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Two days to travel home recently from work in Nunavut gave ample time to piece together this summer fishing report. Despite being away and busy so much, weather often dismal and dreary, it's crazy to believe that within the short windows found, how friggin' awesome the fishing has been here in the valley. It kinda made it tough to leave each and every time for other things. The lake trout were on fire, some of the biggest gar came out boiling and the muskie fishing erupted. Hoping that fall can keep cooking too. The story and buffet of pictures are served fresh below if anyone's at all hungry... http://bunksoutdoorangle.com/home-sizzlin-gar-greys-skis/ Thanks for reading gang... Bunk.

A Spring So Far From TROUT to GAR!!! It seems like an eternity has passed since last sitting down to write a report, days have truly been flying by... April was a month I thought rather planned out until that fell apart, while May was expected to be time for a whole lot of whatever and it ended up being quite scheduled. Winter trip ideas that had been brain-stormed for June walleye and pike, some July Slave guiding, and an August float in Northern Ontario all slowly vanished, and becoming rather late in the date what remained was one totally clean slate. What will become of 2016...? For starters, because of being away before and after the Christmas Holidays for work, Bren basically decided we needed a family trip... and as usual she was right. We didn't let the girls in our secret but knowing if they had the choice, the one place on earth both would want to visit is Costa Rica. They absolutely love it there. After being in Nunavut, once settled back home we let our two in on the trip plan. Excited was an understatement. This time around instead of checking into an all-inclusive resort we rented a condo in Tamarindo for first week of April. With access to a resort pools, infinite restaurants on the streets outside, the beach in view, shopping and tour operators all around us, and a hot tub on our deck, the plan was to try and lessen the trip cost without losing any luxuries and experience. It worked some... although it was more work to make happen. Prior to arriving in C.R. I had sold the girls on surfing which turned out to be their favorite entertainment day-in and day-out. An ocean beach and waves popular with surfers world-wide allowed those two cheap fun while serving a more relaxing pace to Brenda and I. Incredible dinners out each night, drinks, zip-lining, horseback riding, tubing, a jungle safari and a catamaran cruise rounded out the rest of our vacation perfectly. Yet did I fish? Yes! Having packed a travel rod and 4000 series spinning reel I pulled a saltwater Rapala behind the catamaran for a couple hours on the last evening, until something crushed the lure and completely spooled my 30lb braid in less than ten seconds. Rooster maybe? Yellowfin? Will never know what actually caused my reel to smoke red hot. Home again the softwater season kicked off April 11th with a week that will be remembered for a real long time. Starting with steelhead and finishing on lakers and browns, Lake Ontario provided three fine samples of some local trout. The river run rainbow was definitely the favorite because she just tore me to shreds under rainy skies... but that broonie was a best for me too. The thing of it all is that these were actually bonus fish. Having put in availability for a few weeks to work in Nunavut, the only offer which came way suitable to dates was in Pangnirtung on Baffin Island. Wanted it greatly but, while at a car wash with my phone in the truck I missed the call. A little over an hour later I learned someone else just beat me to it. Little was left to do to but fish the rest of the month, fish May, even fish June, and pick up some shifts in the local ER's while beginning to re-plan work, family and fishing times through the summer. So casting away into mid May some oddballs and incidentals were caught, along with a few usual suspects which arrived with the different openers nearing end of the month. The time was hectic. Work around the house, a decent number of call-ins for ER work, preparations for new plans made mid June through to mid September, a fishing boat build project and, a friend's and my own 40th Birthday parties (with recovery), usual spring fishing days took a bit of a back seat to other life choices... Gar are always on the docket though. Making time despite the windows fewer and far between, freakish spring weather and summer plans for other fishing fast approaching, even the average gar days fished will fall short this year in the quick season. So, I'm making the best of the time I have... When gar kicked into gear it was intense but short-lived, 50+ inchers a plenty and on track for a banner spring things suddenly slowed, and 2016 might likely go down as the year the gar game changed. Just seven years ago when really starting to get into gar, the Ottawa River that I know of had but myself and three other buddies who were on the water regularly chasing after these fish. There might have been a couple other anglers but, on any given day I'd either see no one, or I'd see one of those three; and believe me, the schedule in May and June permits many days during those months off work, so I get out there plenty. This season it has been seven days, a couple solo and five with family and friends. Many others now on the hunt, the fish are becoming more and more weary of boat traffic and the splash of a lure. The percentages of bigger gar which allowed greater opportunity in the past is dwindling, finesse and stealth becoming ever more necessary. This said, the numbers of fifty plus inchers I still see on any