Some fall fishing Lakair style

[Joey]

We spent another week up on Nipissing this past week and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and amazing weather most of the week. The trees had turned and lost more leaves than I had expected, but there was still plenty of color to enjoy.

 

We arrived Saturday afternoon and it was dreary out. We fished for pickerel in the afternoon staying pretty local to our cabin at Lakair, but didn't get a sniff. It was rainy and dull out, but I took a few photos. This loon was very cooperative, but the camera did not like the dull conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

This shot turned out kind of neat in the weather conditions. Ignore the out of focus birds head in the forefront

 

 

 

Took Ralphie for a nice walk and enjoyed the scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday was windy and dreary again, lots of rain on and off so we stuck close by again and did a bit of worm drowning and casting for pike. I ended up with 2 perch and a pike and Paul got 2 pike.

 

Only took a shots that day. Again, crappy photography weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday was a write off. It was very, very windy and we tried trolling with the kicker for either pike or pickerel but we ended up having to troll too fast or we'd get blown too close to the shore/rocks. Once the wind gusts hit 50, we called it a day and went back and watched movies at the cabin.

 

My only shot of the day was this poor gull on the dock with a wounded leg.

 

 

Tuesday was very cold in the morning, but the fog made for a lovely morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Target for the morning was musky, and I got a beauty, actually, my PB. I casted out and saw the swirl and the side of a large fish take a swipe and miss my lure. I reeled a bit and saw the lure just covered in weeds so yelled for Paul to cast out there. I reeled in as fast as I could, cleared the weeds off and casted out again, nothing Casted out once more and BAM, fish on. And what a strong fish. Went on two good runs and did a nice jump out of the water, then Paul netted it like a pro. It came in at 48" and was a nice heavy beast. I tried to get a picture standing but I decided sitting down with it would be much easier with it's weight. Paul took a few pics and it wriggled a bit and I lost my gill grip and could feel some teeth and gill plate on my fingers, but did not let go. Paul measured it and I carefully put it back in the net to revive. I then realized it had crapped all over my shirt, pants and the boat floor. So I was cleaning that mess up and noticed there was now blood mixed in with it all and realized my hand was bleeding pretty good. I ended up getting it everywhere, on the camera when I was putting it away, the dog while I tried to keep him out of the crap, what a mess

 

So Paul did the tail release and it swam away good and strong. What a beauty and I was thrilled!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it managed to get every finger on the hand, either front or back!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went for pickerel later that night and I got a nice keeper

 

 

 

 

Ralphie looks terrified of it Too bad the shot was out of focus!!!

 

 

 

All in all we ended up that I got the musky, a pike, the pickerel, a perch and a bluegill and Paul got a pike and a perch.

 

That night we got back to camp and there was a scheduled power outtage. It was actually kind of fun eating by battery light. Since there was no power to the area, the stars were amazing and we sat outside and stargazed and even saw a shooting star.

 

Got some nice sunset pics that night too

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continued.......

[Joey]

Wednesday was a beautiful day. Warm and sunny. Shorts and t-shirt weather. Unfortunately, it changed the fishing and they turned off. We were skunked for the day. I did get a nice musky follow first thing in the morning. I'd estimate a 46"er, but it seems it was not hungry. Just kind of hung there, didn't follow the figure 8, just submarined down after awhile. I got bored and tried to get a pic of Paul's lure hitting the water. Not an easy task actually, but this was the best I could do.

 

 

 

Thursday was another beauty day. We managed some pike that day. 2 for me and 3 for Paul. I also had two more musky follows, but they were still not taking the bait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here's a story. The CO's came over for a visit. Nice fellas. Checked our licences etc. and asked if we had safety equipment, alcohol on the boat etc. All was well. I took a pic of them leaving after they checked another boat down the bay, nice craft.

