New member here. First time posting. Tried an earlier post but it didn't take, thought I'd try again.
Been coming up on vacation for the past 20 years. My wife's Canadian and her family owns a cabin on a lake in the Wakefield area. Great smallmouth fishing! For the past 6 years we've been venturing out on different sections of the Ottawa (Arnprior, Rockland/Wendover) chasing muskies. This year, my brother, brother-in-law (Alymer resident) and I were able to manage two days (Aug. 12 and 13) on the river. On the first day, we launched out of Lefebre (probably spelled wrong) after being told by a Rockland hardware store employee that they no longer sold licenses. We ended up getting them in a little postoffice/store located right up from the Lefebre launch. We caught numerous pike, smallmouth and a couple largemouth (1 just over 4 lbs) but no muskies. We pulled off the water just after darkness fell. We parked the boat up in front of a small bar just across from the post office/store for a few beers when in walks the gentleman who had sold us our licenses that morning. If anyone on this board knows who I'm talking about, tell him the guys from Ohio say thanks again for the beer and the laughs. He said his name was "Eve" but everyone knew him as Ti Lous (sp) which he said meant "little wolf". Well, after a few more beers armed with some spots to try the following day, we left after being told we could pick up dinner in Alfred. We get to Alfred and everything was closed except for a small pizza shop, a real life saver. To get an early start the next day, we ended up sleeping in the jeep at the Wendover launch ramp.
The second day it rained the entire time,a slight drizzle, perfect conditions. We caught a fat 40"er in the mouth of the Nation. Got him in the prop wash on a silver/chartreuse Inhaler. What a fight! My brother picked up a smaller one out of a weedline out in front of the condos. All three of us had a follow from the same fish, one of the biggest muskie I've ever seen. I'm not telling where that one was, hopefully she'll be there next year. We had other numerous boils on our spinnerbaits along with pike and more bass being caught. One heck of a day. Thanks Ti Lous. I know this is pretty long winded and I apologize, but I 'm already yearning for our return. You guys who live up there are sure lucky and I'm envious. My yearly trip is unfortunately only a short visit to "God's Country".
Ottawa River, Thanks
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Canadian Bacon
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Wall-I-Guy
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Re: Ottawa River, Thanks
Welcome aboard!. Glad you had a goos tripMuskeye wrote:New member here. You guys who live up there are sure lucky and I'm envious. My yearly trip is unfortunately only a short visit to "God's Country".
..And you sure got that right 
Thanks for the welcome guys. First year going back to the states that U.S. customs asked for a picture ID and birth certificate. Out of our group of nine, I was the only one without a birth certificate, couldn't find it before we left. First year in 20 years they've asked for it. Told us anyone 14 and older needs a picture ID and birth certificate, under 14 needs a birth certificate. Customs officer said if they were under "orange" alert that my butt would be sitting in the customs office until someone brought up my birth certificate. Said this was my only warning.
Question, like I said, each year we attempt to check out a new area of the Ottawa, what's the next launch up from Lefebre? We found that launching at Lefebre and going upstream that the river was really wide, absent visible structure (islands, visible weed lines). Ended up fishing back toward Wendover. Does the river narrow and contain weed lines and islands similar to the Wendover area.
Canadian Bacon, we usually come up for the second week of August. I know its not the best time to fish for muskies but kid's school and other responsibilities leaves our family with only a small window of vacation opportunities. We were lucky this year with cool weather but other years its been downright hot. Always practice quick C&R (heavy line, quick fight, snap a picture, resuscitate, and a thankful wave). By the way, I'll try to get a picture posted of the 40"er when my brother-in-law forwards it to me.
Question, like I said, each year we attempt to check out a new area of the Ottawa, what's the next launch up from Lefebre? We found that launching at Lefebre and going upstream that the river was really wide, absent visible structure (islands, visible weed lines). Ended up fishing back toward Wendover. Does the river narrow and contain weed lines and islands similar to the Wendover area.
Canadian Bacon, we usually come up for the second week of August. I know its not the best time to fish for muskies but kid's school and other responsibilities leaves our family with only a small window of vacation opportunities. We were lucky this year with cool weather but other years its been downright hot. Always practice quick C&R (heavy line, quick fight, snap a picture, resuscitate, and a thankful wave). By the way, I'll try to get a picture posted of the 40"er when my brother-in-law forwards it to me.