Over the last 30 years I have learned a few things during my trips to the great white north. Here is a list of the ones that stick out the most.
1. Not everyone is capable of driving a boat while standing up.
2. Not even a hook in the thumb can prevent a bowel movement.
3. Pike are slimmy, and even more so once you get them in the boat.
4. There is no sense in buying good pliers, they all end up in the river sooner or later.
5. Ice at the chutes is over rated.
6. The older you get the less fish you catch.
7. Green poker chips do look green after a few drinks.
8. There's nothing better than a hot hamburg.
9. The bigger I get, the smaller the shower seems to get.
10. Bob will never stop trying to smuggle Black Velvet into Canada.
11. Rodney is a unique individual that I would never mess with in an ax fight.
12. Troy sure does get pissed when you don't net his fish.
13. Steve can only handle gin and tonic in moderation.
14. No matter how many times you sweep out the cabin, there is still going to be sand in it.
15. My wife will never stop giving me shit about going on this trip.
16. I'm really good at blocking out my wife's voice.
17. The hill to the cabin keeps getting longer and longer.
18. If I try really hard enough, I believe I could fly the plane.
19. This trip wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if it wasn't shared with friends and family.
20. There will never be another Nelson, Andy, and Jerry.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Stringer? We don't need no stinking stringer.
Capt Joel from Air Ivanhoe shows what to do when you are fishing from the pontoons of a float plane without a stringer.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Court Case
My God, if this were a pot winner, who gets credit? I have the feeling it would turn into flat out fisticuffs in my boat.
Angler Spotlight: Bob
Most of Bob's angler information can be found HERE.
There is almost no difference.
The difference is this year he will have a new fishing partner. This will go one of two ways. He could end up fishing with Bernie, which would be a pretty laid back boat and some fishing might get accomplished. This is best-case scenario for Bob's contribution to fish dinners.
The other possibility is he could end up fishing with Larry. This would put A LOT of pressure on the rest of the camp. That boat may do more drinking than fishing. This doesn't do much for eating fish but it will be a nice donation to the fish pot money.
Prediction - Bob is almost never a concern for angler of the week, but fishing with Bernie may eliminate the worry of the other end of the spectrum. If he fishes with Larry, mark it down. The rest of you can stop worrying about getting that title.
There is almost no difference.
The difference is this year he will have a new fishing partner. This will go one of two ways. He could end up fishing with Bernie, which would be a pretty laid back boat and some fishing might get accomplished. This is best-case scenario for Bob's contribution to fish dinners.
The other possibility is he could end up fishing with Larry. This would put A LOT of pressure on the rest of the camp. That boat may do more drinking than fishing. This doesn't do much for eating fish but it will be a nice donation to the fish pot money.
Prediction - Bob is almost never a concern for angler of the week, but fishing with Bernie may eliminate the worry of the other end of the spectrum. If he fishes with Larry, mark it down. The rest of you can stop worrying about getting that title.
3 WEEKS
It is time to get serious. Aaron, you may want to curtail the seriousness until you confirm with the Department of the State on your ability to get back in the country.
It is time to get the reels lubed up, air out that duffel bag, get the worms on order, get your last minute tackle, get your reels lined, and most importantly, watch an instructional video. I would like to be able to eat fish a couple of times during the week.
I am really getting the feeling I am the only one taking this trip seriously.
Your Canada Trip related video of the day.
3 Weeks.
It is time to get the reels lubed up, air out that duffel bag, get the worms on order, get your last minute tackle, get your reels lined, and most importantly, watch an instructional video. I would like to be able to eat fish a couple of times during the week.
I am really getting the feeling I am the only one taking this trip seriously.
Your Canada Trip related video of the day.
3 Weeks.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Angler Spotlight: Steve
There was a day when he would just sit down at the chutes until dark and win a lot of fish pots. But raise your hand if you have seen him catch a walleye up above outside of Pike Lake. We have tried everything; calling him on the walkie talkie to let him know what they are biting on, heck at one point after one of the infamous "I haven't caught a walleye all day" comments, we even tied their boat to the end of ours and not only did they not catch any but we stopped catching them all together. It is like he is cursed.
I don't think he really works hard enough. I think the turning point was when he started using that boat seat with the back on it. Fish know when you don't care anymore and I just don't think he has the desire. If he were a pro athlete, every talk radio show would be calling for him to retire his rod and reel and just bake pies in the cabin or something.
