The longer I fish in the north the more convinced I am that the fish (and other inhabitants for that matter) are just plain more savage.

I was fishing below Kennebas falls early on morning (having camped on the portage trail that night having been a bit to tired and out of daylight to continue). I started out using a shad rap which seemed like a logical choice given the conditions........no dice. I tied on a super shad rap, basically a muskie/pike lure, to troll with in Kawanipi. Before I shoved off I decided to make a few casts in the falls and couldn't keep the 4 to 6lb walleyes off my line........they wanted it big. I had to make myself stop so I could get through Kawanipi before the wind cranked up. But the lesson was noted.

Another time on Suzanette I was fishing a muskie topwater prop bait that was at least 8" long. The smallies had no problem deciding it was something they wanted to smack.......

My motto? "Think big"............Of course you have to have the gear to handle it but that's another story.