Brookies, ATV's and Nature

[Rod Caster]

Hey Team,

 

I haven't been posting as many summer fishing reports this year due to acquiring a new house/property, but I still visit the site often; there's been some great posts and topics lately!

 

The learning curve is steep and things are getting done. My firewood is essentially complete and I've started many projects such as next year’s garden, recycling the various metals on the lot, maintaining a bear-feed station, organizing the shed (I might need a god to pray to for that project) and cutting trails to my river, which is at the back corner of my lot. That doesn’t include all the house stuff I’m getting done like seamless eavestroughs, new carpeting (preparing the floor) and sealing my basement door. In addition to the things that NEED to get done, there is a list half a mile long that is headlined by 'to do'. I'm also doing some kooky stuff like making Birch Bark Tar and collecting mushrooms. So far the #1 lesson I've learned, moving onto a large acreage, is to take things step by step and enjoy the 'wins'. There are so many things to be done and often things don't go to plan. I can easily spend a whole morning working on something (like fixing ATV's) only to spend double that time putting things away half-complete to meet other obligations.... its ok, I'll just pick up where I left off and keep gaining.

 

 

Here are some photos of us making Birch Bark Tar. I plan on making a bunch of it and using it to stain the base of my garden fence-posts. The photos should be self-explanatory. I ‘cook’ the bark for about 2hrs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard to see, but there are about 50ml of tar in the tea pot. System gets better each time I do it.

 

Yesterday was a good day. Me and a friend visited the newest trail and flattened out some the large divots. I'm working my way to the river, but the land drops nearly 50 meters in elevation over a length of about 150 meters. It's not easy work. The terrain is rough and wild...but I'm gaining on it. Eventually I want a hunt cabin near the 'falls', but I first need a trail to bring in materials. For exploration's sake, we walked to the River where we saw trout jumping. My instincts kicked in and we immediately changed plans and decided to hit up the river where it meets the road several kilometers down to try to catch tomorrow’s breakfast. On our walk back, I found some Oyster Mushrooms and gathered them for dinner, which my Wife then turned into a fantastic pre-fishing meal! The Oyster Mushrooms are white, the Chantrelles are orange.

 

 

 

 

We launched the canoe into the River, which is fairly wide and fast-flowing, but quite shallows in many spots with a very rocky/gravely bottom. Shallow riffles ended our passive journey upstream after about 500 meters, but we managed to find some good water within that span. I pulled out 9 speckies, averaging 7 or 8 inches in a couple hours and our canoe totaled 12 fish by the time we finished our journey. Biggest was approx 9-10 inches...as shown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the fishing, we went for an ATV ride. Just love my property and its surroundings!

 

 

 

 

Today should be just as good of a day. I’m meeting Dana for a belated fishing rendez-vous up north to a lake that has kicked our butts a couple times. Really looking forward to hanging with him; he’ll talk about his son and I’ll talk about my property, I’m sure. Hahaha.

 

Thanks for reading. Time for me to feed on speckled trout and farm fresh eggs and then ATV to the back nine with my chainsaw and shovel.

 

[leaf4]

Nice read congrats on the house sounds sweet

[spinnerdoc]

Thanks for sharing. Good luck on your to do list.

[davey buoy]

Living the dream as close as it can get. Sweet spot you have for sure!!!!!

[Ralph Field]

Living the dream as close as it can get. Sweet spot you have for sure!!!!!

x2

[spincast]

awesome Chad! It is those things we work hardest on, that we reflect upon later with the most enjoyment. You dun good

[gino]

Chad, you have an awesome spot right there...enjoy the out of town experience.

[Joey]

Always enjoyable to read your property updates. Thanks!

[wormdunker]

You're living my dream! Congratulations on your new digs!!

[Musky or Specks]

Oh God Chad That River will be teeming with nice fish come black fly season. I find its only the smaller fish that come around in the fall in Canadian Shield rivers. Third week of May till second week of June I can see some 16" + fish coming out of that river. YOUR PROPERTY think of that. Jealous brother

[Rod Caster]

Thanks for the kind replies everyone

 

Brad, where would the big ones go during the summer/fall? The closest lakes are many kilometers away both upstream (much smaller lots of dams) and downstream (more natural dams). I was thinking I'd just have to work hard to them, or find the deep holes.

 

There are definitly a lot of small ones in there, I seen at least a dozen jumping out of the water hitting flies....oh, and there is lots of room on the bank for fly casting!

[Musky or Specks]

Thanks for the kind replies everyone

 

Brad, where would the big ones go during the summer/fall? The closest lakes are many kilometers away both upstream (much smaller lots of dams) and downstream (more natural dams). I was thinking I'd just have to work hard to them, or find the deep holes.

 

There are definitly a lot of small ones in there, I seen at least a dozen jumping out of the water hitting flies....oh, and there is lots of room on the bank for fly casting!

They get onto the seeps where springs are entering the river and then come fall they stay for the mating. I've been trying really hard for the MNR(Bug my Bio Friends) to do a radio telemetry study on Canadian Shield River Brook Trout and their seasonal movements but it strictly for selfish reasons and they know it.

[adolson]

I think I'm going to be heading that way in May-June 2014, Chad. We'll find the big ones.

[Rod Caster]

Bring your waders and or insulated water boots. I think the best way to cover water on this river is by foot. Lots of liftovers and rocky areas.

[Musky or Specks]

I'll meet you on Songis Road first Saturday morning in June

[Rod Caster]

We could be onto something here guys. I suggest some early spring PM's to get this rolling.

[solopaddler]

What a great spot you have there Chad! You should be proud.

[mistaredone]

Living the dream man! I'll be googling Birch tar next

[ehg]

Lots of work for you but what a paradise!

Nice that your getting premiere eats right on your property. Chantrelles, Oyster mushrooms and brookies right there now for the picking.

 

Great stuff!

[Sinker]

Nice spot! I've never heard of birch tar before....interesting. Kinda like birch syrup, but a lot less harvested. What other uses does it have?

 

You have many maples up there? You should start getting ready for the sugar run this spring! Another fun way to pass time that time of year! You can also tap the birch trees.

 

S.