My 2008 Year in Review

[trapshooter]

With my softwater season over and ice fishing about a week away, my season has come full circle and I thought I'd put together a year in review report.

 

I kicked off the 08 hardwater season fishing speckies in BC. We made several trips to a back country lake on a bench half way up a mountain. Fun to access on a sled winding around the switchbacks as we climbed up to the lake. It never failed to produce for us either.

 

Here is a view from the trail in, across the valley. Absolutely beautiful country out there.

 

A typical fish from this lake. Most were between 15 and 18 inches.

 

 

 

 

Every fish was taken on a small jig tipped with a shrimp-ring shrimp! You learn something new all the time.

 

Spring found me back in Ontario and in southern Ontario late April means one thing..... Wild Turkeys! What a thrilling hunt this was. I harvested this Tom on the 2nd morning of the season. 22lbs, 10 3/8ths inch beard.

 

 

 

On May 1st I made my annual pilgrimage back to northwestern Ontario for another season of guiding on Lac Seul. With winter holding on, this is the scene we found when we arrived at camp.

 

Froze SOLID!!

 

Walleye opener found us dodging ice flows to get at some of our spring spots.

 

The highlight of spring fishing for me was this pike. Taken in late may, twitching a husky jerk off a primary point in a big bay. Textbook pike spot and it held this girl.

 

40" - dark, clean and beautiful.

 

If you've ever spent any time in the bush in northern Ontario in the spring you'll be familiar with the thump-thump-thump drumming of the ruffed grouse. I caught this fella with the camera doing his dance, trying hard to impress the ladies.

 

 

As spring melted into summer the walleye action heated up. I spend the majority of the summer targeting walleye and here's a selection of some of the nicer fish and photographs from my 08 season.

 

29 1/4" I guided on the 2nd day of the season.

 

A chunky spring fish. I targeted this fish in deeper water then we were catching higher volumes of smaller fish and it paid off.

 

I found a really hot bite one day with my guests and brought my wife, Kelly, back to the spot that evening. They were still there and we had a blast pounding away at the walleyes until dark. The spot is a small sand point that juts out underwater from shore, making a perfect little cup that the wind was pounding into.

 

As you can see, I painted this spot pink with my GPS trails earlier in the day. And just a bit of action on the graph too!

 

Kelly with a nice walleye.

 

Me with an average walleye from my little hot spot.

 

One more from that evening on the fish board for a quick measure.

 

That evening of great walleye fishing with Kelly is one I'll never forget.

 

It seems that every time I get Kelly out in the boat she is a good luck charm. On a sunny summer afternoon we got into another big school of fish.

 

 

Kelly with both of our fish from a double header.

 

hook-set

 

result

 

That afternoon I caught this guy flying overhead

 

Here is one of my favourite fish that I've ever guided. Julia is 9 years old and this was the 3rd year that I've guided her and her family. She is quite the little fisher girl - tying her own jigs, baiting her hook, netting, unhooking and handling fish like a pro. I really wanted her to get a big walleye. In the last 5 minutes of the last day of their trip I watched her set the hook and saw her rod double over. I knew it was big and she battled it like a pro - lifting up slow and reeling down until it was in the net. Check out that smile!! Talk about job satisfaction!

 

 

Another nice Lac Seul walleye for me.

 

And a big fall pike to round out my season at the lodge. This girl hit a bucktail burned along the deep edge of a weed bed.

 

 

On sept 15th I started chasing the grouse with a shotgun instead of the camera.

 

 

Here's what the grouse were eating.

 

And here's what I was eating

 

In October Kelly and I moved to Sioux Lookout and I turned my attention to muskies. Although I didn't catch one myself, my fishing partner Graham got 2 beauties in my boat. What a thrill.

 

 

 

How's this for 'match-the-hatch'

 

Mid November I was chasing white-tailed deer and was fortunate enough to harvest this 6pt near Dryden Ontario.

 

That was my 08 season. My only regret is having to wait all winter for a chance at my first muskie. For now, bring on the ice and snow - it's time to ice fish!!

 

Cheers,

 

ben

Edited November 21, 2008 by BenBeattie

[Anton Kanagasuntheri]

Great report, loved the picts good to see the family is invloled as well ...

[steverowbotham]

Nice.. I always love the Year in Review reports ... I've got one on the way.

 

I'm making a move to BC in April, care to share some brookie spots. ... haha

[TJQ]

Thats an awesome report.... thanks!

[Headhunter]

Sweet report man! Those Pickereyes are just beautiful... you can easily see how they differ from the one's we catch at the Q... long and lean!

Thanks for taking the time!

HH

[anders]

WOW....thanks for taking the time to put that all togeter. COngrats on a great year!

[trapshooter]

where are you going in BC steve? That lake is just outside of Golden.

[Paully]

looks like you had a great year! hopefully 09' will be the same for you.

[tinbanger]

great shots Ben

 

You are a lucky bugger , spent one day in lac suel this summer ( visiting family in Dryden) and can't imagine living there .

Thnaks for the tips on Lac Suel payed off with the big fish of the day !

beauty first deer

 

 

 

thanks again

 

TB

Edited November 21, 2008 by tinbanger

[lew]

Looks like you've had an excellent season Ben, congrats for that.

 

Good having you back on the board too, it's been quite awhile.

[steverowbotham]

where are you going in BC steve? That lake is just outside of Golden.

 

I'll be pretty far from there, I'm going to Langley. But my roommate just moved to Banff, so when I'm visiting him, I might have to make a slight detour.

[tbayboy]

Great report Ben, nice to see you've been keeping busy up there. The little girl story/pic is great.

[danc]

Awesome report with some great photos. That Grouse photo is fantastic.

[misfish]

Hey Ben.

You sure come along way from the earlytime when we first met up. Net wize.LOL

Great photos and real nice buck bud.

Thanks for taking the time.

[Wild]

Incredible report Ben in fact incredible season for you! I have to rely on such posts for my fish experience - through the eyes of others so to speak as I could not venture out one single time but I have to tell you this post is very inspirational to say the least. Great job!

[Raf]

yeah, i realize teh lakers were a let down this year ben.

 

ps. we're still coming in july.

[sharper]

Great recap of the year and nice pictures. That musky looks huge!

[Leecher]

OMG outstanding Ben

 

You had quite a season and loved the big eyes pics, Outstanding

Congratulation to you and Kelly

Thanks for sharing

Leechman

[ccmtcanada]

WOW!! Fantastic! Some beautiful walleye and pike there. I can see why Juila's fish is one of your favourites too. She's quite the little angler there...with a great walleye to boot!!!!

 

Great year in review...looked like a success on all accounts!

[Bernie]

Wonderful post Ben. It's easy to see you are in your element. Congratulations!

[highdrifter]

yeah, i realize teh lakers were a let down this year ben.

 

ps. we're still coming in july.

 

OOH OOH can I come too??!!

 

Wow. Wicked year!!

 

Thanks for the porn. Charmane Star ain't got diddly on this one.

 

yeyyeeeee

 

cheers

HD

[Roy]

Just a beautiful report Ben, you had a super season...thank you for taking the time to post that. Some super fish and pics in there for sure! Good luck to you in the next year.

[Whitespinnerbait]

Awesome report

 

Fishing,Hunting Wildlife pics .Well done Dude

[Smokey]

Great report Ben and Congrats on all the success you've had. So what are the plans for the upcoming winter? Are you going to give it a go in the north or heading back home?

 

Best of Luck

 

Mike

[TroutnMuskieHunter]

Excellent report and greats pics!!!....Thanks for sharing!!