HAPPY CANADA DAY!
AND HAPPY 4TH TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE SOUTH!

JULY 2015 North Country Lodge Newsletter

Here fishy, fishy, fishy! 

We are full swing into summer now.  The bass are off their beds now and I can go swimming at flat rock again (a mad bass protecting his babies bit my toe last time I swam there), the walleye are still hungry and the musky have been aggressive.  
The weather has been amazing with lots of sun and rain right when we need it.  Happy to be in the middle of the country!  Tent caterpillars were out and gone and the May flies were out and gone now.

There have been some major forest fires out west but here things are pretty good.  There have been a few, including a small lightning strike one Wayne and Geoff spotted and put out in Powder Bay last week but nothing major to worry about.

For those of you who haven't heard, we now have a PONTOON BOAT!  We will be renting it daily or weekly, we will be updating our rate sheet for pricing but guest pricing will be $150 per day extra under the fishermans package,  same for BYOB package but extra for gas, $175 plus gas for unpackaged guests.  Check with us for weekly rates.  Please make sure to book as soon as possible so you can assure it will be available for you.  We have rented it a few times already and used it a few times ourselves and it is a blast!

Happy Canada Day and Happy 4th of July!

Take care friends,

Lydia and Wayne


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Border Restrictions- NO CHICKEN FOR YOU!

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implemented measures to protect Canada's poultry resources from an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza reported in poultry in the following states:

  • *   Arkansas
  • *   California
  • *   Idaho
  • *   Iowa
  • *   Kansas
  • *   Minnesota
  • *   Missouri
  • *   Montana
  • *   North Dakota
  • *   Oregon
  • *   South Dakota
  • *   Washington
  • *   Wisconsin

Travellers should know that, due to this outbreak, all raw poultry and all poultry products and by-products that are not fully cooked, including eggs and raw pet foods, sourced, processed, or packaged from the above states are under restriction until further notice. You may not bring these items into Canada.

  • *    
  • *   eggs, yolks, egg whites (albumen)
  • *   poultry meat (other than fully cooked, canned, commercially sterile meat products)raw pet foods containing poultry products
See more about WHAT YOU CAN BRING ACROSS the border and other useful crossing info.

Smallmouth Bass
Luke Bass

Did You Know??


 

The scientific name of the smallmouth bass is Micropterus dolomieu. They have many similarities to largemouth but some key differences that make them less fished than their bucket mouth cousins.

HABITAT 

The smallmouth is a native fish to North America. Many of the locations smallies exist today are due to their introduction by man. They generally prefer colder and much clearer water than due largemouth. Deep, clear northern lakes and cool clear rivers with cover and deep holes are the spots where smallmouth bass do the best. This clear water habitat can create added difficulties when it comes to lure presentation.A good water temperature for healthy a population is between 68 and 80 degrees.

In a lake, smallmouth bass will be found around rocks and sand/gravel bottoms in clearer water. They actively seek out these conditions due to the fact that they are visual predators. The breaklines off rocky points and large underwater rocks are the classic structures to look for in pursuit of the "bronze bass".  As they mostly hunt by sight, some great action can be had all day long, but they are very prone to bad moods due to high pressure systems. When the clouds disappear, often the smallmouth do too!

REPRODUCTION 

Smallmouth bass make nests with their tails in about 3 to 8 feet of water. They prefer a sand/small gravel bottom to do this in. There is an interesting mating dance of rubbing and biting that takes place before eggs are laid. The male makes the nest and guards it. After mating is complete, the female is evicted and she may go on to mate again with other males. Dad watches the kids for about 2 weeks then they all split. When the water temperature rises to about 50 to 55 degrees this reproductive activity starts. 

Reproduction for smallmouth bass takes place in the spring. This will usually take place slightly before largemouth because lower temperatures trigger them to spawn. The bass, largemouth or smallmouth, has no choice in the matter. This is an important point to bring up. Nature governs all that bass do. There is no greater driving force than their instincts and habitat. If you catch a nice bass, somehow you have mimicked a natural occurrence and triggered the bass to bite. You will see this information again! 

