Confessing how many days spent on the water this year would be admission to true fishing addiction. Work didn’t beat out play days by much, but hey, that’s the life right? 2012 was an interesting, trying and rewarding year during which the drive to travel, be outdoors and catch fish was fueled in a number ways.
Fishing for the love of fishing, and being genuine to that is what’s real. It’s about the fish, the escape outdoors, and how I choose to learn, improve and share fishing, always has been. It’s hunting bigger and better trophies, trying to be supportive of what fishing is for others, and sharing with trusted friends and family.
2012’s year end is here. Proud of many great catches and experiences on the water and ice, it has always been a pleasure to share season’s end with those who also enjoy what we all have in common. A snowy holiday project completed, posted here are a tonne of the years highlights for anyone interested.
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AN ICED LAKER.
January didn’t see much action, but come first week of February while out laker fishing, the hook set right into a new personal best for on the ice. The lake before that time did have my number for sure, but persistence paid off. A freakin’ awesome way to begin 2012, it set precedent for a laker loaded year to come!!!
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MUSKIE MAGIC.
Knowing Andy a good number of years online, it had been evident to me he’s a straight shooter who can seriously fish. Ice whiteys and lakers, streamside bows, open water skis and eyes, he’s got that pegged and more. I was totally onboard with having him join me on a planned trip to LSC, and the two of us pumped to visit this muskie factory for our first times. It turned out to be some seriously wicked fun pounding spotties down there, and the whole experience served to restore a dwindling interest for muskie fishing.
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WINTER WHITEYS.
Begged, stole and borrowed to tweak work scheds to co-ordinate with Grant’s chemo treatments, and last minute easily convinced the man to jump in the truck for an ice trip up north. Quad in the box, poisson blancos on the agenda, we toured into PQ for a few days. Plan was to do all things necessary to see that Grant be taken care of, plus slay fish. Whipped by trips end from drilling holes, blazing all over Hizell’s half acre, ooglin’ our cutie French waitress and icing fish, all worked out perfectly. A memorable getaway.
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SMILING EYES.
My baby girl wanted some time out with dad. Leading up to Quinte I had been out plenty over six weeks to get in a bass season, then a trip down south for muskies. It was a tour on Quinte to introduce her to big fish that I had in mind, and finally one cool and calm day with my father along, it happened. Quite honestly our time together was so absolutely fun and memorable, I am aching to do this again with her. Leah’s smile; even with missing teeth and all, melts hearts. Add some gold, and these few photos are precious goods from 2012.
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GAR WARS.
To have enemies means at some point and time you had to stand up for yourself. This was something I felt forced to do when finally deciding I could no longer be insulted and told when, where, with whom or if I am even allowed to fish gar on the Ottawa River. Following over time and upset, I stood against others wanting to control my fishing and online reporting; those two very things which have been shared profoundly and generously with countless people over the years. And so, the decision to chase gar ultimately lead this past spring to allow for even more and bigger memories. During fine sunny days with genuine friends and family, all appreciated releasing personal bests, including myself, measuring this one great record setting gar of unprecedented proportion to be shared online as always. To fish or not fish gar… that is no question.
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SPRING CRAPS.
Each tender, pannie morsel worth it’s weight in snow leopard coats, the spring crappies of the Ottawa valley are a highly prized fashion statement. Personally, it’s fun to watch the float repeatedly drop… for a good few outings anyways. They are a pretty lookin’ tail and when they model the runway it just can’t get broadcasted out over the hotwire soon enough. Had a tonne of joy reeling in dozens and dozens of crappie bling. Some folks sharing the riches with me, and me sharing the riches in return.
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QUINT-EYE-SENTIALS.
Don’t care if they don’t fight the hardest. Don’t care if other’s think the place ain’t what it used to be. Been 3-years now fishing Quinte from the Lund, for six outings a season and 18 total days during October & November, and the worst day fishing has been 4 for 6, with 3 eyes. But, that was three pig walleye which made me or someone in the boat happy to be along for the ride. Nothing bad about that really when ya think about it..? Big fish and bigger happiness for family and friends is what the BOQ is truly about. Them walleye be known for such good times, here and across this land.
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PICKIN’ PICKY PIKES.
