CATEGORIES

Early Season Ice Fishing

Theres no question that one of the peak times of the year for ice fishing is as soon as the ice is safe enough to venture onto. Its during those first cold days that fishing for perch, crappies, bluegills and walleyes can really sizzle. Thats when its time to head to shallow, fertile lakes, preferably those with depths less than 20-feet or so. These types of lakes freeze first and typically offer the best early season fishing. If the lakes are stained, with water clarity of less than five or six-feet, so much the better. Fish cant afford to be too particular inoff-colouredwater so they tend to be more aggressive. Another advantage of darker water is that fish will bite all day rather than just in low-light times.

Top Water Muskie Action

Top Water Muskie Action

Fly Fishing - Travel Time

Fly fishing is a perfect opportunity to get out and see someincredible places in this world. It is amazing how manydifferent fish and fisheries are out there that can be targetedwith a fly rod. I have really enjoyed seeing the sightsunder the guise of a fishing trip or sneaking the gear intomy bag on a family tour. Either way, there are ways to getmore out of your travelling fishing experience.

The Common Loon

What would a fishing trip be up north be without the hearing the echoing call the loon? It is at times a lonely, haunted call and at other times a maniacal laugh. It is the sound of the north. It is a familiar species that we all feel we know. However, as more and more research is done we are learning that the Common loon is a more complicated bird than we thought and some of the long-held beliefs about it are changing.

Lucky Strike Chub Baits

Lucky Strike, one of Canada’s largest and oldest fishing tackle manufacturers, will be celebrating their 90th anniversary in 2019. It is still is a family run business and still successfully manufacturing fishing tackle from their Peterborough facility.

Sharpening 101

John Ward is the Vice President and General Manager of Acme United Canada

Going The Extra Mile

How many times have you gone to a spot where youve previously caught fish and find that the fish are gone? Lets face it, when fish are in specific areas theyre there for a reason.

The Heddon Punkinseed

Joseph McArthur, a resident of Dowagiac, Michigan, was granted U.S. Design Patent No. 113,611 for the “ornamental design”, i.e. body shape, of the Punkinseed lure for a term of 14-years.

Tales From The Road

One of the rewarding aspects of my fishing career has been being able to meet so many people who love the sport of fishing.

Wall Eye Through The Winter

There’s no question that walleye are one of the most popular gamefish in Canada, regardless of the season. However, winter presents a number of unique challenges and in order to be successful you need to know where to look for fish at various times during the winter.

Ontario's Muskie Artisans

There is something inherently different about those whose passion lies in the pursuit of muskellunge. True, it is the king of freshwater gamefish, and maybe it is for that reason it takes a special breed of angler to catch them on a regular basis - if such a statement actually applies to this unique fish which, at times, suffers from a most selective palate, causing anglers no end of frustration. But sometimes it is the greatest of challenges that can bring out the greatest in creativity. This article is about six special Ontario anglers who, in a sense, are firstly artists and secondly anglers. Patiently they toil away in their basement workshops or garages, working by hand to turn wood into smooth, streamlined shapes that come alive in an underwater world. Painted with rich, vibrant colours they can deceive the skeptical eyes of even the savviest of muskies. They are Ontario’s muskie artisans.

Pileated Woodpecker

If you are a person of a certain age you may recall a cartoon character named ‘Woody Woodpecker’.

Johnson Fishing Reels

One of the most notable fishing reels to be manufactured in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s was the Johnson reel.

Tales From The Road

In the last Tales column I was just about to fly down to Florida with my wife, Sandy, to bring the truck and boat back home but, before we started the long trek towing the rig home, I thought we’d get in one last Florida fishing fix.

A Grand Gentleman

It was a spot known by the locals as Schaeffer’s Gravel Pit. I had carefully hopscotched down the steep hill in my hip waders earlier that morning while my lone companion, an old Bluetick hound, was keeping busy scouring the river bank.

Cover The Water Column

Choose the Right Baits for Thorough Coverage.

All In The Family ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​

We’ve all attended them, the family reunion where the “self-appointed family genealogist” lines up reluctant kids and declares how much they look like Great Grandpa or Grandma. We all dutifully agree, although no one can imagine them as children! Or those awkward moments when long-lost cousins appear and nobody recognizes them. We think they’re the caterers. So much for family resemblances!

Happy Landings

Part of the fly fishing experience is landing a fish efficiently and effectively with the safety of the fish in mind. Many people struggle with closing the deal with fly tackle, so here are a few tips to help you and the fish.

AL&W Tenite (Plastic) Pikie Minnows

​AL&W was the short form for Allcock, Laight & Westwood, one of the oldest and most highly productive fishing tackle companies that ever existed. Originating in England in 1854, the company traveled to Canada and set up business on Bay Street, in Toronto, Ontario, and supplied the needs of sportsmen for over 100-years. Fisherman, hunters and trappers were not the only people served by this company as their yearly catalogues also offered an extensive line of general products for the outdoorsmen.

Summertime Fun

Through many parts of the country summer brings changes in fishing opportunities. Summer means smallmouth bass to me! These fish thrive in warmer rivers and lakes during the heat of summer. I especially like the variety of ways that I can target these bronze battlers.

St. Lawrence River Muskies

Tips and tactics from muskie guide Dave Curtis.

River Otter

(Lontra canadensis) My canoe was gliding slowly and quietly along the shoreline when I heard a “ccchhh” sound slightly behind me.