Things that i may try or do differently

[fishtildark]

 Last  winter or early spring I asked about everyones  rituals and routines. Thinking about that and my itch to get back starting way too soon, I started thinking about things that I may do differently or new things to try.. hoping others have ideas to share also.
There are at least three general areas of the lake that I keep talking about spending time exploring and then get mired in the same routine , which isn't painful by the way, but need to take the time to explore.one is known as the rock garden but a long haul from camp so don't think it will be a "fish til dark" place. the other two are do able and have produced fish but we never give it a chance in the late evening.
  >I am going to try harder to catch daytime walleyes.. we give up on targeting them but still occasionally catch some trolling for trout.I believe I am going to revert to what my dad used to do almost exclusively , drift the old faithful junebug and worm, or backtroll if necessary. just need some cloud cover or chop and a little deeper water than the jigging area..
>brings me to my next idea. when I was a teenager , my dad was buying me a new rod and reel for trip to Kawartha lakes(fiberglass was the cutting edge and a Mitchell reel). the older gent that owned the store made a june bug spinner on the spot for me and told me that was his Canada walleye go to. That thing caught me a load of walleyes until I lost it .. I lost it on a fish too big but dad mumbled something about my knots... I have been looking for tackle supplies that I can re create that lure and try to use it for the drift fishing.. Yea, I know you can  buy any number of different spinners, worm harnesses etc, just something to do during snow storms . if anyone has a favorite site for tackle supplies, I would appreciate it.
>I think we are going to have an antique tackle day and be required to catch a fish with a lure over , say 20 years old.. lord knows I have plenty.
> I am going to try to fish after dark, maybe trolling a favorite shoreline. had an uncle that went to a lake near Madoc every year and never fished until dark.. then stayed out til two or three in the morning.. I dont intend on doing it that late but have often wondered what the action might be like .
>Now, in direct contrast to that , would like to do more early morning , and I mean early,.  fishing . probably not after the late night but, seems that those first few hours can be almost as productive as evening.and we miss a lot of those.
>may experiment with a flasher in front of my favorite lake trout lure.. wondering if a Williams wabbler without the hooks will work.
>non fishing stuff
need to alter the menu a bit, just for a change of pace. when the local butcher shop knows its time for the thick cut t bones,we maybe  in a bit of a rut.
>may defer more of the grocery shopping to the iga. this year we listened to the advice on the beer purchases and it worked out fine. If we plan a bit we may have a few more fresh veggies or salads , which have been sadly lacking because of travel logistics.
>going to take my own advice and treat the drive in as a part of the experience and not a test of endurance for me or the 4 runner.

these are just some random thoughts that I hope to at least execute some.But,if every trip ended up like the last one, I wouldn't be the least bit disappointed
. one last thought ... I want to be like Hodgey...
anyone following the board can attest to this ..... last November he was looking for information as a newbie, had first trip in july, by August , he was thinking bout a boat, two weeks later he picked it up and then,took the  boat and the wife on trip two.. also  booked for the coming year... I am going to try to buy him a beer this winter..
.Anyone else have things to share that they want to do differently? Thanks. Sam

[Hodgey1]

Sam, you have brought up a lot of great topics to discuss. First, your being stuck in a bit of a rut on fishing spots is very understandable. It's very tough to leave spots you know produce for the unknown. It's akin to why I eat the same things at favorite restaurants, usually prevents disappointment.

On day time walleyes, hmmm. I really really enjoyed afternoons at camp chilling, then a early dinner and off to the evening bite. As you and I have discussed a bit, I plan on switching it up a bit this coming year and give trolling for Trout a go during the afternoon. Days in Kipawa need to be 48 hrs long not 24 To get it all in.

Memories of your dad buying you a new pole and reel and the hand made lure brought back memories for me as well. I worshiped my Garcia Mitchell as a kid and my state of the art, orange fiberglass pole. The idea of an antique lure fishing contest sound like a fun challenge.

On late night fishing, you hit on the problem....... the early mornings are then out. I might give it a try once

The proper change to your thick cut steak rut would be to get them thicker this year seriously though, my second trip, I brought lamb chops, they where to die for. Another idea, that would freeze and travel ok would be maybe some scallop or shrimp?

I appreciate your kind words on my insanity I owe a lot to this board and to people like you, who really made a difference and helped make my trip successful, special, memorable. The beer will be on me!