BEHAVIOR 

Smallies are found in both lakes and streams, but for simplicity we'll cover lake behavior as it applies to the rivers as well. They actively seek out harder bottoms and cooler, clearer water than the largemouth. This bass is a schooling fish if there ever was one. This can be good or bad depending on how you handle yourself while fishing. Don't do you homework, don't take time to understand seasonal and weather changes, and you don't catch smallmouth bass! Period. 

A good thing to remember is that smallmouth bass are not spread out evenly in the water. Think of them as nomads on the plains. They take the same routes, with some same variations in pattern, to provide what they need. These are food and shelter. When you find these "nomads" they will be in a group, this is to provide protection and support to each other. They are excited and spooked as a group. They move as a group. However they can not be everywhere at once so you need only learn their patterns, and what effects them to change these patterns, to locate them. 

The diet of smallmouth bass is not as varied as his cousin. The two largest food sources are crayfish and other fish. Of course a tasty hatch of insects will not be past up and is a great time to locate them in a river. Top water smallies will make you late for dinner! 

He is a visual predator and all good lures will need to take this into account. Lure color is used only as fine tuning and not as the final decision. Smallies home in on prey by seeing it. They also are very sensitive to vibration, but without the right look, nothing happens! 

Speaking of lures, smallmouth can also be caught on simple soft plastics. The tube and curly tail grub have accounted for many huge bronze backs and they are quite easy to use. Using different size jig heads to effect the drop speed and even weedless rigs will bring hours of fun. 

Probably the most expensive and intense part of smallmouth bass fishing is hard plastic jerkbaits and crankbaits. You get this right and it will knock your socks off! The smallmouth by nature is prone to taking a hard plastic crankbait that closely imitates a wounded fish. Depth and speed control are very important to match his activity level and mood. 

SIZE AND AGE

The average lifespan of the smallmouth bass is 6 to 14 years. They are very sensitive to water pollution and if you have a healthy population it is a great indicator of a healthy body of water. The clean cool water will have a direct effect on the size and age of the fish. It is possible in the right environment for these bass to live upwards of 20 years.

The largest smallmouth is reported to have grown to more than 12 pounds. This unofficial record, like the largemouth record, is quite up for debate. A mature smallie in good conditions will reach 6 to almost 7 pounds! That is a handful on even the best gear.


 

Information from getsomebass.com
 


 


 


 


GETTING YOUR FISHING LICENSE
AND OTHER GOOD TO KNOW FACTS

As always, you can get your license at several locations such as Bobby's Corner in Vermilion Bay or Eagle Junction on hwy 17 15 minutes East of Vermilion Bay.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE EXPIRY DATE ON YOUR OUTDOORS CARD AND DON'T THROW IT AWAY.  YOU NEED YOUR OUTDOORS CARD NUMBER TO RENEW YOUR LICENCE, WHETHER YOU RENEW ONLINE OR WHEN YOU GET HERE!

You can also get your license ahead of time by purchasing it online.  If you do not plan on taking any fish back home with you, we recommend just getting the conservation license.

NOTE:
  1. Non-Canadian residents under 18 years of age may fish without a licence if accompanied by a person who has a valid Outdoors
    Card and fishing licence tag. Any fish kept are part of the catch and possession limit of the person who holds the licence. As another option, non-Canadian residents under 18 years of age may purchase an Outdoors Card and fishing licence tag to have their own limits. 

 

 


Check out the  2015 Fishing Regulations

Here is a basic breakdown for Zone 4

Walleye & Sauger or any combination

Jan. 1 to Apr. 14 & 3rd Sat. in

May to Dec. 31

S - 4; not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)
C - 2; not more than 1 greater than 46 cm (18.1 in.)

