Spiel

I got ask Garry, weather aside do you find the bass fishing in Ontario to be better in both quantity and quality? I'm curious to know how you compare it to Arizona.

All this union knowledge and so little room in this thread for it.

Thanks everyone, truly appreciated. It's been a long road to get to this point. I won't get into long boring details but this is the result of a workplace injury and for almost four years now I've been handicapped by neck/arm pain. It is also the reason you've seen no fishing posts by me as I've been for the most part unable to hold a fishing rod. The procedure I had was an Anterior Microforaminotomy (this involved some partial removal of the vertabrae at three levels with drill and chisel). The other option was a double fusion at C5-6 and C6-7. That may still be an option down the road if the afore mentioned procedure proves to be less than successful. Won't know till the healing is complete and the swelling goes away but I am currenlty experiencing a loss of feeling in my right hand. Hopefully that is the result of the post surgery swelling and trauma. Now I really should get back to bed rest. Drs. orders.

I remember it well Mike. It was one of the last (maybe the last) times I fished the Notty. Get well and hopefully we'll meet there again next fall.

Hi Tambo I do indeed know two people who have Lyme disease. They both had numerous misdiagnosis until they got into see a Dr. who specializes in Lyme disease. He had their blood samples sent to California for testing as apparently the screening process here is often less than adequate. The cost if I remember correctly was $600.00 and not covered by OHIP. But with the correct diagnosis they are now getting the treatment they need. I certainly hope you get to the root of your troubles quickly and get the treatment you need.

I'm not at all familiar with them but they sound decent enough. I'm guessing offshore production based on cost. Here's the link for anyone who's interested. www.tackleindustries.com

Is this a custom built rod or a factory rod?

Well I've yet to catch my first musky Simon but that specimen would still be impressive to me if it was my hundredth. Nice fish!

Wishing you all the best in your endeavour Cliff and Sue. It's sounds like an wondeful opportunity for both of you and for those who will be fortunate enough to spend time in your piece of paradise.

Doh, this reminds me I have a vest pocket full butts from a day on the river earlier in the week. Best get them out of the vest and into the trash.

Personally I've never fished there but the regs say all is kosher..... Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Pacific Salmon Extended Fall Season (4th Sat. in Apr. to Dec. 31) Rouge River - from Hwy. 2 in the City of Toronto upstream to the south side of Hwy. 407 in the Town of Markham

I'm totally stunned and saddened by this news. I've had the pleasure of being in Sonny's company on a number of occasions, most recently at the Skyway Salmon Challenge just a few short weeks back. My sincerest condolences to Bernadette and all of Sonny's family and many friends. Truly sad.

Yep, done.

Yep, those under water clips are cool.

Do you ever get anything less than trophies Ben? Stellar!

It smells!

For me there's no way to put a negative spin on ice fishing, I love it! From perch to kings and everything between, I love it! Thanks for putting some warmth into this damp, grey, rainy day Simon.

I'd bet even David Phillips wouldn't hazard a guess on that.

I'm thinking it's a stellar idea Cliff. The hospitality alone would be worth the price of admission. I say go for it.

Well I've had worms escape and roe go bad, but be single and having two fridges means simply, who cares.

Just got in from taking the dog for a walk and the big dewies were all over the sidewalks here in the southerly end of the province. If you need get out and get 'em. If I didn't already have 200 plus in the fridge I'd be out there!

