Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    I've never fished for Pike - so you'll get some more useful replies
    from others.  But I have scheduled a week in July at a camp a ways up 
    in Ontario - far enough to be in the Artctic (Hudson's Bay) watershed.
    We'll be fishing for Pike, smallmouth, and walleye.  The camp is drive-in,
    but then they'll fly you out to one of many lakes in the area where they 
    have a boat and a cabin & you can stay from a night to a week or more.  
    Total cost is about $750US pp - including two fly-ins, all food, bait, 
    boat, license, tip.  We'll bring fishing gear and clothes.
    
    My dad and I met the proprieter at the Worcester fishing show, decided
    to go.  I can bring in more info (name, address) if it's of interest.
    
    Jack

    Jack,
    
    The more information the better.  I would greatly appreciate it, if
    some how you could forward over to me some literature on this fly-in
    package in Ontario.  Sounds interesting!
    
    Thanks,
    David Acker@NJO
    DEC OFFICE
    4 Gatehall Dr. Parsippany, NJ 07927
    

    
       While there's some GREAT fishing of all kinds in Canada, the price
    can be pretty steep if you want to do it right. 
    
       One of the simplest ways and probably the least expensive at this
    time would be to stop in at your local newsstand and pick up a current
    copy of Sports Afield, Field & Stream or any of the other similar
    magazines and look in the back at the ads. There are usually ads for
    numerous different resorts and fishing trip packages...many with phone
    numbers which offer opportunities to get info such as prices, etc.
    
      If you have the bucks, and want to REALLY fish, the fly-in trip to a
    remote lake where you don't have phones, t.v., etc. are real good.
    However, they are not cheap. You'll catch a TON of fish though, because
    these camps have native guides who'll put you into fish so often you'll
    get tired of catching them.
    
      If you want to remain in the modern-day realm, and are only thinking
    of fishing part-time and exploring the rest of the time with your
    family, then I don't think you could go wrong with Minnesota. Minny is
    where I was born 'n raised, and there are a lot of great Northern lakes
    that are available and accessable. Many of these lakes also have large
    populations of Walleyes, Bass,(Large & Smallmouth), Crappies, Catfish
    and numerous other species. The Mississippi river is a great fishery,
    and has been cleaned up from what it was in the '60's. When i was a kid
    back inthe '50's, the river was very clean in the Minnesota region, and
    I caught MANY nice Northerns there simply fishing the points from the
    shore with a casting rod and a red & white "Daredevil". A 15-20 #
    Northern on a casting rod in a current with about 75 yards of line out
    when they strike presents a tremendous rush!
    
      John McD

    John McD,
    
    Thanks a Mill for that information!  By any chance do you know what the
    fishing on Lake Champlain in New York State is like!  From what I heard
    in note 229.31-32 that it's a very productive lake.  If you can suggest
    a place, fishing package,Ect...  Let Me Know!  By the way have you ever
    landed a Northern of any substantial size.
    
    Dave A. 
    
    Gus-Man Go to Note 229.33
    

    Lake Champlain is a home port of mine for the last 30+ years. It has
    everything from Landlock Salmon which average 3+lbs. up to 9+lbs. to
    the mighty Northern Pike, Walleye,Bass, Lake Trout,Pickerel and just
    about everything else you can imagine. There are numerous boats on the
    lake on both N.Y. and Vermont side. The Vermont side is where I had
    spent the majority of my time. If you'd like, I can get some phone #'s
    for that side of the lake for boats when I get home tonight. I still
    fish Landlocks in the spring up there with a friend of mine who has a
    21' Starcraft, but I fish the saltwater since moving to N.H. 2 years
    ago. John Phelps

    
    	You said "mighty" northern pike  - what sizes are you talkin'?
    
