Sparky's Photo Gallery
2023 - 2024
January 16, 2023
It has to be honestly the slowest start to my ice fishing season ever!! The weather this year just hasn't really been cooperating at all!! A warm start to winter didn't make any ice at all and when the ice started the weather turned warm again and took it all away!! It wasn't until the end of December and into the start of January that it was safe...
So, I began my fishing on the 16th.... out to my usual spot walking out on a good 6 inches of ice... I was set up for the afternoon bite.. I started marking fish and bag fish on!! I was a happy camper, so I set up the pop up hut and began fishing... I was rusty so some fish were lost but in all I came away with a limit of tasty Bay of Qunite gold!!
January 20, 2023
Back at it.... Now with a bit of snow on the ice I found the walking a bit more difficult as there was now some slush underfoot. However, the fishing must go on!! This time I have a new auger.. I came up to the new age of battery operated augers... I picked up a Strikemaster Lithium 40V 8" auger and a great price!!
I set up in my same spot and it wasn't long before the fish started to show up... It didn't take me long before I had a limit on the ice and packing up... maybe a couple of hours... I was off the ice before sunset today...
January 22, 2023
Headed back out to my usual spot... Things weren't really going as planned today!! The fish weren't really playful today!! Later in the day I had a friend come out for the afternoon bite... I had a couple of fish on the ice when they showed up... They set up close by and were marking fish as well... Finally, Doug had a fish on and it was a good one!! No time to weigh or measure and it went back down to fight another day!! While chatting with Shayne, he wasn't paying attention and bag fish on!! His line was got caught up on his rod and started to hand bomb it in!! Another good fish, which he took home for dinner! At pack up time I gave Shayne my fish as I had some in the freezer and knew I would be back out again in days to come... It was another good day on the ice!!
January 24, 2023
Back out, this time with the snow machine!! What a good feeling that was and sure makes walking a lot easier!!
I was nice to have the big hut on the ice!! I spent most of the time just getting back into the swing of using it and and getting stuff back in order after getting a new cover from Otter!! I did manage a couple of nice eater fish for the day and a spectacular sunset!
January 27, 2023
Back out, again on the snow machine, but this time there was some slush under the snow which made it a bit difficult travelling, however I managed to get to my spot..
I did manage a few nice eater fish for the day... the ride back in was a bit better but not great!
February 5, 2023
First fish fry of the year!!
February 8, 2023
Tried something a little new for a change.. Went to Bancroft, into a stocked back lake in search of some brook trout. Got there nice and early... Trail in was in great shape and no one had been in for some, but once I got to the lake it was a slush pit!! I stayed close to shore and managed to get to my spot. Setting up the lines was another thing... There must have been 6 to 8 inches of shush/water on the lake, which made it hard walking!! The lines were set and the wait was on and on and on!! I stayed until late afternoon and called it a nice day to out in the woods!! The peace and tranquility was great but a bonus trout or two would have been nice as well!!
February 21, 2023
Thought I'd try something a bit different on my first trip up to Lake Simcoe this year. I went out with an outfitter. I decided to try Brechin Point fish huts. I got there nice and early to look around their stocked office. The owners were fantastic! Full of information on the fish and the area and very friendly!
We were all taken out to our huts, which were clean, warm and comfortable. I got set up for the day and the wait was on! I marked a couple fish for the day but that was it. The fish just weren't there!! Chatting with the owner he gave some further advise for the area in case I was fishing on my own another day and was willing to provide some of his waypoints, which surprised me. Some others had a few hits but no fish were brought in that day. Still it was a good day with a fantastic sunrise! I learned a bit about the area and some areas to try in the future.
February 22, 2023
Back to Simcoe with my buddy, Shayne. Took him to one of my spots, and as we were setting up he gets his first fish before he even gets his helmet off!! #$^*&(@...
Shayne really out did me today!! He caught most of the fish but we did take home our 2 fish each!!
February 25, 2023
Back to Simcoe solo... Finally some decent snow for running on the lake!! Today wasn't my day!! I gave it my all but the fish just weren't cooperating with me today... Still a fun day on the lake and lots of others out!!
March 3, 2023
I met up with a long time friend on the lake today... We use to fish together so many years ago and it happened again.. We headed out to one of our old waypoints to deep water but the fish just weren't there... way to deep.. the fish are no shallow due to their new feed source... gobies.. We then headed towards the Brechin area... I found a few holes with blood around it and thought I should try there... It was wasn't long before I hooked into a fish.. Up came a nice ling.. Neither of us wanted it so back down it went.
Ryan had to leave for an appointment around noon so I stayed and fished a bit more then moved to another area. I began marking fish and finally hooked into another fish... this time a nice whitefish! I stayed for a while longer marking fish but they turned off and won't bite, so I packed up and headed for shore... A nice time out with Ryan and another nice on the lake!!
March 3, 2023
I met up with Shayne again today along with his wifes son. A few fish were caught and lost but still a fun day!!
March 8, 2023
Solo trip out in search of more whitefish... I went back to an area a friend had showed me and set up on top of a hump. Others were in the same general area so why not try it again...
