United Way Pays Off

I had donated a day of trolling for musky to raise some money for the United Way campaign at work.

Neil snuck in his highest bid and we picked Saturday September 26 as the date.

We met at the launch for noon and he brought his buddy Kevin along for the ride.

We started off with a typical trolling run of spinnerbait on the inside and a believer on the outside.

NOTHING

Saw the 416 bridge coming up and we switched up to deeper lures and did a few passes under the bridge.

NOTHING

We had fished the day before and were told the musky were still shallow so I explained it's time to burn some spinnerbaits. Target depth was going to be 4 - 6 FOW and I got them to short line to keep the weeds off.

Kevin let out less then 10 feet of line and settled into some colorful conversation when his reel SCREAMED....FISH ON.

Because of the short line the fight was short and I netter her without incident. Poor girl had totally inhaled the spinnerbait and there was not much more I could do other than use the jaw spreaders and cut the hooks. I hope I never have to reach so far into a toothy mouth like that again.

Kevin's first musky was a healthy beautiful fat 39 incher female.

The MCI guys would have been really impressed with Kevin's patience reviving her. I couldn't get better pictures as the wind was blowing us ashore and I had to work the electric to get us out to deeper water but he stayed with her for a long time until she gave him the tail slap and swam away for another day.

I would fish with these guys again anytime...great company and excellent work on the rods and reels.

Sunday Sept 20

Got out with Jerry and Paolo....we need a funny name for this trio...it's been just way too long since we've gotten out together...
always great company and Paolo is just so amusing.

Great day and had another stupid musky do the follow the lure trick but not bite it.

For the 2nd time in a row Paolo out fished us and got the only fish of the day. Awesome effort to save the fish but it wasn't to be this day.


Like I said, Paolo is always our source of entertainment and just missed snapping him dropping his rod while fighting the fish.

Jerry and Paolo worked there best to save this fish but it was hooked too deep and was then skillfully fillet by Paolo (who promised not to leave the guts at my house but.....

4th Annual Mr.J. Toothy Critter Derby

Sunday September 13th I held my 4th annual Mr.J. Toothy Critter Derby.

I still can't figure out why it is so popular...there were 38 anglers who dished out $10 each.

Finally got to fish with Gord but unfortunately we didn't boat any fish.

Cats with Joe Sunday Evening

Joe and I and Jerry too have enjoyed going to Victoria Island for cats.

It's relaxing and at times the bite is on an there is some eye candy going by too.

All in all it's good quality guy time.

Joe and I went Sunday evening after my day of fishing with Hedrik.

Joe had not baited his hook yet when I had my first of several cats on. Finally one that was closer tot he size I am used to catching on the Ottawa River. They have been small ever since the big kill off of a few years ago.

We both got into a few including 2 I got under 6 inches long (great looking musky bait)

We were even visited by a couple of raccoons once the line crossing white buckets left. I gave the raccoons a cat I caught.

Note to self. Bring camera.

Fishing Sunday Sept 6

Went out with Hedrik (MCI Chairman)

Picked him up at his place at 5:30 am and launched from Wendover. I was lucky enough the Hedrik was willing to show me one of his spots.

We started with topwater but go no interest.

After some time I looked into my white bucket and staring back at me where some of my new creation lures. They are a variation of my Mr.J.Specials where I have replaced the spinner arms with a straight arm and 2 similar blades,,,,basically a wooden bucktail.

I asked Hedrik why these just don't work, I have had zero interest in them from fish, not even a curious follow.

Hedrik explained that it could be many factors including how much vibration or water displacement the lure my not be giving off.

I shrugged and explained that even though they don't work I have to keep trying.

A couple of cast and suddenly there was a swing and a miss with a huge boil. WOW my first ever action all year...I was super excited.

2 more casts and another swing and a miss with a huge boil and this time we both saw the silver body...a definite musky.

Another cast and a small musky followed my lure to the boat.

This was my most exciting day of the year for me...my new creations finally had some interest.

We kept fishing and I stayed with this lure. We moved spots, a bit up from where we were, and I let out a nice cast. I felt this little twitch and as I do since the one time I felt a twitch and thought it was nothing and missed a hook set on a musky I set the hook.

YUP fish on. My first musky on this new style of lure. She was not happy to be brought to the boat and tried to dislodge the lure by smashing against the boat but we netter her and measured her up at 33 inches.

You still cannot get the smile off of my face.

Not too long later I had a high 30's follow the same lure back to the boat....I really need to work on my figure 8 technique...and then a Little while later a 27 inch pike came up from nowhere and slammed it.

6 fish in one day and all on the same lure that was a total virgin just a day before.

Here We Go!

So I'm moving with the times and creating a blog

What a great way to keep memories and adventures fresh

So onward we now go

These are my fishing adventures