gordy28

Awesome report - thanks for posting Between your and Moosebunks reports my bucket list keeps getting longer, my retirement savings less and the liklihood that I will spend said retirement alone greater Cheers Gordy

Great fish - congrats

Looks like a great trip Nice bass Cheers Gordy

Awesome post as always Mike This is one I have been waiting for Thanks - as someone who is always searching for locations for the next trip - post like these are awesome Cheers Gordy

I really like the Gamakatsu Wide Gap finesse hooks I use #2 for 4 inch worms and #1 for 5 inch worms Pricier option ($11 - $12 for 25) but I find they provide the best hook up ration Have also used Octopus and Circle hooks successfully without any gut hooks

Thanks everyone - glad you enjoyed the report For sure - definitely made the trip more relaxing for us Thanks Mike - again your input was greatly appreciated. Definitely no guide next time - and we are already planning a 2014 trip - not sure about a route yet but as we are learning - the planning is half the fun

The Plan Last year during our trip to and American Plan Lodge our crew started discussing our next trip - and there was some dissension in the ranks - I think the convo went like this: I want to try a week long paddling trip in Quetico, Umm dude that seems like a stretch - we don’t paddle, haven’t camped in 20 years and we have found stuff to complain about here - where basically everything but a$$ wiping is done for us! So - we decided this summer to embark on a 3 day, two night trip to the Algonquin Interior - actually started researching and getting input on outfitters on this very forum - and one member really helped out (Thanks Mike) The plan was set - we were going to enter at the West gate, head down through Smoke Lake and into Ragged Lake to explore, remember how to camp, learn how to paddle and ideally do some smallmouth fishing We booked our trip in February but little did we know it would change at the last minute The in Between We stayed at one of our members cottages which is conveniently located 30 minutes from the West Gate I think we all had visions of taking it easy that night - we needed to be up early and would have 3 to 4 hours of paddling to get to our destination the next day - hangovers would not be a good idea. Well - we didn’t listen to ourselves - the beers, the Scotch, the stogies and the wood fired Sauna were too tempting - so with swollen heads we headed to meet the outfitter and get ready for the trip Well - we arrived on time, unfortunately our outfitter wasn’t ready - the people working the counter weren’t even aware that we were showing up or ready for us. Turns out that the owner of the outfitter was overbooked that weekend and had sub contracted our group to another outfitting company. The bad news - we were an hour early, we were hung and slightly annoyed that even though we booked 6 months earlier, had talked to the outfitter consistently over that time - plans had changed The good news - As a savvy businessman (sarcasm) the outfitter had a deal for us - the new outfitter was a guided service - even though we hadn't planned on taking a guide we were going with one and it would only increase our cost by $55 per person - we begrudgingly agreed Turned out to be a great call The Trip Well everything had changed – we now had two guides (one main guide - Alex, and one trainee - Andrew), one who was an avid fisherman and would be able to help us with spots and tackle tips and we were not doing Smoke to Ragged but Canoe to Joe to Tee Pee through the Little Oxtongue River, a quick turn through Little Doe to our ultimate destination Tom Thomson Lake (can you hear the Tragically Hip) Here are our guides - Alex and Andrew Here’s a shot of the crew on the beach at Canoe Lake – waiting to head in A quick canoeing tutorial and then a short paddle without gear around the buoy in Canoe and we were ready to load up our gear and head out. We would be 3 guys in 2 canoes (2 of us plus a guide) and the most experienced paddlers in our group would ride tandem The paddle in was tough – probably not for experienced paddlers but 12 KM for newbies into a headwind on Canoe, Joe and Teepee was hard slogging – the portage at Joe however (400 metres) was pretty easy. The lead boat on the way in actually spotted a bull, cow and calf Moose on the little Oxtongue (sadly my boat was chasing my snag and missed it) The guides were great though – they stopped when they knew we were flagging, pointed out some interesting attractions (Tom Thomson’s cabin, The Totem Pole, the camps along the route) Once we got to camp we quickly settled in – the tents, tarps and hammocks were already set up – we unpacked our gear and explored our site – it was beautiful, a windy point with a great swimming spot, places to cast a line off shore, a huge fire pit and a thunder box (this was a pleasant surprise for me – I figured we would be really going back to nature) The guides