    
    
    						Stuart

      Re .4
    
       I guess you'd have to define what "substantial size" means to you...
    The biggest Northern I've ever landed was around 15 pounds, and I've
    caught well over a dozen in the 10-12 pound range, and MANY in the 8
    pound and less, and countless from 3-5 pounds..
       Surprisingly enuff, for those who like to eat a fish now and then,
    the Northern Pike (Esox lucius)is a real nice eating fish. The only 
    thing to remember is that old "Esox" has the same general
    characteristics as the others in it's 'family the Pickerel and
    Muskellunge (family Esocidae)....they all are equipped with numerous
    thin, forked bones. In the larger Northerns this is not a real problem,
    because the bones are porportional to the size of the fish, and are
    very easy to locate and eliminate. However, in the smaller versions,
    this can be a real problem.. I wouldn't recommend eating a Northern
    under say 6 lb... The flesh of this fish when cooked is flaky, PURE
    white, and very tasty.
    
       Also: Iffen you're a BASS fisherman...do NOT try to grab a Northern
    by the lip the way you do a large/smallmouth bass!!! Northerns are
    extremely TOOTHY critters, and you MAY end up thumbless. The best way
    to grab a northern is over the back right behind the gill plates..
    
       Before the question's asked: No....I have NEVER tied into a
    Muskie...but would sure enjoy it if I ever did..
    
    
       Ref Champlain: I've heard lot's of good stuff about Champlain, much
    as I have about the Quabbin Res. in Mass. However, the drawback with
    both of these fisheries is the huge size, so it's probably wise to
    scope out some local who really knows the area to point you to the spot
    that is currently hot. Champlain has just about any fresh water species
    that you could possibly want, and some you probably don't...could be
    interesting... Champlain has a pretty decent population of Walleyes as
    I understand too...which I believe are one of the top 3 eating species
    known!
    
       John McD

    There is a way to fillet a pickeral or pike and eliminate the Y bone.  
    North country guides on the tube make it look real easy. I watched a
    how-to tape a number of years ago and then tried it on numerous
    pickeral, with only occassional favorable results, I most often
    butchered the hell out of them. I've also tried steaming pickeral, 
    this works prety well too.
    
    Champlain, and it's tribuataries have lots of big pike.  I've caught
    them in Mallets Bay and the Winooski river.  I've caught good sized  
    pike in the Conn River too.
    
    -donmac

    re: Champlain Waterwolf...
    
    I've lived in Vermont the past six years and have fished the Great Lake
    minor with pretty good luck. Pike fishing in Champlain is certainly
    better at certain times than others. Just after "ice-out" is probably
    the hottest time. The big bruisers come into the shallow back bays to
    spawn. You can nail some good size fish and the numbers are probably
    better than any other time of the year. Some of the best fishing is
    located in the extreme northern section of the lake ie MISSIQUOI BAY.
    Where the Missisquoi river empties into the lake is really a good area.
    If you get it right the possibilities of hooking up with a MUSKY is
    pretty good also. 
    
    Another good time of the year is early fall. Ususally around the
    beginning to mid August the action really heats up again. Best method
    I found is trolling deep weed lines. 
    
    						TS...
    

    My experience with Northern Pike is Shallow water and move any kind of
    lure Fast. They almost always hit the Lure a few feet away from the
    boat when I'm really crankin it fast.............Wakes me up bigtime!!
    When they're feeding......They will hit anything moving fast.
    
                                        -Steve

       donmac...don't feel like the "Lone Ranger"...I get really awed
    watching those dudes on TV with their 'one-stroke' filleting
    techniques, knowing full-well that when I try that I'll either end up
    with some undescribable mess or with a few less fingers!! I HAVE gotten
    to the point where I can get a halfway decent fillet and at least 90%
    of the usable meat from most fish, but the 'snakes' are a different
    story. When my Mom used to fix up a Pike, she'd only let me scalle, gut
    and behead it...then she made steaks like you see with Salmon in the
    supermarket, and deepfat fry 'em with batter....We sorta got used to
    doing the bones...
    
