gordy28

Loving the old reports Chris I'm researching our 2014 trip so it's really helpful and helps stave off the winter blues Have you ever been to any air Cochrane or white River air camps Cheers Gordy

Fair enough - although I have numerous friends and family who work for Walmart - so I dont mind supporting them along with local tackle shops In terms of value on a fly - agreed - this would be a backup rod to my other combos that are all 1 piece set ups Figured it was a silly idea - feedback seems to support it G

I'm in the market for a good travel rod- not a 4 or 5 piecer but 2 piece a 6' to 6.6' ml to m combo I can keep in the car, take on an algonquin trip and also use for (still a dream) fly in trips in the future I know there are lots of solid high end options but the other day while shopping at walmart w my 3 year old I stopped in the fishing section (she love the cartoon rods and all the brightly coloured lures-and I am happy to encourage anything fishibg) and I noticed the Abu Garcia Ike Dude combo. Its a 6 foot medium set up, 2 pieces that feels like its more like a medium light action-feels like its got half decent components a good balace and at 40 for the combo I'm thinking this may be the set up Am I just getting sucked in by the whiteness of the rod and my cheap Scottish heart or would this fit the bill (thinking this rod gets used 4-5 times a year max) Cheers Gordy

Never had it happen with a pike but I've had it happen quite a few times on a small lake in Haliburton w muskie. In fact the biggest muskie I've ever seen on Balsam Lake practically swallowed a 3 lb smallie I had on - he t boned it and all you could see hanging out of his mouth was a little bit of tail and my orange jig. Needless to say every muskie hunting trip we now spend at least 30 minutes on this weedbed. Never caught el Gigante but we have got numerous muskie off this piece of cover

Great pics-thanks for sharing

Great report as always-awesome looking fish from what from all reports is an incrdible musky fishery

Check Minden and Haliburton There are operators on Boshkung, Mountain and Kashawigamog who offer hut and accomodation packages. I believe there is on Koshlong as well. I used one of the huts on Boshkung before for an afternoon - they were old, but heated and serviceable. Was a few years back but in 4 hours we caught a small laker and missed 2 "fish" either whities or lakers. We went with Buttermilk Falls (we actually were just going to fish-but lack of parking and time we got a good deal to go out for 4 hours via snowmobile) Cheers Gordy

Okay cool - will check it out Thanks

Thanks although I must admit-I have equally no clue on how to fish for specks. Winter or any season for that matter So what would be likely structures? Noticeable points? Steep breaks etc? I'm barely a bass and walleye guy lol trout are foreign to me

Just a quick update- read one of the Loon Lakes and really enjoyed it- Dead Frenzy Also read Through the Black Spruce and also enjoyed it Right now I am about halfway through John Gierachs No Shortage of Good Days and I'm loving it-and I'm not even much of a fly fisherman!

So... Some early planning for a winter outing-a first for me-walking into a lake in the Bancroft area to try for splake and perhaps rainbows. I have scouted a few lakes using the 2008-2011 stocking lists and chatting with a bug who summer fisheds in the area Looking for tips and tricks on best spots/structure and tactics Plan is to go in late Jan/early Feb So far I get the sense that both speices will cruise relatively shallow flats during low light conditions and that dead sticking minnows is a good splake tactic and slow jigging w a small hair jig can be effective for bows Any other generally startegies I should think about employing? We will be hoofing it-so run and gun will be more like shuffle and spit Anyway-all tips appreciated as always Gordy

Sorry for your loss-my condolences to you and your family

I have an Okuma EVX 7 ft 6 and an Abu Garcia 7000i-about $250 for the combo Only thing I would change is I'd get a longer rod

Orlando area has good largemouth fishing through the Kississmee (sp?) Chain of lakes. Google Orlando bass guides and you'll get a sense of the opportunities. I've never fished in Orlando but have stayed-lots of hotel and rental options And if anyone is so inclined great affordable golf Cheers Gordy

In terms of looking for an assortment - ive ordered off of luremaking the first time - but was more oooking for something like what kickingfrog mentioned from Cabelas (105 pieces assortment of blades - sizes, shapes etc) - but without paying shipping and duty from Cabelas - makes it more expensive for me to tie my own than to just buy. Luremaking doesnt seem to have some of the more advanced/off the wall colour patterns I'd like to try. Would love to have a little kit with me on our walleye trips - berads, diffent blades and pre rigged snells to be able to match the hatch if needed. On our trip this summer one of the things the guide told us(and it was very true) was that there were certain colour patterns that were always productive but it would change day to day even hour to hour - so he had 5 basic patterns (firetiger, gold/orange, purple/silver, gold, pink/white and charteuse) - and when he stopped getting bit, he'd change and then get us to change I have been using the red hooks on my top placement (based on some reading) but agree that its probably a waste - next order will be all black or chrome The video posted before (with the gentlemen using 2 vices) was a great resource to me - the know is simple but effective Anyway - liking my little hobby - thanks to all for tips etc

