troutologist

very nice work. I had the opportunity of watching just such a dog work this fall, one of the most pleasurable days afield ive enjoyed. I think you just made up my mind as to the dog Im gonna get.

Thanks for the input guys. I have the most confidence in roe but alot of times force myself to fish other baits to try to become a more versitile angler but it gets frustrating some times when nothing comes from the efforts. As far as process of elimination goes I was and usually am the whole crowd, which isnt a bad thing by anymeans. tight lines and warm fingers

hope all turns out well. best wishes.

Well out I went today to fish the one open run at my fav river. Bonus!! alot of ice blew out and I could fish a few spots. I got 2 very small (1lb) chrome fish right off the ice edge. No pics but a good outing in Dec. I digress though, both fish were hit on spawn after drifting the runs with pink worms, jigs and a few types of flies. The flies that have worked in the fall I tried with different shotting patterns. No luck. Nothing on spoons either. My question is what does everyone have the best luck on, in conditions where the river is just opening up in the winter but the water is still on the clearer side? I look forward to the comments tight lines

top tier angling. thanks for the report and rigging tips. your reports always help to motivate me to get after steelies. cheers

I 2nd the gortex shell system. I have found it to be the best even for ice fishing etc. Just have to wear a fleece and 1 or 2 other layers underneath. As ccmt stated if you sweat youre done, dont wear all your layers if you have a walk to your spot type deal. Also I think you'll find if you wear waders it keeps you quite warm (minus youre feet)

I got skunked for splake last night and did some math... rain this weekend=rainbows luck everyone

"Hey Couger you couldnt smooth a silk shirt if you had a hot date with a babe.....I lost my train of thought"

I find a lot of excellent candor on this topic. I personally support any measure that would work to add to the MNR being allocated funds to better enforce and study the fisheries (and wildlife). I think first of all they need funds to use to study be it creel surveys or actual mark-recapture population data ecological variables etc. Without proper scientific investigation decisions made are put through for the wrong reason (read spring bear hunt). After sound management is put into regulation they have to be able to better enforce what is there. I personally have been fishing and hunting in ontario close to 70 days in 2007 and was check by CO's ONCE. No longer are there checkpoints coming into town on long or opening weekends. Also there were 4 occasions I called the TIPS line and nothing came of it, 3 were blatant "dude you just showed me 2 bows on a stringer dead and you kept a 3rd you know thats over the limit" reply "yes" or take a hike. no follow up at all by COs or OPP I waited and gave license plate # and asked the guy next time on the river. Surveys are a great idea in my opinion but how much will it cost to implement and where is the money being taken from. The answer??? license fee increases? Im all for it but does this dissuade the casual anglers from participating or encourage fishing without a license for 1 or 2 trips a year? I think a group like OFAH or the like has to develop a feasablie political plan involving a move to reallocate poaching related infractions to MNR SPAs and push for more money being put into the MNR. They will have to lobby the provicial government with it just like antis would do. What can we do as individuals? I believe a petition is a good start regarding requested changes. I think writing, calling or emailing local MPs with our concerns will eventually have an impact. The fish populations in many cases are great for angling in ontario. However there are a lot of resources used in maintianing this. Stocking was touched on and this is an integral strategy of the MNR to buffer natural populations by adding easily accesible opportunities. The best way I believe we can help the resource is to work to preserve the ecosystem as a whole by making as many choices in daily life that will minimize the impact we have on the environment as a whole.

stuff like that makes you wonder what the story is behind it. why did this unusual partnership come to be? I doubt the cow would let him breed her, the elk would not appear as a fit mate for an adult cow, im hypothesizing go into the outdoors enough and you surely see some interesting things

now I just was starting to get pumped up about ice fishing for trout and you show me this. I usually dont start getting the sickness til mid february for the trout opener canoe trip... Great photos, looks like an enjoyable trip

much appreciated its been explained but ive never seen it done im sure this will come in handy at some point

CANVENDERS!!!!!!! yes. Thanks for the help and suggestions everyone I will be trying these ideas out for sure. It was just killing me that I couldnt remember. off to the grocery store then snowshoeing.....

No its a spice blend that comes in a those med size plastic bottles...i went to one gorcery store but didnt see it.

Alright Im having a major memory lapse here. Ive gotta take some folks out ice fishing and cook a shore lunch tomorrow so im getting all the ingredients ready today. There was a spice I used this summer that I cant remember for the life of me. It was a brand name and was kind of a fish or seafood seasoning with 5 spices in it. It works great on fish and Id like to pick it up but cant remember the name to save my life. HELP!!! Thanks folks

good job jeff... i was out today on around 3" of good ice and got 2 splake around 15". its good to be back on the ice!!

amazing pics!! congrats on a great fishing season

On friday I was breaking through 1.5" of ice in the aluminum on the way back from my buddies camp. Was back today and just slush on the river...no ice fishing this weekend

Yup good luck folks. Have a safe fun outing. Im pumped to see some photos of those big 'eyes. ps rapala deep taildancer perch....

A good policy is to use natural ingredients (ie honey in this case). apple sauce is another good sweetener but maybe not tailor made for coffee. Any synthetic product has a far greater potential to illicit detrimental effects.

I hook em through the tip of the thicker end no. 8 or 10 black hook. I have never had much luck on colored hooks for steelhead. Although when I was younger I caught fish on a gold hook...Does anyone find red or the coloured (chart., pink etc) hooks to produce well? No worries Jeff Ill be back down there again in a while. Solo, no rush on the mapping, this weekend trip got changed to a steelhead hike in. so probably wont get in there until the spring. I cant wait til the morning!!

Yup those were the ticket today. couple half hearted hits on spawn....but they smashed the worms.

First off i awoke to find a couple of inches of some white powdery substance covering my truck. It wasnt there when I went to sleep but I was pumped, it'll keep some folks at home. I followed the plow and ended up having the river to myself. Great morning I went 4/4 with 2 nice females in the 5lb range. The pic is of my first fish of the day, I was on a solo mission hence the poor quality and dumb look. Whoever made up that pink trout worm deserves a beer today. In closing I must strongly suggest that noone goes steelheading in the snow. Ill make sure the rivers are in good shape for yous

My buddy has had a Clarus for a year or so now and hes happy with it. Lifetime warrenty as well.

Those are a couple horses. That just helped with the motivation to be out at dawn tomorrow. stupid -7C... Good work!