The Anglers Atlas

HIGH ON ICE Bundle up and head to Fort St. John, BC for the annual “High on Ice” winter festival and ice fishing derby. Watch extraordinary international ice carvers carve their masterpieces at the fifth annual event! It’s a fun filled weekend of entertainment, activities, dancing, an ice cafe and of course - an ice fishing derby on Inga Lake! On January 17 and 18, 2009, Inga Lake will be the site of the High on Ice Fishing Derby. Head out to Inga Lake for fun, prizes and some great fishing. You can pre-register at Backcountry Sports in Fort St. John, or register at Inga Lake itself during the event. Entry is free and prizes will be awarded in different categories for kids 16 and under, and adults. Bring your own gear and fish from dawn to dusk on Saturday, and dawn to 2:00pm on Sunday. Inga Lake is a great family fishing spot. There are plenty of shore casting opportunities in the summer, and catch rates are high. Inga Lake has been designated one of the Family Fishing Waters in the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations. Young anglers may have good luck using small lures baited with worms or maggots. Standard flies such as microleeches and doc spratleys tend to do well in the lake. Each year the lake is stocked with 10,000 rainbow trout, usually released in June. Historically, the lake had been stocked with brook trout, however this was not continued beyond 1996.

EVENT ADVERTISER
Splease visit our sponsorsBackcountry, Fort St. John, BC. Jackfish Dundees Pub, Charlie Lake, BC.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Welcome to Backcountry in Fort St. JohnGear up for the 2009 “High on Ice” fishing derby, at Backcountry in Fort St. John, BC. The event is free to attend and anyone can pre-register for the event at the store. Backcountry is one of BC’s largest hunting, fishing and outdoor supply stores. http://www.backcountryfsj.com/

ICE FISHING AROUND PRINCE GEORGE
There are several popular lakes around Prince George for Ice Fishing. Here are three popular lakes: Eena Lake, Cobb Lake, and Tabor Lake. Don't forget that Ferguson Lake was stocked with one to pound rainbow trout in June and September, 2008. Keep watching the Angler's Atlas this spring as we continue to feature fishing opportunities in this region. For detailed information about fishing this region, drop by Northern Hardware and talk to Dan Moffat.

ANNOUNCEMENT
Northern Hardware and Ice FishingVisit Northern Hardware’s new website, and check out their fishing page. Better yet, come by the store and talk to Dan Moffat for all your ice fishing needs - rods for entry level to professional anglers, gas powered augers, jigs, hooks and lures galore… They have everything you need for your ice fishing adventure.

INTRODUCING U.S. LAKES AND TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
More than 200,000 waterbodies in the United States have just been added to the Atlas database, and topographic maps are available for most of them. Visit our Map Search page to find a US lake, reservoir or dam.

COLDWATER BOOT CAMP
http://www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/ – Most of the water in Canada is cold year round and cold water is a major contributor to recreational drowning deaths. Nine volunteers offered to jump in with both feet and experience first hand what happens in 6 degree Celsius water. Visit the website and join Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht (aka Professor Popsicle) in the classroom to learn about his 1-10-1 formula for survival in cold water. The video featured here is titled The First 60 Seconds, and there are five videos in the series. All are freely available online at www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/pages/downloads.html. Boot Campers - Who were they? The volunteer Boot Campers came from across Canada and were chosen because of their excellent health, involvement in rigorous outdoor physical activities whether recreationally or professionally, and an expectation of their survivability in cold water.

PHOTO CONTEST ENTRIES
We’ve received many great photos for the 2009 contest, and below are a few of the entries. Click to see all the photos entered. Better yet, enter your favorite fishing photo today!
sabiangler - This is the main put in on the north western side of the lake, difficult launching area because large rocks are in fairly deep water. I discovered a better put in a little to the south on the other side of the point you can see in this picture.
tyleruzelman - Caught this picture when we went fishing at Mound Red just South of Edmonton.
blairwood2001 - This golden Chinook measured out to 42 lb. Another beauty from the Charlottes.
dickiderm - This bruiser was caught and released from an unknown lake north of Haynes Junction, Yukon, summer 2006. We’ve received many great photos for the 2009 contest. Here are a few of the images provided. Enter your favorite fishing photo today!

UPDATED ALBERTA AND BC MAPS
Alberta’s Yellowhead County - Eastern Slopes Zone ES4 B.C.’s Peace Region - Region 7B

Early Winter Steelhead...BC Style

Rivers like the Bulkley, Kispiox, Bell Irving, Kitimat can yield some awesome steelhead fishing. I think the photo says it all.

Bow Moose Hunting

Now this guy has a lot of courage, I'm not sure I could stand there for that long..........never mind not laughing my ass off.......

Cougars In Ontario

With all the attention/discussion/rumors etc. regarding cougar sightings in Ontario. I thought I would post this article. Rumor has it that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources actually released some cougars into the wild to help control the deer population. Now don't get too excited, if you can confirm or deny this rumor...please by all means lets get it out in the open. Now further to my last statement, I have had conversations, read news articles about actual sightings and photos, tracks etc. If you have information with actual photos, sightings etc. I'd be glad to post the information here on my blog as well as on my website. If you have confirmation/documentation regarding the OMNR releasing cougars, I'd definately like to see that too. If I receive any responses, I'll definately post them here. Feel free to leave your comments. The cougar in the photo was from British Columbia and was shot as it had killed two horses.

