The ice out will be earlier this year!

It is cold today here in Red Lake with light snow on and off but the ice is very rotten. If the weather warms up like it is supposed to we should be up north early next week opening camps.

I came across some pictures from an old friend/guest and wanted to share a few with you :)

Ontario Outdoors Card in effect for 2009

Ontario Outdoor Card for Americans





Staring in 2009, when you come to Ontario and buy a fishing license or hunting license, you will be required to purchase an outdoor card for an additional $9. The card is good for 3 years.

This is a program that has been already implemented since 1998 for residents. The MNR wants to expand the program to non-residents.


The main function of the card is to have all your contact and license information in a database so if you come across a game warden or conservation officer in the bush while fishing or hunting, it takes them seconds to know who you are and verify that you do have a license by showing them your outdoor card.

Another advantage is when you buy a fishing or hunting license, you just have to show your outdoor card. You don't have to pull out old licenses from your state or any other ID. You can also buy your license on-line with the card number.

This program also prevents counterfeiting of fishing and hunting licenses because everyone is issued his or her own unique number. It will be a great help in preventing poaching and other wildlife crime.

Temperatures are warming up!

The weather has been beautiful in NW Ontario the past week and it looks like the warm trend is going to continue for a while yet. Some rain is in the forecast as well which is great weather for getting rid of that sheet of hard water from our lakes. The Otter should be back in town this week, I am anxious to get back in the air and begin getting the camps ready for the season.

2009 Underway!!

We arrived in Red Lake on Wednesday to ice covered lakes! The ice though is deteriorating quickly. If the weather forecast is right we should have a nice stretch of dry sunny warm weather. We are due for a nice warm spring, maybe this year.

Leaving the Prairie behind us in Winnipeg.


Maija in Vermillion Bay at the Inushuk.


The view down the river from our office, only ice along the edges.

Are you ready?

Spring is arriving in the North, I can not wait to be back in the air and showing people a good time. The sound of the Otter has to be my favorite!

The Wind-up!

Yesterday we had the wind up on the lake. It was a good time but the kids ended up playing hockey on their boots and walking 1.5 miles out to Gull island and back. A good time was had by all.

The Wind-up on the Lake

Tomorrow we are having our 3rd annual windup on the lake. It was looking like we were not able to do it this year but the warm weather melting all the snow and then going down to minus 20 celcius for a week we had a window of opportunity. But today and tomorrow it is starting to melt again. The kids and I skated on it today and it was pretty soft and getting slushy on top, a few bruises just from the wipeouts! Canadians will skate on anything. The kids may end up just playing on their boots tomorrow but we will have a good time, bonfire, food and drinks.



We skated right where we started fishing in the fall and there was an old northern head sitting there. It made a good puck!