Happy Canada Day

Joel Prunty, media manager, All-Canada Show – This week on July 1st Canada celebrates Canada Day – or as the French say “Fete du Canada” - which is celebrated every year on the 1st of July. Similar to our 4th of July holiday, Canada Day celebrates the creation of the Dominion of Canada through the British North America Act of 1867, which came into effect on July 1, 1867.

The holiday itself began in 1879 and was originally called Dominion Day, making reference to the Canadian-originated term 'dominion' to describe the political union with Britain, at a time when Canada’s founding fathers were hesitant to use a name such as the Kingdom of Canada. The name was changed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982.

It is a federal holiday across Canada celebrated by all provincial governments and most businesses across Canada. Quebec also has Moving Day on July 1st, due to the fact that most leases there begin and end on that day, where lots of people move and change residences. In Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1 is also recognized as Memorial Day and commemorates Newfoundland's heavy losses during World War I in the Battle of Beaumont Hamel as part of the Battle of the Somme.

For most Canadians Canada Day is a day of gathering with friends and family over a picnic, a few beers and some fireworks. Sounds like an American holiday to me! Happy Canada Day everyone!

Live Bait – To much / Not enough?

By: Steve Cegielski, All Canada Show, Operations Manager
Have you ever stood in a bait shop in Canada wondering how much live bait to buy for your week of fishing at the outpost? You don’t want to over buy and waste, but you also would rather have a couple dozen extra rather than run short early in the week.

Many factors go into the bait puzzle – number of fishermen, type of fishing, time of year, and bait storage. I would never recommend taking just one type of live bait – you never know the feeding habits until your there and it’s to late.

I’ve found when “mix fishing” (fishing for multiple species – pike, walleye, lake trout) 40 doz. Minnows, 2lb leech’s, and 10doz crawlers will keep 6 fishermen happy for a week on the water. I’ve found that minnows tend to work best in spring and leeches in the late summer with crawlers staying consistent thru out the year.

Even before purchasing bait you have to have a plan of transport or all above ideas will go to waste. We’ve all seen the guy who buys ten doz. Minnows along with a Styrofoam bucket in hopes of reaching the outpost camp with minnows – not going to happen.

Timing is of the utmost importance when transporting minnows. Don’t buy minnows the night before a long trip into an outpost – the only advantage is that they will be easier to catch in the bucket the next day. I like to make the bait shop the last stop on our way out of town.

Find a bait shop that will put your minnows into clear plastic bags and able to pump air into the bags prior to tying shut. Place the minnow bags into the cooler and surround with ice. You should be able to fit 25 doz minnows into a standard Colman cooler. Shut the lid and don’t open until at camp – GO!!!

Once at camp I bring along a 30 gallon plastic barrel with drilled holes and door opening to house the minnows for the week. The only trick is to get the barrel deep enough into the water – down to the cold water. About 5- 6 feet is all that’s required on a Canadian Lake in the middle of summer. Toss a few rocks into the barrel, tie a line to the dock and watch it sink. If careful in handling you will loose less than 5% of the minnows.

Housing leeches at camp is easier. Take 2 one-gallon milk jugs – poke small nail size holes into one – leaving the bottom two inches of the jug hole free. Cut the other jug in half keeping the handle end. Once at camp use the half jug as funnel to pour the leeches into the other jug with holes – tie a line to jug handle and watch it sink. The milk container allows for easy distribution the next morning and leftovers from the day can be easily put back into jug with the funnel – no wasting bait. The funnel can also serve a double function – boat bailer after a rainstorm.

It’s Canada, so if bait plans go wrong - stiff minnows and sun dried leeches and crawlers might still fool Canadian walleyes.

Flight Safety Website

By Rodney Schlafer - Show Director, All-Canada Show - One of my favorite things about the Canadian wilderness is the float plane. The outfitters that fly them ensure that safety comes first and take all the necessary precautions to get you to and from your destinations safely. I was reading a blog post on Ignace Outposts site and thought this was something that would be good to post on our blog.

Next time you fly pay attention to the pre-flight instructions, a couple key items to familiarize yourself with on the plane are the exits and your life jacket. Know where the exit doors are and think about how you will get out in case of an emergency. On a recent trip, the outfitter was going over the pre-flight and he pulled out the life jacket and showed us how to use it. He said if you do not know what it looks like and how to put it on it might as well be a sandwich! Good point!

If you are planning a trip on float plane this summer check out this website on Float Plane Saftey, it may save your life one day!