Vote of No Confidence

The latest political BS coming from Ottawa. Do you believe it...............? This isn't really the forum, but I had to speak up, The Liberals, NDP and Bloc think they can do a better job than Prime Minister Harper. Give your flippin head a shake boys...........I hope you picked up the paper and observed the first reaction from the stock markets. Didn't we just have an election and Harper got back in with a slightly higher minority than last time. You try and pull this crap and we'll all be using pesos and standing in bread lines. This kind of crap iritates the shit out of me. I say hold another election, and we'll put Harper in with a MAJORITY..........its not up to the leaders of the opposition as to who is going to Govern this Country it's up to the people..............so if you want to take your vote, send us back to the polls. That is if you want to risk Harper taking a majority vote this time.

Army shirts,coats,boots & more............

A new website offering military surplus for your outdoor endeavors. Excellent service, quality of garments is good to excellent and prices are really good. Located out of Toronto, check them out! They are constantly updating their inventory.

Late Season Deer

I've been out quite a bit since we've started receiving snow and noticed large scrapes........very large tracks in those scrapes..which leads to "Really Big Bucks" My favorite time to go out deer hunting is after the gun hunt, especially if its actively snowing. The Big Boys are on the move and their senses aren't quite as quick as usual. I've observed more large bucks during weather like this and at this time of year over any other time. So I guess it's time I strike off to my favorite hunting spot......I'll let you know if I catch up to one of the "Big Boys"

Big City Oshawa Buck

The ability for White tail deer to adapt to our cities and developed areas is amazing. The valleys and green spaces left within our residential and industrial areas provides all the habitat necessary for deer like this to survive and flourish. This photo was taken outside of our office which sits south of Bloor Street, south of the 401 in south Oshawa (Oshawa Creek valley) This is nice to see, however when wildlife populations start to grow and their numbers begin to rise, vehicle/animal crashes go up, deer jumping through windows in businesses and dwellings, and people walking the trail systems encountering animals. Not all people realize that deer, coyotes, bears, moose and other animals they may encounter especially during the breeding season can pose a serious threat/safety concern. If you do encounter animals on trails or in green spaces you should never approach them and definately don't feed them. They are amazing to observe and photograph.......enjoy our greenspaces.

Don't have to wander to far....to shoot a moose

There's one good thing about being a little older when moose hunting. That being you spend less time in the bush and more time sitting in your favorite chair by the fire. This was an actual experience during the 2008 moose hunt in Ontario. My father and a friend of his went out early opening day of the moose hunt.......returning to the house for coffee and a rest. Early in the afternoon my fathers friend decided he wanted a drink of pop, so he opened the back door of the house stepped out on the porch; looked up and 40 yards from the house ........there stood a bull. Very calmly he turned , walked back into the house and said, "Someone should get a gun and shoot that bull moose standing behind the house." So my father got up picked up his 32 special, loaded two shells stepped out on the porch and dropped it. Hunt complete........ya gotta love it!

As Told by the hunter ....First Bear.........

I was sitting on my watch listening to the dog run a deer and listening to the other hunters on the radio. As I looked around I saw a bear come from the woods. It was instant, I took the safety off and I raised the gun. I took the first shot as he stepped around the tree, I missed. Then he ran 25 yards and got his front to paws on a log and stood up to see where the shot come from; I then shot him between the 2 front shoulders. He went to run away and I shot again, missing the 3rd shot. He ran about 30 yards up a hill then rolled down about 15 yards.

Specs, Specs, Specs........Ontario Specs

I received a story from a fellow avid spec fisherman I had to post. This is what I'm talkin about people...............awesome fish , awesome size, awesome experience and in Ontario. Now for all you nay sayers the proof is in the photos......check them out, this guy has the smile to prove it. Now without giving away this guys local......or exact hotspot I have only to say this.........."These fish do exist in Ontario" Now you say yeh sure........well I have found lakes that you would think would only hold bass or pike.......and low and behold I have caught fish like the ones in these photos. Never second guess the potential for small beaver ponds or lakes to hold trophies like these. All I can say is happy searching............and thank you to Chris Hughes for sharing his experience.

Outdoors Ontario Online Store

Be sure to check out Outdoors Ontario's online store; http://astore.amazon.com/outdsontar-20?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=12 we offer a little bit of everything for all your outdoor needs. Scan through our categories and check out our prices. We truly do offer some great deals, and we ship world wide.

Great Bear Outdoors

I just came across a good site for tents sleeping bags, outdoor gear and other Outdoors related stuff. I thought I would pass it along to my readers and encourage you to check it out, I was impressed with some of the prices. They carry dry bags, packs, duffle bags, propane heaters, tents, flashlights, kayaks, compasses........just to name a few of the items. Be sure to check out http://www.greatbearoutdoors.com/

Fall Colors In Haliburton

Went for a drive this last weekend and took in the Colors in Haliburton. It was a beautiful drive, a little bit of rain but not bad. Took in some of the festivities going on in Haliburton, stopped into some of the shops, and generally played the role of tourist. What a beautiful country we live in, more people should get out and enjoy.........

