Seans year in review

[tbayboy]

I was hoping to save this til the new year thinking that I'd get one ice fishing trip in but with the storm this wekeend and - a billion degrees temperaturs back in Thunder Bay where I'll be heading to next week it looks like my fishing for the year is done.

 

I guess that means it's time to put together a little summary to bore you all to tears. I've been writing this for a while so its really wordy and long. You might want to get a coffee and settle in or just skim the pics, you won't hurt my feeleings

 

What a year its been. This is the first year since I was in grade 9 that I've done any serious fishing. The last few years I've gotten together with friends back in Thunder Bay once a year for a boys fishing trip but that was more focused on the good times than on quality fishing but I started to get the itch. Unfortunately I didn't know anyone in Toronto that was really into fishing but once I found OFC I knew I was set to get back into this great pasttime in a big way.

 

<h2>Early in the Year</h2>

It started by actually buying a rod and reel last year for the boys fishing trip rather than just borrowing my brothers gear and I used that a bit at the end of last year to try out a couple little spots and I went ice fishing in Thunder Bay for the first time over the last Christmas break and didn't actually hate it (go figure). Come the new year I saw the posts about the Fishing for Tyler event and figured it was time to meet some new people who shared my passion/insanity. Luckily (for me maybe not for him hehe) Lexxington was looking for someone to walk about on the ice with him so I sent him a PM and went to canadian tire to pick up a plastic sled and some glove. Unfortunately I have no pictures but it was a fun day and I spent the rest of the winter going up to Simcoe, sometimes with Lexx, sometimes alone and with the help of many on the board I learned a lot and had fun.

 

<h2>The beginning of the end</h2>

Then it happened - that horrible month that included the spring fishing show, the outdoorsman show, the bass pro spring fishing sale. My credit card exploded. I had some ideas of what I wanted/needed but it didn't stop me from buying things I had no idea about. I even bought my first baitcaster - wrong handed of course . But I was set, or at least I thought so. The fact that I seemed to be buying something else every spare chance I had right up until just last week tells me there's always more goodies that I just have to have .

 

<h2>The islands</h2>So now I was ready and but had no idea where to fish. I don't recall if I posted asking if anyone wanted to hook up or if PatrickG posted asking the same but either way we got in touch with each other in late March when Patrick wanted to hit the Toronto Islands. I'd read some of the island posts and wasn't sure if I believed there was actually fish there but I went along for the walk and what do you know.

 

<a href="

title="Early Spring Toronto Island Pike by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2111914574_6265bc6a52.jpg" width="500" height="369" alt="Early Spring Toronto Island Pike" /></a>

 

 

Even though I'm from NW Ontario I'm pretty sure that was the biggest pike I'd ever caught (not saying much but the fact that it was in the Toronto harbour just blew me away).

 

<a href="

title="Patrick fishing by the tower by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2111896032_b90b8fedf5_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Patrick fishing by the tower" /></a>

 

Throughout the spring I got to try a few harbour spots thanks to Patricks experience and also met up with Bitsmith2k (here he is being shown who the boss is by the locals)

 

<a href="

title="Island birds show Mike who's boss by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2072/2111905384_5d0d88a981_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Island birds show Mike who's boss" /></a>

 

Before the weeds got too high we manged a few more including this guy

 

<a href="

title="Toronto Island Pike by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2111916418_9f1c9a1140_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Toronto Island Pike" /></a>

 

And I also learned a lesson - never take a small pike lightly. When trying to unhook a little snot rocket he zigged I zagged and ... welll...

 

<a href="

title="OUCHHH! by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2111130109_03d47c38a9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="OUCHHH!" /></a>

 

Lesson learned.

 

 

<h2>Simcoe and Lake O</h2>

After freezing on lake Simcoe a few times with Lexx he had a great idea - lets do this when its warm , Lexx dropped me a line when the Orillia perch festival came around and offered me a spot on his new boat if I was interested in a day of perching. Of course I was thrilled to get out and quickly pulled in a keeper

 

<a href="

title="Smallest of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2310/2111913966_8365bfb192_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Smallest of the year" /></a>

 

Lexx's first mate was constantly on the lookout for perch to the point we had to trick her just to get the fish into the livewell

 

<a href="

title="Paul's first mate waiting for the fish by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2111125201_69d3a21168_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Paul's first mate waiting for the fish" /></a>

 

Later in May Lexx invited me out on Lake Ontario for a morning of Salmon fishing. After getting over the shock of such an early morning we got out and had a great day (4 for 5 I think?) including my first ever Salmon

 

<a href="

title="Lake Ontario Salmon by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2111900880_a740f0c3b7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Lake Ontario Salmon" /></a>

 

Big thanks to Lexx for all the fun times this year

<a href="

title="Paul checking the salmon lines on Lake Ontario by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2111124579_cdef149475_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Paul checking the salmon lines on Lake Ontario" /></a>

 

<h2>The Kawarthas</h2>

Before this year I was pretty sure the fishing world ending at barrie (if not sudbury). Turns out there's these wonderful lakes known as the Kawarthas, who knew?