started getting ready for dinner while we cast a few lures, had a swim and did a firewood run The Fishing Tom Thomson has lake trout and smallmouth - Alex our guide thought we were better off targeting bass as the lakers were still deep – after a nice dinner of steak, green beans and spaghetti (weird combo but really good) we headed out for the evening fish Alex had a bay he wanted to hit at dusk but on the way he wanted to target a few of the shorelines where there were weeds and lots of laydowns The fish pics are of me only - only fish that made it into the boat were mine First fish We headed into the bay and the smallies were rolling everywhere – we had to missed fish and then I went to an old faithful - a floating rapala – cast it out, twitch it on the surface and then begin a slow retrieve – 3rd cast this guy smoked it on the surface That was it for the night – in for a camp fire, adult bevvys and cigars – great first night The next day we were up early - breakfast prepared for us and then we headed out into the canoes for a morning fish – we targeted a different area of the lake – still focusing on shorelines with lots of cover - the sun was high and I thought we were wasting our time but coming around a corner I got this guy on a wacky rig – a beautiful smallie pushing 4 lbs We hooked up with everyone for a shore lunch at an empty camp sight, collected some firewood for the evening and then fished our way back to camp, no more fish boated but my boat partner had two smallies jump off at the canoe - same pattern logs/laydowns but the key was they needed to be very close to deep water (tough to pattern in a canoe though – what I described would account for 70% of the shoreline and we would have had to keep checking every area as access to deep water was the key)– most of us were ready for a siesta We headed out again that evening – tried a few spots to end up in the same bay that I had success in - our boat was skunked with another lost fish and one of the other canoes lost a monster on a topwater right at the boat We didn’t have nets for the canoes – and it requires some patience, trust and skill to land a big smallie in a canoe without a net – the key was to take your time and at the boat let the fish make as many little runs as he wanted to let it exhaust itself Total fish count (for 6 fisherman) - 10 smallies boated, lots of other lost, a few perch for about 6 or 7 hours of fishing time Back to camp for a fire, more adult bevvys and stogies – the trip was winding down and tomorrow we would be up, east breakfast, pack up and head out The next day the guides gave us the option of fishing our way out and taking it easy – but with a 3+ hour paddle and a drive of a similar distance we just wanted to get on our way. We did stop at the Lookout off of Joe Lake to have lunch and take a breather – it was awesome Here is the crew on top of the lookout Thoughts The guides were awesome – both because they were nice, easy going dudes but once they realized that we were interested taking this up, doing it again they were constantly pointing things out to us, making recommendations about spots, gear and food. And they were accommodating to our endless questions (re why hang the barrel there, why do you use that stove, those pots, make meals like that, why a gravity bag filter instead of a pump) – im sure they felt like I do when my 4 year old gets on a tear I’m not going to lie – I was definitely a tad worried about bears or other large creatures attacking us at night – no such thing and after doing the trip you realize that the prep and maintenance of your sight and common sense go a long way This is something we will do again – ease our way into it, not buy all the gear but get some, try it again without a guide I think we would all like to get a little more remote – Tom Thomson was a beautiful lake and the campsite rocked and while we couldn’t see anyone from our spot – we could definitely hear them (never mind the group of teenage girls who paddled by our site during the afternoon singing a Smashmouth song at the top of their lungs – awaking me from my nap in the hammock) I am fine with fishing at dusk or early in the AM for an hour – I’m a pretty big guy at 6”3 and after an hour or so in the canoe casting and paddling my legs and back were done. I want to catch a trout – next trip may involve brookies or lakers in the spring or fall when they are shallow Good gear is worth it – we were in 2 Scott Swift Kevlar canoes and a Souris River Kevlar canoe – I paddled both and found the Souris to be much more stable (guide mentioned it was the style of the gunnels) For a trip that started dicey it ended up being an absolute blast and highly educational. This type of trip won’t replace an annual (or bi-annual) fishing trip for me where it’s all about the fishing but I can definitely see most of our group if not all trying to do one of these weekend trips every year A few more random shots Cheers Gordy