 

 

 

 

 

They took off like a bat out of hell and them BAM, hit a rock!! Oooopsie. I took a shot right after when the engine up and them scratching their heads

 

 

 

We saw them later and I asked if they did any damage. The one guy says "what do you mean?" with a sheepish grin. I said "when you hit that rock" and he says "what rock?" and then "Oh you heard that eh, ah just a little scratch on the skeg." Hmmmmmmmmm

 

 

Went out for pickerel that night and only got a rock bass each.

 

Friday morning was the foggiest morning up there. First time I have not been able to see the island looking toward Warren's Bay, and it was a long, slow ride out to Muskrat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fog was in patches and got really bad as we passed Memquisit, then as we came into the bay, it cleared all up, but we could see it in the distance. It slowly rolled over us. Was pretty cool, and eerie at the same time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It made a halo effect in front of you, like a rainbow kind of.

 

 

 

 

 

Paul managed to be the pike master that day, catching 4 and one at a nice 30"

 

 

 

The sunset was absolutely gorgeous that evening

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul took a picture of me taking a picture of the sunset. Turned out kinda cool.

 

 

 

Saturday was sunny but with an east wind. We only fished half the morning as TJ and Monique invited us to their annual turkey hang. Paul managed 1 pike and I was el skunkarood. I really didn't care at that point as my back was so sore from casting lures all week it was hard to do it anymore.

 

We had an absolute blast at the turkey hang and ate like kings. Thanks so much TJ and Monique for a great time and fine food and company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We headed back this morning and stopped at my sisters in Bradford for Thanksgiving dinner. So two turkey dinners in two nights. Very lucky indeed!!!

 

Here are some other shots I took in no particular order.

 

Sandhill cranes flying over TJ's backyard

 

 

 

Cormorants on the rock

 

 

 

Ralphie falling asleep in the boat sitting up

 

 

 

A Bonaparts Gull

 

 

 

 

 

Feathers floating on the bay

 

 

 

 

Our home for the week.

 

 

 

 

Garter snake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brown water snake, that actually bit me when I picked it up. I'm usually pretty good at it. Guess I've lost my touch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rusty Blackbird

 

 

 

 

Thanks Leslie for all your hospitality and a wonderful stay once again. Sorry we missed Kevin this time. We'll be back in June as usual.

 

Hope you all enjoyed.

 

Joey

 

[davierooney]

Fantastic Joey, amazing pic's.

Well done on the PB with the muskie next time watch them fingers. looks like you had a blast 'Happy Thanksgiving.'

[Whopper]

Excellent report and congrats on your big Muskie.

 

Thanks for sharing

[fishindevil]

Looks like an awesome trip up to lakeair Joey !!!! Some great fishing awesome scenery & friends !!! And of course your new PB !!!!!! Congrats !!!! Great scenery pics as well !!!! Tight-lines. Cheers

[lew]

Thanks for that Joey, I've been waiting to hear how you guys made out and it sure sounds like you had a great week.

 

Congrats on that PB musky too, she's a beaut !!

[Terry]

looks like a great trip

[misfish]

Great morning read.Great pics as is the norm in your reports.

 

 

Is Paul trying to grow a mullet??????

[davey buoy]

Nice report. Looks like a great week !!!!!!

[Rich Clemens]

Awe man. Wish we could have come up there. Great report as always Joey. And congrats on your PB. We really have to join the 50" club here soon

[spincast]

Great report - and congrats on the PB. Awesome photos, as always.

[spinnerdoc]

What a great read and viewing as well. Thank you. Some really nice shots there too. I wonder what was TJ pondering with axe in hand....lol

[Roy]

Fantastic report, Joey! Glad you had a great time. Your pictures are wonderful as usual. It looks pretty quiet at Lakair at this time of the year.

[lew]

As you know Joey, I spent 5 weeks at Lakair this year, and never once saw either the CO's or the police on the water so it's good to see their still there. Pretty nice boat the CO's are using now too cause they normally run around in that green Crestliner.

[corvette1]

awesome pictures and report nice ski joey congrats

[Roy]

That's the same boat that stopped J and I in August this year. It was dedicated 2 years ago to J.D (Don) Blahut who died of cancer in 2004. Apparently he was quite the guy and retired from the OMNR after 31 years.