    
       Re .10
    
       A lot depends on the type of water you are fishing. On the
    Mississippi, one of the best places was to find an outcrop or some sort
    of man-made cofferdam or jetty with the river current going past the
    point... Casting a large "Daredevil" at an upstream angle, and
    slow-retrieving it so it drifts down-current to the downstream side
    would get lots of action. Downstream from these outcrops tere's usually
    a deep hole where the 'snakes' lurk and dash out to snatch stuff as it
    goes by. Off weedlines in Minnesota lakes either trolling the line or
    stopping and anchoring and casting are also good techniques at certain
    times..
    
      JM

    re: lone ranger
    
    Actually, I'm quite adept at filleting bass and the like. I got plenty
    of practice filleting bass before I converted to 99.99% catch and 
    release (for bass) 7-8 years ago.  Still get a little practice 
    occasionally with white perch and crappie.
    
    It's the Y bones of pike/pickeral that I can't do.  Have also never
    successfully filleted a salmonoid (trout/salmon fillets are great when
    blackened)
    
    -donmac

    From what I have heard, is that the Muskellunge is a very smart, and
    hard to catch fish. Is this true? If so, why would there habits be any
    different than a Northern or a Chain Pickeral (same family)? For instance,          
    I saw pitures in a field in stream magizine, of some guy who caught 12 
    in one day. Is this possible? Also is a Northern Pike just as easy to
    catch a a Chain Pickeral considering the same circumstances (time of
    year/amount of fish).
    
    
    
    

       Re .12
    
       Yeah, I can get some neat fillets off a bass...but that's a
    different shape that old Esox.. I still take a few Largemouths home
    each year, but do it selectively. One of my favorite bodies of water is
    large, extremely underfished, unbelievably prolific, and loaded with
    big Bass... I've caught 6 in the 5lb range, 2 in the 6lb area na one
    that went around 7.5lbs...in the last 2 years that is. In one afternoon
    in June with an overcast, calm day, water like a mirror, I caught and
    released 27 using topwater plug---"Hula Popper"! I take about 4-5 each
    year in the 2 pound range, because I've found that for eating they are
    about the best. Anyone foolish enuff in New England taking anything
    over 3 pounds to eat is gonna get a rather unpleasant surprise anyhow,
    because they're gonna REALLY taste bad...and prolly be greasy or touogh
    to boot. I'm just marking time now till ice-out so I can get into it
    again..
    
       Ref .13
    
       Yes, they are all in the same family---"Esocidae" is the family.
    
      ** Northern Pike is "Esox Lucius"
      
      ** Muskellunge is "Esox Masquinongy" (Ojibway name is "Maskinoje", 
         which translated is "mas"='great', and "kinoje"='a pike')
    
      ** Pickerel:
          --Chain Pickerel---"Esox Niger"
          --Grass Pickerel---"Esox Vermiculatus"
          --Redfin Pickerel--"Esox Americanus"
    
      As for the Muskie... It's hard to catch because there are not that
    many of them in any given lake, they are voracious feeders, are
    cannibals---I.E.: The BIG Muskies eat LITTLE Muskies, but they, like
    any other fish, are catchable if you know HOW to catch them. Now I
    realize that that statement is in itself an oxymoron, because as any
    true fisher-perrson will readily attest, about the time anyone really
    gets to believing they KNOW how to catch fish is the time they'll go a
    dozen times ant the only thing they'll catch is poison ivy!!
      However, there ARE some techniques that will make it a little more
    possible to catch certain species. I think the person or persons that
    you saw with the good luck with Muskies MAY have been one of the Linder
    brothers, who are the owners of and publishers of "In Fisherman"
    magazine. This entire family is into the sport, and prolly the luckiest
    group of people in the world.. How'd YOU like to spend your life doing
    the thing that you enjoy more than anything else and make MONEY doing
    it?? Well, the Linders spend most of their lives fishing,and "In
    Fisherman" is a pretty profitable entity too.
       On one of the Cable channels a few weeks back, AL Linder was in Lake
    of the Woods on the Minnesota/Canada border, and he tied into about 30
    or 40 Muskies over a 2 or 3 day period. He was using huge, live
    'minnows' (Yeah...I'd be tempted to take home some of his BAIT to
    eat!), and he was fishing weedlines, trolling and doing some other
    things that basically tick Muskies off..and a ticked-off Muskie will
    usually attack whatever tick him/her off.  I think I recall him saying
    he'd caught around 15 in the 25 pound range, a couple in the 30-35lb
    area and one "nice" one around 47 pounds. He had some footage of the 47
    pounder, and THAT was some fish!! Linder basically releases ALL of his
    fish, and is a prime proponent of the concept. However, he does
    occasionally keep a Walleye if it's in a really prolific lake. The
    problem with depletion is not with the person who occasionally keeps a
    fish or 2 to eat, it's more from the jerko who CONSISTENTLY takes
    everthing he/she catches everytime they go out...and ends up probably
    not even eating them after killing them. I almost threw a guy in a lake
    one day when I saw tht he had about 10 UNDERSIZED bass on a
    stringer....but instead I alerted a nearby warden that I saw and the
    guy got arrested. I HOPE Field & Stream didn't publicize this guy who
    caught 12 Muskies if the jerk actually KEPT them!!! If he caught &
    released them then this is in the Linder method, and those fish can be
    enjoyed over and over by many fishermen.
      So...Yeah, Muskies ARE harder to catch than the average Pickerel
    and/or Northern, but if you know how and wehre, they too can be
    caught..
    