Actually not my fish On a Kawartha Lake - fishing all day for musky, not a thing - then my Dad hooks up with a 30 incher, we move into our hotspot - bam my brother says hit - and sure enough the biggest musky head I have ever seen comes out of the water and shakes - all of a sudden line is slack Brother reels in - the leader he was using had sheared right at the snap. $500 musky combo, $25 bait and he was using a cheap a#@ leader! He will never make that mistake At the time I was playing with my rod - decided to get in on the action and sure enough on my second cast I hooked up with what is still a PB for me at 42 inches - and my the size of the head on my bros fish absolutely dwarfed this one What a day - nothing for 6 hours and then all of that action - within 25 minutes on a spot the size of a fottball field

Very cool - good for you and probably an awesome experience Something I always wanted to try - either enter into a local tourney w my brother in our boat or go as a co angler Very cool

Hey there We had the same issue happen to our Powerdrive V 2 - unfortunately we did shear everything except the cables When we took it to get fixed at Rocky's he mentioned that it happens all the time with these units His recommendation - every time you put the motor back on its mount take the height adjustment collar and slide it all the way down the shaft so its snug against the mounting bracket - this way even if it pops off the bracket it has nowehere to go Bit of a pain as it means readjusting your height etc every time you move from spot to spot - but after 2 seasons of doing this we have never had an issue with the motor becoming unhinged while we are flying across the lake - even on some really rough days Cheers Gordy

Awesome post - looks like a great trip and great bonding time Reminds me of being a kid and being out with my Dad and Grandfather - I love fishing off the dock or under the bridge... The detail that you (and lots of others on the site) go into is great - and really helps for others looking to do a trip. Plus its a great way to enjoy a late afternoon coffee Cheers Gordty

Hey guys Thanks for the feedback! I left out a few pieces of the sheet as I didn't think it would be useful for the purpose of sharing in case others wanted to use the format. It also included a rating scale for each "type" of trip. Once we had our top two types based on the groups votes we went into much greater depth for each area. The sheet was really to say here's 4 types of trips we have chatted about and here is a ballpark of the ins and outs which is why it's really high level and some pieces are a tad off. Mike our pms have been post the tool being shared. We are now researching specific opps within the type if trips and budget range the sheet narrowed down. Alas Quetico, Armstrong and Kesagami are out. Too far for the first two and Kesagami lodge is to $$$$(and we weren't keen on the partridge outpost option. In terms of feedback the sheet has served its purpose for us but thought it may help others start or they could use the format /concept Cheers Gordy

Hey there, As head researcher (a non paid role ) I was searching for a way to present the wealth of options available to our group I built an excel spreadsheet (what can i say I use it a lot for work and love excel) The goal was to highlight options, give guys a choices out there and highlight some of the criteria (cost, comfort, fishing, remoteness, links, even OFC and other forum ) to help form a decision - its been helpful for me and the group I think. Had trouble posting excel but here is a PDF Note - ratings, info etc are just my thoughts/opinions - yours may differ and thats cool. Cheers Gordy 2014 trip evalofnv.pdf

Thanks for the reply FL - have definitely look at Wenebegon and will check our Air Foloyet For the why AP lodge - primarily comfort/focus on fishing. Our first trip at Lady E was housekeeping through Ellen Island - well we left Toronto in shorts but on our first day on the water it snowed! We just found that trying to cook a breakfast, brew your own coffee, clean up, pack a lunch, come back for dinner etc etc got in the way of fishing (especially when we were bone tired and worn out from fishing in freezing cold conditions and rain) Next year we did Island 10 - and the enjoyment and relaxation factor went way up so AP has been the groups preference I think we could get by with a basic breakfast and sandwiches/shore lunch - but have dinner taken care of - so modified American Plan at Kag Lake or Loch Island sounds like a good option. Think we are also re thinking a fly in outpost - albeit I think we are tied to a deluxe one (electricity, indoor toiliet, ideally a little bit of room) - checking Hearst Air and some other lodges now based on recent posts Cheers Gordy

Thanks Mike. Got ur pm and a reply sent. Fishlogic. - thanks we have actually been to Lady E twice - once to Ellen Island and once to Island 10. We actually chatted about going back when we got together last night week but the consensus was to keep trying new places. Debate is around a fly in American plan lodge or a drive to outpost (but remote like embarrass. We have never flown nor have we been toast really remote outpost or something rustic. Cheers Gordy