[Oarin]

  Camp meals are fun!

[Fort Wisers]

Thanks @Oarin now I'm hungry LOL

[fishtildark]

Oarin, how thick is that bone in rib eye? or did you simply grill a rib roast?

[Hodgey1]

It looks like an 1.25" thick cooked beautifully, but would need a taste to know for sure

[Oarin]

Inch and a half! My kid's a heck of a cook. A perfect medium rare.

[Hodgey1]

Dang That is impressive!

[SgtCrabby]

Impressive menu there @Oarin.  You have me both hungry and jealous of such a fine looking meal (and I'm our cook!).
We tend to also have a small rut: besides the required fried fish meals, we always start our week with smoked brisket (aka Texas BBQ).

[Hodgey1]

we always start our week with smoked brisket (aka Texas BBQ).

Luv brisket. I like it best sliced and put on a hard roll that has been buttered and toasted, piled high with brisket and a scoop of homemade slaw with a squirt of BBQ sauce! Please add a side of bean

[SgtCrabby]

@Hodgey1 ,  you have got it right.   
And we do have beans to go with it.

I usually bring a small 9-10 pound brisket.  Smoke it at home, then freeze it and pack in ice for the drive north.   One year I asked about changing it to something else and almost got lynched;   so I guess our crew likes it the way I do it.   Add sliced red onions and jalapeños, yumm. 

[T-Bone]

Couple thoughts:

Daytime fishing for 'eyes is hit and miss. We often try and usually pick up some fish, but not like evening fishing frenzy. Darker days or raining seems to help as the fish are typically pretty shallow when we're up there. I don't think there is any magic to it...just go out and give it a go.

Ah...the 'ol June Bug Spinner. First lure I ever caught a walleye on...probably 1977...Pigeon Lake, Ontario in the Kawarthas. It was the only lure we used. I still carry 3-4 of them in my tackle. Saw Marco pick up large laker near Corbeau rock on one many years back. Those would qualify for your antique lure day also. You can get them easily on eBay...for next to nothing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Vintage-Pflueger-June-Bug-Spinner-Fishing-Lures-/332401852103?hash=item4d64b1bec7:g:gP4AAOSwySRZ1WOM

We don't cheat ourselves on food when we're up there, but I think we've learned to simplify it a bit; we all are pretty good cooks and could do just about anything, but the prep and packing/transport seems to be more hassle than it's worth to us. We get more at the IGA than we did before, but will bring the nicer cuts of meat from home. I travel for business a lot so eating at big time restaurants with big time food is something I do regularly...it's actually a nice break to go basic up there.

Dag Oarin...a trip to the cardiologist is in order on your arrival home, I'd bet...but nice spread.

[fishtildark]

T-bone, thanks for the link. I may also have to look through my Dads tackle box. Have most of his antiques on display but betting a few of the old June bugs may be in there. The homemade one I was referring to also was used on pigeon lake in the early 70s. near the narrows to Buckhorn. May still try to duplicate that one . The blade would turn over with the slightest of movements.. Something to pass winter nights. Totally agree on bringing the meat from home.. Im sure there is nothing wrong with the IGA but , even here, when I want a steak or roast I head to the neighborhood butcher shop. Sam

[Oarin]

We always bring our main menu meats from our local shops. We also bring any shrimp or crab from here. I've got a thing about Asian farm raised anything, and most shrimp sold at grocery stores are Asian farm raised. I only buy wild caught American Gulf shrimp. Now I'm making myself hungry! On our last trip we found sweet ghost pepper bacon at the Ville Marie store. You've got to try it. Man, is it good! Not that spicy with just a little bite. While at the Buffalo wing festival a few weeks ago my wife and I took a trip to Niagara Falls, Canada and bought a bunch more of them and pea meal bacon. A little taste of Canada while I suffer the long wait until our next trip. 

[Hodgey1]

Inch and a half! My kid's a heck of a cook. A perfect medium rare.

Oarin, I was just looking through your food pictures again and think the Rice, shrimp and sausage dish looks like it would be my favorite, even though the steak also looks amazing. I assume that it is Jambalaya?

When I make Jambalaya, I use this recipe from Emril that is fairly simple to make and delicious with great spice.

http://emerils.com/121423/cajun-jambalaya