Family returns to fishing lodge after eight years

By: Jennifer Young, owner of All-Canada Show

Next week, my family and I are off to Cedar Point Lodge.

Jeff, Kayla, Brian and I were there eight years ago, our youngest was only one year old back then, so she stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa Hutch.

Check out the old article.

Brian was 3 and Kayla was 5. They have been talking about this trip-they remember it.

It is amazing how time flies. Take your kids to Canada this year!! Don't wait!! They will love you for it.

Jeff and I have our passports ready, and we have the kids' birth certificates. This time we are also taking our niece, Cece Maravilla. She is 8 years old. We will be fishing for walleyes and pike. Jigging for walleyes and casting for pike.

We will be posting photos after the trip.

Canada Day is Coming

Joel Prunty, media manager, All-Canada Show – Next week Thursday is Canada Day – or as the French say “Fete du Canada” - which is celebrated every year on the 1st of July. Similar to our 4th of July holiday, Canada Day celebrates the creation of the Dominion of Canada through the British North America Act of 1867, which came into effect on July 1, 1867.

The holiday itself began in 1879 and was originally called Dominion Day, making reference to the Canadian-originated term 'dominion' to describe the political union with Britain, at a time when Canada’s founding fathers were hesitant to use a name such as the Kingdom of Canada. The holiday was changed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982.

It is a federal holiday across Canada celebrated by all provincial governments and most businesses across Canada. Quebec also has Moving Day on July 1st, due to the fact that most leases there begin and end on that day, where lots of people move and change residences. In Newfoundland and Labrador, July 1 is also recognized as Memorial Day and commemorates Newfoundland's heavy losses during World War I in the Battle of Beaumont Hamel as part of the Battle of the Somme.

For most Canadians Canada Day is a day of gathering with friends and family over a picnic, a few beers and some fireworks. Sounds like an American holiday to me! Happy Canada Day everyone!

By:Steve Cegielski, All-Canada Show, Operations Manager
Traveling in Canada’s wilderness areas provides lots of opportunity to view wildlife in their natural surroundings, not like at the local zoo. Over the years I’ve traveled over 10,000 miles in Canada by truck or floatplane.
The view from above is awesome, when my stomach can handle looking down from above, I’ve seen moose, caribou, and bears out the float plane window.
By land many times bears have crossed the road or a bull moose standing in the ditch. I believe their lack of human interaction makes them appear more relaxed, but they do view the unknown as danger. Always take precaution when stopping to take photos, especially when viewing bear cubs…momma’s not far away.
On one All-Canada Show spring sales trip a few years back, we were traveling Hwy 101 towards Timmins, Ont. when I sighted moose. Well at first I didn’t know what I was looking at thru the windshield. I studdered Moose but my mind was thinking white horse. I hit the brakes and a white cow and two calves crossed the road behind the truck. One calf was the normal dark brown, while the second calf was almost pure white like it’s mother. I had heard the stories of the white moose in the Timmins, Ontario area, but it was awesome to see first hand.
When traveling across Canada be sure to keep the camera and video handy, you never know when the wildlife sightings will happen. Happy travels!!

Joel Prunty – Media Manager, All-Canada Show - One of my favorite things about traveling in Canada is the chance to view some amazing wildlife. On numerous occasions I have seen moose, bear, whitetail deer and fox. On one trip I was pulled over on the side of the road getting a soda out of the cooler located in the back of the truck when a fox came running out of the bush to great me…I jumped in the back of the pick-up and closed the lid…it must of thought I was going to feed him…I did not take any chances.

And although wildlife is cool to see on the highway it can also prove to be deadly.
An adult moose can go over 1000 lbs. and hitting one with your car can cause some serious damage. I have never actually hit a moose or any animal for that matter with a car but I have had a few close calls. Here are some good tips on how to stay safe on the highway. The number one way is to SLOW DOWN.

