Pinery

Ella , Owen and I just returned from a trip to the Pinery Provincial Park.
We had a great time.
When I started to break up the camp Ella went into the car and sobbed herself to sleep.


It was heartbreaking really...the kids loved it that much.
Owen even showed some enthusiasm about fishing on this trip.
:oO


It helped a great deal that he landed a four pound Largemouth bass in the first minute we were there and it just about pulled him in the water.
LOL
What a great moment for all of us...and Ella was genuinely happy for him.


She insisted that we try and put it in the fish pail but the poor fella didn't look too comfortable and he was quickly released.


Now I have Owen talking about fishing for salmon with us.
Could be a crowded boat.


I hadn't been to the Pinery in quite some time and I didn't realized how much I missed the place.


Like everything the price has gone up but it still is a great economical option for the summer vacation and also and more importantly a nice way to get the computer generation some fresh air...(As I type away...)


This little one nighter was a bit of a test which the kids passed with flying colours.


In hindsight I wished that I had booked it for a few nights.


I am thinking that an Algonquin trip might be in the near future for us.


Gerry has asked me to hit the Pickeral drift with him tomorrow so I am trying to track dowm my pencil lead...
UGH.
:ob

This One Goes Out To Greg.....

.....The Steelhead Expatriate.
Hang in there you carp lovin' homo....the temps will drop and the rain will come
...'Til then...


Oh yeah!!!



Begin the day with an friendly voice..a companion unobtrusive...



"Gilded cage..."

Fathers Day

I really am the luckiest guy I know.
My kids are outstanding and I am really proud of them.
Fathers day we spent the morning fishing.

Untitled from Gene Norland on Vimeo.

I don't know how many fish we caught...100?....lol
The kids loved it.

Untitled from Gene Norland on Vimeo.

Owen caught himself a giant Catfish and in his mind he has matched his sister in Angling.
Last week we watched Owen receive an award for being the most Christian minded in his Class.

This was a little strange for me but I know what the teachers see in in him and I was glad to see him recognized for it.


He is a good hearted little soul and I am extremely proud of him.
Being good just comes naturally to him.
After fishing we went to the local museum.

Untitled from Gene Norland on Vimeo.

A very good day.

I love those kids.
They make me want to be a better person.

Spring Storm

A beautiful little thunder storm blew in off the lake last night.
I love the way it smells and the way the air feels just before and during one of these little events.
Afterwards I whipped outside and was able to take some cool pics and a wee video snippet of a double rainbow.

Untitled from Gene Norland on Vimeo.

Ella was sleeping and she was very disappointed that she missed it.
Speaking of Ella...
She has become a bit of a fishing machine as of late...
Anytime that I am off I am pestered with "Daddy...can we go fishing today?"
This morning she excitedly put another feather in her fishing cap by landing this nasty old catfish!!!


LOL
She loved it.
Geesh...
My other little girl Avery just celebrated her first birthday....or second depending on how you look at it I guess...


She is now ONE...and I don't know where the time went.
In for midnights tonight...
:o/

Cool Day

Today Ella and I had a morning with just the two of us.

I left the itinery up to her...honestly....but she was adamant ...
Lets go fishing!!
Every night when I tuck her into bed she does this cute thing where we discuss what we're going to dream about.
She'll usually say "soccer,camping...and that big large mouth bass that I caught".
Nice.
So the pond is getting a little tired and we thought we'd better check out some new water.


We started at Canatara Beach off the "Rock Pile".
Sometimes this location is good for a few early season Walleye. All we could get today were Smallmouth bass.
Ella loved it here.
When the fishing slowed down she could play on the rocks.
I however was not dressed for the north wind and punked out early.
It has been an unusually cold spring here and we have yet to turn the air on at the house.
We finished up at the local marina where we pretty much hit for the cycle..lol..
Pumpkinseeds, Smallmouth, Bluegill, Perch,...and some really big and fiesty Rock Bass.
Ella loved their Beautiful Orange eyes.


The action was fast and furious and I didn't take many pictures or video....I regret it now..I know that I am going to look back on these days with an aching heart in the near future. Right now I am the hero...and it feels pretty good.
It would be easier if I was foolish enough to believe that would last forever ...but I suppose I wouldn't appreciate it as much.
I am glad we have fishing.

BTW... I managed to drop my new camera on the rocks...nice...

Now There Is Something You Don't See Everyday...

