This year's trip was very relaxing.  I suspect I state that every year, but this one exceeded all other years in recent memory.  Travel to and from was on schedule and uneventful.  Andre was there to greet us and make us up some Pike in his secret batter (hidden away in a red tupperware).   Tasted great "even Fred" liked it !!

Excellent fishing and excellent weather.   We caught plenti Oh Bass on our day trip to Hardiman Bay made possible by Andre and crew.  We also caught Walleye in Sashihaw!   Combination of Ben's Wildeye Shad and finding the right spots on the lake.   Ron (our back country fisherman) snagged a 2.3 pound Rainbow Trout in Elbow Lake.  That fish's friends better watch out as I am sure I will be trying my luck on Elbow next year.  David had a great time snagging 4 nice sized bass at Hardiman.  George caught the big Bass and Pete a monster Pike.  I had 3 bass of my own and a big Walley on Sashihaw.

Turkeys & Cake or Turks & Caicos?

FishingPals 2010 will be remembered as one of my favourite trips.  This was our 6th year back at Sashihaw, and we’re starting to get the hang of the trip --- overnight up in Gravenhurst, lunch in Chelmsford, and spend 5 nights in the bush.  Our lists and maps are helping with our planning.

We ran into Andre in the Geo Tracker on our way into the camp.  Looks like we have a new vehicle to play with this year!  We started off Sunday morning with our regular tour of Sashihaw.  While heading back to the camp for lunch, I noticed that there were others standing on the deck.  Unfortunately, my fading eyesight wasn’t able to focus well enough to identify the suspects.  Surprise!  My 50th year on the planet was being celebrated a little early!  My sisters from Timmins arrived to help make lunch and surprise me with an early birthday bash. 

This year also marks the year that we first attempted to deep fry a turkey.  The bird was brined overnight, and deep fried in hot oil.  It turned out pretty good.  You’ll have to see the DVD for some of the details.

The trip to Hardiman Lake was  another grand adventure.  Our boat (George, David and myself) was pretty successful in snagging quite a few fish and we were able to separate the bassmasters from the *ssmasters.   We had the elusive ‘triple header’ at one point.  It was impressive to see three bass break the surface simultaneously.  Cool!   Ben, you gotta find a new lure for next year!

It was the year of Turkeys & Carrot Cake. Dinners went well, the weather co-operated, and the fishing was good.  As always, the trip seems to end early.  But it always makes you want to return next year….  Now, I’m racing back to the city to catch Dave Carroll at Hugh’s Room…