Spiel

....Small spoons have worked well for me on winter specks, especially the Williams midget. Yes I'd say move shallower, I've taken specks in as little as 18"s of water and wood is a good location anytime. Incoming springs or creeks are another definite zone to be in, just use extreme caution.

....Is there a room for me?

....Broken rods, oh it hurts to even think about it! Broke only one and that was the tip of my 13' Loomis float rod some 25 years ago, replaced no questions asked. I might add it was my fault and I told them so, yet they still replaced it.

....Well I didn't really get out much this year but some of the highlights that made the year for me were fishing with IceguyD (as well as his wife and his buddy Bob) and Aaron Shirley. It was IceguyD (Don) who extended an invitation to Aaron and I to join him for a day on Simcoe ice. Suffice to say it was a great day. Aaron wasted no time in tagging the first whitey of the day. Don's buddy Bob also did well. While I never did get a whitey I did manage a couple of nice lakers. and Don who missed a few opportunities finally gets one..... It was a great day! Of course there were other great outings like the winter trip I took to Lakair with TEP to fish with TJ and Kevin as well as the G2G in June. I'm sure most have seen or read about those adventures. But it was a trip in September I took with TEP to the Thunder Bay region that highlights my year. No trophies for me but some PB's were definitely caught. I'd been trying for a few years to accept an invitation from Dan and Sis to get my tail up there and thanks to some arm twisting from TEP, it finally happened. The inability of me to set a new personal best can't take anything away from the thrill of trip. Watching TEP catch his first brookie on the first evening was awesome. Congrats Jef! And again being there with Dan to net and photograph this beauty when he caught it are the thing dreams are made of for me. You know I'll be back Dan and Sis, it's all your fault. On this trip I aslo had the chance to fish Musky for my first tiem and while it didn't produce my first Musky, Jef was an absolute stellar and patient guide, but man is he addicted. we'll get 'em next year Buddy! And thanks to all who have posted, I've enjoyed reading the posts and viewing the pictures. Boy there are some amazing pictures!

....Wow, cogratulations Joey. Man am I ever glad we made that deal.

.....Born in Hamilton and raised in Burlington. Now residing in Hamilton and wishing I was from Sturgeon Falls.

....Well isn't that just festive and I'll bet he didn't even need a ladder. Glad things are looking up for you both. I certantly hope we'll be able to get together in the new year on some Simcoe ice. In the mean time Chuck, SETTLE DOWN AND RELAX

....I think this one has come to it's conclusion.

....Yep, saw a picture of it earlier this morning....

....Just added a few more including one on Simcoe. Thanks Cliff.

....That's insane. I don't think it wise to be venturing back down there till these wind subside, be safe.

....I was in Dover with my Sweetie on Thanksgiving Monday and was floored to see palm trees. With the weather as nice as it was it felt like we'd escaped to the tropics for the afternoon....lol. I heard through a friend that these trees will be removed and stored in a greenhouse for the winter, not sure how true that is but it makes sense if they want them to survive. Anyhow here's a pic of my Sweetie, palm trees in background having lunch at Callahans (sp ?). Mmmmm can you say perch lunch and cold beer.

....Yep, pretty cool. Love the way the fly jumps right out at you.

....I have had many "water under the bridge" experiences but never a water over the transom experience. I'll take the story bout your knuckle head friends though and file it under "don't do dat stupid", saves me from learning it myself.

....Boy, you just had to rub that in my face after cancelling todays adventure.....Thanks!

....I also ballked at the etec when I discovered the price of their oil is about $50 per gallon (and I've been an Evinrude/Johnson man all my life). Which for my boat added roughly $15-$20 more for every tank of fuel. I was also told that not using their oil would invalidate the warranty. And yes my 4 stroke oil is self contained, it's not in the lake. As for hole shots, well my 17', 91.5" beam gets on plane in about 2-3 seconds. Seems pretty good to me.

....I don't see one either but here is the link. OFC Store

....Here's the link.... http://www.ofntournament.com/tourney.htm Not sure how up to date it is, I know team 8 is missing it's NGL Trout entry?

....The Niagara today, I think not! Earlier this week Crappiesteve and I had planned to hit the Niagara Bar today for the Lake Trout opener but as the week went on and the weather forecast deteriated I told him "lets wait and see how the morning weather is". Well you can see how it turned out, with the north easters blowing and the rain falling heavily we opted to cancel. Now as I sit here typing there is some intense thunder activity out there, dang this crazy weather! Oh well, maybe later in the week.

....I have a 07 Merc efi 75-4 stroke. So far it's been a great motor, no messing around with 2 stroke oil. I looked at the Optimax but with some input from the dealer settled for the 4 stroke, granted it is heavier but it has plenty of get up and go. I don't think I'll be disappointed with my decision. P.S....Welcome to the board, I moved your post into "General Discussion" where it'll get more attention.

....A poll on a fishing message board will not determine which team is better. It will only mirror the posts and opinions of those posts that you've already been reading.

....Sorry Outdoorguy61. I thought I'd deleted all references to the Kingston meeting as it happened yesterday (Nov. 28th), my bad.

....Plenty of new reading in the OFC News.... Police looking for missing 18-foot boat Forums to probe Great Lakes issues MNR backs way group operates fish ladder; Critics maintain fish not getting through Save our Lakes-Shut down St. Lawrence Seaway and more.... OFC News

Public Forums on the Future of the Great Lakes – November 30, December 5, 7 In Kingston, Windsor, Hamilton and Thunder Bay, Ontario Pollution Probe and the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario are hosting a series of evening public forums to discuss the future of the Great Lakes. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Gord Miller will provide brief comments on Great Lakes issues, and Pollution Probe's Water Program Director, Rick Findlay will discuss what a new vision for the Great Lakes could look like. These presentations will be followed by an opportunity for members of the public in attendance to ask questions and input their comments and ideas on the future of the Great Lakes. These events are taking place in four centres across Ontario: WINDSOR, Nov 30, 6:00-8:00 PM, 400 City Hall Square East bldg, Windsor HAMILTON, Dec 5, 6:00-8:00 PM, Council Chambers, Hamilton City Hall, 71 Main St West, Hamilton THUNDER BAY, Dec 7, 6:00-8:00 PM, Council Chambers, City Hall, 500 Donald St East, Thunder Bay For more info contact: Rick Findlay, Director, Water Program, Pollution Probe, 613-237-3485, [email protected] or Dennis Draper, Office of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, 416-325-0530, [email protected] The Pollution Probe's Vision Statement can be found at: www.pollutionprobe.org/Reports/greatlakesvision.pdf.

....Great pictures Ron, I'm sure you can appreciate this one. While I did snap the picture it was admitedly taken with Dan's camera.