       JMc

re: .0

    Dave,
    
    I have been going to Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada for the past 8 
    years and I LOVE IT!  We have done various things with respect to 
    accommodations and fishing.  We tried a house boat for three years.  We
    liked it quite a bit but we had to do our own cooking.  We tried a lodge
    where we did our own cooking as well, but I like the way we do it now.  We
    stay at a lodge where we do nothing but fish, drink, play poker and lie
    about all the fish we caught, or should have caught.  That is what it is
    all about, right!  The lodge we stay at is not the Ritz Carlton, but we
    fish so much that we just like a place to do the four S's: Shxx, Shower, 
    Shave, Sleep.  The place we stay is out of Morson, Ontario called Hidden 
    Island Hideaway.  It is on an island by itself and costs us roughly $550 
    to $600/man a week for everything (food, gas, bait, etc).  Great food and
    the owners go well out of their way to make sure you have a great time.  I
    would be glad to send you info if you like.

    We typically catch Northern, Walleye, Large/Smallmouth Bass, Crappie,
    and many years we will get Muskie as well.  Many northern and muskie are
    in the 4 - 12 pound range.  You will see bigger ones as well.  The trick
    is to catch them. In 1990 a buddy on the trip got a 32 pound Muskie while
    fishing for Walleye.

    I would suggest you bring a variety of the types of lures suggested and
    then some.  The patterns we have seen changes each year that I have gone
    and the lures that worked in a previous year may not be used much.  We
    also find that in many cases when activity casting becomes slow that
    we may immediately catch some nice Walleye and/or Northern by trolling.
    Have you ever tried surface lures?  That is really a gas when you get a
    bass or Northen to hit on one of those.  Many times later in the day it
    is very calm and it is ideal to troll and/or cast a surface bait.  You may
    also consider using some Uncle Josh pork rinds on some of your baits, like
    on a Johnson Silver Minnow spoon, a Daredevle or a big rubber-skirted
    bass jig.  I caught my biggest Northern to date using the bass jig
    technique, although it was only twelve pounds.  I have been quite 
    consistent over the years in getting action with Northerns this way.
    However, I must say that my favorite lures to use have always been 
    Mepps spinners.

    You should also consider bringing a few different types of weedless lures.
    Weeds may get very heavy where the fish will be.  Remember to bring some
    good insect repellent.  The bugs are tough also.  I assume you know this,
    but I will remind you to bring some steel leaders to use since the
    Northern and Muskie are tough on fishing line without them.

    Generally, when fishing in an area like Lake of the Woods, there is a
    nice variety of conditions and structure: weeds, rocks, shallow water,
    deep water, drop-offs and so on.  It is good to have lures for each of
    these conditions and ideally lures that can be used in multiple techniques
    like casting and/or trolling.  I think one of the greatest things about 
    the Lake of the Woods area is this variety of conditions and fish you will
    encounter.  It offers something for most every type of fisherman.