Today my neighbour stopped by to let us know that there was a Hawk perched in our backyard Poplar.
Apparently he had grabbed himself a little squirrel and was having himself a rodent feast.( The Hawk ...not the neighbour)
LOL
We had a great view from our upstairs window and the kids got a real kick out of it ....and so did dad.

Hawk eating a squirrel from Gene Norland on Vimeo.

It would've been way cooler if it had killed the neighbours dog.
Hope springs eternal.

Salmon Derby. 2009

Well the Salmon derby is over.
We started off well but kind of fizzled towards the end.
This was due to a number of factors.
The pictures tell the story.
The rain and the wind played havoc up at Kettle Point on the last few days and just about blew us off the water.

Untitled from Gene Norland on Vimeo.

We weren't missing much.
For whatever reason the bite went off and we had lots of head scratching company out there.
One thing that has always confounded me about fishing for Kings is that when it shuts down ...IT REALLY SHUTS DOWN!!!
When you fish the rivers you can always seem to force out a few even when it is slow but on the big water there just doesn't seem to be anything that can be done some days but take your lumps like a man.
We weren't without our little victories this year.
Gerry won the seniors day and received a cash prize and we also got 9th place over all in the Salmon category which is nothing to sneeze at.
Some bigger fish were weighed in this year and all of them look really healthy.
A fish that weighed just shy of 19 lbs won the thing ...and that is not too shabby.
Ah well...the boys had a great time and it is a fun tradition...there is always next year.

That 'll Be It For Me Too

Today my alarm went off at right around 04:30...and I almost didn't get up.
My heart wanted one more kick at the floatfishing game but my body was saying no way ..

Avery has had a rotten cold and that coupled with the fact that she is teething like 90 makes our sleep pattern resemble torture more than any type of rest.
We have all been exhausted lately.
I went anyway...


There is quite a hike involved where we like to fish.
Typically you dance in and then find yourself crawling out. On the last trip I was thinking that in the very near future I probably will find it hard to justify the toll it takes on my body.


I just turned forty ...and I am an old forty at that. Christ .. I was born old.
I am not quite smashed yet and I need to take advantage of these opportunities.



The river was less than optimum. The water was clear , the sun was up and I had everybody and their brother for company but in spite of this I still had a wonderful day.


The fishing was tricky but I managed all right.


Even the bugs held off......for a while.

It was a great way to say goodbye until the fall.


I even managed to find some new sexy water that I am sure will load up silly style this fall.


Now off to bed and then back to the real world for a day.

Untitled from Gene Norland on Vimeo.

I don't much care for the real world come to think of it.

Days 1,2, and 3...

Well the derby is in full swing and I have to admit I am enjoying the hell out of it!!!!
So far we have had some really nice weather and the fishing has been good enough to keep everyone happy.
I think we have weighed in right around 16 fish and most of the fish appear to be bright and healthy.
The kings are finding food somewhere and the downriggin good old boys are all smiles.
I could do wthout all the useless radio chatter but it is easy to understand.
Most of these guys look forward to this all year.
... My father in law is one of them.


He really lives for this event and it is a great thing that we can do together as a family.
All year long Gerry donates his time as a volunteer at the local hatchery raising money and organizing this event for the area and it is nice to see him participate and do well in it.
So far there has been a crew of four on the SS RUBE.
Gerry is the Captain and the deckhands are My brother in law Mike, his son Erik and myself.


Gerry has a great boat and being on the water fishing out of it is very relaxing even when the weather is a bit snotty.


Our biggest fish so far has been a 12 lb KING that was caught today. These spring KINGS are nothing like they appear in the fall. They hit hard and peel line like freight trains.
Silver as dimes and full of piss.

Nephew Salmon battle from Gene Norland on Vimeo.

Erik has finally made it to the point where he can fight a fish from start to finish and todays fish was a rite of passage....in fact a great and proud moment for all of us.


I am down for a few days and surprisingly I am sad to think that I won't be able to join them out there again until Thursday.
LOL

The Man Who Was Tuesday

It poured rain Saturday and all the rivers went for a poop.
This always sucks and at this time of year I get very few kicks at the cat before the bugs ,the Derby and the warm temp shut me down.
I had Tuesday off and was pinning my fishy hopes on it.
It didn't look good.
The River Graph hadn't been updated and the word on the street was that all the rivers were blown.
The home river would probably settle up nicely for Thursday/Friday...while I am at work.
Morin is a jackass...
He is now on a first name basis with one of the government water graph people. When the site is down it doesn't take that OCD POS long to start raising hell.
About midway through he morning on Tuesday I get an email from him telling me that according to his connection at the MNR the river should be just on the edge of fishable and that I should "Get off my Manjina and head up there for the evening bite"
Indeed...
After getting clearance from the Warden and a ultraquick throw together of my gear I am 'en route'
My heart is soaring....
The Tiger Woods golf on the PS2 just wasn't getting er done.
An hour and a half later I am making my first drift through water that although isn't good...isn't half bad either.


