gordy28

As shoulder season stretches on I find myself anxiously awaiting Spring. I try to keep busy hiking, snowshoeing and have even been dipping my toe into ice fishing but still summer calls Most years I use the time to get ready for upcoming trips This year I have a busy slate, two canoe trips and a fly in plus whatever cottage fishing comes my way here’s a few of the things I do to ensure I am ready and kill some time https://www.northernjacks.com/post/prepping-for-your-big-trip Thanks Andrew

For sure. Drive ins are a solid option as our bait ins or paddle tos A big chunk of my fishing is done on busier cottage lakes which is why I think I love getting away from the crowds so much thanks for all of the comments Andrew

Crazy timing. Just got back yesterday from some ice fishing in Gooderham at my brothers cottage i haven’t fished many lakes in the area but the ones that I have had are good bass lakes. Plan on doing some exploring this summer and have spent some time on fish online looking for opps. Not a ton of walleye around but lots of bass, lakers, rainbow and even Brookie action within a 40 min drive in Gooderham there is a timbr mart, small general store, gas station and LCBO for most other things you are heading to Haliburton or Bancroft as someone mentioned cheers Andrew

Thanks appreciate the compliment! Have a few trips on tap for 2022 to be written up

Sorry about the loss of your Dad, having gone through a similar experience in 2021 I can empathize A great season of musky fishing! In my experience they are a worthy adversary so kudos to you cheers Andrew

I get asked a lot about my favorite outdoors trip. While they have always been amazing if pressed I would say my most memorable trip was the first fly in outpost trip I did in 2014. At this stage I would say fly in outpost trips are my preferred trip, for a lot of different reasons. A big one for me is that feeling when the plane leaves you at the dock on “your” lake for the week Here’s my reasons why https://www.northernjacks.com/post/why-fly-in-outpost-trips-are-the-best Andrew

I wanted to get a Christmas themed post out this week Instead of a shopping list I thought about some of the good and bad of trips in 2021 - and came out with a quick naughty or nice list https://www.northernjacks.com/post/the-naughty-and-nice-list-trip-version All the best to everyone over the holidays - enjoy, be safe and hopefully you get that piece of gear you wanted Andrew

No worries. To funny that you knew Kish. One of the few fly in outpost lakes w Muskie Best of luck Andrew

I have yet to do a fly in with small mouth but I have looked a bit as I also love fishing for them As others mentioned typically you are looking at places out of Atikokan, Vermillion Bay, Nestor Falls Kashabowie Outposts has a few lakes w smallies https://kashabowieoutposts.com/ So does Wilderness Air https://www.wilderness-air-escapes.com/ Google Kishkutena Lake as there are a few different outfitters on the lake it has Smallies, Musky and Lakers (no walleye though) If you use Adam Dempseys site https://fishingoutposts.com/ you can search by amenities and species (among many other things) Best of luck Andrew

Thanks - glad you enjoyed! I am a solid 5 but going to make a concentrated effort this winter to enjoy some ice fishing Cheers Andrew

Wandering the isle of a local fishing store for the 3 time in as many weeks looking for something I really didn’t need it dawned on me that I may have a problem Newest post is up. My effort at some satire during this painful shoulder season lol https://www.northernjacks.com/post/top-5-signs-you-may-have-a-fishing-problem Cheers Andrew

Cool. Thanks! Cool stuff

Brian great looking fly! Question when you tie are you following an established pattern and making personal tweaks or do you just make them based on matching the hatch? I don’t know much about flies or fly tying but it’s really an interesting hobby cheers Andrew

Hey there In your targeted areas I have been to Lady Evelyn twice and enjoyed the trip. I did American plan and housekeeping. Happy to provide more details but overall Lady E was great. Not to far, felt remote and fishing was good. Reports on my blog here https://www.northernjacks.com/post/things-that-go-bang-in-the-night We also went to Brennan Harbour one year which is in Spanish Ontario. It was American plan but I believe the offer different packages including housekeeping. We enjoyed our trip, fishing was good and it’s relatively close the to GTA Report here https://www.northernjacks.com/post/fat-bottom-bouncers-make-the-fishing-world-go-round We also did 2 fly ins w White River air as well which would be close to your distance preferred. Two reports on my blog as well depending on time of year you plan on going and the lake you may get that close to your budget Cheers and best of luck Andrew

Wow that’s a huge trout. Congrats

Like most Fisherman and outdoors enthusiasts I am always on the hunt for new gear but I am thrifty lol I tend to keep an eye on flyers and sales so with Black Friday upon us I thought I would share some deals and products that have caught my eye this year https://www.northernjacks.com/post/top-5-items-for-black-friday-2021 These are not affiliate links just items and stores I tend to watch Cheers Andrew

So far our group has not had a bad experience on our trips - whether they be drive to, boat in, paddle in or fly in But we have yet to return to the same lake - I wanted to dig into that a bit Here are my observations https://www.northernjacks.com/post/the-thrill-of-new-experiences Cheers Andrew

After my first fly in and purchasing my most expensive combo I got a little worried about protecting my rods After some research I bought a Plano Guide Series Tube Its been on 3 or 4 commercial flights, 5 float plane rides and a bunch of trips jammed in the box of my pickup So far I have been happy - full review here https://www.northernjacks.com/post/gear-review-plano-guide-series-rod-tube Cheers Andrew

Thanks and glad you enjoyed Yeah I have been working on building up some social following - I need to do more video and definitely take more pictures when I get out - will try for some ice excursions this winter and planning on two canoe/fishing trips next summer on top of a fly in Cheers Andrew

When I started doing remote trips I would have considered myself a novice walleye fisherman on any lake other than the Kawarthas I was a one trick pony and fishing for pike - I could have counted the number of pike I caught on one hand (probably because it was pre pike in the Kawarthas) Over the years I think the trips have taught me to become a better angler - espcially for walleye and to some degree pike Here's my take on why I think I have improved https://www.northernjacks.com/post/how-remote-trips-improve-your-fishing-skills Cheers Andrew

I got mine from Amazon as I have a kindle Here is a link from Chapters/Indigo https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/braving-it-a-father-a/9780307461254-item.html?ikwid=braving+it&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=c6c5506a8910aa08ba20e1a11dd783a6

Newest Post is Up Its another book review - realize these are not my most popular posts but its my blog and I like to read lol This time around I review Braving It: A Father, a Daughter and an Unforgettable Journey into the Wild by James Campbell I really enjoyed this one and was surprised when Heimo Korth (if you know, you know) makes a visit https://www.northernjacks.com/post/book-review-braving-it Cheers and thanks for reading Andrew

Thanks Bill Andrew

The group of guys I do the bulk of my fishing and paddling with are all friends of 30 plus years With that kind of knowledge it makes for some great rip fests in the boat or at camp Its actually one of my favorite parts of our trips - some of our best burns are now decades old Heres a humorous post capturing some of my faves https://www.northernjacks.com/post/the-joy-of-banter Cheers Andrew

I would say Glenn Haffy in Caledonian/Mono area. Two stocked ponds but fairly big and at this time of year it shouldn’t be shoulder to shoulder. only downside is I am pretty sure next weekend is the last weekend of the season I took my daughter there when she was younger and we did well w bobbers Andrew