Spot - The Worlds First Satellite Messenger

CAD$159.00
SPOT. The World's First Satellite Messenger.
SPOT is the world’s first and only satellite messenger, a truly unique device. It uses the GPS satellite network to acquire its coordinates, and then sends its location – with a link to Google Maps™ – as a pre-programmed e-mail message via a commercial satellite network to your friends and family. SPOT can also send the message to the mobile phone.Unlike a traditional GPS device, which only receives a satellite signal indicating your location, SPOT utilizes dual satellite networks to receive your location as well as transmit it, along with pre-programmed messages, to the recipients of your choice. Whether you’re just checking in, allowing others to track your progress, or calling for help – SPOT gives you a vital line of communication with your friends, family or workplace when you want it, and emergency assistance when and where you need it. And since it utilizes 100% satellite technology, SPOT works around the world – even where cell phones don’t. When using Help, Check-in and Track Progress functions, you can pinpoint your location for others or save as waypoints for future reference using email links to mapping from Google Maps™ .

ATV'ing Apsley Style

Well I spent a full day on the trails around Apsley/Coe Hill; don't ask me where I was after the first fifteen minutes I didn't know north south east or west. I was with some locals who knew basically where they were.........within a tanks distance of Coe Hill. Thank God we had a GPS and some trail maps. The maze of roads trails yadda yadda.........194 kilometres later we were home. A couple of beers, some steak potatoes and more suds..................snooze time. It was one of those experiences you never forget, the trees were starting to turn, the weather was not too hot, the trails not too dusty, and the scenery and views were awesome. if you want to see some back country be sure to check it out...........don't forget your GPS, some maps, extra fuel and some snacks.........and don't go by yourself, its always nice to have someone there in case you break down or get stuck........

A counter petition you can mail to make your desires heard in Ottawa

Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A2

Prime Minister:
WHEREAS Mayor Miller of the City of Toronto is petitioning for a handgun ban, outlawing the possession of handguns by law-abiding citizens who present no harm to the public,
AND WHEREAS a handgun ban will not keep firearms, including handguns, out of the hands of criminals who have no regard for the law,
AND WHEREAS sport shooting and hunting is a long-time hobby and passion of many Canadians, who will be forced to give it up because of the illegal actions of a few,
AND WHEREAS criminals without access to firearms will traffic them from other countries, or manufacture them domestically, or simply use other weapons to commit their crimes,
AND WHEREAS the vast majority of firearms used in violent crimes and murders have not been legally purchased by PAL-holding individuals, have not been registered, and have never been in the RCMP's firearms system,
WE THE UNDERSIGNED urge you to recognize that a ban on any firearm will not reduce the number or rate of violent crimes committed by those who disregard the law, but rather only unfairly affect law-abiding shooting enthusiasts.
Furthermore, we urge you to disregard the erroneous petition presented to you by Mayor Miller of the City of Toronto.
Mr. Harper, the day that Canada allows crime to impact our society to such a level that the Government begins removing the rights, freedoms, privileges, pass-times, hobbies, or interests of law-abiding citizens who have no criminal motives, is the day that Canada ceases to be a free country.

Sincerely,

Outdoors Ontario

Ban all Handguns.Here we go again.......what is it you don't understand Mayor Miller?

The problem is not law abiding hand gun owners. It's the flow of illegal handguns and other weapons from the US. It's also our court system, our society, and our leniency on young offenders. It's past time to make the necessary changes to the laws and sentences for committing crimes with handguns. You kill someone and are found guilty; its an automatic 25 years no parole, no sideline deals no get out of jail free card. Now lets get rid of the over sensationalism of gun crimes and put it all in perspective.......How many people are stabbed in Toronto everyday....How many of these people die or are maimed for life? Do you even hear about these incidents? How many doctors mistakenly kill innocent people under their care? Do we hear of these stats?
(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.(Calculation) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health Human Services.Now look at this:Guns:(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.Yes, that's 80 million..(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.(Calculation) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188Statistics courtesy of FBI So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners. Remember, 'Guns don't kill people, doctors do.'FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR.Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!!!! Out of concern for the public at large, I withheld the statistics on Lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

I wouldn't vote for a person who makes off the cuff remarks and suggests that banning legal handguns will fix the problems in Toronto, or anywhere else in Canada. Reality is that our society needs to change the way we deal with crime, criminals, youth and acts of brutality. Mayor Miller points to England and Australia......tell the whole story not just the part about banning handguns......since those bans stabbings are way up, murder is way up and they still have handgun crimes........so what did that accomplish? I love it when a politician makes the answers seem so easy. This is a very complex issue and I say to you Mr. Miller .........Banning Handguns would be about as successful as the long gun registry........A multi billion dollar politicians boondoggle (that could have been spent on health care or dealing with the real problems in our society. Wake up!!!!!!!!!

Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.
Thomas Jefferson
FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE
1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
8 Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
9. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you not understand?
10 The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
11. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
12. Guns have only two enemies: rust and politicians.
13. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
14. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
15. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
16. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
17. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.
18. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson
19. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
20. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.
21. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.
22. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
23. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

Another tree stand.........hopefully another buck....

We didn't have to go far to find another spot to establish a good tree stand. Hopefully the buck which has so far made us on a few occasions will miss us this time. We'll definately post our results in the up coming months. Check back often.

Its getting to be that time

Its getting to be that time when some early scouting can reveal where some bicg bucks are making their mark. We took a brief wander through our property and found that a few of the traditional scrapes were already being tended. So what better time than the present to set up your tree stand. We'll be sure to report back with our results.

Giant Hogweed................be cautious

Giant Hogweed – General Information

What Is Giant Hogweed?

