snatch crayfish. No huge lunkers but a decent stringer! No wonder guys were fishing 20' off the swimming area.

Been a slow 2 weeks of fishing on Balsam this year. Nice muskie last year and the usual pike,bass and walleye but not this year. Been skunked more times than I can remember... Probably hit Buckhorn next month to hopefully change my luck. As for the muskies, just follow the thick weed beds and troll the drop offs. I've seen the muskie hunters out there still trying the usual spots.

Thanks guys!

As a new boat owner I was wondering if there is such a map? I have a beautiful laminated map of the area but one with boat launches marked would be really handy.

Boat is finally in water but already looking at the next stage of fixing. I have the original bimini top rails which seem ok but the tarp is becoming ripped and frail. Originally thought since I had a "template" I could buy the material (Sunbrella seems highly rated) and have a relative sew it up for me. Then noticed on ebay some units for under $200 but shipping costs are questionable. Phoned up a local merchant in Fenelon Falls which was very nice and accommodating but gave a ballpark est. at $500 -$700. The woman also remarked that the old tarp wouldn't be of great help and I'd need to bring boat in for measurements. My fixer upper pontoon boat is only 16' with the bimini probably 6-8' long and approx 7' wide. Of course getting it done by the pros would be ideal but the wallet is a little on the thin side just getting the boat in the water! Probably head downtown Hamilton Ottawa street where I bought my boat seat vinyl and see what is available but any suggestion are more than welcome.

Just finishing up console of boat and decided to recess a square area which will eventually have a plexiglass door with breathing holes etc... Anyways I'm looking for thin plastic corner molding to clean it all up. I've seen 1/2" plastic corners at home depot etc. and have seen the rubber stuff for bathtub/sink corners but not exactly what I had in mind. Any ideas would be appreciated. I've included 2 images - one of rocker panel and one of my idea... Basically cutting the top off a plastic waste basket exactly 9" X 12" would be perfect but the dollar store isn't taking custom requests!

Just thought this may help others (If a Pro sees problems let me know)

Craig Veltzen 99 Looks like a good solution. Also probably have to replace the wire with heavy gauge...

Made a rookie mistake today rushing to get 16' fixer upper pontoon ready. Decided to rewire lights etc. and add a rocker switch panel on the console for aux/fishfinder/USB 5V etc. The original owner had a set of fog lights that he never installed so I thought no prob, just add to panel, nice and clean. I'm totally embarrassed as in my hurry I forgot about the 55W bulbs. The rocker panel has fuses inline (5A I think) and of course it blew immediately. I slowly remembered a relay in the fog light package that I ignored! Any boating/foglight instructions online? I have no instructions with it and will be hitting google but thought I'd ask the pros here.

Thanks a ton! Its a simple dash with no instruments so I guess they block the ends to avoid shorts etc. I'll see if I can find a replacement block as the rubber is long gone.

Just finishing up the pontoon... Cleaning up all the wiring/switches and connections and I have this hanging off the control. Going to look for a manual but thought I'd post here by chance someone might know. Added image of control. Any help appreciated, thx guys.

Thanks guys for the quick replies. Awesome, bought a 6 switch panel with fuses to clean up the wiring. Just have to: rebuild console Rewire basics mount furniture Maybe a quick run on the Grand for a test with week...

I have a Portable Humminbird 160 that I want to permanently mount on my used 16' pontoon. I have no problem mounting it but wondering about the power supply. The fish finder battery I have lasts for days without needing recharging so hoping I can simply add to the accessory panel (separate switch and fuse). I have an older 30hp Yamaha that I assume recharges the battery when running so would the fishfinder be a huge drain and require another battery? I could just put the fishfinder battery in the console and use if needed... Almost there...

Isn't there a free launch right in Balsam where it meets Mitchell? You have to drive slow for 15 mins to get to Mitchel thru the channel though... I could be wrong, first time visiting Mitchell last year from Balsam.