given day remains astounding, while that odd true giant of 55 and up holding girth is still a rare chance. During the first solo outing which is usually more of a search, I luckily found fresh fish ready to play the game. Day 1. Day 2. Bren joined up quick for the next outing. She is always adamant about catching her own fish and as hungry as can be when it comes to wanting the biggest and best. Gotta love that about her, as it's that same pride and drive to succeed which she lives by. And to mention, she is the best mother and wife anyone could ask for, with some serious big fish experiences of her own to brag about as well...... although, she never does..? Day 3. A most welcome guest drove from Kingston to grace the Lund. I had told my friend Doug that it was going to be a great day for gar. Calm, sunny and the weather warming up nicely in the afternoon, it looked too perfect. Well, it wasn't quite case. Night before temps dropped to frost and that pushed gar deeper. Our time on the water they were quite slow to come back shallow and the few which did stayed a little deeper in the low-vis waters. We fished shadows, guessing at our fish and sizes and, we stayed in one area reluctant to move around the river much as many other gar hunters were out and occupying other spaces. End of the day though, Doug was surely satisfied with his initiation to this unique little fishery. He'll be back. Day 4. A childhood and lifelong friend, Steve and I both had our 40th Birthday Parties back-to-back this year. We see each other a couple times annually, and because he lives in Ottawa now I think a gar day for the two of us should be scheduled for every spring. In the past we worked together, golfed and fished, played a little in a band, and were always hanging out. Distanced for years we never had to try to keep a friendship going as it just did on it's own. We've grown up together on a parallel wave length I believe, and he gets that too. What he also gets, is a kick out of the gar every time we end up fishing them. Day 5. A day off school for Leah and Summer at work, I told her she had no choice but to come along. The girls for the moment just aren't that into fishing. Summer lost the Tom-boyish way probably three years ago, and now Leah a same pre-teenager Summer was then, she too would rather do "girly" things. But on this day Leah had fun despite the fishing being super tough due to gusty winds, some cloud, and the most skittish gar ever seen. I made a choice after an hour or so fishing the usual haunts to just go explore new waters and secondary spots. The kiddo liked that, and in the process reeled in a few fish that weren't scared shiznitless of us cruising by. On the way home she was grinning happy and thanked me for the fun day fishing. Maybe there's still hope? Day 6. Better late than never, my friend Simon slid on into the boat one cold and windy morning for what may be the last day fishing gar for my season. An annual trip, from southern Ontario Simon has been coming all this way for a visit the past few years now, for his will to fish gar each spring cannot hold him back. When finding fish Simon will cast at anything. He knows I'm usually good to give him a couple smaller ones early, but after accomplishing that it's urged we move on to the big girls. Yet... he just loves to cast at 'em and I have to remind myself I get to do this all the time, whenever I want. Simon enjoys a day or maybe to a year, and needs a much faster big gar fix. With that approach and perspective, we actually ended great on a tough weather gar day. Big and small fish and plenty of 'em. Day 7. At some point throughout the month there was a banner day. A couple guys canceling out on the gar fish I went it alone. The first hours on the water were absolutely terrible, the fish hardly around or real jumpy. Finally when that midday sun got high and the heat sweat the brow, the gar rose to the occasion. Over a short few hours five fish over 50-inches came topside, one almost being my longest fish to date at 55.5 inches. It was an awesome specimen although she had not a bit of girth, being absent eggs and a belly of fish. Longer than the current and new record holding fish at only 51-inches, she would have been a serious contender... ahhh well. Snapped up some pics of a few but lost two over the bow while setting up for the shots. In fact, this year I had a terrible time with fussy gars getting the step on me and escaping the boat. Twice with Leah, once with Bren, two more times on my other solo outing and twice this day, they weren't just spooked in the water, they wanted no part of usual procedure. As each year passes, gar fishing for me personally loses a smidgen of its luster. They are fun and enjoyable don't get me wrong, and probably the best thing going during their certain season, yet the hunt is becoming more a feeling of been there and done that, and big fish including Ontario Record breakers have already been caught again and again. Much time and stock is usually put into the season while some other things have been missed because of it. Thinking next year to maybe break it up with a fly-in north for pike and eyes, like in the past days. Since my gar beginning I have fished local waters more and harder than anyone known, and it's either wearing off or wearing me out some. Other than the real big, pound for pound these fish are actually kinda wimpy, but the hunt, chase and the initial take remains the excitement of it and man, they are gnarly looking beasts. Still fun overall! For me, honest, genuine and shared experiences with my girls, with others, and to a lesser degree out there hunting solo, are the gar moments and memories worth fishing them for, and why it will always continue. Continued...

