I had forgotten the aerial acrobatics so typical of river Smallies, that and the pain of seeing them fly of a barbless hook. Of course the big ones all got away, but still managed over 45 between 10-18". Brought a few close to 20"s to the boat for some heart pumping action only to be heart broken moments later.

Watermelon Red Fleck Wacky Jacks rigged on a 1/4oz Scrounger rocked in the later afternoon after the day warmed up (woke up to 7C). In the morning it was same colour tubes on a 3/16 Gammie tube jig with rattles. Water temps where around 67-68 F on surface.

It is quite a thrill catching these out of my SIK. I paddled my little heart out yesterday, my wife couldn't do the pick-up. I had to launch downstream, paddle about 4-5 km to the 403 bridge and then thankfully drift back down (what a treat).

I have yet to register for my small craft operators card. Will be doing so soon as I plan on mounting a 30 lb thrust. I will doing some playing around until my Proto-type MotorGuide Kayak electric trolling motor arrives.

I have been fortunate enough to be asked by Motor Guide of Canada if I would be interested in field testing a new product. It appears Motor Guide has seen the potential that kayak fishing is generating in the US and want to come out with a ErgonomiC Kayak trolling motor. I like to paddle, don't get me wrong but I love to fish. I can just imagine the possibilities with 2 deep cycle batteries aboard my X Factor and Pro2 Tandems.

One to get me there, and one to get me back. I saw over a 100 canoes, kayaks, tubes etc on the Grand yesterday. Only one rigged for fishing was Moi Meme , I fielded quite a few questions to say the least, even managed a few brown trouts out of the conversations. win win

For some reason I can't connect to my new camera, the photo store opens at 1000. I want to clear up camera for tonight's adventure on north shore of Lake Erie. Unfortunately only 20" lake bass. I will just have to make do, I guess a good time to practice with barbless hooks using some more moderate action rods. Braid is great but no stretch means no errors.

Bonne St. Jean

TW

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Titowoody,

Tito,
Did you paddle upstream from the Brant Conservation area to the 403 bridge?
I floated earlier in the spring (Paris to Brant)with a couple of friends looking for steelhead. They were in pontoon boats and I paddled my Tarpon 120. It went upstream quite nicely. Doing what you did would not be an option in a pontoon boat.

I'm in the same position as you on the operator's licence. I used to use a one and a half horsepower motor on my 14 foot Sportspal canoe but have been strictly paddling lately. I have been thinking of getting a 30 pound thrust electric for this canoe to make it easier to take my grandaughter fishing with me. I've already had her out on my float tube and she loved it. Do you really think you would need the two batteries for a day's outing? (I have no idea when it comes to electrics.)

After my most recent paddle I've actually been rethinking the motor issue. My friend and I fish a reservoir where the wind can get up pretty good. He was really struggling in his pontoon so he has rigged his canoe with an electric motor. When he and I went out last it was a very windy day. On the way back to our vehicles I got there well before him in my Tarpon. He was dealing with weeds which I just glided right over.

I found an affordable remote controlled bow mount which would be perfect for my canoe but it has a 4 foot shaft which would definitely hamper you in the shallows. Maybe I'll just stick to my paddle after all. (I would imagine the motor setuip for a kayak would be some kind of shallow drive setup.

I paddled most of the way upstream and had to get walk on a few occassions.

Not something I would want to try in a SOT though. Just had a 2 day trip on the Grand.

I mounted a 30 lb thrust to my Malibu Pro2 Tandem. Worked great for going upstream but you had to keep power on highest setting. Battery lasted about 2.5 hours and we didn't quite make it to the bridge that time.

You can adjust shaft height on the the trolling motor to meet the shallow water conditions on the Grand. There where a few times when I lifted it out of water before pulling the yak over gravel beds.

Happy Canada Day

TW

OK, it's official. I'm headed fore the Nith River on July 21st for a smallie trip.
I hear tell there's even the possibility of a few axehandles and even a walleye or two. But I'm hot for the bass.
Anything in particular I should have along?