 

My first introduction to the Kawarthas came in early June with Manitoba Rob and I hooked up for a trip to Stoney lake. I was thinking walleye all along but Rob had some thoughts of muskie. Sure enough we're trolling minnow harnesses on bottom bouncers when I snag a log. A log that starts shaking at me! My first ever muskie and even though he was snagged on the side I was a very happy camper.

<a href="

title="My first muskie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2111135947_a60d09a130_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="My first muskie" /></a>

 

Rob not to be outdone....

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111904576/" title="Robs big fish by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2111904576_e649656cb9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Robs big fish" /></a>

 

Hehe

 

 

When bass opener rolled around I posted on the board asking if anyone wanted to hook up. Mikeh responded and said he had a boat and a plan. I told him I'd never caught a bass in my life and for some reason he said that was fine . Another trip to bass pro after a bit of googling and I showed up at Mike's place and realized I was going to go in a real bass boat! Yep, I get impressed easily but damn it that's a fine boat. Though our first day didn't go too well (3 fish landed I think?) Mike mentioned at the end that he goes out every weekend and I was welcome to join him again. Well I took Mike up on that several times throughout the summer and we explored a lot of water and I learned a lot about fishing bass. Mike loves the pads and showed me why several times, here he is getting started

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111128379/" title="Mike hitting the pads by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2111128379_191e76ebbd_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mike hitting the pads" /></a>

 

And here's one on the bog

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111127325/" title="Mike with a nice scugog bass by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2111127325_34b2e90407_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Mike with a nice scugog bass" /></a>

 

We had a great pattern - I sucked all day while Mike caught fish then at 5pm on the dot I'd start pulling them in. It happened all year long I even caught bass!

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111912144/" title="Scugog Bucket by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2111912144_a514909045_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Scugog Bucket" /></a>

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111900418/" title="Final bass of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/2111900418_38859aec9d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Final bass of the year" /></a>

 

And my only southern ontario walleye of the year

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111907704/" title="Only south ontario walleye of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/2111907704_7dfc027764_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Only south ontario walleye of the year" /></a>

 

 

One of the funniest moments came on Pigeon when Mike made a cast, of sorts . I heard a little expletive and looked down a second too late as Mikes fancy rod went drifting away and under the waves. Luckily the spool was open and we managed to find the line and pull in one of Mikes better catches of the year.

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111906524/" title="Mike's best catch of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/2111906524_3d2d0d54f8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mike's best catch of the year" /></a>

 

 

We started spending enough time on Scugog that we actually figured out some patterns and by august we starting to focus on those wonderful fish - the muskellenge. We had some success, certainly nothing Lew like but we learned a lot and will be ready for next year. Here's my best from the bog

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111134345/" title="Scugog muskie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2122/2111134345_41b6e73b8f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Scugog muskie" /></a>

 

and the release (I really like this shot)

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111133701/" title="Releasing a muskie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/2111133701_4683b18c08_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Releasing a muskie" /></a>

 

I also hooked up with PatrickG and Bitsmith2k on a couple occasions to rent tinnies for lovesick and stoney lake action. For some reason (my guess is its all my fault) we never managed to do really well but we had fun. Here's Bithsmith showing off his biggest

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111123529/" title="Mike showing the monster lovesick fish by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2152/2111123529_a26c686956_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mike showing the monster lovesick fish" /></a>

 

And patrick with something a bit better

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111897774/" title="Lovesick bass by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2024/2111897774_b3c0700d54_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Lovesick bass" /></a>

 

 

<h2>Thunder Bay</h2>

As I mentioned earlier every year for the last few years a gourp of guys that went to high school together have gotten together back in Thunder Bay for a week of fishing. This year we had a lot of people bail (for lousy reasons like having a child the day before - bah) and it ended up being just 4 of us. The plus side was that all 4 of us really wanted to fish. We headed out to Lac des Milles Lac for 5 days and started off with our first sacrifice to the fishing gods

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111908580/" title="Ooops - NW ontario logging roads by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/2111908580_66ddfc0bf1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Ooops - NW ontario logging roads" /></a>

 