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a perennial member of the parsley or carrot family originally native to Asia but now found naturally in South Central Ontario. It closely resembles cow parsnip and Queen Anne’s Lace except, as its name suggests, it is characterized by its large size and may grow as high as 6 meters. Aside from its immense size, Giant Hogweed can also be distinguished by its stout, dark reddish stem that can grow 5-10 cm in diameter. Leaf stalks are spotted and can produce a leaf that can expand to 1.5 meters across (see picture below). Each leaf is deeply grooved or divided. Stems and stalks are hollow and produce course hairs around a blister like area on the plant. In summer, small, white flowers form together to make up an umbrella-shaped head that can reach 1 meter in diameter.

Where is Giant Hogweed Found ?

Giant Hogweed can be found in scattered localities across Southern Ontario however, isolated plants have been documented as far north as Haliburton County. Although it may grow in a wide variety of habitats, it is most often found along roadsides, other right of ways, vacant lots, wet areas (stream and river banks) and waste areas.

Why be concerned about Giant Hogweed?

The blister like areas on stems and stalks leak a clear watery sap containing chemicals classified as psoralens, which can sensitize the skin to ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to sunlight following contact with these chemicals causes severe burns that usually result in blistering and painful dermatitis. Blisters can develop into purplish or blackened scars sometimes up to 48 hours after exposure. In some cases, skin contact can lead to recurring dermatitis and eye contact can lead to temporary or possibly permanent blindness.

Who is at increased risk of exposure?

Employees working outdoors in areas such as roadsides, other right of ways, near streams or river banks are potentially at risk of exposure to this plant.

How can I protect myself?

· Review the above pictures so that you are aware of what the plant looks like.
· Avoid contact with the plant.
· Wear a long sleeved shirt and long pants to avoid skin contact.


What should I do if I come in contact with this plant?

· Wash the affected area with soap and water.
· Keep affected areas out of direct sunlight.
· Seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity.

Employment in the Great Outdoors

This blog entry is dedicated to all those who are interested in finding a career in the great outdoors. In Ontario, BC, or anywhere in Canada. I will provide some direct links for you to search on an ongoing basis. There is nothing better than finding employment in a field of study you enjoy. When it means that you get to hunt and fish and enjoy the outdoors as part of your job..........even better! I have worked as a Planner, Surveyor, Park Maintenance Worker, Park Superintendent, Forest Officer to name a few..........I enjoyed them all! So here are some direct links to job resources for you to book mark; check back often. Province of Ontario http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca/Jobs.aspx?Language=English ; Conservation Authorities Of Ontario http://conservation-ontario.on.ca/jobs/index.html ; Federal Government http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/menu/home_e.htm ; to find jobs in other provinces go to this website click on the province and look for their postings, they all have postings http://canada.gc.ca/othergov-autregouv/prov-eng.html Goos luck these are only a few, check out this one too for lodge jobs http://www.out-there.com/employ_m.htm Let me know if you hook up with a career you love. I'll post your success story.

Ontario Monster Whitetails Magazine

Ontario's leading source for educational, entertaining and simply amazing stories about Ontario deer hunting. The magazine is devoted to reaching out to the grassroots hunting community with detailed stories and pictures of how hunters around the province are successful in harvesting Ontario's biggest bucks.This is not a magazine for trophy hunters alone; instead this magazine celebrates and honours the trophy animals that roam this great land with riveting stories, detailed tips, jaw-dropping photographs and sound advice from the hunters themselves. Readers will be intrigued when they see that the hunters whose stories are found in the pages of Ontario Monster Whitetails magazine will be the "kid next door" or "the guys in the camp down the road".Ontario Monster Whitetails celebrates the time-honoured traditions that sportsmen and women have passed on for generations of time. We, at Ontario Monster Whitetails, are dedicated to providing a magazine appealing to both older and younger generations to learn tips and tactics from those who know.With 4 issues per year featuring stories from every corner of this province, every deer hunter who ventures into the great Ontario outdoors will eagerly await the day when their issue arrives in the mailbox so they too can read about the monster whitetails in their neck of the woods.

Not everyone needs to catch a big fish to put a smile on their face

This was the results of fishing the shoreline of Ahmic Lake for a couple of hours. It still brought a smile to a newly hooked fisher-woman.

He's got the Bass Blues.........

Well it seems as though we've got the secret.......at least junior does!

The Lone Bass of Chandos Lake.

I read a lot about Chandos Lake so thought I would give it a try. Four hours of jigging, tube jigs, lures, trolling, top water and the only fish we caught was this bass..........ten minutes after we launched. We did have a small pike follow a lure..............so over the side ......figure eight...........followed it but wouldn't hit. We're going to have to return and figure this lake out..........one day.......maybe.........

Big Sheds....gets sons attention

Visiting a friend, the talk soon turned to hunting. So into the house and out comes this massive set of sheds (15 point rack) Check out the photo. It definately caught my sons attention.

Why go more than 150 yards from boat launch........

Well we fished Chemong, we fished the Indian River, we fished Chandos.........no fish; couldn't buy a fish. So the significant other says "Why don't we just put the boat in at the launch in town. So I figured since my suggestions hadn't worked to well..........we'll give it a try. So in at the launch at town...........drive 150 yards, tie up to the railroad trestle...........first cast with a tube jig; she lands the first small mouth. Fifth cast with a tube jig........second fish.........a few minutes later.the third. I did have a nice keeper on for 3.2 milliseconds........but my luck this year hasn't been the best. I did land a small.......9 inch smallmouth but through him back. So I guess I'll let the significant other chose our next destination.