Chicago Sanitary/Ship Canal to Close Dec 2 for Fish Barrier Maintenance Rotenone to be used to prevent Asian carp from moving into Lake Michigan Barrier area will be closed to all traffic for 4-5 days November 16, 2009 / www.great-lakes.org CHICAGO – A section of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) is planned to be closed to all traffic, weather permitting, beginning December 2 for a period of four to five days. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning to perform scheduled maintenance on Barrier IIA, one of two electric barriers in operation on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal constructed to prevent the movement of the destructive Asian carp into Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes. Performing scheduled maintenance is required in order to maintain reliability of the structures and minimize the risk of unplanned outages due to inadequate maintenance. During the maintenance shutdown, Barrier I will remain active. However, because of late summer detection of Asian carp near the barrier system and concern that Barrier I may not be effective in deterring juvenile fish, rotenone will be applied to the canal between the barrier and the Lockport Lock and Dam, a section approximately 5 miles long. The application will allow for the removal of Asian carp and other fish to keep them from advancing past the barrier toward Lake Michigan. Illinois EPA water quality experts will be monitoring downstream of the application zone to ensure that the waters of the state are protected, and the chemicals do not move beyond the designated application area. “The barrier is currently the only protection against Asian carp for the Great Lakes and the maintenance shutdown may present an opportunity for the destructive fish to advance up the canal toward Lake Michigan,” said DNR Assistant Director John Rogner. During this process, the U.S. Coast Guard will be enforcing a safety zone and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) will be closed to all commercial and recreational vessel traffic between CSSC Mile marker 291 and CSSC Mile Marker 298. The waterway is planned to be closed beginning December 2 and last for the duration of operations. The waterway will reopen as soon as operations permit. Asian carp have been detected using environmental DNA testing in the canal below the barrier, and there is consensus among federal, state, and local agencies along with other partners that actions must be taken to prevent these invasive species from reaching Lake Michigan while Barrier IIA is shut down. The Illinois DNR), in coordination with the multi-agency Asian Carp Rapid Response Workgroup along with the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, will manage the application of rotenone in the CSSC. While the toxicant will eradicate Asian carp and other fish in the canal, rotenone does not present a risk to people or other wildlife when used properly. The application of rotenone is planned for December 3, and crews from the IDNR and other agencies will remove fish from the canal and dispose of them in a landfill. The fish habitat in the section of the canal scheduled for treatment is made up of mostly non-sport fish with the most common species being common carp, goldfish, and gizzard shad. Before the application of rotenone, an electro-fishing operation will be conducted to relocate as many sport fish as possible. Rotenone dissipates quickly on its own, but to accelerate that process a neutralizing agent known as potassium permanganate will be used following the application. If Asian carp become established in the Great Lakes, they could cause a catastrophic decline in native fish species and severely damage the Great Lakes sport fishing industry, valued at $7 billion. The Asian Carp Rapid Response Workgroup includes many state and federal agencies including Illinois DNR, USACE, USEPA, USFWS, USCG, USDA, Chicago and regional agencies and commissions, and Wisconsin Sea Grant. All eight Great Lakes State Fisheries management agencies are providing support for the project. However the process will not be without interruptions and negative economic impacts. While most all of recreational boaters heading south will have already passed thru the barrier area, some 35 commercial carriers and their crews will be idled for four to five days. The Rapid Response Workgoup is requiring suspension of all boat traffic in a five mile area to prevent colliding with the many vessels involved in the Rotenone dispersal/monitoring process. That means commodity products to coal burning power plants and sand and gravel products to Material Service will be impacted during this time and over 300 folks will be out of work for that time period. Some 7,000 boats were idled this past August when the Coast Guard temporarily closed down the barrier while increased voltage testing took place. With Barrier IIB not scheduled for completion until the fall of 2010, the six month periodic maintenance requirement of our new electronic barriers means this shut down could occur again next summer. That is just one more reason to light a fire under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the construction process.

Shimano Xtreme Fishing Takes the Fight to the Fish High-energy Wii game featuring rod & reel, bowfishing, spearfishing in stores now November 16, 2009 / www.great-lakes.org SAN FRANCISCO, CA- Mastiff LLC, a leading publisher of video games, announced that Shimano Xtreme Fishing for Wii™ is now shipping to retailers throughout North America. Shimano Xtreme Fishing lets you take the fight to the fish either traditionally with rod and reel, or up close and personal with spear gun and SCUBA, or bow and arrow. Fast play makes Shimano Xtreme Fishing a wild ride from the start, and robust multiplayer options make it an ideal party game or way to spend time with your fishing buddies. Players will be well-equipped with cutting-edge fishing gear like Shimano Voltaeus fishing rods, Hoyt bows, AMS Bowfishing reels and accessories, and Muzzy arrow points. Armed with the very best in extreme fishing gear, players will navigate massive environments filled with more than 50 varieties of fish and dangerous predators like sharks, piranhas, and alligators. Shimano Xtreme Fishing guides players, by boat or SCUBA, through exotic environments ranging from the cold, dark waters of a North American reservoir to a roaring Amazon waterfall, eerie submerged Mayan ruins, the hidden lagoons of a southern island, and the shark-infested shipwrecks of a tropical sea. Whether it's a vigorous fish fight with traditional rod-and-reel tackle, aiming a bow and arrow at fast moving fish, or venturing into the dangerous depths with SCUBA gear and a spear gun, there's never a dull moment in Shimano Xtreme Fishing. Shimano Xtreme Fishing includes a series of challenging tournaments, each with beautiful scenery and unique weather conditions. As players progress through the levels, they will unlock new tackle, clothing and sporting accessories. With three careers, 12 tournaments and more than 65 stages, Shimano Xtreme Fishing gives players hours of non-stop fishing action. Players looking for a more open-ended fishing trip can roam the vast environments in search of new hot spots while mastering their gear of choice in Free Fish mode. Multiplayer mode allows up to four players to compete against another kind of predator--humans--on their way to fish-hunting glory. For more info: http://www.sxf-game.com.

