Billy Bob Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 OK, here is my trip report at the "Beautiful Bignells Resort" (Big Cliff's Home) I can't really do justice here but I will try my best...... Arrived Friday morning with showers on and off for most of the drive.... We parked across the street from Cliff's house and was given a VERY WARM WELCOME from Cliff and his lovely wife Sue......Cliff quickly escorted us to our fully furnished BEAUTIFUL Bungalow overlooking Sturgeon Lake... Cliff immediately began helping us carry all our stuff so we could get settled in...and then it was off to the boat ramp with Cliff which was only 4 doors down to launch my faithful Old Grumman.... and yes the hubs never touched the water... THANKS AGAIN CLIFF....with rain in the forecast for the next few days we wondered how we were to going to cope....but have no fear we were greeted with a Canadian Survival Package.... At first I was guessing it was Christmas in Canada but on further examination it was a package from a friend from afar....Paul better known here as MercMan.....Paul had include many items like Canadian hat buttons, a small hand towel, screw drivers, a GREAT BBQ Sauce and some REAL CANADIAN MAPLE SYRUP....and also a spinner rig with a yellow sally that I didn't get to use because we were fishing so shallow all week long....and I can't forget the Canadian Flag sunglasses that I would put on every time it would rain....and they worked...the sun would come right out... It would be like the above picture and shortly after I put on my Canadian Sunglasses this would happen. THANK YOU PAUL for your thought fullness and generosity. If anyone remembers I ordered our fishing licenses by phone and the Canadian Fishing Ministry was very quick to get them to us....BUT....they never sent any regs with them so Cliff downloaded Area 17 for me....since we always have gotten the conservation license I was SHOCKED to see they reduce the limit to ONE WALLEYE per conservation license....so you will not see multiple fish pics because I would fish mostly alone while the bride slept in every morning...but I did catch some fish.. The first caught walleye on Saturday morning. A very nice 12" crappie that is still swimming in Sturgeon Lake. And to show not everyone was a keeper a 7.5" walleye And of course I had to take out the bride once she was well rested and I cooked her breakfast outside on the griddle. And she did get her share of fish.... My bride Cindy always insist we take boat rides and this trip wasn't any different...we cruised to Fenelon Falls and also Bobcaygeon and of course took some photo's for our scrap book. On Sunday we were invited to break bread with Cliff and his lovely wife Sue....Cliff made up his famous Caveman Ribs and they were spectacular...only problem I was so busy eating I didn't take any pics of that dinner....my bad... On Tuesday we also shared a meal and this time Sue and Cliff were the guest....but again no pictures.... but you might ask Cliff how his head was the next day from drinking my Lancaster Ice Tea drinks... However, Sue and Cliff insisted we return for another meal on Thursday as this would be our last full day to eat, drink and be merry with our new Canadian Friends.... ...we had to leave early the next morning to beat the holiday traffic. But this time I remembered to take some photo's and let me tell you, Cliff is one good CHEF...his Roasted Garlic Soup is to DIE FOR....AND HE BAKED HIS OWN BREAD...try to beat that boys... When we heard one of Cliff's offered dinners to us was his Famous Caveman Ribs we had to give him this T-Shirt....Actually I was taken a photo of Sue but he ran in at the last moment... We all spent a lot of time doing this when we weren't ishing and enjoyed every moment of it. And last but not least I got to hook up with the Kawartha Lake's legendary angler, Shane....better known here as Sinker....and let me tell you he lived up to that reputation....we had a huge cold front blow in on Tuesday with LOTS of rain and HEAVY winds that continued to blow when we met up mid morning on Wednesday.... So even with 20-30 mph winds we set out for some walleyes on Rice Lake...using just small bladed worm harnesses and ONE split shot we trolled and drifted over mid lake weed beds....Sinker kept catching catfish while I kept reeling in weeds....I finally got one small walleye but still spent more time taking off weeds until Shane gave me a mid size split shot to replace my very light bullet sinker I was using....I finally got a nice keeper walleye and so did Shane....we ended up with four walleyes caught, two which went home for dinner but we talked a LOT about hunting, mostly waterfowl hunting that the six hours FLEW BY before we knew it....I would really like to share my boat next time with Sinker, hopefully someday on Lake Erie for perch as I know that's his favorite fish to catch and eat. THANK YOU SHANE, I REALLY enjoyed my day with you....I have fished with MANY MANY anglers and your at the top of my long list of those I would drop anything to share another day in the boat with. Since we were so busy shooting the Bull I didn't shoot many pictures but here's the two I did take...the second is one of the catfish Shane caught. Cliff was trying to convince us to stay until today so we could meet several others on the board here but we have my sister in-laws coming over for a BBQ and I thought that would be cutting it too close with all the holiday traffic, especially on the bridges. So next time Cliff we will have to plan around that G2G BBQ get together at your place....HOPEFULLY next summer. THANK YOU AGAIN CLIFF & SUE.... you are both so VERY KIND people and Cindy and I are PROUD to have you has our new FRIENDS....and don't forget your always welcome in our Redneck Home. Bob & Cindy
Rod Caster Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 AWSOME report! You have some very kind hosts and friends there.