Crappie

Open all year

S-15 C-10

Sunfish

Open all year

S-50 C-25

Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass or any combination

Open all year

S - 2; must be less than 35 cm (13.8 in.) fromJan.1-June30&Dec.1-Dec.31 S-4;nosizelimitfromJuly1-Nov.30 C - 1; must be less than 35 cm (13.8 in.) fromJan.1-June30&Dec.1-Dec.31 C-2;nosizelimitfromJuly1-Nov.30

Brook Trout*

Jan. 1 to Labour Day

S - 5; not more than 1 greater than 30 cm (11.8 in.)
C - 2; not more than 1 greater than 30 cm (11.8 in.)

Rainbow Trout*

Open all year

S-5 C-2

Northern Pike

Open all year

S - 4; none between 70-90 cm (27.6-35.4 in.), not more than 1 greater than 90 cm (35.4 in.)
C - 2; none between 70-90 cm (27.6-35.4 in.), not more than 1 greater than 90 cm (35.4 in.)

Lake Trout*

Jan. 1 to Sept. 30

S - 2; not more than 1 greater than 56 cm (22 in.)
C-1;nosizelimit

Splake*

Open all year

S-5 C-2

Muskellunge

3rd Sat. in June to Dec. 15

S - 1; must be greater than 102 cm (40 in.)
C-0

Lake Whitefish

Open all year

S-12 C-6

Lake Sturgeon

Closed all year

Yellow Perch

Open all Year S-50
C-25

Canyon Lake is mostly in Zone 4.  When you go through the train trussel from the North side to the South, you are in Zone 5.  Zone 5 Regulations are very the same for most species.  See full regulations for more information.  Zone maps and regulations are available in your cabin as well.




HAVE A DUI OR OTHER MINOR CRIMINAL OFFENCE STOPPING YOU FROM COMING TO CANADA?
WITH A LITTLE PLANNING IT CAN BE OFF OF YOUR MIND FOR GOOD!

Canada considers a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) offence a Federal Offence.  With a federal offence, people from foreign countries are not admissible to come into Canada.  If the offence has been 5 years or longer from the time of the sentencing, you are able to apply for a pardon.  


Your checklist will include:
*Your passport or a copy of your drivers license and birth certificate
*Each court judgement against you with the charges shown clearly
*The foreign or Canadian laws under which you were charged or convicted which can be obtained from police authorities, courthouse or even the internet or library.
*Documents relating to the sentence imposed, parole reports, letters of recommendation etc.  These documents must show that your sentence was completed.
*Criminal clearance from Police authorities
See the full Document Checklist for details.

Where do I apply?

In Canada: Mail your application to the Canada Immigration Centre responsible for your area. Addresses are available online or by contacting the Call Centre.

Outside Canada: You must submit your application to the Canadian visa office or Visa Application Center (VAC) responsible for your area. Consult the relevant visa office regarding accepted methods of submitting applications (for example, general mail, in person, by courier etc.)

 


RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Uncle Jim's Red Hot Walleye


Or really any fish!

*wash and pat dry fish

*place in plastic bag or container in fridge 

*add Frank's Red Hot or other favourite hot sauce so fish is immersed

*marinate 1/2 hour minimum, some like to marinate overnight for a strong Franks flavour

*Take out, get excess moisture off fish and coat with any coating you like.  I prefer a light cracker meal and cornmeal mixture. Use one with very little seasoning and salt as the hot sauce are flavourful enough

*Deep fry as you would another other fish.  Make sure your grease is nice and hot, fry quick and DO NOT OVERCOOK!


As you can tell, my recipes use exact scientific procedures and measurements but if there are still questions, just email me about it!


Don't forget about our specials!


 

7th NIGHT FREE

 

For the months of September and October enjoy a 7th night free with your FISHERMANS or BYOBOAT package!  The 7 days will run from Saturday to Saturday unless otherwise arranged.

 


 

 REFER A FRIEND AND GET A TRIP

 

Open to all returning guests.  If you refer someone who books (and pays for) a full Fishermans or BYOBoat package we will take you (and 1 other person) on either a half or full day fishing trip to one of our outlying lakes.  Half day for 2-3 people referred and booked, full day for 4 or more referred and booked.  You must let us know who you referred prior to your arrival so we can make arrangements for your trip or we cannot guarantee that a trip is possible.

 

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