[woodenboater]

 

 

 

Great report Joey and once again, great photos. I REALLY love this leaf photograph, this would make a great post card or better yet, printed large on a wall.

 

I gotta try TJ's spinning turkey method, reminds me of people who do goose the same way (person who spins the bird must get tired though ha ha)

[Joey]

Fantastic Joey, amazing pic's.

Well done on the PB with the muskie next time watch them fingers. looks like you had a blast 'Happy Thanksgiving.'

 

Thanks New Fisher, Happy Thanksgiving to you aswell. I've decided to get myself a nice pair of "musky gloves" so that does not happen again.

 

Excellent report and congrats on your big Muskie.

 

Thanks for sharing

 

 

Thanks Phil!

 

Looks like an awesome trip up to lakeair Joey !!!! Some great fishing awesome scenery & friends !!! And of course your new PB !!!!!! Congrats !!!! Great scenery pics as well !!!! Tight-lines. Cheers

 

Thanks Shawn, really love it up there in the fall.

 

Thanks for that Joey, I've been waiting to hear how you guys made out and it sure sounds like you had a great week.

 

Congrats on that PB musky too, she's a beaut !!

 

Thanks Lew, seems we both found a place that covers all our fishing/relaxing needs. Just love it up there.

 

looks like a great trip

 

 

Thanks Terry.

 

Great morning read.Great pics as is the norm in your reports.

 

 

Is Paul trying to grow a mullet??????

 

 

Thanks B, and no, not a mullet , it's the same length all around. He's just been on midnights for the last 8 weeks or so and not been able to get it cut!!

 

Nice report. Looks like a great week !!!!!!

 

 

 

Thanks Davey Buoy!

 

Awe man. Wish we could have come up there. Great report as always Joey. And congrats on your PB. We really have to join the 50" club here soon

 

We wish you could have come up too Rich, and yes, that 50 club seems just soooooo close it hurts

 

Great report - and congrats on the PB. Awesome photos, as always.

 

 

Thanks bud, appreciate it!

 

Edited October 14, 2013 by Joey

[Joey]

What a great read and viewing as well. Thank you. Some really nice shots there too. I wonder what was TJ pondering with axe in hand....lol

 

Thanks spinnerdoc, he was pondering, well actually who ever knows what TJ is pondering

 

Fantastic report, Joey! Glad you had a great time. Your pictures are wonderful as usual. It looks pretty quiet at Lakair at this time of the year.

 

Thanks Hon, missed you up there!

 

awesome pictures and report nice ski joey congrats

 

 

Thanks!!!

 

That's the same boat that stopped J and I in August this year. It was dedicated 2 years ago to J.D (Don) Blahut who died of cancer in 2004. Apparently he was quite the guy and retired from the OMNR after 31 years.

 

That's nice to know Roy. It was a beautiful craft!!

[Joey]

 

Great report Joey and once again, great photos. I REALLY love this leaf photograph, this would make a great post card or better yet, printed large on a wall.

 

I gotta try TJ's spinning turkey method, reminds me of people who do goose the same way (person who spins the bird must get tired though ha ha)

 

Thanks, that one did turn out kind of cool. And the turkey's actually spun for a long time once "twirled" It was pretty cool!!

[Moosebunk]

A Thanksgiving feast of incredible photos Joey. Congrats again on the PB.

 

Enjoyed the read this morning.

[solopaddler]

A beautiful time of year to be up there and your photos captured it perfectly.

 

Congrat's on the musky, that's gotta be a pretty big deal!

[2 tone z71]

awesome Pics looks like a good time

[John]

Great report Joey! Congrat's on the beauty PB Muskie, I have done the same thing on the fingers bleeds like crazy for a while. Miss that place terribly didn't manage to get up this year with work and family schedule, hope to do better next year. Great photo's as usual, wouldn't expect anything less.

[ehg]

Awesome pictures and write up!

 

Have been bit by water snakes and cut by musky teeth as well.

 

Nice PB musky!