Maps of Lakes

The Anglers Atlas has some good maps, info and photos. Sign up for an account and do a search for the lake you are going to be heading to, they may have it they may not, I found the one I'm fishing this week. All free and the detail and information they provide isn't that bad. Check it out http://www.anglersatlas.com

Jig-A-Loo

Jig-A-Loo is a revolutionary new product that combines the power of a lubricant with the properties of a water-repellent.
It’s a dry silicone-based lubricant that, unlike any other lubricant, contains no oil, grease, wax, petroleum distillates or detergent, so it doesn't stain or stink. It stops squeaks, un-sticks just about anything, protects against rust, and is an exceptional water repellent.
JIG-A-LOO is ideal for wood, metal, glass, rubber, leather, fabrics, most plastics and a number of other surfaces, helping just about anything operate and slide better. With thousands of uses around the house, garden, workshop, boat, campground and more, it's The Can of All Trades™.

Elderly Lady killed by black bear in Quebec.

Once again a black bear has shown that they are not to be trusted. Having worked with both grizzlies and blacks; I have had numerous encounters with both blacks and grizzlies. Neither are harmless, always be aware of your surroundings and be aware of inquisitive bears. Our feelings go out to the families of this woman who enjoyed our great outdoors. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/080602/canada/montreal_qc_beardeathlavoie0602

Beagles..nose....Beagle..nose.....stomach....nose

Does anyone relate to what I'm saying? Yes I have a beagle and she hates bears......loves food...loves food....her nose rules her being! They truly are great dogs if only there was a way to disconnect their nose from their brain. She has been hit/runover by a car, got loose numerous times, got stranded on a stump out on the tide flats surrounded by glacial tide water and had to swim for shore......I'm beginning to think that she has 9 lives. I just recently spoke to someone who informed me that they have owned two beagles one lived to be 21, and one 20 years of age. Being that she is only seven that leaves me 13 more good years of laughs.............cleaning up after her when she gets into the garbage...........and putting up with her snoring, farting and being a putz! Although she tries my patience, one thing i can say is that I have no crumbs anywhere in my house, car or yard. If there was it was eaten within 1.5 milliseconds of hitting the ground. She's the best cooks helper..........drop something....it disapppears. First dog I've known to eat anything and everything................I now have her on the Jenny Craig weight loss diet. All kidding aside she's a great dog.

Time to get the boat out.........

Well I got my quad, put some miles on it, satisifed with it's performance. Now it's time to shift gears; get the boat out, check the tires, grease the hubs, change the gear oil, buy the fishing licence, pull out all the gear and hit the lake. I think to start the season out on the right foot, we'll go for some lakers first. I have my favorite little lake that is long, narrow and offers some nice lakers without having to be out in the wide open water, fighting waves and freezing your >>> off. Early season lakers are usually pretty easy to take. I use a small to medium sized rapala with three large weights. It gets me down to around 20 ft. ; and that's all it takes. I'll post some photos in a week or so.............so you can see if I was successful.

Two young lives lost to hypothermia/drowning

This past long weekend two young men lost their lives in Ontario waters. Everyone who ventures outdoors not only in a boat but even hiking or tenting should know the dangers and techniques to not get into trouble. Wear life jackets, don't take unnecessary risks, don't drink and operate a boat, ATV, or other motor vehicle, and be prepared for emergencies. Our condolences go out to their friends and family.

It Passes The test.so far...

The Suzuki King Quad 450 4x4 is an awesome machine. Good in the mud, good in the water and all with stock tires; it makes you wonder what a set of mudders would do? Hill climbing with two riders, mud bogging, quickness off the start, smooth acceleration.........I can't see much more I would want from a quad. After doing quite a bit of research , looking at the competition and knowing the Suzuki reputation, I finally made my decision.......this was the machine to buy. This is one of the fastest selling machines in 2008. A lot of dealers who usually sell Honda's, Kawasaki's etc. are stocking this model in the dozens....because everyone is wanting them. Especially now with the value of the Canadian dollar price is driving people to the dealerships in droves. Do your research, check out the internet, search for Suzuki King Quad reviews.....I couldn't find any bad complaints. Riding two people is very comfortable due to the independent rear suspension (adjustable), four wheel drive is a snap to engage, just press the button on the right handle bar, if needed there is also a front dif lock. If speed is your thing , off the start to 50 miles per hour doesn't take long and is as fast i will ever need to go........with more power still available.

The fish (rainbows) are in.............in large numbers

I think the photos say it all don't you. Some of these bows would probably go at least 12 to 14 lbs.

Sierra Sportsmen Photo Contest

Photo ContestAim... Shoot... Win!
Your chance at a $500 Gift Certificate!Sierra Sportsmen Photo Contest April 16, 2008 - May 31, 2008 -->
Got a great fishing or hunting photo? Time to cash it in for a $500 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shops or Patagonia! We're looking for photos that capture your passion and respect for the people, places, and critters we love to share our outdoor experiences with! Here are the categories:
Best Kid's Fishing ($500 Bass Pro Shop prize)
Best Kid's Hunting ($500 Patagonia prize)
Best Adult's Fishing ($500 Bass Pro Shop prize)
Best Adult's Hunting ($500 Patagonia prize)
Go to Flickr.com.
Upload your photo, and be sure to...
Tag your photo with "sierrasportsmencontest". This is very important! Without the tag, your photo will not be entered. Be sure to spell it carefully!
The final day to submit photos is May 31, 2008. Contest winners will be determined in a two-step process: First, a group of prominent sportsmen will judge your photo, and pass their 12 favorites along to the finalists category. Next, members of the Sierra Sportsmen Network will vote for the winners among 12 finalists June 9-13, 2008. You may vote for yourself! Photo contest winners will be announced online and through email June 16, 2008. Need help with Flickr? Try here.
Sign up to vote for winners by joining the Sierra Sportsmen Network. Only Network members will be able to vote for a photo contest winner.