These fish aren’t stuck-up, suspicious nor lock-jawed, but this past summer on a few trips to the north they sure did act like it many days. Strange patterns and much time breaking down the bage, admittedly the pike during this “Year of the Dragon,” didn’t spit fire and wreak the havoc they usually do. Although, the big beasts which came to be slayed this summer were true tests in battle, and worth a King’s ransom for those fortunate enough. Big pike will always be a favorite.
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SUMMER DAY.
She’s her mother’s girl and becoming more of a teenage test each passing day. Wanting girly things and thinking girly thoughts, my little Tom-Boy buddy is growing up. Fish once neat are now icky, things once interesting are now uncool, and winning her affection is more often a game trickier than hooking a fussy walleye that’s been playing with ya on the flasher for hours. But, I guess that’s coming of age for any child learning who they are and what they like. Summer tried to be all cool this day too, but when a 4-foot gar poops on your leg it’s hard to be serious, and we both ended up sharing a memorable time and some laughs. That’s “so Ninja” she’d say.
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SERIOUS SPECKS.
Not so serious, but a serious commitment in time and effort. That’s in the least what it takes for specks the way I like ’em. This past year have witnessed some amazing brook trout fishing from some online anglers. Epic journeys to backwood home lakes, speckled jewels were mined for all over the place. My past summer’s efforts; halved over 14 days with two dedicated groups of friends, it was all of our good fortune which granted each with massive loads of that same sought after treasure. End result were some totally serious specks to remember.
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IN & OUT TROUT.
Didn’t think when it was all elementary that much could be more radical than Mike Tyson’s PunchOut. Didn’t figure as a teen it could get any more gnarly than Street Fighter II… but it is! The time of ice fishing with a sonar and short-stick has made it so, and my favorite game this past winter was definitely deeper water lake trout. Besides the biggy above, three different trips during which lakers came to play, helped make the short ice season a winner. And, with the ice out occurring so soon in 2012 too, there was still a great game to be played with a long-stick as well. Game over lakers!
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FALL SMALLIES.
Really did enjoy the bass season. Concentrating mainly during the fall, the variety of new and old lakes along with new and various tactics, greatly appealed to the fishing senses. There are donkey bass hanging ’bout in these parts of the Prov., and when one loads up on any rig then comes flying out of the depths, well that’s a surely good throb for any fishing knob. Smallies = fun.
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LUNKER LAKERS.
Several years to the Nip and there’s only been little time put into the giant lakers this Ontario Great Lake is famous for. Why? Because of specks, because of pike and because other than a few caught during seemingly lucky windows, they have simply been tough to figure out. But this year during trip one while both jiggin’ and riggin’, the fish showed up. Returning again a little later armed with confidence, and the catch results were taken to a whole new level. Excellent lake trout to be caught, and now every time around they will be given plenty space on the agenda. Very glad to share those outings with two solid crews as well.
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BREN’S YEAR.
About seven years ago Bren decided to go back to school. Full-time job, two young kids, and living quite remote up in Moose Factory, until this past August she loaded on the maximum number of courses allowable to take at any one time. Through distance education Bren achieved her Degree and then Masters in Nursing, and ultimately a new career as a Nurse Practitioner. For a child of Attawapiskat, this is not only a huge feat, but it sets an amazing example. Since moving south in 2009, during all that study, work in her profession, being the greatest mother and wife, she also dedicated 3-5 days a week to train and compete in Martial Arts. This past November Bren received her blue belt in Brazilian Ju Jitsu to accompany a brown belt in Japanese Ju-Jitsu. All the fish caught in 2012 can’t hold a candle to her trophies from this year. A woman to seriously respect, and a wife to love for all that she is and achieves.
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PICS FROM THE SEASONS.
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Winter.
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Spring.
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Summer.
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Autumn.
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All-in-all quite a wicked year on the fishing front. No big trips abroad, just four good seasons travelling throughout Ontario catching many, fine, home-grown greats. Loyal friends, family and new folks which shared in some of these good times have also made each and every day on the water that much more rewarding. Thanks to everyone for that!
Happy New Year… “Fish more, slay more, harder hooksets,” and all the big and best fish for 2013.
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