This year it looks as though he will be fishing with his youngest son Aaron who, according to his aforementioned spotlight, has lost the ability. I am dubbing this boat the "S.S. Can't and Don't Care" and I haven't ruled out the possibility of having a sticker made to make this name apparent to everyone who comes near their boat.
Prediction: If the fish have moved into Pike Lake by the time we get there, Steve will be free and clear from the weeks worst fisherman award. If they haven't, mmmmmm.....pies.
Next Up: Bob
Your Canada Trip related video of the day
This is why you don't spend too long washing your hands.
I don't think he really works hard enough. I think the turning point was when he started using that boat seat with the back on it. Fish know when you don't care anymore and I just don't think he has the desire. If he were a pro athlete, every talk radio show would be calling for him to retire his rod and reel and just bake pies in the cabin or something.
This year it looks as though he will be fishing with his youngest son Aaron who, according to his aforementioned spotlight, has lost the ability. I am dubbing this boat the "S.S. Can't and Don't Care" and I haven't ruled out the possibility of having a sticker made to make this name apparent to everyone who comes near their boat.
Prediction: If the fish have moved into Pike Lake by the time we get there, Steve will be free and clear from the weeks worst fisherman award. If they haven't, mmmmmm.....pies.
Next Up: Bob
Your Canada Trip related video of the day
This is why you don't spend too long washing your hands.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Angler Spotlight: Trent
I don't even know what to type. My guess is it'll be another year of him holding up the other end of someone else's stringer but here it goes...
The miracle of birth caused Trent to miss his first trip last year since the age of 6. He will tell you at one time he was a couple votes shy of becoming Camp Director (a failed takeover on his own father I might add), and that since the vote didn't go his way, he named himself co-camp director.
You would think a person with a self-important title like this would have the river mastered and be bringing in quality fish left and right. Not so. I think it was 30 trips before he ever boated a walleye over 20 inches.
Missing a year puts a different perspective on this trip, though. I think Trent is refocused on relaxing and not putting so much pressure on himself to deliver or deserve his self-appointed title. I can't go all crazy and say that Trent is going to win Big Walleye of the Week but I think there are big things in store for him this year.
Prediction: If he can overcome the talent of his boat partner, and the pressures that will surely be placed on him to keep up, I think Trent is a serious contender for Fisherman of the Week.
DISCLAIMER: IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ANY AWARD PREDICTIONS; LOANING OF EQUIPMENT, SERVICES, ETC. HELPS. I ACCEPT Tail Dancers, gas tank fillup, cooler stocking OR THE LIKE.
The miracle of birth caused Trent to miss his first trip last year since the age of 6. He will tell you at one time he was a couple votes shy of becoming Camp Director (a failed takeover on his own father I might add), and that since the vote didn't go his way, he named himself co-camp director.
You would think a person with a self-important title like this would have the river mastered and be bringing in quality fish left and right. Not so. I think it was 30 trips before he ever boated a walleye over 20 inches.
Missing a year puts a different perspective on this trip, though. I think Trent is refocused on relaxing and not putting so much pressure on himself to deliver or deserve his self-appointed title. I can't go all crazy and say that Trent is going to win Big Walleye of the Week but I think there are big things in store for him this year.
Prediction: If he can overcome the talent of his boat partner, and the pressures that will surely be placed on him to keep up, I think Trent is a serious contender for Fisherman of the Week.
DISCLAIMER: IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ANY AWARD PREDICTIONS; LOANING OF EQUIPMENT, SERVICES, ETC. HELPS. I ACCEPT Tail Dancers, gas tank fillup, cooler stocking OR THE LIKE.
Week Long Tourney?
I know we have the daily and weekly fish pots and the Virtue, but is anyone interested in a week-long total walleye inches tourney?
This is what I propose:
Each person throws in 5 bucks. Winner take all. You measure and total two walleye of your choice for each day. Here is the catch - Once you determine you want to count a fish, there is no culling. For example, if you catch an 18 incher and make it one of your two to measure, you can not replace it with the 24 incher (19 for Trent) you catch later in the day. Inversely, if you catch an 18 incher and don't make it one of your fish, and you don't catch anything over 15 the rest of the day, you can't go back to count the 18.