More about the judges.The fine print: our rules.

LOOKING TO HOOK UP WITH $1500 IN GOLD ! ENTER TO WIN BELOW !

LOOKING TO HOOK UP WITH $1500 IN GOLD ! ENTER TO WIN BELOW !
Welcome to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region of British Columbia. In it's entirety, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region is one of North America's finest areas for fishing. Scattered throughout a beautiful landscape are over 8,000 clean, clear lakes, 17,000 km (10,600 mi) of cool rivers and streams, and a seemingly endless coastline. The region offers superb fishing for trophy rainbow trout, eastern brook trout, dolly varden, lake char, bull trout, whitefish, kokanee and steelhead. Coastal rivers boast big runs of all species of salmon, cutthroat trout, and both winter and summer runs of steelhead.
Far from urban centres, with thousands of fishing options to choose from, the only thing missing is the crowds - no shoulder to shoulder "combat" fishing – just lots of fresh air, pleasant climate and so much open space that you can share it with whomever you want. Or maybe with no one at all…

This Moose is hilarious

Watch this clip of this Moose, you'll never believe what you're watching.

Some Interesting Statistics

(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
(Calculation) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health Human Services.

Now look at this:
Guns:(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.Yes, that's 80 million..
(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
(Calculation) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188
Statistics courtesy of FBI
So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners. Remember, 'Guns don't kill people, doctors do.'
FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR.
Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!!!! Out of concern for the public at large, I withheld the statistics on Lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek medical attention!

A Good One

Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.
Thomas Jefferson

FIREARMS REFRESHER COURSE
1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
8 Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
9. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you not understand?
10 The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
11. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
12. Guns have only two enemies: rust and politicians.
13. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
14. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
15. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
16. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
17. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.
18. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson
19. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
20. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.
21. Enforce the gun control laws we ALREADY have; don't make more.
22. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
23. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

They're catching rainbows ....

Well spring must officially be here; on Friday March 28, 2008 I witnessed at least nine fisherman with approxiamtely 12 rainbows in the 4- 7 lb range being taken back to their cars from Oshawa Creek. A definite sign that spring has sprung, so it only goes to say that all the rivers along the north shore of Lake Ontario are full of fish. So take the rod along to work, and spend your lunch hour tying into a couple of bows.

Awesome Website ; Videos, Articles, both hunting & fishing

This is an awesome website with good videos, articles, information and a current contest; check it out.

Madness Of March Returns To Versus

THE MADNESS OF MARCH RETURNS TO VERSUS:
THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST GAMEFISH WILL BE REVEALED BY VIEWERS
IN SECOND INSTALLMENT OF BIG FISH MADNESS

Bracket-Style Tournament Now Available on VERSUSCountry.com with Winner Decided
On-Air March 27/28 and April 3/4 During Primetime on VERSUS Country

STAMFORD, Conn. (March 5, 2008) – VERSUS Country is once again on the quest to answer the most hotly debated question among sport fishermen since fish have been caught on rod and reel — pound-for-pound, what is the toughest gamefish? Will last year’s winner, the Tarpon, retain its title or will this second installment of Big Fish Madness determine a new champion successor?

The VERSUS Country panel of angling experts, including Tred Barta, Roland Martin, Bill Dance and Hank Parker, have narrowed the field by selecting the top 32 gamefish and seeded the fish in a bracket split into four regions. This year though, the ultimate decision for the toughest game fish will be chosen by the viewers, not the experts. Viewers can log on to VERSUSCountry.com to fill out a bracket with their selections up until March 21. Over the course of four nights, each gamefish in contention will be featured in some of the most spectacular fishing on television and Huntley Ritter, the host of The Huntley Way, will take viewers through each match-up, round-by-round until the field of 32 is down to just one champion.

For viewers filling out a bracket at VERSUSCountry.com, points will be awarded for each correct selection and tallied after each round with correct choices receiving incrementally more points as the rounds advance. Throughout Big Fish Madness, viewers can go to the website to see how their brackets are faring against other viewers. The viewer with the winning bracket will be announced on the last night of Big Fish Madness on April 4. The entrant with the highest point total will win the grand prize – a 2008 Nitro Z-6 Boat with Optimax Motor and Trailer, courtesy of BassPro Shops and Tracker Marine and the first place winner will receive an all-expense-paid fishing trip with Tred Barta. Other spectacular prizes for top point earners include: 42' Panasonic plasma TV's, iPods, Xbox 360 game consoles, a Bill Dance signature rod & reel package, among others.

“After a very successful first installment of Big Fish Madness we decided to bring it back for a second year with an exciting twist—this year, the viewers are the experts as they’ll be deciding which fish is the toughest,” said Jeff Macaluso, Director of Field Sports & New Media Programming & Production for VERSUS. “It’s a great way for our highly passionate anglers to engage interactively with the programming and to see how their opinions match-up against our expert’s for a chance to win great prizes.”