RE: .7 & .8

    When we fish in Canada one of my buddies who comes with us is a dentist.
    The guy who runs the lodge says he is the best he has seen at removing 
    the Y-bones from those toothy critters.  They sure taste good for shore 
    lunch, right out of the lake into the pan.

RE: .13

     From what I have heard, finding the Muskie is the biggest part of the 
     problem.  You have to know first where to look, then if you find them,
     you figure out how to catch them.  Pike baits (big ones) will work
     as well as most, but there are lots of baits made primarily for Muskie.
     Boy, would I love to catch one of those guys on a fly rod like they do
     on the In-Fisherman show!
     
     The comments in .14 are very good about Muskie.  You gotta have the 
     knack, patience, and in my case a lot of luck!	

     Have a Great Time wherever you go and Good Luck!

     Dave

    ....yea,,when they are aggressive they will even hit a rapala twitching
    on the surface like a bass but in the Connecticut River this is rare.
    When one does hit on the surface I instantly scream BIG BASS!!!
    
    I've actually seen them watch a twitching top water for a minute but
    not strike until I crank it in....(FAST)
    
                                -Steve

    RE:.15
    
                            LAKE OF THE WOODS
    
    Dave,
    
    The four S's: Maybe only three: Shxx, shower, sleep.  There is no
    reason to shave.  And by the way your right, that is what it's all
    about.  But you forgot one thing; THE BUDWEISER! Is the boat included
    in that price? Also, Yes I would greatly appreciate any additional
    information that could be forwarded to me on Lake of The Woods.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Dave A. 
    

    As a Hoosier living in Canada since '81, I have enjoyed fishing for
    Trout, Bass, Pike and had a great time of it, besides my wife and three
    kids, if it wasn't for the fishing I get a chance to do around here
    I might have moved back to the good ole US of A.
    
    However, if you are interested in learning more about fishing trips
    in Canada, I have a FAX number for the "Sportfishing Travel Network".
    It is 905-689-2065.  They have information on trips to Canada and 
    around the world.  The 800 number, which may only work in Canada is
    1-800-667-CAST.  The magazine I subscribe to "Canadian Sportfishing"
    is a edited by a couple of Canadians who take fishing seriously.
    
    (This is affiliated with the magazine.)
    
    Good Luck, ice out is a great time for big pike!
    

    re: .17

    Dave,

    You are right.  We do very little shaving, for the most part.  Maybe one
    of the four S's should be for "Slurping" suds.

    Please give me an address and I will be glad to send you a brochure.

    A boat is included in the price for every group of four.  I think that
    is negotiable with the owner.

    Dave P.

    re: .19
    
    Dave,
    
    Here is my address:
    
    DEC
    David Acker
    4 Gatehall Drive
    Parsippany, NJ 07054
    Suite 100
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Dave A.
    

Greetings,

Fished Northern Canada most of my life. The biggest Northern that I have 
ever caught tipped the scales at 22.5 lbs. Hooked him while trolling for 
walleyes - right through a concentration of 6 boats who were supposedly 
fishing a walleye "hot spot". Fought him for 10+ minutes while a dozen or so 
spectators looked on. It was probably the greatest fishing thrill of my 
life! Weighed him - and let him go (after a few quick pictures) much to the 
disappointment of my onlookers.

It is because of this story that I feel compelled to help anybody looking 
for a similar experience. Don't limit your search to Northern Ontario 
(although that's where I was). Northern Quebec and Northern Manitoba offer 
experiences equal or better. Here's some places you can try ...

