gordy28

A bit of a different post this time. An “origin” story of a good friend and frequent fishing partner I introduced Colin to my love of fishing some 30 years ago and in 2016 he joined our fly in fishing group Reminded me of how awesome it is to introduce someone to the outdoors https://www.northernjacks.com/post/grasshopper Cheers Andrew

In Haliburton last weekend they came out in force around Sunday Legs covered

I almost made this a Top 5 thing I wish I knew before my first trip but as I got to writing it I realized (like most things) I have learned something on almost every trip What to pack, what not to pack, what to plan for an so forth https://www.northernjacks.com/post/top-5-list-things-i-wish-i-knew-ahead-of-my-fishing-trips Hope you enjoy Andrew

Very nice - nothing like a catch on a new set up

Pic's sounds like you have some great access and a handle on some good drive in lakes I really enjoyed our drive in and boat in trips as well - Lady Evelyn has a lot of lodges but we found a few area's to fish where we felt like we were the only people on the planet Cheers Andrew

Eagerly anticipating my first cast of 2020. It’s somewhat of a mythical and spiritual experience every year Pandemic and Polar Vortex have delayed me a bit this year but hoping it happens before June https://www.northernjacks.com/post/first-casts-past-present-and-future Cheers Andrew

Agreed - there is something magical about being left alone on "your" lake for a week. Thanks for sharing - Lake St Joe was almost our destination for 2020 as the outfitter we chose has outposts there - after reading this I am sure it will rise again for our 2021 or 2022 consideration

Thanks Capt! Glad you enjoyed it So that is such a hard question to ball park because there are a lot of variables - re how far are you willing to drive and so on. I would say on the low end it would be about $1000 - $1200 per person for a fly in and on the higher end about $1500 - $1800 Anyway - if you want to shoot me a PM with any questions happy to help Adam Dempsey also has a great site for searching for fly in outfitters and it should give you an overview as well https://fishingoutposts.com/ Ontario Fishing Network as well - https://ontariofishingnetwork.com/ And Mike Borgers site https://www.canadafishingguide.net/ Cheers Andrew

By no means are myself or my group fly in "veterans" like Chris Brock or Moose and so on I did find that there were a few things I expected or worried about leading up to our first trip that I thought I would post about - things like 150 fish days or getting dinged for overweight Anyway - new post is up https://www.northernjacks.com/post/expectations-vs-reality-on-a-fly-in-fishing-trip Cheers Andrew Nice walleye from our Ogoki adventure

Newest post brings in some guest contributors talking about some memorable experiences in the outdoors. Its amazing what experiences stand out in our head - first camping trip, first experience out of the city, first fish and so on The nice part is a lot of the experiences can happen later in life - my first fly in trip was timed around my 40th bday and it was a memorable first Interested in hearing others in this thread https://www.northernjacks.com/post/memorable-firsts Thanks in advance Andrew

Like most I started young. My parents and grandparents were outdoors people. My grandfather in particular was a huge fisherman and he took my brother, cousins and I all the time. Similar to most I would consider myself still in learning mode. Whether it's a new lake, new technique or a new species each time out seems to teach this old dog new tricks. One of the main reasons I think I love fishing so much is that it is always changing and that keeps me engaged and excited for every trip Great thread Cheers Andrew

I am not sure which make for better stories - the fish that you caught or the fish that got away Anyone who has spent time on the water has lost more than a few - sometimes its heartbreaking and sometimes its entertaining and almost always its good camp fire conversation New post is up https://www.northernjacks.com/post/the-great-escape Cheers Andrew

Awesome - glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the sign up!

Glad you liked the post Bill I hear ya about the Patagonia jacket - think I mentioned in my post that I got mine as a work giveaway but I will say I love it

Thanks Krattor - glad you enjoyed it!

Fight it likes its a walleye has become a bit of a battle cry on our trips - wrestling one in assuming its a snot rocket cost a fish Newest post is up explaining how it came to be Wondering what your battle cries are other than the usual fish on https://www.northernjacks.com/post/fight-it-like-its-a-walleye Cheers Andrew

I am guessing I am not alone when I say I have been spending far more time outside this past month than normal To try to avoid going stir crazy I have been doing lots of bike rides, hikes, taking the dog for a walk and so forth There are a few items I have been using a lot and most were bought as part of the gear I use on our fishing trips Figured I would try writing them up and here it is https://www.northernjacks.com/post/things-i-like-and-recommend-while-social-distancing Cheers Andrew

Sail had quite a few of the Pelican Kayaks in stock when I was looking - nice boats My only advice for anyone who is planning on buying a kayak (winning is another story) is to check it out in person and try sitting in it, ideally in the water. I totally was convinced of the brand and type of kayak I wanted until I did a water test. I found the seat to be flimsy and uncomfortable and so i went in a different direction I have fished out of mine for over 5 hours straight w no issues and my back always give me issues lol

I am being lazy and not going all the way back and reading every comment but as a new kayak owner here is my perspective I bought a kayak at the end of the summer. I have access to cottages with nice boats but work, life, family etc allows me to get there 2 or 3 times a summer and I was not getting my fill of fishing, Enter the kayak I love it - to date I have spent about $1200 on the package including a way to load it in my pick up (5.5 box) It has allowed me to spend some time fishing locally, do some day trips and I will most likely bring it to cottages and camping whenever that happens again. I don't think it will replace boats or will be for everyone but I do believe it certain parts of the US and Canada it has really taken off - cheaper jump in point, better for accessing certain spots and for some a better connection to water/nature Cheers Gody

Wow Chris those are some scary stories I agree w all re a way to communicate. Roughly our sat phone packages worked out to $30 a guy for our week long trips. Worth the peace of mind IMO Cheers Andrew

Glad you enjoyed it Dutch If you are in the GTA watch groupon or call Dave Arama (I highlighted him in the post) we did groupon for his course and was reasonable for us and really good I have looked at the Garmins as well and they have a great rep. Generally I do one trip max a year where cell phone is no good so we have generally just rented a satellite phone and bring my handheld GPS Cheers Andrew

I will admit that I love anything to do with bushcraft or wilderness prep - Survivorman, Bear Grylls the Last Alaskans, Alone - I love it all When we first started our back country trips and eventually fly ins we did some planning for our safety - we did a wilderness prep course and 2 of our group did a wilderness first aid course I usually have a small personal survival pack on me at all times and we bring a big first aid kit packed by a RN Photo is of our group on our first ever Algonquin trip Interested in hearing others tips and tricks and I posted my thoughts here https://www.northernjacks.com/post/i...ook-in-the-eye Cheers Andrew

Thanks guys and I hear you memories are the thing. I think there is a saying about being rich in memories is something to aspire to!

Thanks for all the replies guys Krattor sounds like a great trip = I don't know much about Erie for smallies but spent a lot of time fishing musky in the Kawarthas and loved it Dutch - mine would be walleye, smallies and musky Bill - I hear ya bass are a great species to target and in Southern Ontario abundant

For as long as I can remember smallmouth bass have been my favorite fish to catch. Aggressive, sometimes elusive but never dull I love fishing for them While I haven't fished for everything that swims based on my current data set smallies are the cats A#$ for me Newest post if up https://www.northernjacks.com/post/the-bronze-bomber Cheers Andrew