Jacques

Look at it this way -- you have a cottage to close!!

Beautiful looking fish!

Very nice looking fish! What a day and congrats on two new PB's.

Cool post! I love how fishing becomes a whole different art after dark...

Thanks for all the encouragement and kind words guys! BTW, all three fish were released smoothly and we stay in touch regularly.

Last weekend I had my third kick at the can trying to land my first muskie. I headed up to my buddy Don's cottage in the Kawarthas. The weather was unsettled with a good wind -- just right for a muskie drift. We spent mornings and evening fishing for walleye -- managing about six between the four of us plus a lot of bass -- it seems smallmouth are establishing a bigger presence in the lake we were in. We drifted for Muskie using lures made by Don and his Dad -- Spinner/weight combos hooked with a large minnow. I have to say, I was totally prepared to *not* catch a muskie. So when my rod rapped twice and then doubled over, the old heart started thumping big time. I set hooks but was pretty nervous about losing the fish -- my worry compunded by the fact I was using a baitcaster that wasn't mine and was familiar enough with the drag while you're sititing around, but not so much in the heat of the moment. She fought pretty hard and had a good run near the boat. Man, I was shaking and reliving that fish for the next hour. I got bit by the muskie bug hard on this trip. As you can see from the pic, I don't have a flattering hold on the fish but she was just over 40"... Tim's muskie birdnested his reel but he managed to detangle and hold onto the fish... Now here's Don's secret tip to catching muskie... Pretend you're fishing for walleye and rig up some eight pound line with a 3/8 oz white jig and a small minnow. Don't bother using a leader -- you won't need one to land the fish. It was a great weekend and thanks to all you Muskie guys out there for posting your pics and giving us newbies something to aspire to! Jacques

I use Berkely powerbait maggots when fishing with my daughter -- pretty effective and saves me having to slaughter worms every thirty seconds.... I think the ones I use are just over a centimetre.

That's awesome, Cliff. Can't wait to see the reports this generates...

If you're going in peak time you might want to try the Rainbow bridge instead of the Queenston-Lewiston... slightly less wait times and it's busy down there these days... If you do have a passport, bring that... I think you get waved through a little faster...

That's a beautiful Bass! Congratulations!

Great profile pic and report 007. We shall really miss your posts when you push off from the colonies...

Thanks fishdawg and nelly!

Hmmm... Might have to go old school...

Nice video! Makes me glad I'm heading up with some buddies on the weekend...

Heading up to Lovesick this weekend for some walleye/muskie fishing. Still waiting for my first... I hear there's a bit of a minnow shortage going on up there? Anyone know who's got some these days?

Great fish! Make sure you never wash that shirt!

Way to go Cliff et famille. I see the Shakespeare Barbie rod works just as many wonders for your daughter as for mine...

I think the Bluegill was trying to rrroll up the rrim to win.

Cliff. Is. Awesome.

Great report! Bet that soup was good... never thought of Bluegill soup before. Mind you I bet anything tasted great after five case of beer and a couple of bottle of whisky!

If you want to cut down on your worm budget, haul out the little panther martins. You'll still hook into the chubs but hey that's part of the fun...

Great report! I love French River country. Thanks for sharing!

Sorry I can't give you any fishing advice on this -- I've not fished that area. However I will reiterate what Cliff said -- pack the bug spray or bring face nets. I hiked Algonquin that weekend a few years ago and they were pretty bad. I hit the bush in Sudbury today and they were out in full force -- thankfully there was a strong wind to keep them at bay. Have a great time -- I'm sure someone will pipe up with someone advice!

Man, that is a cool job you got there

Thanks a lot Irishfield... Looks like I was looking at the wrong map! All the best,