All posts by garry.c.stewart

Boating, Fishing, The Lake

Fall Fishing – Is it really the best time?

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This week at the lake I went out fishing twice. Both times had some similarities and some differences.  Both times nobody caught any fish. 🙁 however, one trip was way nicer that the other!

Last Wednesday it was warm, sunny and calm as Shirley and I went out so when we didn’t catch anything we at least had a nice time on the lake and enjoyed the fall scenery on the lake.

ref=”http://www.bigdadoo.com/blog/2018/09/18/out-on-the-lake/img_1241/” rel=”attachment wp-att-2287″> In The Hades[/ca
Yesterday, the weather was a different story. Roy invited me to go fishing and in spite of the cool 3°C with drizzle / rain I was up for the adventure. I layered up in some warm clothing and headed out to Roy’s place on Blindfold lake. What I wasn’t prepared for was the high water level on Blindfold Lake and what that would mean in terms of going over the boat lift into Lake of the Woods.

On the way over to the boat lift there is some casual talk about how the water might be flowing over the road! Sure enough the dock and road are under about 2-3 inches of water and I don’t have boots. So it’s shoes and socks off, roll up the pants and wade around in the water to get the boat over the lift. Going over is not too bad. The water is 60°F and we’ve only been out for 15 minutes. Two hours later we’re much colder, it’s now raining and coming back up to Blindfold is a little more involved.

Step one, get the boat on the dolly and use the hand winch to get it started and then hook on a rope to use with the power winch.

p://www.bigdadoo.com/blog/2018/09/23/fall-fishing-is-it-real-the-best-time/img_1257/” rel=”attachment wp-att-2310″> Getting ready to bring the boat up.

[/caption]Step 2, use the power winch to get the boat up the steep side and onto the flat section

www.bigdadoo.com/blog/2018/09/23/fall-fishing-is-it-real-the-best-time/img_1260/” rel=”attachment wp-att-2309″> Roy and his portable power winch providing the “muscle” to get ‘er done.[/caption]Step

Step 3, here she comes.

bigdadoo.com/blog/2018/09/23/fall-fishing-is-it-real-the-best-time/img_1261/” rel=”attachment wp-att-2308″> Boat coming up the steep side of the lift.

Step 4,

[/caption]Step 4, pack up the rope & power winch back into the boat and push the dolly over to the Blindfold Lake side, which of course requires more walking around in the cold water.

adoo.com/blog/2018/09/23/fall-fishing-is-it-real-the-best-time/img_1258/” rel=”attachment wp-att-2311″> My feet in the water.

A quick 10 m

[/caption]A quick 10 minute but frigid boat ride back to Roy’s and were in the cabin where it’s toasty warm and having a much welcomed  hot coffee.

photography

White Balance

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I came across this PetaPixel article on using Plumber’s Tape as a Cheap Way to White Balance Photos. Sounded like a good idea so I gave it a try.

Here are my findings, you mileage may vary.

Three pictures all taken with the Canon 7D on a tripod with shutter release, same exposure & lighting.  The comparison would be the 7D’s auto white balance, the plumbers tape white balance corrected in Lightroom and using an expo disc to set the custom white balance in the 7D before taking the shot.

Canon 7D Auto White Balance (4,250)
Plumber’s tape on eraser, white balance corrected using eyedropper in Lightroom (5,650)
expodisc to set custom white balance in Canon 7D prior to shot. (3,400)

Plumber’s tape, too warm. expo disc too cold, 7D auto WB, just right. For my money, the 7D auto white balance nailed it. 

Activities, Boating, Fishing, The Lake

Out on The Lake

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It’s a calm day at the lake with a sun/cloud mix that is quite pleasant with temperatures in the low 20°Cs. A perfect day for some boating and fishing!

After picking up some minnows and catching up a bit with Al of Smith Camps I’m back at the dock picking up Shirley and we head out.

Goin’ Fishin’

However, the fish were not cooperating! We try a couple of spots with no success. At some spots the fish finder shows lots of fish, but the end of the line is still empty.

We cruise through Eagle Pass, Moore Bay, The Hades,  Copper Island and our very own Needle Point before returning home. A very enjoyable couple of hours out on The Lake.

In The Hades
Cycling, Family, Geocaching, The Lake

Fun Weekend with Family

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Wonderful weekend with family at the lake.

We arrived on Friday evening for a 10 day stay and after unloading we spend some time with Gail & Gord as they are finishing up their month stay. Eric, Parker & Dane arrive late at close to midnight and get settled in for the weekend.

In the morning Parker & Dane meet Bentley & Zoe (schnauzer dogs) and there is a lot of excitement, a few tears and lots of barking. After breakfast Gail & Gord pack up and begin the drive back to Saskatoon.

 

So much happiness and joy especially for me. So special to see the Grandkids taking in the lake life and having so much fun and adventure. We seemed to do it all hiking, biking, swimming, playing games, building Snap Circuits and Geocaching. Strong warm winds make the lake a little rough so no boating but other than that we squeezed in a lot of action. The weather was fabulous with sun and almost 30°C! Seemed like a July weekend not mid September!

Searcing for a geocache on the Storm Bay road
Checking out the new ladder on the tree fort.
The Stewart Boys
Boating, Kayaking, Nature, The Lake

Feeding Time

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I’m up early and on the dock with two cups of coffee and it’s a sunny clear morning with a light south west breeze. After some reading and just sitting enjoying the view I’ve decided to take the kayak and get a closer look at the 7am feeding.

Most days during the summer a small aluminum boat comes out of Smith’s Camp at the end of our bay at around 7am. One of the staff is responsible for disposing of the fish remains from the filleting shack from the previous day’s catch. They have a plastic garbage pail on board that is dumped on an rock out cropping around the corner from the camp.

Prior to this at about 6:30am a flock of pelicans congregate at this spot awaiting their breakfast delivery. They are joined by dozens of seagulls that circle overhead in anticipation. Bald eagles are also perched high in the trees awaiting this event. Today I spot 5-6 of them. Some are easily spotted, others are tucked away in the branches and others fly back and forth along the shore line.

All of a sudden all the pecans take off and fly around the corner to Smith’s. Sitting in my kayak I can bairly hear the faint sound of the outboard motor of the “delivery” boat. Sure enough, a few moments later the boat rounds the corner and comes into view with all the pelicans following in formation.

As the staffer pulls ashore and dumps out the fish guts the pelicans eagerly land and then edge ever closer to their breakfast. They can hardly wait until the staffer gets back in the boat and backs away before they attack the fish remains.

Today, the eagles remain in the trees for some reason, perhaps it’s because I’m there. On other days I’ve seen them swoop in and the pelicans and seagulls scatter as they take over at the top of the pecking order.

After watching for a while it’s time to paddle back and rejoin the family for breakfast.

Boating, The Lake

Peak of the Summer

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This is what we wait for all winter long and here it is. Hot (25°-30°C) and sunny with a light breeze form the south west. Quite a glorious day at the lake.

Up at 6am for a few cups of coffee and some reading in the quiet of the dawning day before easing into a bacon and waffles breakfast. A little yard work before the day gets too hot and I’ve satisfied my need to accomplish something useful for the day. Now it’s time to goof off, relax, adventure, and perhaps a siesta.

We take a scenic boat ride through the Hades and over to Scotties Island before turning back home.

After some dock time and a light lunch its on to reading a book which will inevitably lead to that siesta.