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I was out with 3 buddies yesterday got out about noon, Was really busy out there everyone enjoying a beauty day on the lake. We were casting in a spot we had luck in a few weeks back, about 12 FOW, two of my buddies had a follow each but nothing committed, one may have been a pike. We moved a little ways and tried an area around 9-7 Fow, i got a nice hit on a Handlebarz Egg head white/green(Cisco), which turned out to be a nice pike. Probably my personal best at 33" With the same lure tied on about 10 minutes later i saw a flash when i did a turn at the side of the boat, thought it was just a small musky, but half way through my figure 8 my rod loaded up and it was on, this fish fought way better then any of my previous fish, and i thought for sure on a couple jumps it would come un-pinned, but we manage to slide it in the Net. A 44" fatty and my new PB! What a blast, was my first fish Ive ever got to bite on a Figure 8 Also got a decent sized gar that wanted a piece of my Tube. Trolled for 1 1/2 hours to end the day, didn't get a rip while trolling. Unfortunately none of my buddyes hooked up, but they sure want another invite out after seeing a few fish boated... I'm super pumped and just want to get back out there for a bigger one!

A Warship would fire its cannons harmlessly out to sea, until all ammunition was spent, to show that it was disarmed, signifying the lack of hostile intent. This naval custom quite adapted, "A Fifty Gar Salute," chronicles the beginning to end of 2013's exceptional fishing season battling with giant gar. Longnose gar are prehistoric. They are an adaptable, fast-growing, durable species with no predators in this region other than themselves, and even their eggs are toxic to humans, animals and other fish. Without any reference I would have to guess they are some evolutionary link between the Ocean's needlefish and the World's wetland crocs and alligators. Interestingly, I have heard they can reach fifty years of age, although I have not found any literature supporting that wild fish actually live longer than about twenty years; or captive fish to thirty. Females are the older, larger and I will say wiser of the sexes. Day or night hunters, double-scaled for armor, good peripheral vision, a sometimes wily, aggressive demeanor, and a beak-full of pinpoint teeth ready to turn and snap under strong jaws, gar are the nightmares of anything in the water that might just fit down their throats. To help them breathe and tolerate their preferred shallow, warmer, summer habitats, gar are able to gulp air through their nostrils and fill an overly vascular swim bladder for added oxygenation beyond what their gills can provide. Because of this, they can actually live for a short time out of water as long as they remain wet. A gar's weakness I have found are their soft fins and tail. Careful control and handling; and maybe even not using a net, will do wonders in helping protect them. These are a fascinating fish supposedly quite sensitive to human pressures and sudden ecological changes, (extinct this century to Europe) although they have been around and evolving since the age of dinosaurs. In Ontario the distribution of gar ranges all along the shorelines of the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, including some inland rivers and lakes, making them available to much of our angling population. In our waters I believe a fish greater than 48-inches to be a great catch and 50's are trophies, akin to catching trophy class northern pike at forty inches. Our current Ontario Record lists a fish at 20.1 pounds and 54-inches, although fish beyond this mark are regularly seen and caught in some home waters. The Official World Record longnose gar is Townsend Miller's Texan brute at 50-pounds caught in the 1950's. A great link to view a more recent angler's catch and report of a possible near World Record 61-inch longnose gar caught in Texas, is found here... http://www.fishing-headquarters.com/boundlesspursuit/2012/04/18/monster-fish-april-15-18/ 　 My gar fishing this year started a little cloudy, both figuratively and environmentally. It appeared the season would be cut short, as it had been planned during prime-time that I would be somewhere on the Attawapiskat River. This 10-day Northern stretch was cause for work shifts at home to be condensed pre and post trip, thus limiting gar chances even more. Add to that the late spring, unpredictable weather we'd been having, and a second trip booked during the later end of gar season, what opportunities might be garnered remained a big mystery. All that could be done was to simply wait and see how it unfolds. 2012 had been so good to me though, with a dozen days out, friends and family along, plenty firsts and personal bests, a 20+ pound catch for myself, six other fish boated over 50 inches and many, many more 48 and over, there was this intense urge to build on that great year and chase gar again with even more determination. I'll admit, there's little akin to hunting for big gar, so anticipation ran high until that first day arrived. 　 