Ontario

	Hanson's King Island Lodge
	Box 96B 
	Nestor Falls, P0X 1K0
	807-484-2115

	Tinkers Places
	Box 266
	Nestor Falls, P0X 1K0
	807-484-2664

	Sioux Lookout Fly-In Camps
	Sioux Lookout
	807-737-2244

Manitoba

	Silsby Lake Lodge and Outposts
	Ilford, R0B 0S0
	204-288-4380

Quebec

	Domaine Poutrincourt Outfitter
	Box 310
	LaDore, G0W 2J0
	418-256-3524

	Deer Horn Lodge
	Box 340
	Maniwaki, J9E 3G9
	819-449-4202

If you need any more places just let me know. I hope you have fun no matter
what you decide to do. Don't forget to bring plenty of my most productive 
spoon - the "five-of-diamonds" red-diamonds-on-yellow Daredevle.

Ciao,
Mario

    re: .21
    
    Mario, 
    
    22.5 lbs.(My Dream)Must of looked like a gator. When it first hit, what the
    heck did you think you tied into! 
    
    Dave A.
    
    p.s. Thanks for the info.  If you know of any others let me know.  By
    the way have you ever been to anyone of this places that you have
    listed? 
    
    
    

Dave,

    
>    22.5 lbs.(My Dream)Must of looked like a gator. When it first hit, what the
>    heck did you think you tied into! 
    
I've never seen a real gator - but you're probably right! I distinctly 
remember it being about the width of our boat because once it was inside it 
thrashed around violently for a bit - despite the fact that I had just 
finished playing it out. The other thing that I remember is that I didn't 
have a leader on my line (was fishing for walleyes) and was lucky to hook 
him cleanly through the lip - good thing I had 12lb Stren. When it first 
hit, I thought I had snagged bottom because it took lots of line!
    
>    p.s. Thanks for the info.  If you know of any others let me know.  By
>    the way have you ever been to anyone of this places that you have
>    listed? 
 
I have fished Sioux Lookout before. I picked the other places because 
friends/relatives have gone there and enjoyed themselves. I have a long 
list of places - but tried to limit it to ones that people I know have done 
well with. These places are a little "rustic" - but I assume you want to 
fish - not enjoy the amenities.

Ciao 4 now,
Mario
 

      Re .21/2/3.  
    
      Yer right on the 'gator' similarity....there are some distinct
    resemblences... 
    
      Actually, ole Esox will smack just about ANY lure or bait if he/she
    gets the urge...but there are a few such as the Daredevle (I like red
    'n white myself..but that's just personal preference..) and other
    spoons that will provoke 'em more than some others. 
    
      I've never gone AFTER Northerns without a metal leader...and if you
    have any idea you may be into a BIG fella, the snap on the leader
    should be reinforced, because I know of a lot's of people who've hauled
    in a naked line complete with the leader on the end and the snap
    open... BIG Esox--Muskie or Northern, will straighten the wire snap out
    like nuthin'. I used to tie the snap shut with a piece of nylon line,
    or simply bent and twist the snap so it simply would not EVER
    open....and worried about changing lures by tieing 'em off wt the other
    end of the leader...leaving the leader as a permanent part of the lure.
    Leaders go way up into the hundreds of pounds test, and unlike some of
    the WARY fish like Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass that are spooked by
    the presence of unusual and unfamiliar things, the ole Northern is not
    much effected by anything but hie meanness and feeding habits...they
    aren't gonna see and be spooked by a leader.
    
       I was Bass fishing on a lake in Mass a couple of years ago, and this
    lake is known to have SOME Northerns in it, but most Mass folks don't
    concentrate ont he species...so I hadn't heard too much about them. I
    was throwing a crankbait for Largemouths, and was slowly trolling as I
    went. After a longer than usual cast, I began a standard retrieve, and
    when the lure got about 8-10 feet from the boat, I saw this large swirl
    of water and a splash, and then saw a large white strip come up, bend
    and dive....as a Northern who'd followed my crankbait turned and dove
    away.. I was shocked, because this guy had to be in the 15+ range from
    the with of his belly--which was the white strip that I'd seen. In my
    excited state, all I could think of was: "DAMN! I'm lucky he didn't
    take the lure...I paid $4.00 for it, and without a leader....."
    Never HAVE caught one in that lake, but I KNOW there's at least ONE in
    there...
    