Luckily it worked! We had a great time catching smallies (really didn't expect those, what a fun surpirse), billions of grass pikes (snot rockets) like these

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111897280/" title="One of a zillion Lac snot rockets by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2111897280_eb129321ec_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="One of a zillion Lac snot rockets" /></a>

 

And some real pike

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111895258/" title="Daves Lac pike by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2111895258_f4d1ef1b03_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Daves Lac pike" /></a>

 

And of course walleyes galore

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111916950/" title="Toothy Walleye from NW Ontario by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2227/2111916950_027723897a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Toothy Walleye from NW Ontario" /></a>

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111898488/" title="Nice NW Ontario walley by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2214/2111898488_6ed3511c2e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Nice NW Ontario walley" /></a>

 

And then the combo pike eating my walleye!

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111901742/" title="Pike taking my walleye by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/2111901742_060b4d9e25_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Pike taking my walleye" /></a>

 

We had great weather the whole trip - beautiful days on the water like this

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111120195/" title="Perfect way to spend a day by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2111120195_d0bdc3c8e2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Perfect way to spend a day" /></a>

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111115093/" title="Classic NW Ontario fishing by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/2111115093_8df4aa9572_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Classic NW Ontario fishing" /></a>

 

But the last night a huge storm blew through that nearly tore the roof off and left trees down and leaves plastered to everything

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111136823/" title="Storm damage by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2248/2111136823_e109a330f5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Storm damage" /></a>

 

But we persevered and enjoyed some great meals

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111117659/" title="mmmm now thats some tasty fish by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2111117659_fc2a0eb532_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="mmmm now thats some tasty fish" /></a>

 

with friends

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111138469/" title="The Dog River RiverDawgs by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/2111138469_4da495e396_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="The Dog River RiverDawgs" /></a>

 

A few weeks later I was back in TBay for a wedding so I hooked up with the guys again to try something none of us had. The Kaminisitiqua river is located in my parents back yard. In fact its no more than 10 blocks from where my buddy stores his boat yet none of us had fished it before. We'd all heard it was ok and since I had limited time we tried it out. Holy crap it was great! Nearly non stop fish during the evenings with a mix of eyes and some bonus smallies. Defintely be back there again.

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111899544/" title="Kam River 'Eye by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2111899544_08960ba5d9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Kam River 'Eye" /></a>

 

<h2>The Grand River</h2>

Now we come to my favourite part of the year. While I loved fishing the kawarthas and of course the Thunder Bay trips is always a highlite I had no idea what river fishing was until Patrick said we should try the Grand river. First he showed me the secrets of the Toronto Harbour and now he showed me the joy of river fishing.

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111121001/" title="Foggy day on the river by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2154/2111121001_afd5219b4b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Foggy day on the river" /></a>

 

There's something so nice about having a single rod and a very basic tackle selection and then wandering into the water that's just fun. We went out several times during the summer and always had a good time.

 

Sure we had days where we barely caught any but we also had days where we couldn't keep them off. The majority of the fish are kinda small compared to oh say Simcoe smallies but we caught a few real hogs as well. We really didn't do a whole lot of exploring though we got to a few spots and one day I got a ping from fatherof3 in Paris offering to hook up for some time on the Grand down in his end which was great (also got to fish the Nith). Here he is in one of those rare times when he's not taking great pictures

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111115675/" title="Brad looking for fish in Paris by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2111115675_b989f1be74_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Brad looking for fish in Paris" /></a>

 

There's just so much wonderful water on that river and its tribs and I haven't even tried the GTA area rivers yet. Damn I'm getting excited just thinking about putting on the waders again next year.

 

Though each of these pics has a story behind them I'll just put them out for you - the video at the end of the post really captures the kind of fun we had out there.

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111131907/" title="Patrick striking the pose by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/2111131907_3bc1071d74_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Patrick striking the pose" /></a>

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111124315/" title="Nothing beats tube fishing for smallies by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2240/2111124315_745128f544_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Nothing beats tube fishing for smallies" /></a>

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111909438/" title="Patrick with a Grand smallie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/2111909438_4d07769437_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Patrick with a Grand smallie" /></a>

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111132265/" title="Me with a grand smallie by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/2111132265_bab0b535e7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Me with a grand smallie" /></a>

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111131005/" title="Another nice grand bass by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2111131005_4013cab48f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Another nice grand bass" /></a>

 

<h2>End of the year</h2>

Finally in November Mikeh and I hooked up again for a Muskie charter that Mike had won in an auction. The day started great even though the weather was pretty miserable. Mike caught the first one then I pulled in a 45. Mike missed the next so I was up for the 4th which turned out to be our last of the day but what a beauty. My biggest fish of the year, all 48 and a half inches of her

 

<a href="

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emosworld/2111911786/" title="48.5" - Largest of the year by Sean Maurik, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2266/2111911786_3776e01348_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="48.5" - Largest of the year" /></a>

 

Mike and I managed to get out a couple more times for some miserable november fishing but that was pretty much it for me.