The only way this will work is if you and your boat partner are both in the wager. If you guys think we have enough stuff to keep track of and pay out, that is cool. Just something I was thinking about and wanted to put it out there.
Your Canada Trip related video of the day
I'm thinking about catching one this size this year.
This is what I propose:
Each person throws in 5 bucks. Winner take all. You measure and total two walleye of your choice for each day. Here is the catch - Once you determine you want to count a fish, there is no culling. For example, if you catch an 18 incher and make it one of your two to measure, you can not replace it with the 24 incher (19 for Trent) you catch later in the day. Inversely, if you catch an 18 incher and don't make it one of your fish, and you don't catch anything over 15 the rest of the day, you can't go back to count the 18.
The only way this will work is if you and your boat partner are both in the wager. If you guys think we have enough stuff to keep track of and pay out, that is cool. Just something I was thinking about and wanted to put it out there.
Your Canada Trip related video of the day
I'm thinking about catching one this size this year.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Ontario MNR Strikes Again
Well the cost of your fishing license just went up. Actually, the license is 43.50 but once you tack on the extra 9.00 for the Outdoors Card you have to apply for, the price goes up to 52.50...plus tax I am sure. I am not sure how they came up with this but I imagine it went something like this:
MNR Guy 1 : I'm bored with this same routine.
MNR Guy 2: Me too. Taking people's fish and fining them to keep our country going is getting old.
1: What can we do?
2: We can raise the price of fishing licenses 9 bucks.
1: Are you kidding!? People will revolt.
2: What if we gave them a card for their extra 9 dollars.
1: What kind of card?
2: A fishing card.
1: Well aren't we going to charge an extra 9.00 for hunting as well?
2: Fine. A hunting/fishing card.
1: That's too long a name.
2: What aboot Outdoors Card!?
1: Awesome. Does this mean we can't take peoples fish anymore?
2: Of course not, as a matter of fact, here comes a truck and van right now...
Not to fear however, we just apply for it when we get our license and they give us a temporary "paper" card to keep with us until ours arrives in the mail in 4-6 weeks. Rest easy, Aaron.
Nice Little Warmup and Some Questions Answered
Troy, Steve (Dad), and I went fishing on Sunday evening and if that trip was any indication...Troy is in for a long week. Steve was the winner on the quality side of things with 3 really nice fish, I was the winner on quantity with 12. My 7 year-old daughter and and Steve were second with 6 a piece, Troy and his daughter tied with 2 a piece. Make whatever determination you wish with the facts I place in front of you.
As for the depth finder question:
Trent has 1, Steve has 1, Bob has 1, Larry has 1, and Aaron has half and I think will be taking Rick's screen to make a total of 5.
One more item of note: There is no refrigerator in the back cabin this year. We may need to take some extra coolers to keep some things cold. Which also means we are gonna want that 6th boat to make the ice runs to Pine Lake.
As for the depth finder question:
Trent has 1, Steve has 1, Bob has 1, Larry has 1, and Aaron has half and I think will be taking Rick's screen to make a total of 5.
One more item of note: There is no refrigerator in the back cabin this year. We may need to take some extra coolers to keep some things cold. Which also means we are gonna want that 6th boat to make the ice runs to Pine Lake.
Angler Spotlight: Aaron C.
If he waits as long to catch fish as he did to submit his passport card application, he probably won't catch a fish until Thursday.
There was a day when you could pencil Aaron in as a contender for fisherman of the week. Those days have passed him by. I am not sure what altered the tide of his fish catching abilities; marriage, parenthood, or a treble hook down through the thumbnail but sometimes I get the feeling he is just tying his line to a twister tail with an overhand knot and tossing it out there yet still cussing and smacking his rod tip to the water when his hook set comes up empty.
Truly a heart-breaking story for an angler who, at one time, beamed with promise of leaving all others behind in the ability to consistently boat nice fish.
Prediction: We leave on Friday the 19th and he will be standing by his mailbox every day until then waiting on his passport which will arrive on Thursday the 18th. This is a lot of pressure and stress to have to deal with. It will take him a few days to get into a groove but by Tuesday or Wednesday, the Aaron of old should make an appearance and make a run at a few fish pots. A serious run at Angler of the week would be a real long-shot.