Thanks for all the tips For mounting my own harnesses I have always just used the Lindy riggers - but the pool noodle sounds like a good idea as well. I used 12 lb seaguar this time-thought the 15 lb would be too stiff - time will tell (or a lost walleye I guess ) One question-does anyone know a good online site where you can get a good mixed pack of blades? Would like to have back ups in my terminal tackle box along with quick change clevices to match the hatch when applicable Cheers Gordy

Awesome-keep em coming just ordered 3 of the above from my local library Would also be interested in your top 3 Rutstrum Mike

Thanks guys-have now added new books to my winter reading list Mike had added Rustrom becaise coincedently he is mentioned a lot in A Life in the Bush Two other plugs: The Last Guide (can't remember the author) and A walk in the woods by Bill Bryson Cheers Gordy

Just wanted to share Recently been trying to split my reading between by going fiction - no fiction Was looking for Algonquin Park info at my local library and hit this: A Life in the Bush: Lessons from my father http://www.amazon.ca/Life-Bush-Roy-Macgregor/dp/0140275517 Based on the posts, type of board this is - I am assuming that the demographics of this board are right in the target of this book Especially a great read if someone in your life introduced you to you love of the outdoors and/or if Algonquin is a place you visit love (lots of park history in it) Cheers Gordy

Update: Got my first shipment from Luremaking last week Very impressed with the nice woman who dealt with me over the phone, polite, didn't rush me, made sure she repeated every item so I knew exactly want I want. Then delivery - wow ordered at 1:00PM on Tuesday and the package was waiting when I got home from work on Wednesday night. So far so good - thanks to tips in this thread and a few websites I have tied about 8 so far Planning on giving a few (with a Lindy Rigger and a few bottom bouncers) to friends and family as sticking stuffer (5 harnesses) and keeping the remaining ones for myself Few things I've learned - pay attention to trailing hook position - had a few already to go before i realized that the snell had twisted and the bottom and top hooks weren't facing each other and 2 - man its hard to wind them up and put them in baggies - if anyone has good tips on this - let me know! its funny because on thing I have always hated about the pre-packaged kits is that i felt like you needed an engineering degree to unravel them - now I know why Sinclair/Manitou - took your advice and went w quality components and also got half regular clevises and half quick change Here's a shot - sorry they are in the packs but once i got them there, realized I needed a pic - i was not taking them out!

Another awesome report Mike Glad you guys had a good trip and figured the big boys out We found a similar pattern on our trip. Bigger fish always seemed to be on the sharpest breaks where sand turned to gravel/chunk rock You have sold me on a fly in for 2014 and I think I have 2 of the remaining guys convinced Going to do Parks (not sure what lake but I like the sound of running water and lights)or White River air-Shekak or pickel Cheers Gordy

Thanks for all the tips guys-greatly appreciated Will make my first order this week Ideally pics to come soon Gordy

Hey there Plan on tieing my own harnesses this year I have been looking on luremaking.com and from what I can tell they seem to have the best prices. A few questions for those who also tie their own: Do you rig your own snells or by the pre rigged ones (I'd like to tie my own-just wondering how difficult it is to snell) What type of line and what lb test do you use(from what I have read 14 lb fluor seems to be a popular choice) Plan on tieing some purpledescents, some gold/orange, firetiger and some silver/chareteuse - generally my best combos on pre rigged-any other favourites? Plan on using # 3 and #4 colorado and the same in Indiana-missing anything? Any other stores you would recommend that I shop at? Anyway tips etc most welcome-will post pics of finished materia Doing this to combat the winter blahs but based on my calcs I can make them for about $.9 to $1.50-good savings vs $1.5-$3.5 on pre rigged. Will also give some as stocking stuffers to my Dad and Bro Cheers Gordy

I'll be the first one I guess We have 2 Blackberry playbooks and love them. Small and lightweight-never had any issues.

Fishing trip made it above average for me But like Chris I always get slightly melancholy at this time of year thinking it will be a long winter wishing I fished more