BIG FISH MADNESS PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (subject to change):

Thursday, March 27, 2008: Round 1 - Field Goes from 32-16

7:00 p.m. ET The Huntley Way
7:30 p.m. ET Hunt for Big Fish
8:00 p.m. ET Sport Fishing Magazine
8:30 p.m. ET The Best and Worst of Tred Barta

Friday, March 28, 2008: Round 2 - Field goes from 16-8

7:00 p.m. ET One More Cast
7:30 p.m. ET LL Bean Guide to the Outdoors
8:00 p.m. ET Hunt for Big Fish
8:30 p.m. ET City Limits Fishing- ALL NEW EPISODE
9:00 p.m. ET The Best and Worst of Tred Barta
9:30 p.m. ET Dollar Wise Fly - ALL NEW EPISODE
10:00 p.m. ET Saltwater Experience
10:30 p.m. ET The Bass Pros

Thursday, April 3, 2008: Round 3 - Field goes from 8 to 4

7:00 p.m. ET Escape to the Wild
7:30 p.m. ET The Best and Worst of Tred Barta
8:00 p.m. ET Sport Fishing Magazine
8:30 p.m. ET Hunt for Big Fish

Friday April 4, 2008: Semi-Finals and Championship

7:00 p.m. ET One More Cast
7:30 p.m. ET The Bass Pros
8:00 p.m. ET Hunt for Big Fish
8:30p.m. ET City Limits Fishing- ALL NEW EPISODE
9:00 p.m. ET Best & Worst of Tred Barta
9:30 p.m. ET Dollar Wise Fly - ALL NEW EPISODE
10:00 p.m. ET Saltwater Experience
10:30 p.m. ET Sport Fishing Magazine

VERSUS celebrates real competition in all its forms across all platforms (VERSUS.com, VERSUS on Demand and VERSUS HD). Now in more than 74 million homes, the network is the national cable home of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Stanley Cup Playoffs as well as best-in-class events such as The Tour de France, Davis Cup Tennis, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Professional Boxing. The network also offers collegiate sports featuring nationally-ranked teams from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West. VERSUS features the best field sports programming on television and is a destination for sports fans, athletes and sportsmen to find exclusive, competitive events that audiences can't find elsewhere. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Meier Raivich VERSUS 203-406-2509 mraivich@versus.com
Katie Bradshaw VERSUS 203-406-2517 kbradshaw@versus.com
Leslie Byxbee VERSUS 203-406-2546 lbyxbee@versus.com

Paluski Ripple..my new fishing kayak

Well I've done my comparison shopping, looked at , sat in, compared features, prices, and reviews. My choice a Paluski Ripple. They make a version geared to the fisherman and duck hunters also use them; a dark green almost mauve color. I intend on spending a lot of time exploring some lakes that until now have been impossible for me to get to with my 14ft. aluminum. Rod holders, and other attachments are available to outfit the kayak for fishing.

Turkeys .......

Well I've noticed that the local Turkey population is doing quite well. I've noticed numerous birds, out in the fields and roosting in trees along some of the back roads. I don't think the population is hurting in the least bit. It should be a really good year for local hunters in and around Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes.

My New ATV

Well after riding one, and reviewing the literature I've come to a conclusion; well not exactly. It would be nice to have the sport model too.........you know for those days when ya just wanna have some fun at high speed. The Can-Am line up is pretty awesome. Watch the videos on their website where they compare speed, pulling power and torque to the competition...you'll be convinced this is the machine for you.

Spec Fishing Northern Ontario Style

I think the photos say it all.......don't you? Want to know more about this lodge in northern Ontario I discovered at the Toronto Sportsman Show? Check out their website http://www.kwagamalodge.com/ . Their prices are more than reasonable, and the area of the Province is absolutely gorgeous. If you were ever thinking of making a trip for some awesome Spec fishing, this is your place. All fish are native specs, not stocked. let me know how you do if you end up booking a trip with them; and tell them where you found their information. Thanks; I just had to pass it along as I know their are people who appreciate specs like these.

Well I "Experienced" The Toronto Sportsman Show

Well I experienced the Toronto Sportsman Show. Emphasis on "Experienced" I made the mistake of going on Saturday; sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for over an hour to find out the parking lots were full and they were telling people to go to Ontario Place to park.....no signs up of course. Well it was kind of amusing to find out that there were spots available in the lots as people were leaving (blockades up of course) Ya gotta love a four wheel drive.......around the barrier as the ten cars in front of me, pay my $11.00 for parking; to have the attendent not give me my parking slip.....ok walk back and request slip.......attendent full of attitude (Toronto Style).....walk back to truck, then walk into sportsman show.......line up crap!!!!!go around to other entrance, finally no line up. We;re in........finally! Oh I almost forgot, while in line up I got the typical road rage greeting from another driver "You f>>>>ing moron" to which I replied yeh; You Have A Great Day! ...... I can't stand the ignorance of some people on the roads these days. The show was ok, lots of lodges, destinations both within and outside of Ontario. A fair amount of boats, very few trailers, a few quads. As soon as I arrived the first booth I came towas Ron Post Knives whom Ihave boasted about before, I found my trailer great deal, my quad, great deal.......I now have even more to dream about as I didn't purchase a thing. Looked at some kayaks, the deals were nothing so speak of if you know your prices. I know I will be going to suppliers I had checked out prior to the show to do my purchasing. I don't think I'll be going back to another show, the cost of the show for two $32.00, parking $11.00 wasted gas, frustration attitude in line $priceless........