MISSION 1. SOLO 1. Shoving off the dock at the launch, I waved to local legend Big Jim with a guide and received his smile and hello in return, they had it in mind to seek out some gar too. As I rolled into a corner of the bay with those fellas gliding in behind, the first fish of the season I spotted just might have been the biggest. So here I go... an audience, a huge fish, so much investigating to still be done, my nervous knees started knocking while trying to place casts to that one big gar, until it spooked away. Plenty of water to fish yet, the two boats divided and we didn't see each other much thereafter. Over the afternoon amongst a few fish in the high 40-inch range, I also managed to boat my first 50-incher of the season. It was from that point on I decided this year I would not photograph myself with anything less than a fifty, and so the idea of "A Fifty Gar Salute," was born. Begged the question, did this early thought (or maybe goal for that matter), effect the outcome of the season? You will see. 　 MISSION 2. BREN. It's rare with Bren's new practice, Ju Jitsu schedule and the girls that she takes a day to join me in the boat, but on this weekend she was willing and able. There are many things about her I love and respect. Her patient determination and all she has overcome in her life. Her strong will to always improve, achieve and succeed. Her care for others and her endless energy, just to name a few more. She is a woman who gives me the longest leash a man could ask for, and loyal to her I would rather not wander far but instead have her fishing more by my side as we grow old together. On this day we searched the gar out, she took a handoff for her first then hooked a couple more on her own with some coaching and practice. Bren's third fish and personal best was a 50-incher, adding another one to the boat's total. For what Bren would call "an ugly fish" before, she found a bit of a new appreciation for. By the time this report gets posted, she and I will nearly be off for a week to chase walleye and pike back in our northern home. 　 MISSION 3. FLOAT & MAGNET. Us three in the boat it's like having Obi-wan, Luke and Solo aboard except with all of us playing all three characters at any given time. It's a fun ride. In my story book, Floaty doesn't get left behind either, and gar has been something that for a number of years he's been wanting to cross off his lifetime list. So, this spring during a mint day we warped into some shallow galaxy, probed around 'bout twenty minutes, then discovering a long gar stationed on the surface totally in an open shipping lane, the man during his excitement fired a cast probably 500 yards beyond his target. Collecting and correcting himself he shot again, this time on the mark, destroying his first gar. Later that day, after battling many more fish between us, Patty captured himself a great 50-incher as well, before he and I chased down an absolute beast bogie gar we stumbled on out in some deep space. A fish on the run from many casts, it engaged me and I cracked her hull hard. Well beyond fifty was this Jaba, and by some measurement standards light years from one end to the other. 　 MISSION 4. SOLO 2. This was a day for me that all other gar days will measure up to. The chaos of it was absolutely mind-blowing and exhausting, but during one late afternoon on the water it must have gone so perfectly smooth and calm because had it not, it probably couldn't have happened. Keeping chill while fishing and handling the fish is so utterly important to catching and photographing gar. I was alone, just one pair of eyes, one pair of hands, a camera on a tripod, big fish crossing my path one after another, and in the span of just a few hours managed to catch, photograph (only the 50 plus fish) and release a 54, 53, 52, 52 and 50 inch gar, as well as a 49 and two 48's that were sent swimming immediately after noting their disappointing lengths. Over 400 inches of gar, alone, and all eight of them four feet and longer. The Fifty Gar Salute only allows the qualified fish pics get posted, but you'll get the idea... it was totally amazing fishing here at home, a day anyone hopes for. Do I believe in a lucky shirt too... yeah, this one has some memorable miles on it. 　 MISSIONS 5&6. SOLO 3. Two different days started out great but were cut shorter by cloud and breezy conditions. Weather this season for gar was hardly ideal at all yet to my surprise it didn't slow down the big fish bite one bit. I was only four trips into the spring with nine fish over 50-inches, already bettering the great fishing conditions during 2012's dozen outings for seven of the same size. Online weather this year often forecasted for ideal days but because the water was high and cool for so long, when the days sun began heating the land convection winds were actually strong enough to really screw over the ability to sight fish. Not only that, the variable temps seemed to increase afternoon cloud cover more than what was experienced the previous two seasons, and some days the morning haze just didn't burn off at all. It's while fishing solo and facing such challenges that these types of thoughts come to mind more often. Why this, why that, how is it affecting this, how do I adapt, where are the best chances, etc? Like it primarily was living up north for those years, the freedom for continual, uninterrupted thinking and experimentation on the water is probably every bit as important to individual angling growth, as is say the media and fishing with others. It's also a great opportunity to really study if you're not too school for cool. Before these two afternoons would finish, two 53's a 52 and a 51 would get boated, but the best photos came because of being forced to really slow down during the scan for fish, and stay stealthy while working smaller fish-able areas with extra care. 　 　 Continued...

