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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JANUARY 3,2001 PAGE 7 Anglers take Mother Nature s bait Ice fishing season looks good BY TODD HAMILTON Stuff Writer Ice anglers just can't wait to hit the hard water. After a number of years of literally literally terrible conditions, the winter of 2001 has all the signs of a fishing fishing bonanza. Anglers, ice hut operators operators and tackle shops are all eagerly eagerly awaiting the Jan. 1 start of the ice fishing season on Lake Scugog. Anglers already have hit die ice on Lake Simcoe, experiencing an unusually good perch run, but conditions conditions on that deep water lake are still inconsistent. According to several several experienced anglers, backwater backwater bays and sheltered island locations locations have the necessary ice cover for safe fishing, other areas farther out are dangerous. "As long as you stay in behind the islands or in Cook's Bay you'll be all right," Derrick Evans of Beaverton said. "A few of us have been out off of Pefferlaw and it's just been great. We hammered 'em (perch)." Ice Hut operators, including Floyd Hales Fish Huts of Beaverton, Beaverton, began putting their huts out this week and are equally optimistic optimistic given the snow and ice cover. "We've got nine inches (of ice)," Gale Vieveen said. "The ice is good up to two miles out." While Lake Simcoe has been open for perch fishing, Lake Scugog Scugog is primed and ready for the walleye opener on New Year's Day. "We have at least 8-10 inches, to my knowledge there are no open areas except around the causeway and I always tell people to stay away from there anyway," Kevin Oxberry of Kev's Muskie Shop in Port Perry said. Mr. Oxberry, in conjunction with Port Perry This Week, will be holding the Millennium Walleye Ice Fishing Derby which also kicks off on Jan. 1. "It should be a terrific season. We've had ice for a month and (snow) cover... last year we had a flash freeze the second week in December and no real snow. Snow improves the bite," he said. Most experienced anglers understand understand a good snow cover over the ice drops light penetration into the water. While this condition stunts some weed growth the visibility visibility factor really assists walleye anglers. Fishing regulations on-line Changes in provincial regulations regulations for recreational fishing are now available on-line. The updated changes for the 2001 season are located at the Ministry of Natural Resources Web site at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/pubs/ pubmenu.html. "This is the third year we've been on-line with the goal of making it easier for anglers to find the information they need," says Natural Resources Minister John Snobelen. "The guide itself features new, full-colour pictures of Ontario's prime sport fish to make fish identification much easier," he adds. The regulation changes, including including changes to ice-fishing, affect several parts of the province and are effective Jan. 1, 2001. The changes are highlighted highlighted in red in the Recreational Fish ing Regulations summary and are in place to ensure the long-term sustainability of Ontario's fishery, fishery, to increase angling opportunities opportunities and streamline regulations, says a press release from the ministry. ministry. Copies of the summary are also available from MNR district offices. Ontario residents must have a valid Outdoors Card and 2001 fishing licence before they fish. Walleye, true to their name, have superior vision and feed more vigorously in dim-light conditions which gives them an advantage over their prey. In bright-light conditions, conditions, the fish usually seek protection protection deep in weeds and out of the reach of anglers. The snow cover, Mr. Oxberry explains reduces light conditions and brings the walleye out of hiding hiding to feed. "The snow gives the anglers a bit of a problem finding green weed and weedlines, but if you can see the weeds, the fish can see you and aren't going to stick around," he said. "With the blanket of snow, the bite should be really good." John Gabourie, of JD Fishing and Archery, who will be putting out fishing huts this year agreed saying every indication is for a banner year. "The good cover will darken it up, with lower weed growth there might be bit of a problem with oxygen oxygen but the ministry doesn't think so," he said. "There's a good stock (walleye) in this lake and according