troutologist

Thats my kind of trip. ATTA GIVE'R

Unbelievable pics and report Mike, what a trip. I have had AK on the backburner for a few years and this renewed my commitment to go. Your observation and ability to put that to word is a pleasure to read. Keep up the good work.

was there for a wedding about 3yrs ago. Great owners and clean spot. Bass fishing wasnt great right around the area but we did catch a few....only used the resorts canoe so didnt stray far or fish too hard.

The secondary will have to play better when they face better teams. This is the best start in a long time. Hope to see them in a few postseason games this year. McGee is about the most fun to watch return kicks in the league.

I like to use a thinsulate work glove and grab the lure at the side of the boat. You can hold the lure and not worry about teeth or hooks and keep the fish in the water. Make sure to make a lanyard for your pliers....watching them decsend on the graph adds insult to injury.

Good job! Its wild out there right now....I was out last night a lost count after 15 or 20 hookups. Good way to learn to fight fish!

The rapids are very low right now, superior dropped in level last month so they decreased the outflow. Just watch for blue water and as a first timer bring a wading staff to test the depths. The clear water can be deceiving. Plenty of pacific salmon in there right now hitting skein and globugs. Fish higher in the water column... For sanctuaries just dont fish from the train bridge or right up close to the compensating gates. Also along the dike there are openings (fishways) and you are not permitted to fish within as set distance 50ft or meters I forget but just avoid these areas as there are plenty of fish elsewhere to be caught.

The 15' IM9 rod is solid! I've been catching chinooks in the st marys both the rapids and main river with it. You can handle them pretty well, even down to 4lb lead. But 12lb mainline and 8lb leader can horse 15-20lb salmon in current with that stick.

Good job! Make sure you keep fishing those streams right up until closer, you'll be surprised how big those bass get. The later in the season it seems you almost have to cast onto shore and drag it in. On a side note go check out the Ranch, statistically the most fun you can half in the 519 areacode

this past winter I tried the icefishing at night and had very limited success. Seems like they become more active in the daylight with overcast days being the best for me. In my experience fishing for open water trout the bite kind of dies out as it gets fully dark.

Remarkable trip and report. That'll be one to help you through the work days til the next time.

I've got a similar era motor, the guy I bought it off looked into it extensively and printed copius amounts on info off the net regarding this. I talked to a few mechanics and it can be done but at a substaintial cost. For me it was nearly the same price as the motor. On the other hand a lodge I worked at had converted 30hp Mercs to 40s by switching a jet. The modded 30s had a better holeshot and slightly higher top end but burned gas quicker....supposedly cost $12/ engine

Pink run in the main river is starting up in a week and will be dying off (literally) by mid september. Buzzbombs are the local favourite though you can catch them float fiishing with all the usual flies, jigs, worms and spawn

A trip that had initially been intended to last all weekend got cut short upon discovering a buddy was having his last camp party before moving down south. This halved the allotted fishing time. So....left right from work and 1.5 hrs later we were getting up towards the lake. Its about 20km of dirt roads before the portages and we were hustling to get there... Got into the lake after stepping over, around and between bear scat on the trail. fished for a few hours and landed 2 and lost a few more...10pm=Miller Time. After a brutal truck sleep we were up at 6 to pursue a lake full of smallmouth. After some initial disappointment on topwater the white spinner bait hit a chunky bass off a rock point. Few cast later another. Then nothing...it turned out that the go to bait was a 3" yum grub (chart.) on a 1/4 unpainted jighead. Location a timber choked shoreline dropping into 10-12 fow. Fish were then caught at breakneck speed. I ended up with 19 and the big fish being around 5lbs. Good morning for sure even had a pike come up and attack a smaller bass on the hook. After a few double headers and a celebratory beer we were en route to reenact FUBAR. Great day on the water!

Definitely black widows in KW. Not alot but they are around

From shore eh. Like muskey or specks said its tough. Try the sand river above the hwy falls, small spinners etc for resident specks.

I had to wait about 3 weeks for my rod to by warrentied by st croix including shipping from the Soo to Mississauga and back. Both the local store and the company seemed to be efficient and had good customer service. There was an issue with 2 guides and they replace 2 more after inseption. Sent my a couple stickers back and I paid 15 bucks for the transaction. On another note Chad is awesome, goes the extra mile to help you out. I still occasionaly get him to ship me things up that I cant find here. Im going to stop by this weekend to stock up on some jigs for those grand smallies.

I run 10lb Raven mainline (smoke color) never broke it off. I used to run 10lb siglon in fluorescent yellow down south but up here Im rarely worried about crossing others lines. I also tend to run a longer fluoro lead. depending on the run Im fishing either a combo of 6 shot line/ 4 lead or a 3 foot lead with the shot right on it. Only fish I broke off on a centerpin was the first 10lb class bow I had on... Granted the rivers I fish right now are deeper faster flows....albeit quite clear at some locations

Ive found it quite variable 1 guy will pay another won't seems to depend on the attendant serving you. I know Air Canada recently cracked down on this and the overage fee is off the wall. My rod case is 7'4"x 4" dia. I shipped my stuff to edmonton or yellowknife on the greyhound while I flew out that way a couple times. Another time flying from the Soo-TO-Edmonton I was scolded for having oversize luggage but no charge. I'd suggest making a few phone calls, if its AC's phone service get 6 beers and your conversation hat.

Wow that gave me a scare. Im due to fish the tour stop on the st. marys in september. After reading on I guess its still a go...

if youre running riggers try a glow or "wonderbread" jplug. also some of the bigger flatfish/kwikfish in bright, guady colors. You'll have to keep the speeds down for these though.Big spoons have counted for alot of fish too, dont be shy of 6" or bigger models. My best big laker producer is a 3 oz white bucktail jig. usually sold as striper jigs. tie on a stinger and tip with a minnow. The heavy weight allows for good feel and quick descents to depth. When youre marking fish and have the light winds to jig, drop the bait to the bottom and try for a minute or so there. Then reel up a few feet etc. Also try to reel up really fast for 20 ft and stop. this can be a great triggering tactic on semiinterested lakers. Another good jigging lure is the eppinger cop e cat in 3oz. yellow w/ red ladder or firetiger Last if you know the fish are down there and wont bite try out a 1 or 2 oz. surf sinker (assuming 75fow or more) and rig up a drop shot with a 3" glup smelt or similar. luck and bring 'em up slow

Did actually counting make anybody else laugh and shake your head? And I still need more...

I always had the best luck there on poppers....also if youre fishing anytime before 9pm in the heat of the summer there you seem to be washing lures. Also a 1/4 jig with green tube or twister worked slowly as a followup bait. Target rocks and logs

If youre going to do any measure of cold weather fishing like fall winter steelhead id suggest a neoprene wader. But as soon as you do any walking with them in the summer you are going to sweat. Ive got pair of Simms breathables and they are the best I have ever owned. Cliff definitly hit the nail on the head with the underlayers, in warmer weather something like dryfit or helly hansen will keep you comfortable and remove the sweat. Spend more on good wading boots, the ankle support and comfort will make it easier stand for long periods and walking in rocky streams. I personally try to fit my boots as tight as comfortable, it seems to make walking in rapids easier for me...no sliding of the foot in the boot. I lace up tight for walking and loosen off if im fairly stationary in cold water.

Ive got the 7' St croix triumph XH. next time Id go with a longer rod with some more flex in the tip. I originally bought it to jig for lakers in very deep water with a 3oz bucktail. i found the lack of flex with braided line allowed larger fish to create slack and come off (barbless hooks...)