       This 'follow and forget' thing is not at all uncommon with the
    Pike...they do this a lot when they are not REALLY ticked-off enuff to
    hit....when this happens though, you have to try everything you know to
    aggravate 'em enough into striking... I've actually seen them follow so
    close you would think they were bumping the lure...just to watch them
    do that 'u' turn and dive...
    
      John Mc  

    re:2.4
    
    John,
    
    I had the same experience as you but only with a Chain Pickeral.
    I was reeling in my line and about 3 feet from my boat emerged this
    monster pickeral est. (30inches/4lbs.) it scared the hell out of me.  What I
    was told to do in this case was to make a figure 8 with my pole.  The
    next thing ya know the bastard took my Mepps.  After that happened I
    just sat there in complete agony.  I still think about what could off
    been till this day.
    
    Dave A.
    
     

      Re .25
    
       Dave,
       All of us who've fished for any time at all have similar
    nightmares...some better, some worse. I still recall a Largemouth that
    took a plastic worm one Sunday afternoon about a year after I started
    Bass fishing... I can close my eyes and still stt that fish come out of
    the water, open her mouth and sling that worm/hook/sinker about 20 feet
    into the air.....and from where I was standing it looked for all the
    world like a bushel-basket full of cotton when she opened that
    monster-mouth of hers!! She slung the entire rig AFTER she's
    straightend a 2-0 Eagle Claw weedless hook out and made it a piece of
    straight wire with a barb on the end of it!! Hey....I dunno....mebbe
    the hook was already bent some...mebbe it was just a weak one, but
    neverr before nor since have I ever seen a Bass do that!! However, I
    did upgrade after that and now don't use anything less than a 3-0!!
      I sat there for a good 20 minutes simply staring at the useless hook
    and trying to get my heart slowed back down to a resonable level..
    
    
       One other time I was surf casting on a beach with seaworms....cast,
    put the rod in a sand spike and wait... All of a sudden the entire rod
    leapt out of the sand spike and went bouncing toward the surf.. I was
    able to barely catch it before it disappeared into the ocean
    forever....and I "set the hook", only to feel a tremendous yank, and
    the line snapped.... Old timer who was nearby came along about 15
    minutes later and noted that he'd witnessed the whole thing...had a
    good chuckle over my mad dash to the surf... Then he told me that I'd
    likely tied into a fair-sized shark, which was way over the weight of
    my tackle. I was SURE I'd had about a 95 pound Striper on that line
    before that though...at LEAST 2-times the worlds record..at least....at
    least...SHARK???? Darn!!
    
       Keeps ya goin BACK though, don't it???
    
      John Mc

    
    I also had that feeling - sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach.
    
    I had a 25lb pike - only ever had a 7lber before on my rod - 8lb line - 
    so I had a fair battle what with try not to get snapped off - only
    to loose it when we were trying to get it in the net - the landing net
    was too small - I still remember it shooting away - Dam!
    
    To make it worse one of the guys caught it from the same spot - and
    cast his bait out to the same spot - two weeks later - never got close 
    since.
    
    
    
    					Stuart.

    I just received a picture cut out of the Burlington (Vermont) Free
    Press newspaper of a Northern Pike caught through the ice on Lake
    Champlain . Weighed in officially at 21.59 lbs.. and was 45 inches
    long. It was the largest of 2 caught that day. The other was only 41
    1/2 inches long and only weighed 18.47 lbs.
    	This occured 2 weeks ago.
    
    	John

    To the author of .0. Did you set up a trip? If so, where, and when.
    
    I am going to Eagle lake  (~ 110 miles North of International falls)
    this coming week (5/28 - 6/4). After reading all these replies about 
    large pike I am ready!
    
    
    
    Greg
    
    

    re .29
    
    have'nt planned a trip yet, still in the process of doing so.  Let me
    know how you did?
    
    Dave
    
    

    has anyone here fished teh Concord up in Carlise,MA ? Where's the best
    Pike action there?
    
    Steve

    Uh, hmmmm,.....
    