to the minisUy it is one of the healthier lakes." Mr. Gabourie said he has been told that fishing areas off. View Lake, King's Bay and West Shore all have indications of 12 inches of ice, while not adequate for vehicle use, quite satisfactory for walking and fishing. WALTER PASSARELLA/ Statesman photo Massage, anyone? BOWMANVILLE - If all the holiday activities have left you stressed, Kari Francis will welcome you at her new massage therapy business, open now in the chiropractic clinic at 5331 Main Street, at Princess Street. Call 623-6634. Board of Trade hosts networking event CLARINGTON -- Business Business people are invited to take part in an evening of sharing ideas and developing contacts in the business community. The Clarington Board of Trade's first Business.By The Lake networking event of the new year is set for Wednesday, Jan. 10. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Braemar, 7 Division St. in Bowmanville. Hor d'oeuvres will be provided by The Braemar, a newly-renovated newly-renovated pub and restaurant, and a cash bar will be available. Several Board of Trade members members will showcase their products and services with display booths. Business By The Lake takes place the second Wednesday of each month. Admission is free to those registered prior to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 10; otherwise there is a $5 charge at the door. For more information, call the Board of Trade office at 623- 3106, or register on-line on the events page at www.clarington- boardoftrade.com. Ontario IMPORTANT NOTICE TO DRIVERS AND VEHICLE OWNERS We've changed where we deliver services to better serve you. !'• y ■<}].' I ,!;•?•!') vin tfi"V Ml I/P.l'r.'i-I! , ■ " 'll"' 1 - .1 r-rr .. , 11 '■ '.'"i■'. .."v u.fnmu lai ,H; .two YonpmilRitt, lo on. .afoiriT !iy bi;u>H i Effective January 1,, 2001, you will be directed to visit a Driver and vehicle Licence Issuing Office for routine vehicle and driver licensing products and services. " More than 280 of these offices are in communities across Ontario. For the nearest Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, please visit the Ministry of Transportation's Web site at: www.mto.gov.on.ca or consult the Government Blue Pages in your telephone book, under "Licences and Permits." Kingchurch Nissan 1 -800-565-6365 Ajax, Ontario 905-686-0555 EiÉfliÉMRs 1995 Pontiac Firefly SE, Mint Condition Automatic, AM/FM Cassette, Four Door 124,000 kms Ü11.20 9RK 1998 Chevrolet Malibu LS, Full Power Group Windows, Locks, Cruise, Tilt, Air, AM/FM CD, Cassette, Power Mirrors, Alloys Showroom Condition WÊÊN __ . ......**. , 1996 Chevrolet WT Automatic, A/C 4.3L, 8'Box, AM/FM Radio 89,000 kms 1993 Cadillac Sedan De Ville Pearl White Full Service History 126,000 kms After Hours Please Call Tom Carette at 905-706-2720 SALE PRICES END SUN., JAN. 14, OR WHERE SEARS IS CLOSED, SAT., JAN. 13,2001, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, WHILE QUANTITIES LAST 2 WEEKS Of INCREDIBLE SAVINGS ON TIRES! 100/000km TREAD WEAROUT WARRANTY* Silverguard Touring tires Sears Sale, Size reg. each P185/75R14 108.99 53.99 P195/75R14 113.99 56.99 P205/75R14 118.99 58.99 P175/70R13 98.99 48.99 P185/70R13 104.99 51.99 P185/70R14 113.99 56.99 PI95/70R14 119.99 59.99 P205/70R14 124.99 61.99 P215/70R14 129.99 64.99 R205/70R15 131.99 65.99 Other sizes also on sole P15S/80R13. Sears reg. 81.99 Silverguard® Touring tires Road Hazard Warranty* #62000 series Save *20 DieHard battery 4Q" m Each, with trade-in** RoadHandler Voyager LX tires Sears Sale, Size reg. each P185/70R14 149.99 81.99 P195/70R14 159.99 87.99 P205/70R15 178.99 97.99 PI85/65R14 164.99 89.99 P205/65R15 185.99 101.99 P225/60R16 199.99 109.99 Other sizes also on sale U50600 series. Sears reg. 89.99 with trade-in**. * *Thoro is a $5 deposit when you buy a now battery at Sears, refundable with the return of your old battery for recycling Sale price ends Sun,, Jan. 7, or whore Soars is closed, Sat,, Jan. 6, 2001 'Complete details at Soars Save 45 % RoadHandler® Voyager LX tires From 71 e?ch P175/70R13. Sears reg. 131.99 Backed by a 160,000 km Tread Wearout Warranty*. Includes 24-hour Roadside Tire Assistance*. #63000 series. RoadHandler is a registered trademark of Sears c /SQs ONTARIO'S DRIVE CLEAN ACCREDITED TEST AND REPAIR CENTRES for more information call 1-888-758-2999 www.driveclean.com OSHAWA CENTRE DIRECT LINE 576-1716 HOURS MON.-FRI 7:30-9P.M. SATURDAY 7;30-6P.M. 11-5P.M. NP0111101 Copyright 2001. Soars Canada Inc.