Hey there Trying to mail down our 2014 trip - ideally by the beginning of September Definitely looking at a few fly in american plan lodges (Granite Hill Lodge, KayVee Lodge, Loch island Lodge and Brace Lake Outfitters) - but also looking at an outpost for beginners like the Embarass Lake drive to outpost at Kanipahow Resorts I have seen quite a few people reference the lake as an option - generally favourably - but I have never come across an actual report Any info appreciated Gordy

Thanks - a thoughtful and thorough reply that is greatly appreciated Cheers Gordy

Thanks for posting! This is a report I have been waiting for (and if memory serves me correctly Mike B is heading to this lodge as well) as we are trying to nail down our 2014 destination before the end of the summer Interested in knowing how you would rate Buck Lake vs. Nagagami Right now we are looking at 3 American Plan Lodges - PK Resort/Granite Hill Lodge, Waltons Kayvee Lodge on Nagagami and Loch Island/Lochalsh Lodge on Wabatongushi lakes - from what I can see services/cabins etc are all pretty even - so fishing would be the determining factor for us (thinking it will be and end of August trip) If you are more comfortable sending me a PM - no worries Cheers Gordy

So - its been a while - havent fished a lot and havent had much to post A few years ago we started a new family tradition - around fathers day my brother and I head up North with my Dad for a few days of hanging out, fishing, swapping stories and just hanging out Dads bday is always right around Fathers Day - so its nice My Dad and my Paternal Grandfather are the ones that got us into fishing - and its a great way to hang out With bass opening early this year we were able to multi specis fish a bit - spent the first day casting and trolling for muskie (and wouldnt have turned down a pike) no suck luch - that evening no walleye visited the boat - just a lot of perch Headed out the next day for bass opener - and got quite a few smallies around this size: Hot bait was a Stike King Square Bill - in green Tomato - I was the only one with this colour and it was all they seemed to want Even hooked into this bonus largie My Dad really just wants to hang with us (in his boat lol) and he mainly trolls - threw out a crankbait and caught a bonus walleye right in the slot A while back I posted about our trolling motor - turned out we had a blown fuse - switched it up and its now running like a charm (thanks to all those who had provided input) Few weeks later I was up visiting again - this ytime for a day/night with my little one = it was kids stuff all day but at night grandma offered to get bedtime started while my brother and I headed out for a cigar and a drift within 5 minutes while I was fiddling with lure selection my brother caught this Another nice walleye in the slot - we were only out for a hour and no other walleyes hit the boat- but we put a whooping on the perch - actually got quite a few with some size Anyway - just my little update - fishing downtime until we head into Algonquin for 2 nights on Ragged Lake - ideally catching smallies - will post a report when back Cheers Gordy Edit - couldnt post pics from photobucket - tying attachments so order may not follow the above story - lol

Check out Brennan Harbour Not sure they have many weekends available in peak season but they do in the fall Good pike fishing along w walleye, Muskie and big smallmouth It's on the north channel of lake Huron about 6!hours from Mississauga Cheers Gordy

Quick update Battery is fine - no issues with charge or leave ad Taking boat/trolling motor to Orillia this weekend to a minn kota dealer for to see what's going on Thanks, again Gordy

Paul no worries As mentioned my first post here was about Brennan Harbour - and the help of many members here made it a much better trip for us Cheers Gordy

I think you will be fine in July A few thoughts: It can get rough quick. But there is a big bay to your right as you come out of the Bay the harbour is in- we caught pike, walleye and bass in there and it's not a bad run if it's rough Most if not all of the spots marked for fish from the lodge produced for us. We had other spots but those were a good place to start Good luck but I think you will enjoy it Gotdy

If you use the search function you will find some reports from Brennan Harbour -including our groups from last september For us bottom bouncers (at least 2ounces) with harnesses were the ticket for walleye Would definitely recommend paying for the guide at least for 1 day and 1 boat. He's a good guy and a good guide and will show you the best spots and techniques for that time of year/that week as he guides all year long for the lodge and on his own Cheers Gordy

Our system is not a 24 volt Wsb. Your explanation is what I'm afraid of but makes sense I feel like its not the battery. Anyway thanks again for the replies Will make sure to update when solved