More ponderings........Contour map has arrived (thanks again db). I was a little miffed that North Bay isn't in the works as it would of been so cool to get a visual on where I have caught fish before.

Still kinda groovy though. Getting excited. Here is the fishing plan......troll, troll, troll. I expect to run a deep diver but here is a little different wrinkle. I am very curious to see if the whopper walleyes relate to the open water cisco schools like I have found in other big shield lakes in August. So 2 rod holders, 2 rods, and I think one will be WAAAAAY back on braid with the big honkin flat rap. Should run about 12 ft........ I will find out........ and those of you who have been "nice" to me I will tell you about it    .

The other thing I really want to spend a fair amount of time doing (once I find the reefs and mark some fish) is to use butterfly jigs and jig the bottom in waters between 30 and 40ft for big walleys and smallys). Middle of the day stuff..........now I just have to get Scott Smith to make the blasted boat. My patience is getting depleted. Am I going to have to send some people over to his place to make sure he understands  who he is dealing with  ?? Maybe he will find a fish head under the covers  .

Kingfisher wrote on May 5^th, 2012 at 7:34pm:


Thanks KF.......there is little or no doubt in my mind I would of forgotten this. I have always just run one rod in my solo but with a bigger boat I was really lookin forward to runnin shallow and deep. Rats......I really had wanted to kill the proverbial 2 birds with one stone.

BillConner wrote on May 6^th, 2012 at 3:20pm:

Carry as many rods as you like but only one rod/lure per person can be in use at a time.

Now I know I made the right call by not going back to WCPP to settle the score and repair my wounded ego this summer.............

Finally picked up the Superior Expedition from Scott Smith (just outside of Lansing Michigan)...........I was blown away with what he had made. It was so much more than I expected...........he is a true artist and craftsman. The boat is so nice I almost don't want to use it for fear of putting a scratch on it (I'll get over that soon enough ). I'm also seriously concerned that someone might swipe the darn thing while on the road parked at a motel..........might have to look into some insurance). I haven't, as yet, put it into the water and who knows if I will have time before August.

Looking forward to drilling some holes in it today for depth finder mounts, rod holders etc............The real test will be the 10 or 12 days on Basswood. I will of course give my opinion on the boat after that............right now she is drop dead gorgeous but how does she paddle? How does she paddle in the snotty stuff? How does the wind effect her? Is she as responsive as I think she will be considering the rudder? blah, blah, blah.........anyway I'm almost a little nervous that I might leave my first love (Bell Merlin) for this sexier model. Looks aren't everything though and I will have to reserve judgement.

Thanks Mat.............you have always been very helpful and I, for one, do appreciate it. I intend to do exactly as you suggest.

BTW.............I have a keyed cable type lock with a slim end that should work just fine and dandy for sliding though the tugeye.........FWIW I picked it up at either Lowes or Home Depot, they come in various lengths..........3/8 cable I think, fairly substantial..............I will likely also slide my radio shack motion detector alarm up inside the boat as per my usual custom.

Mounted depth finder, GPS, rod holder, and a unique system for holding 3 rods..............came out great, very pleased. Pics will come with TR (Lord willing)................