Sinker Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 It was a pleasure meeting and fishing with you Bob. We did talk A LOT, and the time did FLY by out there. Too bad the conditions sucked, but still had a great time. Your more than welcome back anytime, sir! I have a picture of you holding the big fish of the day, I'll have to post later today for ya! S.
kickingfrog Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Well I guess the boarder officials didn't read my email. Glad you had a good time eh.
misfish Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Great report.Thanks for taking the time.Glad you,s enjoyed your stay. You look so much younger then I thought.
The Urban Fisherman Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 top notch report! Thanks a bunch for taking the time!!! :thumbsup_anim:
Carp Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Very nice report Bob. Glad you had fun on your trip. Come see us again soon. Cliff......you da man !!!
Pikeslayer Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 And to think our son has to endure a whole year of school while staying with Cliff & Sue. :rolleyes: We are very fortunate to call Sue and Cliff great friends.
motv8tr Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Awesome report Billy Bob, but no surprse that your hosts were top notch Glad you both had a great time, and hopefu;;y when you come back we can have a bit of a G2G Maureen
Joey Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Really great report and pictures Bob. Cliff and Sue are class acts that for sure. Sounds and looks like a perfect vacation.
mercman Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Good Gawd Bob !!! You're Colonel Sanders!! Great repoert my little Yankee Buddy !!! Glad you like the survival kit.Especially those POLAR-ized sunglasses. They can really help spot those fish Barb and i look forward to meeting you and Cindy. I"d love to meet Cliff and Sue also. A G2G would be cool Tite lines Bud
tibbs Posted July 3, 2011 Report Posted July 3, 2011 Great Report!!! Sounds like you had a great time up north!
Spiel Posted July 3, 2011 Report Posted July 3, 2011 Very nice You can't go wrong in Cliff and Sue's company.
asdve23rveavwa Posted July 3, 2011 Report Posted July 3, 2011 Great stuff Bob!! Good to see you had a great time, again, up here in Canada!!
crappieperchhunter Posted July 3, 2011 Report Posted July 3, 2011 Debbe and I have stayed over at Cliff & Sue's and broke some of Cliffs homemade bread at their supper table so I know exactly what your saying about making you feel like family. You would have a hard time finding a nicer couple. You can't help but have a great time with them. And Shayne is a stand up guy and a great fisherman as well. Great food,company and some time on the water with someone who knows how to catch fish. Sounds like a great holiday to me
GBW Posted July 3, 2011 Report Posted July 3, 2011 great report! had I been aware or the times you were in Fenlon I would have made the trip over to say hi. those falls are 20 min from my folks place where I was this weekend.
Beans Posted July 4, 2011 Report Posted July 4, 2011 One of Cliff's and my favourite areas to fish for smallies...anchored just south of there where the water starts to deepen... Too bad you had to leave so early, I was going to try to talk CPH into going to Cliff and Sue's on Friday and do some carpfishing but we went elsewhere and I let him get ahead countwise for this year... It's a "given" that you would have a good time at the Bignells...
Headhunter Posted July 4, 2011 Report Posted July 4, 2011 Great report BB! You should try and find a way to gtg with more of us at any of our gatherings... can't help but think you would have a great time and that many of us here, would enjoy shooting the p**p with yah! HH
Live2fish85 Posted July 5, 2011 Report Posted July 5, 2011 Great Report. Sounds like you enjoyed yourself.
Sinker Posted July 5, 2011 Report Posted July 5, 2011 Ok, just found some time to upload pics. Here is Bob with our biggest eye of the day. Conditions were brutal, boat control was pretty near impossible, wind howling, with a bit of spitting rain here and there....nasty. Good times! S.
Handlebarz Posted July 5, 2011 Report Posted July 5, 2011 Great report it sure looks like you guys had a great week up here in Canada and some solid hosts. Loved the pics thanks for sharing your week stay.
limeyangler Posted July 5, 2011 Report Posted July 5, 2011 Great report Billy Bob! Glad you had such a great time and got to meet some of the gang on here. This forum is amazing!
fishermccann Posted July 6, 2011 Report Posted July 6, 2011 I am surprized that you did not make it to Fenlon Falls on Sat . for Midnight Maddness and the Great Lock Jam concert in the park. Great time.
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