Never met my mother's father, the man who passed on his bum chin. In fact, other than a faded picture in memory and some sentimental genetics, sitting here today I can't even think what his name is. A soldier in WWII he left this earth 20 plus years before my time, and nothing has ever been said. However, until this past April my step-grandfather was there my entire life, and although it seems as if I only knew Norm just a little more, until his long struggles with lung disease took his last, hard breath, he was there. The spring came in angry. After our family laid Norm to rest on the 2nd, the first few weeks of April life kinda sang off like some lousy country song. The 3rd I picked up a bug which really zapped the energy for about 2 1/2 weeks. The truck engine done died, just after having a front-end diff installed, and the wife's car went in twice too leaving me without a vehicle for nearly two weeks. My buddy Kev lost his best friend, at far too young an age. Too much winter augering, I picked up a stubborn epicondylitis for the first time which still doesn't want to go away. While transferring a critically injured patient to Ottawa in the ambulance, a triple IV pump broke off it's pole landing on my knee, this leading to a week of no good. And come May things didn't improve either, for I was left no choice but to cancel out on a fly-in fishing trip to the Attawapiskat, and then later in the month I received word that friends and past co-workers lost Dustin and others when an ORNGE helicopter went down in Moosonee...... On the work front I had one of those remarkably trying days. Male in 20's, small car smoked from behind at high-speed, basically detached his head or rattled his brain to bleed. Impossible to describe all of what three of us needed to do to keep him alive long enough for me to transfer with him and the Medics to the city. The toll on this one was exhausting... How was the weather, did it suck? Hardly noticed. Been awhile it seems since writing anything, so maybe best to prepare for a long-winded one. Been stock-piling spring photos too and like always, rather than post weekly, when finding a long days downtime I'd rather just pick out some best pics and package it all up. This here be the spring recap. 　 Before all the woes, fishing was off to a great start. Spring steelheading was something new, and of all the fishing this past while, it's those days with friends Mike and Luke, and some great bows caught, that could very well be a highlight of the season. Walking the river, placing the cast, controlling the drift and seeing that float drop is definitely an all encompassing, different kind of cool fishing experience. Time this year was the most rewarding yet, and the hope is to build on that with trips ahead. Really quite appreciated these fish and days fishing, and considering the horror stories of "loogans" and lined banks of anglers, on our trips we found more than enough free space to ourselves. Some favorite fish... 　 During the down and out weeks after steelie fishing it got into my head that it was time to sell the WarCanoe. Pulling off the winter tarps there was some first wood rot in spots and work to be done. Summer sun is hard on a wooden boat, trailering not much easier, and the waters down here are full of strange fungi spores which get into the wood and expand. It came to mind that up in the northern cold, running rivers like it used to, is the best place for a longer life and it's end of days. So, up on Kijiji she went... and I waited... and waited. A few fellas showed interest but, not really, and some were just too far away to come and get it. Again the hope was it would go north, and one guy from Waskaganish seemed to really want it. No sale once May arrived, when it was almost time to start hitting the walleye I couldn't take it. Keel and splash guard rot got routed or cut out, repaired or replaced, a couple dry trouble spots on the gunnels took some touch-ups and a gouge in the canvas was filled with some fiberglass. Honda slapped on the back and the WarCanoe was ready to go another year, and in most respects now I'm quite happy with that. No pavement, no cell service, no guides, no luxuries along the way, we've got some amazing history exploring the WarCanoe and I, traveling and fishing the northern rivers of James Bay. 　 