Next up: Trent
There was a day when you could pencil Aaron in as a contender for fisherman of the week. Those days have passed him by. I am not sure what altered the tide of his fish catching abilities; marriage, parenthood, or a treble hook down through the thumbnail but sometimes I get the feeling he is just tying his line to a twister tail with an overhand knot and tossing it out there yet still cussing and smacking his rod tip to the water when his hook set comes up empty.
Truly a heart-breaking story for an angler who, at one time, beamed with promise of leaving all others behind in the ability to consistently boat nice fish.
Prediction: We leave on Friday the 19th and he will be standing by his mailbox every day until then waiting on his passport which will arrive on Thursday the 18th. This is a lot of pressure and stress to have to deal with. It will take him a few days to get into a groove but by Tuesday or Wednesday, the Aaron of old should make an appearance and make a run at a few fish pots. A serious run at Angler of the week would be a real long-shot.
Next up: Trent
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Angler Spotlight: TROY
From year after year of being anchorman in the front of the boat, he is now joined by his son Andy who has assumed those responsibilities. Thus, he moves to the back of the boat as Captain and is in his second year of this duty. His first year in this role was on unfamiliar waters where the captaining would play less of a factor. How will he handle it up above where the pressure to produce will be exponentially greater? We will see.
I would put his number of trips at around 28 which make him an elder statesmen of the group and his knowledge of the area will serve him well. However, his production in the past may have been more pronounced due to the lack of production from the other half of his boat. With a new boat partner to actually boat some fish he may have to work harder to show up on the leaderboard at the end of the day.
Integrity has been an issue in the past with false claims of how fish were landed, but with an example to set for impressionable young minds and the added responsibility of getting the boat in position to catch fish, this should not be a problem.
Prediction: Troy will have a good week but, for a change, will be cast into the shadow of the production of his boat partner.
Next up on Angler Spotlight: Aaron C.
I would put his number of trips at around 28 which make him an elder statesmen of the group and his knowledge of the area will serve him well. However, his production in the past may have been more pronounced due to the lack of production from the other half of his boat. With a new boat partner to actually boat some fish he may have to work harder to show up on the leaderboard at the end of the day.
Integrity has been an issue in the past with false claims of how fish were landed, but with an example to set for impressionable young minds and the added responsibility of getting the boat in position to catch fish, this should not be a problem.
Prediction: Troy will have a good week but, for a change, will be cast into the shadow of the production of his boat partner.
Next up on Angler Spotlight: Aaron C.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Seriously
Nice work walleye killer. You make it sound like a fishing paradise, Next year that camp will be booked solid and we won't be able to get reservations. You might want to mention the sparrow sized mosquitoes and the bears the leave their deposits outside the cabin. And the fact that we hardly ever catch any thing but perch.
Four Weeks
Four weeks from today we will gather in the gravel drive way to pack up and ship out for another trip to the second best place on earth. (The first being home, of course, with our wives and children. In case any spouses stumble upon the blog) We will set out for a 9 hour 10 minute drive to the Soo and make the ever important stop at the duty free. Measures have been taken by the camp director to ensure wait times are kept to a minimum. 6 am sharp
After an incident free cross of the border, we make our way to the Upper Deck Lounge for a late lunch/early supper and hit the road again up Hwy 17 for 140 miles to Wawa, Ontario for a plush 0 day/1 night stay at the White Fang Motel. The first stop in Wawa however is at a neat one-stop-shop for all things needed on your Canada vacation - Young's General Store. We get our fishing license here and a few souvenirs to smooth things over when we return home. And if a $20.00 pack of twister tails is your bag, they have that, too.
Once the visit to Young's is complete and you have seen the chipmunks dart in to steal the peanuts out of the burlap sack they are securely stored in, it is back to the Motel for B.S'ing, a couple of pops, and a good nights sleep before getting up at the crack of dawn to head a 140 miles east just shy of Foleyet, ON to Red Pine Lodge.
From here we catch our 25 minute, northwest flight to Pine Lake Outpost on the Nemegosenda River. Our Air Foleyet flight is serviced by Air Ivanhoe and lacks any type of flight attendant or in flight movie. What is does have is a beautiful view the entire way. If you have never been in a float plane, it is the smoothest take off and landing you can imagine.
