troutologist

During a smelt run, I have caught lake trout on top raiders trolled into the current at the mouth of a river....

I don't get many leaf games on TV here, so it was a nice treat. Happy 100 suckers, Your Friend, Joey McDonald

Great story and photos as always Mike, its torture to read for me but always appreciated.

Ya or some of the panther martins. There was another one that fish well deep I think its called the double loon??

I suspect you can still catch fish on gear in colder water. I certainly know they hit lures out in the lake in very early spring... Prehaps downsizing and fishing slower would be the trick. By changing the blades on a spinner from colorado to willow leaf you should be able to keep your bait down and fish slower. That said, I haven't head any luck to speak of on hardware later in the year.

Ya that would be fun...I actually got a tip this morning on some closer to home muskies... Ya Im trying to get my schedule worked out to take Wed off....when a fish tries to eat 10lb pike you've got to go... Mike had to stop hair farming. It was just getting bad....it was warmer in the tiller though...

I'll third the G3...unbelievably lightweight and tough. Cabelas had these on sale a while ago... I also really like my older Cabelas Guide Wear jacket. Its been bombproof.

The new Simms Aqua Stealth boots are really good. I've got them with and without studs. In the St. Marys Rapids, you really need good traction....lots of flat algae covered rocks with very high flow. With the rubber soles and studs Im glued to the bottom. There is one wade that requires a tricky maneuver I like to call a rock bounce. One rock in a deep channel....you take a long stride to hit it and a long stride to the next shallows...these boots rule.

Snow started as we hooked the boat up and headed east towards the Ontario border. As we neared our destination for the night it picked up in intensity. We arrived tossed some steaks on the grill and enjoyed a couple beverages. Winter road conditions prevailed as we pressed on towards the icy, snowcovered boat launch. No other vessels ventured forth and we enjoyed a great (calm) late fall day on the water. Went 2 for 3 on muskies and caught a few fat pike. Water temps have started to drop quickly and we found successful trolling speeds to similarly drop. Our first action came 10minutes into the day, as one rod was stopped dead and huge slow motion headshakes followed....sadly this fish came unpinned. It was big. We've hooked a big fish in this same spot 3 weeks in a row without being able to land it. A few pike later we trolled past the same area hoping for another shot...but to no avail. Convinced I would raise a giant, I pulled the 13" Jakes all day. Reeling in to change spots I saw a shadow slowly following behind my bait. About 10 big slow circles boatside and she ate....good thing because pulling that big bait around was tiring. Trolled for about 6 hours then in various areas with no major action. Right at the end of the day a buddy hits this fish wihch is getting up into respectable size class. Great day for sure....sadly I think the boat is going away this week. (But Ii've said this for the past 3 weeks...)

ahh he had the waa burger with cries for dinner eh

I'll be out this winter and next year, we'll get together for a fish. Agreed, can't wait for ice. Thanks for the words folks....fish was not down 42 feet down around 25....the lure of the fall has been that crazy crippler. It did for 2 more muskie today...stay tuned for the pics we ran into a couple nice fatties today.

RIGHT ON!! I likes it alot. Keep up the good work. Old shaky boots will get the camera down yet. Didn't realized you guys did that well. Talked to winger last night, but we were into it out at camp and the details are fuzzy! That seam is generous this fall!

Keep at it...you've got the right attitude. I would however, suggest you try to fish fewer holes with more precision. Try a couple different baits and cover each like a grid from your feet out.

The last few weeks I have been out piecing together a late fall trolling pattern for giant esox. We've had a few great days and have been beat by the fish other days. Trying to get a giant muskie on film has been difficult, with the big ones being caught when the camera is not in the boat.... Lots of big pike though, these fish are gorging on bait. Sometimes you've got to have faith in the deep water.... Not many pics on my camera but a sampler from 42fow....slammed a crazy crippler in firetiger. Pic doesn't come close to doing it justice. It was FAT!

I agree comletely. Thats the reason I bought the sled, to expand my opportunities as well as make going to camp in the winter easier. Never had a power auger, though with that much ice you'd be crazy not to have one. Late season we drill 3 feet or so, most of our deepest ice is really punky and not solid, due to the big dumps of snow, so its not that bad. Plus I have a 6" auger which chews pretty quick. Dave, let me know if you want some GPS points of some spots in the east arm. Ive got a bunch of reefs marked and also quite a few ice out bays, there are definitely preferred ones that the trout are in at ice out, so I assume they'd be nearby during the later winter. ....to icefish the east arm of slave i'd walk!! Then probably wait for the sea lift to come out for a ride back in August!

No I fully suggest you keep your awesome sled. I'll keep on breaking trail into my lakes and getting stuck, mired in slush, not being able to spin the track and spend my day pulling it out. But amazingly managing to get there and back and catch fish, good thing theres no mountains around the Soo or I'd be snookered for sure though. Snowshoes being too much work for folks is why I use em....wolf tracks and otter slides are all you should see on the lake.

Enjoy those big sleds lads...when im not on the GV snowshoes its the tundra. No trail...no problem....get stuck lift the back end with one hand.....no snowbank or ramp to get it into the back of the truck....lift it. I don't have to go 100mph to fish i just go where the big sleds can't. Snowshoes are still the best method, anders can attest it keeps the riff raff (besides me) away. Also the only time the shoes have trouble starting is after a night on the town.

Dude....unreal!! Great photos.

They actually mis-spelled my name and address. Please repackage and send it to me!

Theres a reason people don't market stoves made out of paint can material. If you look here no one is raining on your McGyver parade, it seems the suggestion that it may not be safe is a common theme. I snowshoe many km to fish without a shack, anyone can park their car and pull a shack out. Use an old 10lb propane tank with a door cut in. Cut a hole in the top for 3" ACTUAL nested stovepipe. Make an adjustable hole for a damper. Then cut wood to fit.

On the Grand there was a part of the fall generally early to mid nov where they moved right up on shore using current breaks created by shoreline rubble. Mid Nov til closer, they seemed to be on the move and could be found in deeper areas....there were a few holes I fished that got to 6 or 8 feet. Seemed like on overcast days they would move to the head or tail of a large pool. Did my best with 3" natural coloured grubs this time of year. White occassionaly took a fish. I suspect for survial that bass will travel a fair distance to find a suitable area to winter within rivers. I found large concentrations in these holes that were a few km from my spots in Oct...who knows if they are the same fish. Any bridges? Ususally some deeper, slower water around bridge piliings.

Pretty nice Luc. Seems like your buddy should be paying attention to what is successful. That 10mins of prep the night before make is difficult eh? I like the vid and pics, keep it up. Also can't believe how high it is....like a foot or more from last fall. Might have to head down there at christmas, could be interesting to get out though.

Good job. Pretty sweet deal that they live in your neighbourhood.

Another epic report Mike. Good on you guys for persisting in the foul weather.

Whats this noise about when does your fishing season start or end. There's an end? Or a start for that matter...you never stop, just adapt.