It was about a week before May when fishing resumed. Kicked off those days with lakers. When the weather forecast looked alright, my buddy Pat and I took off for Lady O to try our luck on some big pan greasers. The previous year with my father we came up empty during an insane midge hatch, well low and behold we timed it again perfectly to fish this years even more insane midge hatch. Wind saved us from digesting swarming bugs with our eyes, but the fishing was tough again. However, did manage to make it worth the trip with one tank. Won't be the last time fishing lakers on that stage. 　 Trollin' and riggin' is always great, but with some summer plans for that, it's nice to take advantage of ice-out casting opportunities when available. Sight fishing and chucking lures to shallow cruising laketrout, it's really quite a rush to have your offering creamed by a charging fish. Having some fun playing them out on light gear and seeing them swim away unscathed (except the odd BBQ'er) into their frigid waters is hard to beat. The numbers of fish can be awesome too. This window always closes fast, yet with a couple friends along it's definitely worth peering in for a look. This spring Huddy and Patty joined me in the Lund and the company was surely welcome. 　 What would be spring without a little crappie fishing. Table fare they're great. Sociability they're perfect. Fun factor is high. There has to be no easier fish to catch during the month after ice out than crappies so, why not hit 'em up? This spring took off on tour several times to have my father, my oldest friend Fraser, usual suspect Patty and new buddy Doug join along. A solo trip with perfect timing actually turned out to be the banner day of all though, for during four hours one afternoon, anchored, another boat circling, I had the chance to experience the best crappie numbers in my life. If it wasn't every cast, it was every second cast a fish came over the gunnel. When I called a buddy up on the way home to tell him about it, we just had to meet on the road so he could raid the well a little and steal enough of a meal for himself. Some new spots, some old, it'll be filling to revisit these spring grocery stores in the future. Strange story before crappie fishing with Doug is we both showed up at the launch with our boats. A gentleman, being closer to home he returned his while I took the hour and a half wait to come good on a promise with an old friend. At a nearby school Caroline teaches Kindergarten, and she asked me to stop in and speak with the kids about nursing, healthcare and the North. It was a remarkably feel-good morning. I had been reluctant to do this for some odd reason, but kids are little people that I often see at work by the 100's each year, so upon arriving at school I found my cool. This class though, thirty of them at once, all energetic, inquisitive, individual, wild and coming right at me with hands raised, questions to ask, stories to tell and things to show, it is exhausting stuff and my hat goes off to teachers who do this day in and day out for our children. During our visit the kids learned some Cree words, heard some northern and nursing stories, and were taught a little about CPR. Then it was off to meet Doug and that was equally great. An exceptionally nice dood. Two walleye openers this year, division 18 and 15 are a week apart. Plans to hang out for a day with friends up in 15, for the 18 opener I just slipped out a short while to get a fix. This spring the eye fishing is a little off-keel. Wonky weather and water temps could be to blame? Maybe it's water snakes eating up the supply? But seriously, of all the fishing in the past month, the eyes have needed the most work to get results. No skunks but an almost happened... and so even though the fishing has been tough, rather than quit and sell the gear it'll just require more time and fine tuning. Gotta respect the eyes around here, they're often a serious challenge. 　 In preparation for summer trips I usually hit the vice on a couple rainy days each spring. This year so far, about 30 smaller 1/4-ounce bucktail jigs have been tied, a couple big 5-inch & 1-ounce laker jigs have proved tasty, and more inline bucktails will need to be finished. Sniffing laquer to dizzy, sneezing from fur and feathers, and this season swatting skitters in the garage, it'd almost make more sense to maybe try and jump on some wagon to a couple ProStaff deals rather than suffer the work hazards of producing things for myself. That said, when I peg giant speckles, pike, or lakers on one of these hand-tied creations, it'll be worth it. Continued...