The following information was provided by Brad Greaves owner of Ignace Outposts – Ignace Ontario.
Moose, Bear and Deer are thrilling sites on your visit to Canada, but occasionally...too thrilling. In many areas of Canada we share the roadway with unintended big game animals. Even though most accidents occur between 5-8 am and 6 pm to midnight, hitting a large animal on the road will ruin your trip at anytime of day. Here are helpful tips you can use to avoid an incident with an animal:
• Use high beams when possible
• Be sure your windshield is clean and your lights are working
• Scan the road continuously from shoulder to shoulder
• Be aware that in most animal/vehicle accidents the animal was “just barely” on the paved portion of the road
• At night, watch for flashes of the small glowing eyes of animals
• Wildlife crossing signs do actually indicate areas of increased risk
• Always slow down when passing wildlife – they may suddenly turn or dart into your path
• Remain alert after passing an animal, it may be with others or with young
• Never attempt extreme maneuvers to avoid a collision.
It may not seem logical but don't swerve to avoid an animal. It is often better to clip the animal than to loose control of your vehicle and end up head on in the other lane or rolled over in the ditch.
• Don’t assume the animal will move out of your way
• Watch your speed, KPH and MPH are different!
• Moose, Bear and Deer are large enough to activate your airbags when you hit them. Keep this in mind as you sip from a bottle or cup in the front seat.
• You don’t often hit the animals you see.
• If you hit a bear, do not stop to see if he is alright. A wounded bear is not an animal you would want to visit with for any length of time.
• If you come across a fox, rabbit, bird, or other small animal on the roadway, don't leave your lane. See the note above about swerving.

Happy 50th!

Joel Prunty, media manager, All-Canada Show – I’m on vacation this week celebrating my 50th birthday (thanks Rod for posting my blog). And, at such a milestone it is hard not to reflect on where I have been.

Where I have been – as it relates to this blog – is some of the most incredible fishing spots in Canada…no make that the world. These fishing milestones the past 20 years would not have happened without the support of Jennifer Young, All-Canada Show president and Dave Hutchison, the show founder. Thank you.

Some adventures were with new acquaintances and some with my closest friends and family. Some were in the dog days of summer where we fought to catch shore lunch and some were during the best fishing of the year. Regardless, every single trip to Canada has been successful and each is cherished.

Looking ahead, I envision another 20 years of adventure with great longing. Imagine all the potential trophies my casts will entice, all the camaraderie to be shared and all the cigars to be smoked!

The fish picture above is one of my favorites because it was totally unexpected and just like fishing, some of life’s best experiences are unexpected as well.

I hope you enjoy another 50 years for fishing adventures too! Cheers, Joel

Mayfly's - Tough Bite

By: Steve Cegielski, All-Canada Show, Operations Manager
Rodney Shalafer, All-Canada Show, Sales Manager wrote in the last blog about fishing techniques to use while under attack from the Mayfly. Well I had first hand experience last summer dealing with a full blown Mayfly hatch. Day 2 of the trip we battled an extreme hatch. The walleyes had a belly full and enticing one to bite was difficult. I agree with Rodney, finesse fishing was the only technique that worked. On a positve note the hatch was over as quick as it started and within a few days the walleyes were back feeding in traditional locations. Don't get over frustrated during a hatch, just change techniques and remember to to take the chicken out of the freezer in the morning.

Catch More Fish During Mayfly Hatch

Joel Prunty - Media Manager All-Canada Show - Reports from across Northwest Ontario and Central Manitoba say the Mayfly hatch is starting and will be in full swing next week.

Fishing during a mayfly hatch can prove to be difficult. However, if you change up your technique you can still catch plenty of fish. Fish areas where mayflies are hatching such as mud flats, and shallow where water temps rise first. Try larger baits using an aggressive approach such as tipping a jig with a crawler and using an erratic twitching movement. Remember walleye will be feeding on mayflies and this agressive technique will entice them to strike. We also like to troll crankbaits on the weed edge or just on the edge of mud flats during the mayfly hatch.

Do not use the annual “hatch” as an excuse; use your tackle to catch more fish!

New facebook page for All-Canada Show

by: Jennifer Young, owner, All-Canada Show

Check out the All-Canada Show page (Company) on facebook.

You can post your pictures of Canada any time.

It is a great way to stay in touch!

Watch your limits

Joel Prunty, media manager, All-Canada Show - Most anglers over their fish limits fall into two categories…sloppy accounting of fish in the freezer or not taking time to completely understanding daily possession limits.

There is no excuse for sloppy accounting of your fish limits. You need to know, at all times, how many packaged fish are in your possession…not to do so and exceeding your limit is breaking the law.

Understanding daily possession limits is a little trickier. Daily possession is the number of fish attributed to you for instance in a freezer or frig, plus fish on a stringer or in a boat…plus the number of fish you have eaten that day. This number can not exceed your legal limit. Every packaged fish in your possession has to be labeled and attributed to a person.

A conservation officer will attempt to determine whether you’ve consumed fish by visiting your shore lunch spot and checking garbage in camp. Having a reduced conservation fishing license makes this consumed fish important because if your limit is two walleye and you ate shorelunch, then you can not have any fish in your boat or at camp.