It wasn't to long before fish began showing up.. I lost a few but came away with my two fish!!
March 10, 2023
Back out on solo trip again... Back to my original spot on the hump. Once again it didn't let me down!! I also tried a high hook combo and it worked well, getting both of my fish today on the high hook. I also trolled around and found a couple of good spots to try in the future, likely next season.
March 12, 2023
Back to my original spot on the hump, and once again came away with my fish... I have to say that the sun rises haven't have let me down as yet!!!
March 13, 2023
Back out on solo trip again but will be meeting up with a friend on the other side of the lake later in the day. I went back to the same spot seeing that the fish were there.... it was a snowy start to the day, but after getting set up, it didn't take long to connect with my first one of the morning. A short time later I hooked my second fish of the day. I stayed for a while longer and caught one more, which was quickly released.
I found out where Shayne was with his friends and made the trip across the lake. They didn't have any fish and we moved to a different spot... Thought I'd try and it wasn't long before I was hooked up.... it was released. Shayne and the young lad that he brought out were marking but they weren't cooperating for them.. It was the young lads first time on Simcoe and fishing for whitefish.. He finally got the hang of it and was hooking up!! He got his two as well as Shayne... I managed 5 for the day with 3 going back.
It was a fantastic day to call it my last day of ice season.... Its now time to get stuff put away and do maintenance on the snow machine, hut and fishing gear.
July 9, 2023
Tracy and I decided to go north to visit some friends south of North Bay. On this day the ladies wend out to explore, do some shopping and hang out while my buddy Darren and I went fishing for a few hours. We hooked up his tin boat to the side by side and down the back road we went!! It was only about a 20 minute scenic drive....
We launched the boat and off we went to explore this new lake in search of walleye, that Darren had heard populated the lake. First stop was the structure around a little island. It wasn't long before I hooked into a scrappy fish... As it came up we thought it was a walleye, but as it neared the surface... yep it was a sucker fish!! LOL.. still it was the first fish in the boat and weren't skunked!! Mr. sucker went back. A short time later I hooked into another fish, this time it was the target species.. a nice eater sized walleye and on the stringer it went!! A few passes later, Darren hooked into a small but very scrappy smallmouth bass!! They look very healthy and sure give a good fight!! Later Darren hooked into his first walleye of the day and then I hooked yet another sucker and a smallmouth bass... Darren, ended the day with another walleye and another bass..
We couldn't have asked for a better time exploring another lake and for Darren finding one close to his place!! I'm sure he will be back there in search of more walleye in the future!!
July 19, 2023
I finally got my boat out for a fish!! I didn't get it out at all last year... I launched the boat out from Deseronto and headed out into the unknown.. places I had fished with a friend a few years ago but not sure if there were fish still in the area.. I trolled back and forth catching some smaller walleye, which was fantastic to see!! It shows the population is growing for sure!! I finally hooked into a decent fish.. I had forgot to bring my net.. yep an novice move but I was able to get the fish into the boat! I kept getting hits but no more hook ups.. I called it a day early afternoon 5 fish total were caught... 4 small ones which were released and the one keeper... Can't wait to get out again, so I can start calling myself an open water angler too!!
August, 2023
Got out a few times over the summer months before the fall camping season for us... Mostly out on the Bay of Qunite but also once up north around Bancroft.
Fall 2023
I've been doing some upgrades and maintenance to both the snow machine and Otter hut....
The snow machine was in need of some ice scratchers when were on the ice with not much snow... These will for sure help out a lot!!! Then I needed to change the chain case oil. When I sent to remove some of the nuts the bolts broke off &^%^#$(. So in search of a new chain case!! Located on and got it all back together and new oil added. I also made a couple of repairs to the muffler, sealing up a couple of holes.
As for the hut, I added some netting at the top from an old hockey net. I also added a new set of hyfax runners and a set of tabs to help on pushing the buttons in when taking down the hut... these are a fantastic addition to help out when you have arthritis in your hands!!
All set now, I think, just add snow and ice!!!
Sparky's Photo Gallery
2024
January 5, 2024
Back out for the first time in 2024!!
I went to a lake I usually try the first of each ice season. I set up near a couple of other guys.. We chatted fishing for some time and finally he caught a nice rainbow trout while his dad caught a nice little laker... I went away with my first skunk of the season!! Not good considering it was the first trip out!! Still it was nice ti finally be on the ice... its not ver till its over!!!
January 6, 2024
Walked into a back lake I knew had some brook trout in it... It was a nice walk... I had to walk over one lake and then a short trail into the second lake.. thank God there wasn't a lot of snow on the lake!!
I got to a spot that someone else had been fishing so I just set up there... Got my lines in and it wasn't long before one of the flags went up!! A short walk over and I see the reel is spinning... bonus!! A short time later the a nice brook trout was on the ice!! It was a beauty!! Nice and fat and about 12 inches in length!! Some good eats right there!!
It was time to get a fire going to warm up and tradition when speckle fishing!!
That was it for fish today but still it was worth the walk!! I wish I could have gotten a couple more but maybe next time!!