As rush subsides, steelheaders revel in the wake of a record run November 15, 2009 Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review The Snake River’s record run of steelhead has been parading upstream and delivering pleasure and profit from the mouth of the Columbia upstream 800 miles to the Salmon, Idaho, area— and beyond. “We’re getting in about a hundred steelhead a week for smoking,” said Steve Egger of Egger’s Meats on Spokane’s South Hill. Even though it’s more than 100 miles from the steelheading action, Egger’s is just one of countless businesses profiting from some 316,000 steelhead that have dodged hooks, nets, sea lions and detours into other Columbia tributaries to migrate up the Snake and over Lower Granite Dam toward Idaho and Oregon. The previous record over Lower Granite was 269,281 fish in 2001. The October surge of steelhead lured thousands of anglers and created traffic jams on the shores and waters of the Snake upstream from Lewiston and into the Grande Ronde. “Catch rates were out of sight,” said Larry Barrett, Idaho Fish and Game Department spokesman in Lewiston. “Now the fishing is starting to settle down a little and the crowds have dispersed.” The hottest steelheading last week had moved upstream into: •The Grande Ronde near Troy, Ore., where anglers were averaging an exceptionally fast rate of three hours a fish. •Upper Salmon River near the town of Salmon. A large portion of the run beelined to this area in October. •Upper Snake River where migrating fish hit a dead end at Hells Canyon Dam, which has no fish ladders. “There are thousands of extra steelhead at the base of the dam,” Barrett said. “Fisherman are catching a bunch and we’re trapping a bunch for the tribes and to put out for fishermen in other rivers. We’ve trucked several hundred fish for release in the Boise River and Oregon has released some in the Powder River.” But that doesn’t mean the fishing isn’t good in the popular area of the Snake and Grande Ronde near Asotin. “I know this isn’t as crazy-fast as it was in October, when we hooked dozens of fish a day, but it’s still pretty darned good fishing,” said veteran Snake River fishing guide Pete Paolino. He was wrapping up a recent day with five clients who had boated a total of nine steelhead while backtrolling plugs behind his jet boat. “The fish have moved up and soon will be settling in somewhat (for winter),” said Glen Mendel, Washington Fish and Wildlife department fisheries biologist. Cooler water temperatures and shorter days tend to make the fish slow their migration. The number of fish moving over Lower Granite Dam last week had finally dropped below 1,000 a day. “The fishing is very slow in the Columbia below the Snake River, where anglers are averaging 132 hours a fish but the rates recently have been as good as 3.8 hours a fish upstream from Lewiston,” Mendel said. “That’s phenomenal.” Anglers often comment that they catch more wild steelhead – a small portion of the overall run – than this year’s abundant fin-clipped hatchery fish, which anglers can keep for eating. “The steelhead tend to move upstream into portions of the river in pulses,” Barrett said. “When you have heavy fishing pressure, or several boats of four to six guided anglers working down through hole after hole, they start to select out the hatchery fish and pretty soon you have a disproportionate number of wild fish until a new pulse of steelhead comes in. “Steelheaders live through feast and famine in the number of fish holding in a stretch of the Snake or Grande Ronde through the course of a week. “The best weather for steelhead fishing is a series of wet systems. You want enough rain upstream to bring the river up a little and turn it a bit off-color for a couple of days. Then you can expect to have really good fishing right after that until fishermen deplete the numbers in the local vicinity. “Ideally, you want more rain and another pulse of fish about every week.” Steelhead will become less active as the weather becomes cooler and they will not travel as far for a fly or a lure. With many anglers going hunting or losing interest, the remaining anglers have more elbow room to fish the rivers a little more thoroughly, rather than moving quickly from spot to spot.

Pure Fishing and Dyneema Sign Strategic Agreement Partnership to further drive innovation and advancements in premium fishing lines made with Dyneema November 9, 2009 / www.great-lakes.org URMOND (NL), SPIRIT LAKE (USA) – 5 November 2009 - Dyneema and Pure Fishing announced the signing of a new global strategic agreement that will strengthen and increase their joint commitment to the research and development, marketing and sales of high performance fishing lines made with Dyneema. The partnership will lead to developing premium fishing lines that meet and exceed the most demanding performance expectations in strength and abrasion resistance. Pure Fishing lines made with Dyneema provide exclusive solutions to experienced anglers. Pure Fishing lines made with Dyneema offer unsurpassed performance. Besides its unparallel strength, the lines are also extremely thin making them near invisible to fish while also increasing the reel’s line capacity. In addition, the lines provide low stretch, allowing fishermen to instantly ‘feel the fish bite’. “We work hard to ensure we can provide our customers with products they can trust. Our customers can expect from us best-in-class Superline products designed to incorporate abrasion resistance, outstanding line-sensitivity and most importantly unmatched strength provided by Dyneema,” said Clay Norris, Senior Product Manager, Pure Fishing. “This is why we believe DSM Dyneema is an ideal partner with a proven performance track record for us to team with. Put simply, the world’s best fishing lines deserve Dyneema, the world’s strongest fiber.” “Continuous product innovation and strategic collaboration with partners who are leaders in their field are two of the core pillars of our business model,” said Marcel Alberts, Global Sports Marketing Manager, DSM Dyneema. “We are really pleased in joining forces with Pure Fishing and are confident it will lead to even higher performing fishing lines that will continue to delight the more discerning angler who demands more from his equipment.” About DSM Dyneema DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema, the world’s strongest fiber. Dyneema is an ultra strong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than Aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema floats on water and is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. The applications are therefore more or less unlimited. Dyneema is an important component in ropes, cables and nets in the fishing, shipping and offshore industries. Dyneema is also used in safety gloves for the metalworking industry and in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods and the medical sector. In addition, Dyneema is also used in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel. Dyneema is produced in The Netherlands and in Greenville, North Carolina. DSM Dyneema is also a partner in a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) manufacturing joint venture in Japan. Further information on DSM Dyneema is available at www.dyneema.com and www.feelthefishbite.com.