Another area angler’s error with limits is packing their cooler to go home. Count and double count how many fish each person is going home with to make sure no one is over the limit. Road blocks are a frequent way for MNR to enforce limits, especially during the busiest times during the angling season.

The last place you want to get caught over your limit is at the border where U.S. Customs will enforce fish limits for their Canadian counter parts. If you are nailed at the border you have broken U.S. AND Canadian Fish and Wildlife laws so the penalties are greatly enhanced.

Enjoy your adventure and don’t break any laws!

Going Home

By: Steve Cegielski, Operations Manager, All-Canada Show
With the fishing season well under way all across Canada, except maybe the far reaches where ice still dominates the landscape, fisherman are enjoying exceptional Canadian fishing action. We all love the anticipation of the trip and getting it started, but as we all know, all good things come to an end eventually and we all have to head home from a great adventure.
On most full service lodge plans that means gathering your belongings and remembering where you hid your keys once you arrive back in civilization.
Some do-it-yourself trips do require some easy weekending cleaning / organizing tasks that can easily be done. As a general rule, try to leave the cabin and equipment one step better than the group before you, and you’ll never have any complaints.
General cleaning of the cabin and basic garbage clean up is obvious, but here’s some areas that get missed some times.
Refrigerator can be come messy at times and the next group really doesn’t want your old rotten nightcrawlers left in the frig. Just a quick wipe down does the job.
Also extra attention the fish cleaning area after a week of filleting will go along ways….take the time to wash the surfaces free of scales and clean all equipment, so the next group can start fresh.
And last but not least – boat cleaning. You all know how the bottom of the boat looks after a week of hard Canadian fishing – line, sinkers, old plastics, mud, and even fish blood cover the boat from bow to transom. Take the time to pull each boat up onto shore, pull the plug and slosh with water until all debris is out.
How about taking the welcoming of the new fisherman to the next level? As the float plane is landing pop in the oven a pan of chocolate chip cookies! The smell of chocolate chip cookies as they enter the cabin is sure bring smiles to their faces and what a way to start your week in fishing paradise – CANADA!

Shore Lunch…the best part of the trip.

By Rodney Schlafer - show director All-Canada Show - For me there is nothing more enjoyable than sitting on a rock overlooking a lake eating fresh caught Canadian Walleye. Shore Lunch for me is always the best part of the trip. I like to mix it up bit between fried Walleye, baked fish or chowder.

There are many ways to cook fish on shore and it does not always have to be fried, however I would say that is my favorite. I have enjoyed walleye bake – a combination of walleye, onions and cheese wrapped in tin foil and cooked over an open flame.



Walleye Bake

I have had Northern Pike stir – fry complete with rice and all the veggies. Dijon mustard or Sesame walleye with a honey glaze are at the top of most unique!Sesame Walleye with honey glaze


And one of my favorites is fish chowder, it is easy make and is great for those cold rainy days on the lake to help warm you up – just remember to bring the spoons to eat it with…a few years back we forgot to pack spoons so we used removed the hooks on our casting spoons and used those. See pic below.
Eating Chowder with casting spoons

If you do not do shore lunch on your fishing trips you should. They are a great way to enjoy your time in Canada. If you need some recipes for your next trip shoot me an email, and I would be more than happy to share. rod@allcanada.com.

Don’t let LIFE slip you by

Joel Prunty, media manager - Here’s a picture of my nephew Joe back in the summer of 2006 on a fly-in fishing trip to northwest Ontario. The other picture is from last night at his high school graduation and it brought back memories of the great time we experienced in Canada.

It’s amazing how much kids change in a four year span and how quickly his high school days flew by (at least for me). In July, we will go on another fishing trip to Canada. We are headed back to northwest Ontario and this time to Uchi Lake Lodge out of Sioux Lookout.

This might be our last trip for a while as Joe goes off to college, starts a career and maybe a family sometime after. I wonder how a trip to Canada this summer might improve the life of a young man in your life. Don’t wait…because in a blink-of-an-eye they’ll be headed to college!

Don't Forget Your Card

Joel Prunty, Media Manager - U.S. residents 18 and older are required to purchase a Outdoors Card to fish in Ontario. You may have purchased the card last year – which is good for three years – if you did, do not forget to bring it along on this years trip.

If you have never had an Outdoors Card, you can purchase a "Non-Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application" from one of more than 1,800 licence issuers across the province. The Non-Canadian Resident Temporary Fishing Outdoors Card and Application does not include the fishing licence tag. The fishing licence tag will be a separate paper permit.