January 19, 2024
Finally back out on the Bay of Quinte after some walleye!!
It was nice to be back out on my spot on the bay!! We picked up a new Bass Pro / Cabelas pop up this year so it was the first time setting it up on the ice... All went well with set up!
It wasn't long before the fish started to show themselves and it honestly didn't take long to get my limit plus toss a couple back.... It was in deed a good day!!
January 20, 2024
Not much to really tell here..... Went back to my spot on the weekend and to many people around so I came away with a skunk... But you can't catch them from the couch!!
January 22, 2024
Back out for yet another go at the walleye before another warm up and rain... This time I went to an old spot a friend took me to some years ago... I think 2012...
Not a bad walk out but the walk back was well to say the least horrible...
I got to the spot and set... Spoke with a few people on the way out and and also saw some blood on the ice in a couple of areas which was a good sign!! It was getting windy out and setting up the hut was a bit of a chore but got it done! It took awhile for the fish to show and at first they weren't very cooperative... but in time they became more willing and began to bite.... Got a call from Tracy saying maybe two was enough because the weather turned worse... looking outside she was right... As I finished my cup of tea I hooked a third fish and packed up for the horrible walk to shore.. I wish I could have stayed a bit longer to get the forth but I hate to say it... she was right.. pack up and get off the bay! It was an awful walk back to shore but still I had a nice warm home to come back to with a few fish in tow!
January 24, 2024
Out with my buddy Skip... He was already on the ice... I got out and we changed spots slightly... It was a nice start but it started to freeze rain and neither on of us took our huts out today but we managed to stay warm enough...
To make a long story short... I got my 4 fish plus I tossed a small one back and lost a good one right at the hole... Skip got a small one plus a good fish at 6.5lbs!! It was a good day ad time!! Skip went home very happy as it was his first time on the bay this year!! The forth fish isn't in the picture... we packed up in a hurry... When we got back we both looked like ice cubes!! LOL
February 1, 2024
Finally made it out to Lake Simcoe for my first trip of the year. The ice just isn't good this year! Some of the lake is open while other areas have some ice while others has a lot, such as Brechin area where there is almost 10 or so inches of pack ice. I parked at Brechin huts and made it out onto the ice where I met up a new friend, Chris and his dad. We made it out to a decent area were the huts are located. I marked a few fish but today wasn't the day for fish topside. It was still a good feeling to be on Simcoe after I didn't think would happen this year.
February 6, 2024
Back in the same area on Simcoe... After sledding around I located some blood on the ice, telling me that someone has been catching fish!! Still, today wasn't my day! Still no fish, but had marked a few..
February 7, 2024
Stayed at our favorite B&B in Beaverton and got on the ice nice and early in hopes of finally getting some fish.. Met up with Chris again today but we split up today to fish more water trying to find some fish. Near the end of the day I finally hooked into a fish... When it came top side it was a nice sized ling.. I didn't want it nor did Chris so back down it went... it was nice to get into a fish though!!
February 21, 2024
Got back out on Simcoe after some really nice cold weather!! Made it out to a different area out further to a nice shoal that I have gone by so many times. Made it out with my buddy Shayne... We got to the shoal and set up... it wasn't long before the fish started to show up... We both got our limits of whitefish plus I got my personal best perch at 14 inches!! plus a bonus ling which I sent back. It was sure nice to finally get on some whitefish !! It was a beauty day!!
February 22, 2024
Back out on Simcoe to the same shoal, solo this time... Set up and wasn't long before the fish started to show... It did take some time before I managed my limit but still I got them along with a couple more big perch.
February 24, 2024
made it out with buddy Shayne and Lori today... I was having a hard time hooking fish today but Shayne was getting them on a plastic bait he had... I got one from him and then finally started hooking into fish... They both had their fish in no time! It was a beauty morning sunrise!!
February 26, 2024
I was already to head out this morning.. As I did a last walk about of the sled and hut I noticed one the rear wheel on the sled wasn't right... the bearing was shot!! Damnit!!! I sent a picture off to a friend, who said well we could fix it here, just go down to Royal Distributing and pick up a couple of wheels... Off to Royal I went then turned around and drove back to Cavan and in a couple hours we had the issues fixed. Turned out the other wheel bearing was also blown.. Thanks to Shayne for all of the help!!! I drove back to Beaverton to B&B... tomorrow was another day!!
February 26, 2024
Back out for the last time on Simcoe for the season... 2024 ice season was for sure a short lived season!!
Back out with Shayne again... We both got our fish but it took me awhile once again.. Shayne went in closer to try for perch while I stayed behind to get my second whitefish... Finally got it and pack up and headed in..
March 12, 2024
Just when I thought I was done with ice fishing I went back up to Bancroft with my buddy Larry to walk into a back lake in search of some brook trout... We started early nd got set up by 8am.. Loads of ice at almost 10 inches. It was a long day and only managed one fish between both of us for the day which is my final day on the ice for the 2024 season!! The fish I got was a dandy though!! Maybe 16 inches and full to the brim with small minnows... I'll have to try some other smaller back lakes next ice season, hopefully on the sled though as this walking sucks!!