 

<h2>In Summary</h2>

So that about wraps it up. I take away a few things from this year:

 

One - I really enjoy fishing and can't believe I took this long to start again

 

Two - I can't take it seriously, I don't care if I get skunked, I just enjoy being outside. If you're a nit picker about every detail of fishing you probably don't want to fish with me

 

Three - Its more fun with friends. Though some days being out by yourself can be great its almost always more fun with others around to share the good times.

 

Four - OFC is full of incredible people. I've only met a few but have yet to meet anyone I'd not go fishing with again. This is a great group of people and I can't wait to keep fishing with you all in the new year.

 

So thats's about it. Throughout the year I managed to take a few video clips that I've posted in my reports. I've taken some of the better ones and put them together as a little summary:

 

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMuGM8P09E&rel=1"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMuGM8P09E&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMuGM8P09E&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

 

You can find the rest of the videos (mostly Patrick catching fish after fish and several more from Lac des milles Lac) at my YouTube page and loads of pics on my Flickr page

 

See you all in the new year.

Sean

[iceguy]

Look's like you had a great year. Lots of diffrent styles and type of fishing. The hook in the finger look like it hurted a lot.

[fatherof3]

nice recap of your year with some nice fish.Give me a shout sometime if you want to explore out here and will try to get you on fish this time,lol.

[Marc Thorpe]

Those are some sweet pics you shared tks

Great report

[solopaddler]

Looks like you had a great year Sean, congrat's!

Your summary speaks volumes. You've definitely got the right attitude when it

comes to the sport of fishing.

 

Cheers

[Smokey]

Great year end report. You definitly made the most of your year and still a bit more to go.

 

Congrats on a successful year and Thanks for the report.

 

Mike

[lew]

Thanks for that Sean, it was a fantastic read, including some excellent pictures too !!

 

Boy, for a feller that just got back into fishing this year, you certainly accomplished everything you set out to do with some very impressive fish........ Congratulations to ya for a job well done !!

[Cookslav]

Wow you had a great year eh?....Beats the snot right outta mine LOL!

Thanks for sharing!

[Mark Kulik]

Nice pics Shawn, your big smile says it all! fun-what it's all about!

[trapshooter]

Awesome pictures!! You had a great year. Congrats.

 

Cheers,

ben.

[Mike the Pike]

That was an excellent year in Review report and yes this community has been amazing so many people who are willing to help.

 

Nice to see those pics on a cild day like today.

 

WTG Sean

[spoonmaster]

Excellent pictures and report

 

Al

[fishindevil]

Congrats sean on your great year of catching lots of fish !!!. ..some real nice ones there for sure !! and some very good pictures as well,you will have to work real hard in 08,to beat this years catches for sure...cheers

[Ramble]

Great read...and nice photo's. The picture of the muskie being relseased is excellent. i hope there is a copy haning on your wall at home.

[irishfield]

Some absolutely great fish and pictures in that !!

[Terry]

great report

great pictures

 

great year

 

but the thing that seems to stick with me is that darn hook in the finger....dang

[tbayboy]

Stuck with me too Terry (bah dum dum, thank you I'm here all week!)

[bucktail]

Great report man!!!!

 

 

The release shot of the muskie is perfect , you should blow it up and frame it, just a wonderful photo!!!

[mikeh]

Very nice summary of your year, great pictures as well and thanks for all your reports this year, they were excellent.

[LeXXington]

Looks like you had an excellent year Sean.. I will send you more invites next year and try to be at least more than 24 hour notice

 

So how long till the ice ... all day for 3 or 4 perch ahhhhhhhhhhh

 

See you on the ice

[lunkerbasshunter]

very cool!!! thanks for taking the time to post!

[tbayboy]

Cant wait Lexx. This year at least I know what a whitefish rig is and that it really isn't meant for ice fishing perch

[Tarzan's Jane]

Enjoyed your report, video as well. You are as calm as the water. Not sure if it was the sunrise or sunset with you and the southern Ontario walleye, but it is a nice pic as are the other ones. Wow, you guys wade out deep,,,I have only been to just above my knees.

[scuro]

Awesome pics, I enjoyed looking at them again.

[Moosebunk]

Great year for ya Sean. Good luck in the 08