I also know that in about three or so hours the water is going to to be sliding right nice into sexy.
I start hooking creek chubs...
These are hideous fish and worse is that they are roe gobblers....and I in my haste.. didn't bring much.
I fish the first pool for an hour and blow two fish.
I am trying to stay confident but the memories of the opener haunt me.
(And yes I am now using heavier line!!!!....You win fuckers!!!)
WTF?
I don't have much success on the lower river and with my roe supply precarious I decide to start hiking and pin all of my hopes on the upper runs.
Off I go.
Some water I just can't walk past.
More creek chubs and I blow another fish.... a fish that I was playing rather carelessy...thinking it was a giant smallmouth...until it broke the surface and spit the hook.
:o/
Useless...
I carry on up the river...
The next run I notice that the river has cleared considerably.
Way down in the tailout of my first drift I set up on a Steelie....three or four violent headshakes and gone...
At this pint I am really starting to get bummed... I mean really....?
I consider just packing up and heading home convinced that the fish gods are out to punish me.
Brave carry on.
One more push.
A long hike through the woods and I come upon the crossing where the three runs that I have been thinking about all day present themselves...with water that is stunning.
The first run has to be fished from the opposite bank and off I go.
The river has changed since the winter and the spot where I usually cross is less than friendly.
I had already tripped and fallen four times on the day so you'd think that I would be more careful??
The water is really moving...I am in it up to my chest....preoccupied with buck fever and riddled with exhaustion...
In I go ...right up to my chin....lol
The camera is in the ziplock bag...but both the neoprene pouch for my reel and the roe are gone...
How is my day going....?
I made it all the way to the water I wanted to fish so badly...with nothing to fish with..
I just about cried.... and I am not kidding.
Does anybody but me have days like this?
well....
I dig through my vest looking for artificials and low an behold find about 20 loose salmon eggs in a baggy.
Hope...
I also find four pieces of peach mesh.
In desperation I manage to tie up four little roe bags and cut the tops off.
I walk dejected up to the top run and mustering up as much courage as possible I lob one in...


It didn't get two feet.


:o)
This fish was a beast and really kicked the shit out of me.


I had to pull a little river runs through action when she headed out the bottom chute but here she is...glorious gem of a fish.

I was four for six on those peach roe bags with the magic Manistee Salmon Roe.
All hot fish ...all crazy leapers...god bless 'em.

A Magical day...one that I will never forget...but I could have done without the drama.


LOL
Anybody have an extra reel pouch?

Opening Day 2009

I actually booked leave to fish opening day.
WTF is wrong with me??

This time of year really takes a chunk out of my vacation time. We usually do some fishing early in april and that requires a day or two. Each shift I book off is 12 hrs so it is really like losing a day and a half of time away...if that makes any sense.
I really come to regret it in the fall but there isn't any stopping it.
The short sightedness is part of the tradition.


The derby is looming. I can't not fish it.
Gerry ...my father in law...lives for this and I am his deckhand on the SS RUBE ...
It...unfortunately coincides with the opening season for Steelhead on most the rivers in Ontario and every year there are days on the open water when I am gazing past the downriggers... over the beach and trees....to some braided water with a flash of silver beckoning..
Spring fishing is a rite.
...a rite that must be observed.
Morin and I took a run the Steelies on Saturday.
The freakshow did not disappoint.
The sun was up ...the temps were balmy...the giant Smallmouth Bass were trying to eat our floats.. and the loonies with the eggbeaters were all ramped up.
It wasn't as bad as some years but it was still good for a few chuckles and a few head shakes.
Brian caught some great fish..as he always does...
I fumbled around like an idiot...like I sometimes do.
I hooked four fish...which in my book is very good considering the conditions and the fact that we fished nothing but second water all day.... but I lost three...two of the three were good to great fish that managed to break me off!!!?????
I know ...I know...
The Boo Birds will be all over me about the light line that I use....I already have had the lecture and this may be the last straw that brings me into modern times with the rest of you homos but...
I have put fish on the rocks with my current set up...big fish as well...
I don't get it?
...But that is fishing...


