Kevin J Legg

I drove to Goose Bay and Kring's this morning but did not fish. I did talk to a former student that has been catching them pretty well fom shore but wasn't dong well in the wind today. I only saw one boat at Kring's but the ramp at both Kring's and Goose Bay are open. I have also talked to a couple guys that have been hitting the crappies well both on the river and at Black Lake. I'm sure this cold weather and north wind has shut that bite down. I'm planning on fishing locally tomorrow and fishing the lake for browns on Friday.

I got my both my Canadian hunting and fishing license this year. Since I duck hunt in Canada I also got a PAL permit for guns and a Nexis card. This made it easier to check in by phone when hunting and going to shore or anchoring. Everyone on board needed a Nexus card but once we figured it out it worked pretty well. I believe as long as you don't drop anchor or go to shore you can report in by phone while fishing. As said, you need passports and bithdates for all on board. They will issue you a number for the day which you must write down.

I'll let you know when I hear I've been away the last week.

As others have said weights are fine in deeper water. I generally simply put various size and combinations of splitshot about 5' up from the stick bait or spoon. If I'm in shallow water (8" or less) I generally run with either no weight or a small split shot ahead of the spoon. This alows me to troll in water as shallow as 5-6'.

Thanks for the reply.

Cisco T mount brackets appear to be $67 each while Traxtech offers some for $35 a pair.

I have an 18' Lund Alaskan with two Cannon electric riggers with dual rod holders and a Planning Board Mast (in front pedestal seat). It has two rail mount adjustable Lund style rod holders (Ram) on each side for a total of four rod holders per side. I usually run three lines off boards and two off riggers for browns and a couple dipseys, riggers and maybe a copper or lead core for salmon. I'm not happy with the Lund mounts as I lost a rod and rod holder to a salmon a few years back so I'm leary using them for dipsy or even salmon fishing. I have heard that I can use stainless carriage bolts in the rail and aluiminum plate bent to 45 degree angle to make a strudy base. I also have an old cannon track plate from another boat) I'm thinking of putting either a bird tree or dipsey 2 or 3 rod holder on each side ( Great Lakes Planner or other). I fish Lake Ontario for trout and salmon but also use the boat for bass, walleye, panfish and duck hunting so need to be able to remove them easily to convert to a duck blind and keep versatility. Anyone have any suggestions on what would be the most economical and efficent way to do this rigging?

Scouting and getting permission to hunt are really the hardest part of goose hunting. If you're where they want to be you don't need sophisticated sets. That said, I hunt with a friend that has fully flocked full bodies and with good calling they can really bring the birds in even on sunny days.

I think Rossie will be another week or so. Creeks are beginning to open up. As usual everything will happen at once. Hope to brown fish next week.

John, Still lots of ice at Chippewa. I fished there this morning for about an hour and didn't catch much at all. Decided to quit and get some things done at home. Kring's is pretty bad and staring to open at the gaps so next time I try it will probably be by boat. I'd be hitting the Lake for browns this weekend if I wasn't going to the funeral. Hopefully next week!

I fished Chipepwa and only got a few. Seems to still be spotty but still lots of ice.I got my Lund ready to roll for Lake Ontario browns and my Gheenoe ready to slide in at Kring's. Unfortunately my sister-in -law passed away last night so I won't be getting a boat in this weekend. I may try Chippewa again tomorrow. There is still a couple feet of good ice there but shorelines are starting to deterioratein some spots. .

Good advice from everyone. I personally don't enjoy fishing in 4 footers. My Lund Alaskan can handle them but it just makes everything more difficult and it's not a relaxing day on the water as your body is constantly tense. I also have a kicker and electic motor for back up which I think is wise on the big lake.