It's been a slice }-)))o>

[SKRAMO]

Well, I guess it's that time again for me....winterize the boat and hook up my snowplow. I am not a big fan of ice fishing (mainly becuase I am always out plowing in the winter). I may just try it this year for fun (I don't have a machine, an auger, or a hut...so wish me luck...lol.). I will look forward to all of you who do fish and will be lurking around in the background eagerly awaiting all the awesome pics and stories. I never did manage to catch that elusive musky and yes I know that right now is the time to do so, but hence, life and it's obligations get in the way .

I truly apprecaite all the help I have received this year from this site and especiallty the in-box notes that contained specific info and help. Kudos to the moderators for keepin us all honest....somewhat...lol.

Good luck to all the hardwater peeps. Stay safe and let me know how you are doing.

SKRAMO
}-)))O>

[FatRap]

Hey SKRAMO, thanks for all your postings, pictures and advise you put up over the summer, always a good read. Sad to see the season coming to an end but if you can find the time over the winter to get out for some ice fishing I am sure you will get hooked on it.

By my estimate you must have only thrown out 999 casts this year as they say a musky is a fish of a 1,000 casts There's always next year

[Grumpa]

HI Skramo.
I've been fishing muskie all over Ontario & the State's for more than 35 years now & truly they don't have to be a fish of a 1,000 casts. Not even close to that.
The key I found, after the first 4 or 5 years of fruitless results back in the late 1970's early 1980's, was go fishing with someone that's been consistently successful catching muskie's before.
The fish of a 1,000 casts can pretty quickly become a fish per day average on L. Nip after you start to accelerate the learning curve (or if you ever fish L. St. Clair...it could be 6 fish a day). Muskie fishing is unique in fresh water fishing & it takes years & years to learn all its idiosyncrasies on your own. It's frustrating at times, time consuming and can get expensive trying to crack the mystery by yourself. If you're actually targeting muskie & just not trying to casually catch them as an incidental result of fishing for other species, then the best way to speed up the learning curve & start to get regular, consistent results...... is to fish with/watch really good muskie fishermen do their thing. There's certain locations, at certain times of the year, while using lures of particular colours/patterns/shapes that greatly increase your odds. Once I fished with a couple really successful muskie guys the lights started to come on. And believe me there's many really good muskie fishermen on L. Nipissing that regularly see & catch fish every time they go out. Good luck next year with the hunt. L Nip has some of the biggest muskie anywhere in North America...........they're out there for sure.

[nsfisher]

Hey SKRAMO,
You have been a great addition to this board and your reports and posts especially in the Nip forum have helped many for sure. Sorry you didn't get that big ski, but that just ensures you have a goal for the next soft water season. You seem like an avid fisherman and I am surprised you do not hit the ice being so close to Nip. I am hoping to book a trip up to Nip for my 50th in Feb. and if I get an ice condo feel free to stop by for a day and fish. I will let you know if and when I do. On behalf of the mod's thanks for the kind words.

[SKRAMO]

Thanks for the advice grumpa.....I might just take Dan Columby up on his guiding services for musky fishing. Like you said, watch the pros do it, and how, and when, and I would likely save myself more than a few years in the old learning curve. I did "target" musky this year...spent a few days trolling for hours with all sorts of 10" jakes, whirly birds, shallow raiders and all that.

But it takes something away from that first musky...I don't know..call me crazy ...but it would mean more to me if I did it on my own. I consider myself somewhat informed on fishing, and I know the lake pretty well. It's kind of like a challenge for me...I am sure you all can relate. I am still undecided.

Thanks for the kind words nfisher...I have tried to do my part to help out anyone if they needed it. Lake Nipissing can be trying at the best of times, so if I can give those who only have a few days to enjoy her a bit of an edge, I am happy to help out. I have to say this year the walleye I caught were a bit smaller (except for one that I nabbed well over the slot). I also have noticed that the walleye were in spots that they never were before...perhaps due to invasive species? perhaps to an increase of drum that I also noticed? Dunno...all I know is that the walleye were a bit smaller, but the bite was more aggressive.

Next year I think I may stray from the big waters. I have found a gem of a lake up north (temagami area) where I can spend a weekend camping on islands. The walleye are much darker in colour and seem to run in one big school around a lake that is way smaller than Nipissing.

As far as ice fishing...yes one would think I was totally into that....I was when I was younger...I used to hit trout lakes near Mattawa....but not anymore. Last year my friends told me that Callander Bay was on fire...and I also noticed more ice huts to the west of kings landing dock...something I have never seen in my 40+ years here in North Bay. Hmmm.

Alas, I run a snowplowing business in the winter and it keeps me pretty busy most seasons (if you think running a boat is expensive, try running a plow truck...especially with the price of gas these days..whoa...).

If I find some spare time, I may just venture out on the lake and drop a line or two. I live one block away from the lake and could easily walk out (the old milk crate filled with stuff that doubles for a seat...lol...redneck style).

Cheers all!

SKRAMO
}-)))0>

[Longshank]

Appreciated all of your reports.

Snowplowing huh......Perfect

How much to lpow me a road to some 2 locations on Temagami?

then I will take you ice fishing

[Grumpa]

Hi Skramo.
Couldn't have suggested a better Muskie guy than Dan Columby out of Callendar. I've fished myself with Dan several times over the last couple years. He definitely understands the Muskie's seasonal movements and the predator/prey interactions that take place all over L. Nip. There's good muskie fishermen on the lake and he's certainly one of them. Excellent choice if you so choose.
I'd also be more than happy to have you join me at some point next summer when it gets to that time of the year again.....and I start to gear up for the hunt myself.
Always happy to fish with new people that are interested in Muskie fishing as much I have been over the years.
But I definitely hear what you're saying.......there's a real sense of accomplishment when you find and catch fish consistently on your own.
There's no feeling like it when you successfully land a 50" plus fish of 30 pounds or more.

As Muskie fishermen are fond of saying......"everything else is just bait".
No offence to all the walleye and bass fishermen on this forum.

[JayRay]

Thanks for your great contributions to the board. Really enjoyed your posts.