    Well, you'll have to head upstream from Carlisle. The best bet for Pike
    is up in the Concord area, where the river is still narrow but has
    quite a few backwater ponds.
    
    If you catch one, please do me a favor and keep it. It doesn't belong
    in the Concord River.
    
    John H-C

    Why do you feel they don't belong there?  
    
    
    I fished it Sat w/no luck but 2 were caught by others...
    
    Thanks,
    
    Steve

    > Why do you feel they don't belong there?
    
    Because they are exotic fish screwing up the native ecoweb, competing
    with those that *do* belong there. The existence of Northern Pike in
    the Concord River is just one of hundreds of WGAF acts by the morons
    (as distinguished from those who understand and care) at the MA DF&W.
    
    If you catch a carp, please keep it long enough to throw it ashore to
    feed the crows and coons. They're in the river for the same reason,
    except the federal F&W from the last century is responsible for that
    screwup.
    
    John H-C

re -.1
  pretty narrow-minded attitude, IMHO.  Nothing at all wrong with northern
  pike and even carp both for catching and for eating.  As to "natural" range,
  small mouth bass, for example, are "native" only to Ohio River (and some
  of it's tributaries).  So what?  I, for one, am glad that they have been
  introduced far beyond their native range.  Brook trout and rainbows have
  been introduced into many small lakes in northern Minnesota where they
  are not native.  etc. etc.

  Northern pike are probably the most exciting fresh-water game fish there
  is.  Can't imagine how any fisherman could anything but happy to have
  them available.

         Craig

    Well, happy chewing to you, then. Good luck. I hope you catch and eat
    as many as there are.
    
    John H-C

    Our canadian fishing trip was great!!! We fished mostly for walleyes,
    but we did go after and catch about a dozen Northern pike. About 4-6
    were in the 7-9 lbs range. Boy catching those was fun!  We caught
    most of them on johnson spoons, just outside shallow weedy bays. The
    weather had been warm up there this spring so most of the big boys had
    already moved to deeper waters.
    
    
    Greg   

Well, on my last trip to Quetico (which was almost 3 years ago but we're going
back this fall!), I caught a 43" northern (estimate weight at 15-20 lbs but
didn't have a scale) on a light spinning outfit with 6 lb test line and no
leader.  A whole lot more fight and excitement than I can remember from any
bass, walleye, or trout that I've ever caught.  This thing was still dangerous
even after I had it in the canoe!

As far as eating goes, pike is every bit as tasty as bass or walleye.
You just have to be careful not to overcook as it's flesh has less moisture
than many other species.  Yes, there are those #%&*! "y" bones, but there are 
filleting techniques that will remove them.  These work particularly well
on larger pike.

       Craig

    re .29
    
    Where is Eagle Lake located?  Any recommendations on lodging, packages,
    ect.  Cost of trip?  Any info would be appreciated.
    
    Dave

    Eagle lake is located in Waldhof (about 25 miles west of Dryden and
    about 110 miles north of International falls/Fort Francis (on the 
    Minnesota Canadian border)).  The place we stayed was called Birchdale
    lodge.  It was excellent. If you are interested send me mail and can
    send you a copy of the rate sheet (and some other lodges in the area).
    We did a houskeeping plan (a complete one bedroom cabin) for 2 people
    and it was ~$700. You seem to get a better deal if you have more people
    in the group. They also do an American plan (all meals included), and
    have a camp ground.
    
    We went to the all Canada sports show in February and there were
    literally hundreds of lodges in Ontario.  The things that separated
    Birchdale from the other lodges in our minds were.
    
    - The lodge has been owned by the same family since 1930 (they know
      the area.)
    
    - The were fairly inexpensive. (compared to other lodges)
    
    - All the cabins have decks with gas grills.
    
    - All but one cabin has a screened in porch.
    
    - The cabins are not really close together.
    
    - They have exclusive access to leave boats on another lake (which is
      fly in quality) that (for a fee) they will take you to for a day of
      fishing.
    
    
    I plan on going back.
    
    
    Greg