We had a great day...it was necessary.
The best part for me just happened to be the cold beer back at the access point.
The Opener in a weird perverse way seems to cap off a season for us rather than begin one and this year in retrospect was a great one...
..a blessing really.
Now if we can just endure summer Sept/OCT is not that far away..lol...
There is even talk of a June Atlantic salmon trip on the St Marys to break up the downtime.
:o)
The river has all new structure due to the Biblical flooding of last year.
The scars left over from mother natures fury were beyond belief and were worth the buggy sweaty walk even without the fish.


Some runs are ruined ...some are improved....some are brand new...
;o)
Low water re-con has value.
It poured rain on our way home and I am eagerly anticipating the water graph update...
It is only four days past due...not bad for a 'real time' water meter....
Useless Government employees ..
I have one more day off this week and I was hoping for another trip up but I do not like my chances ...
ah November....

Pregame Warm-up...

I headed up to the Saugeen today.

It is a pretty river that I don't fish very often and after hearing some moderate reports and being too lazy to head to MI by myself I decided to give it a go.
If nothing else the Windshield time would be good for the soul.

I love the drive up that way and there are a number of pleasant little stops available. The Harveys at Goderich makes the best burgers in the world. I don't know why they are better than our local Harveys burgers but they just are.

:o)
I hit the river at first light and to my pleasant surprise was the only one at the parking lot when I arrived.
I geared up and made my way over to the steps.
Here I noticed a new Grant Ferris sign that has been placed in his honour.

I always liked Grant and seeing this reminder placed kind of a poignant spin on the beginning of the day.
I wonder if there will ever be a sign erected in my honour?
Doubtful.
I am not very familiar with the Saugeen....or 'GEEN' if you only speak shitstain.
I spent a fair amount of time just wandering around looking at the water trying to decide where I had fished before and where I should begin today.
It didn't take long for the bank maggot hatch to start coming off and I decided that I had better get my float in there.
I picked some seamy looking water and let it fly just as the first brood of dirtbags came upon me.
First drift and I am into one.
I got a real good look at it when it came out of the water...then I got a real good look at my float as it came flying back at me.
Oh well...great start really...more than I could've hoped for.
So I take a knee and re-tie. Five minutes later when I stand up I am surrounded.
One thing I will never understand about that river.....tons of room to move around but if you hook a fish look out because the entire crew will stand on your shoulders.....and the weird thing is that none of them even acknowledge your existence?
lol
They are like zombies.
Fuck them.
I left them to it and walked down about 100 metres where shortly after I hook this fish.


Spring fish....they are something else.
They look rough but they fight like stink.


Shortly after releasing it I notice that I am surrounded again.
One guy actually seemed pissed off that I let the fish go????
Try and get your head around that madness??


I tried not to let it ruin my day and I suppose that I should thicken my skin for the Steelhead opener this coming Saturday but the Saugeen was a meathunting shitrat floss-fest today and I gotta believe that Mr. Ferris is rolling in his grave.
Rest in Peace.

Aged Turd

Happy Birthday to my Useless POS friend Brian
Brian turns 39 today and he doesn't look at day over fifty...
I was hoping to put together a greatest hits video for him but that will have to wait until next year.
The Baby was too demanding and I may need a year to figure out Media Movie Maker...

This video basically sums up our relationship though.
In all seriousness .. It is a great pleasure fishing with you... I hope you are having a great Birthday...at WORK! lol

Gillies on the Redds..

My knucklehead son can take it or leave it when it comes to fishing.
It was already 12 degrees when we woke up today so I thought we could spend the morning outside.
Fishing?....
Ella was all over it...Owen ...not so much.
8o/
Oh well... I am not going to force him.
Ella and I geared up with all the important stuff...
IE:
Juice Boxes
Nutrigrain bars
Blanket
Favourite Webkin
Fishing rod and Berklee Power grub.(pink crayfish)


We got about 60 for the morning and she never got sick of it.

Ella Float fishing all by herself from Gene Norland on Vimeo.
Whats more she insisted towards the end of "doing it all by herself"
Proud day for dad.


Days like this are good for the soul.
Bluegill are a sure sign of spring right up there with Tulips and Robins and they are a great way to spend a day with the kids.