Gear Up For Early Season Northern Pike

As the ice moves out and water temperatures creep up in Canadian lakes, early season anglers can expect to see ravenous northern pike lurking in the shallows, spoiling to smash anything resembling prey.

As a Marketing Director for Eppinger Lures, All-Canada Show sponsor and maker of the iconic “Dardevle,” John Cleveland has been successfully stalking monster Northerns on Canadian water for the last twelve years and recently offered some advice to anglers seeking to boat a few of the bruisers.

Following the opener, Cleveland suggests zeroing in on fairly shallow southern bays where the earliest warming takes place. Dark, muddy bottom structure is more likely to hold active fish than light colored sandy bottoms since the water warms more quickly there. 

Cleveland is a huge fan of Eppinger Lures’ “Five of Diamonds” spoon all season long, and he‘s found, in general, dark colored lures will out fish lighter ones, though the classic red and white Dardevle should be a staple in any pike fisherman’s tackle box.  Downsizing to ½ to ¾ oz. spoons is a good tactic in the spring, according to Cleveland, and a sporadic retrieve—letting the lure flutter down after every few turns of the crank can be a deadly technique. John’s terminal tackle usually includes a seven foot medium action rod paired with a spinning or casting reel and 20 pound test fluorocarbon line with a wire leader. “Pike are not leader-shy,” he contends.

Though fishing with spoons can produce plenty of exciting action, Cleveland also enjoys fly fishing for the bruisers. He has caught Northern Pike topping 45 inches using dark, leech-like flies which can be stripped in more slowly, teasing less active early season fish to strike. His fly fishing gear includes a 9 or 10 weight rod shooting an 80 pound fluorocarbon tippet. A catch and release angler, Cleveland mentioned fly fishermen can get by with equipment that is less stout, but he prefers to stress the fish as little as possible. During the spring, huge Northerns can often be sight-fished, sort of a Canadian version of salt flats fly fishing. 

John also mentioned he was looking forward to trying Eppinger’s new “Spinnin’ Rex” on pike this year. The ½ oz. lure features a spinner blade and rubber skirt. Again, favoring darker colors, Cleveland recommends a root beer colored brass blade with a black skirt. 

For more inside information, product information, and tips on using Eppinger Lures, visit www.eppinger.net or call toll free: 888-771-8277.

Beat The Black Friday Rush!

The last of the Halloween candy is finally gone (don't ask ... but I'll bet you can guess where it went!) and we are now dusting off the Thanksgiving decorations and family traditions. In Wisconsin late November means the opening of gun/deer season and the annual Black Friday day of shopping.

If you are looking for something new for that sportsman on your Christmas list why not treat them to the All-Canada Show experience or better yet, take them to the show, and book a fishing or hunting trip to Canada?

For thirty years, the All-Canada Show has been the best place to plan and book your Canadian fishing and hunting adventure.  Purchase your All-Canada Show tickets for 50% off online available throughout the entire show season.  These tickets can be used at any of the seven cities where the show is held: St. Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Minneapolis.  

The All-Canada Show is more than just the best place to plan and book fishing and hunting trips to Canada - there is something for everyone in the family: attractions such as the 'Hanson Buck', a world record whitetail sponsored by Cabela's, a Musk Ox full mount, and a gallery of artwork by world renowned artist, Anthony Padgett. The All-Canada Show will have casting contests for kids on Saturday- just sign up when you are at the show! Select your favorite trophy fish and have your photo taken with a monster walleye or northern pike, a free hunting simulator sponsored by Cabela's, shore lunch will be served in concessions (for an extra price), and we will have an interactive Internet area in the show this year where you can post your photos on Facebook   In addition to the many great Canadian exhibitors, we will be giving away prizes - including a trip for two to Canada in every city, and offering seminars from the experts will be sharing their tips and tricks.

This coming year marks the 30th anniversary of the All-Canada Show and to help celebrate, longtime show sponsor Eppinger will be presenting guests who attend opening night with a free 30th anniversary collector lure. Kids will receive a 30th anniversary lure all show days.  You will also receive our free full color All-Canada Adventures magazine, and free maps and travel guides at our Travel Centre.  

Giving the gift of a Canadian fishing trip is a great way to spread Christmas cheer, and create a lifetime of memories.   That will be a gift that is not forgotten after January 1st.

Thirty Years In The Making!

John Cleveland of Eppinger talks  fishing at the Chicago Show 2012

From our modest beginnings of two shows in 1984 to our current circuit of hosting shows in seven major Midwestern cities, the vision of All-Canada Show has been to be the BEST place in the world to plan and book fishing and hunting trips to Canada. During those 30 years, technology has changed the sports and travel industry but at the heart of it all is the vast Canadian adventure that a your customers yearn to visit. After thirty years as the leader in the Canadian destination marketing, All-Canada Show is pleased to announce The Ultimate, All New All-Canada Show.

Our show attendees know they are planning a trip to Canada - they just need to decide where to go. Imagine being able to exhibit year round without having to leave home. With our AllCanada.com Online Package you can do just that. Judy Hendrickson, Uchi Lake Lodge in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, said, "In only 12 days I had over 600 people come to my website and over 80% were from AllCanada.com." Join our website for only $1.25 per day for non-current exhibitors and only $0.89 per day for current All-Canada Show exhibitors.

For the past seven years Spectra Print, Stevens Point, WI, has been a proud sponsor of the All-Canada Show in addition to managing the printing needs of All-Canada Show. This year All-Canada and Spectra Print have entered a working sponsorship which includes coordinating the social media marketing efforts on behalf of All-Canada Show. 

Why Do I Need Social Media?

The short answer is: Because it's where everyone is!

According to Facebook, the popular social media site has over 500 million users. If Facebook were a country it would be the worlds 3rd largest ahead of the United States and only behind China and India. When you participate in the AllCanada.com Online Package, we will post your content on our Facebook and Twitter pages, creating additional exposure through our established and growing network.

Our Facebook presence in 20 countries gives you the potential exposure to 330,000 friends and fans of All-Canada Show.

"Every single person who comes through the door picks up one of the magazines … we are in their hands and in front of them when they go home, even if they didn't get to visit with us at the show." Cheryl Pinette, Birch Dale Lodge, Eagle Lake, Ontario.

In addition to our two print publications the full-color show program, All-Canada Adventures Magazine, is now digital. AllCanada.com Online Package subscribers receive the added advantage of having their ad linked to direct viewers to your website, providing you with additional year round distribution.

We have  a number of incentives to celebrate our 30th anniversary including lower booth rates for the 2013 season, special themed days and great hotel bargains.

Amazing Sunsets are common in Canada

By: Jennifer Young, All-Canada Show owner

Taking a photo cannot compare to being there. Many times when I have been in Canada on a gorgeous night, with the sun setting into the water, I grab my camera to campture the moment. It seems like the lense isn't big enough to put all of the color and emotion into the final photo.

I love this picture. I believe it was taken off of the dock at Golden Hook Camp on Gullrock Lake in Ontario. Jeff and I brought the kids up there with some friends, and we had a great time all week.

Another favorite sunset was from my trip to the Arctic, Plummer's Lodge. We were at Trophy Lodge on Great Bear Lake. Looking at the image, I can hear the water lapping against the shore. In the arctic, the sunrise was only an hour after sunset, so you have lots of chances to see the beauty.

This picture was taken by John Cleveland from Eppinger. Thanks for sharing.