Toronto Sportsman Show.......I can't sleep..lol

This is going to be one heck of an upcoming week. The Toronto Sportsman Show; how does any man woman or child who enjoys the Great Outdoors survive such an event. All the latest in tackle, rods, guns, campers, atv's........my head is spinning already. I'm sure that it's worse than the anticipation of Christmas. Now all I have to do is figure out what I need the most.......did i say "need?" yeh ok let's go with that.....What I need...lmao. I think that I can justify purchasing almost anything and everything at the show; it's just a matter of priorities. Yeh well come on stick a kid in a candy store and every box of candy becomes a priority. I'll have to report back after next week to let you know how I did........ Ok I want a kayak.....but i also want a quad, but I need a utility trailer................I wouldn't mind a 24ft or so trailer too....I must be getting old, I like my comfort. I've been thinking lately that a new trolling motor would come in handy, and then theres the old two foot itis......you know I own a 14 ft but a 16 foot would be better, new motor.............oh yeh I've been really kicking myself for selling my canoe. Then there's all the new fangled gadgets that nobody even knows about..........how much time do I have at the show? maybe a vacation day would help, and two more to add up the debt I rack up.
But seriously folks, The Toronto Sportsman Show is well worth attending, lots to see and lots to do, take the kids, take the wife, take the girlfriend/boyfriend; maybe you can talk the significant other into buying the trailer and you can focus on the bigger boat or new ATV. I know thats my strategy............and damned I hope it works this year or I'm going to have to come up with a new one for next year. Check it out and enjoy! http://www.sportshows.ca/Toronto/index.html

Canadian Wood Bows

Looking for a Canadian hand made bow? Check out
http://home.cogeco.ca/~canadianwoodbows/

Make a walking stick......

Need or want a walking stick?
The next time you go out to your woodlot; don't cut one out of your favorite park or off private property. Look around for a small sapling that has been damaged from snow press, you will notice that at the base of the sapling snow has caused the trunk of the sapling to bend. This creates a natural handle for a walking stick. If you look at the photo to the left you can see the natural handle, each stick is unique, no two sticks the same. The preferred time to harvest your potential stick is in March or early spring when the sap is flowing in the trees. This makes peeling simple and if you find a Black Cherry sapling it can be done with your fingers. Otherwise a draw knife available from Home Hardware or a jackknife will also get the job done. Once you have it peeled, let it dry for a couple of weeks;but not in direct sunlight as this can cause it to crack. Then sand either by hand or with an orbitable sander, first with 80 grit, then 120. Some people prefer the natural color of the wood or you can use a stain to get the color you prefer. Let the stain dry and then apply 3 or 4 coats of clear (outside) varethane; letting each coat dry for at least 24 hours. After each coat drys, sand lightly prior to applying the next coat. Be sure to wipe the walking stick with a cloth to remove dust prior to applying the varethane. You can then either put a brass end on the cane available from Lee Valley or dip it in a rubber compound available from Canadian Tire. This puts a kind of none slip end on the stick and protects it from water/snow/gravel. As you can see from the photo, the shapes and character from each stick is unique. So on your next walk get your son or daughter involved and make it a project you complete with them from beginning to end. Its something they will remember, and will probably use for years to come.

Army Jackets

Want a good army jacket check out these. These are all from the same person, just listed on different sites. I've seen these jackets and they are in excellent shape, some are like new.

http://toronto.craigslist.ca/tor/clo/582406145.html

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-clothing-Canadian-Army-Combat-Jacket-3-Season-W0QQAdIdZ38995110

Maps for your GPS

These maps are excellent for your GPS. Especially for a Garmin 60CSX. Check them out at http://www.toporider.com/topogpsONT.html They also carry maps for other regions and specified uses.

A Suggestion for Provincial Government

I just had a thought.....lol; thinking outside the box again, forgive me. Let's look at the recent over inflated price of fuel in Ontario. Ok, the price of 1 litre of gas was $1.03 a day ago, today $1.09. We all know that when a holiday weekend approaches gas takes a jump up to $0.12 cents a litre, and most of the time is not a reflection of world prices, supply & demand or any other factual excuse. Who pays it every day; we do. Where does it go?......I'm not sure; waiting lines still at hospitals, crumbling infrastructure, cuts to transfer payments to municipalities, Ok to my point; ok let's take $.01 cent from every over inflated litre of gas sold in Ontario.........now let's take that $.01 cent from the Provincial windfall collected daily. Now let's just collect 1 years worth and put it into an account. What is your estimate of how much money would be sitting in that account? I'm fairly confident it would scare the crap out of all of us. Now imagine if that money was utilized to manage our Natural Resources............It's all about priorities.........I'm just not sure what those pritorities are......are you?

Compass or GPS???

To be honest no outdoors person should be without..."Both!" Why? Well the first time you drop your GPS in the water, or on a rock, batteries go dead, or it has an electronic melt down.........need I say more? A compass could be your lifeline; not only that but both can be utilized for different purposes. Your compass can serve as a quick reference for direction, used to start a fire........if equiped with a magnifying glass, and used for general navigation. If you're going on an extended trip over long distances for a week or two, it will also cut down on how many batteries you'll need to take along. Don't get me wrong; GPS units with topo's and some of the other features they offer are absolutely awesome. However I would strongly suggest that you not only purchase a good compass, but also become very good at navigating with it. Most importantly remember this..."Always trust what your compass is telling you" A very good lesson that may not seem like good advice is just once get "Lost" under conditions where you have someone more experienced to get you through sorting out your solution. You'll always remember how to sort things out. Good luck and happy navigating! I have provided the models I utilize in the photos; my compass I've owned for 30 years, the GPS for one, and I utilize them both.