From there, the plane is unloaded and boats are loaded for an hour and a half slow ride up the river to The Chutes - An outpost that sits a top a rushing rapid for one of best overlooks anyone can ask for. (Pictures coming soon) Coolers are unpacked, Groceries put away, ice chopped up (to keep the milk cold :o) ) , Rods and reels put together and the traditional dinty moore beef stew and rice begins to cook. If you are new to this trip you might ask "why Dinty Moore beef stew?". The cans are the perfect size to use as worm containers for the rest of the week. We have a system - don't mess with it.
After dinner it is out on the water for a couple hours of fishing just to get our line wet. The business end of the fishing doesn't start until Sunday. Sunday to Friday of fishing, lies, and more lies.
Odds are I will win a lot of money in four weeks and the other 9 guys will have to hear about it for the next 52.
Your Canada Trip related Videos of the day
Two things:
1. Turn your rod over and reel the right direction.
2. GET THE G.D. NET AWAY FROM THE FISH UNTIL HE IS READY!
This one is cool.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Do we have enough?
A question has been raised as to whether or not we will have 5 depth finders to take with us. This got me thinking of a few other things as well. So the list is:
Depth Finders?
Nets?
Minnow Buckets?
Little Debbies?
Extra pulp OJ?
Post in the comments if you know the quantity of any of the important items.
Your Canada Trip related Video of the Day
4 weeks from Saturday this will be us
Depth Finders?
Nets?
Minnow Buckets?
Little Debbies?
Extra pulp OJ?
Post in the comments if you know the quantity of any of the important items.
Your Canada Trip related Video of the Day
4 weeks from Saturday this will be us
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Predictions for 2009
It would seem there are some high expectations for this years trip. Trent thinks a 24" walleye is in his future. Bob thinks we are leaving at 6 am. Both of these situations in my opinion have the same likelihood of happening. With that being said, here are my predictions for this year:
Big Walleye of the Week - Andy
Other predictions? Let's have em.
Your Canada Trip related Video of the day
Big Walleye of the Week - Andy
- Back in the early 80's we made a trip in June and a youngster, not unlike Andy, caught a 25 incher at the moose stand. I think this puts destiny firmly in Andy's court.
- In all my minutes of blogging, this was the hardest thing I have ever had to type. I figure no matter who is forced to have him in their boat is going to suffer through the hardship of watching him drag those Erie Dearies all over the bottom of that river and he is bound find one of the larger ones.
- I have no reasoning other than:
- This gives me a 20% chance of being correct
- One of them has already won the award in the past.
- Ordinarily this award automatically goes to Steve or Bob in the "I haven't caught a walleye all day" boat, but they are getting split up this year and I think this lessens their odds.
- Why Trent? - Do you remember throwing pennies into the bottom of the pool and just wanting to dive down to get a penny but there was always a kid who was a better swimmer who got all the pennies? That is kind of how Trent's boat will be this year. He won't be able to get any pennies.
- I started the blog...and I have mad, crazy skillz.
Other predictions? Let's have em.
Your Canada Trip related Video of the day
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Let The Countdown Begin
A blog about the yearly trip? Nelson just threw up in his mouth a little bit. This will satisfy the requirement to do something about this trip while we wait for these next 30 days to go by. Maybe we can solve some age-old riddles composed by this trip in the past.
What IS trump?
How do aluminum boats drive on land?
I've got this hook down through my thumbnail. Any advice?
Can you net a fish floating on the water and win the fish pot?
How do you fish 20 plus years and never catch a fish over 20 inches?
I am sure some of you will have a lot more questions than answers so post them in the comments.
Tomorrow I will bless you with some predictions for this years trip. Here's a teaser, I don't think the trucks pull out before 6:30.
If you have any requests, stories, or other BS you want me to post, send it to me in an email. Creative license belongs to me. I will try and get some pictures loaded this evening.
What IS trump?
How do aluminum boats drive on land?
I've got this hook down through my thumbnail. Any advice?
Can you net a fish floating on the water and win the fish pot?
How do you fish 20 plus years and never catch a fish over 20 inches?
I am sure some of you will have a lot more questions than answers so post them in the comments.
Tomorrow I will bless you with some predictions for this years trip. Here's a teaser, I don't think the trucks pull out before 6:30.
If you have any requests, stories, or other BS you want me to post, send it to me in an email. Creative license belongs to me. I will try and get some pictures loaded this evening.
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