gordy28

I usually read a lot over the winter months but this year I found my intake increasing dramatically Brian Castner’s Disappointment River, Finding and Losing the Northwest Passage is a rare hybrid Following the authors quest to retrace Alexander Mackenzie’s route up the river that would eventually bear his name it is part paddling adventure, part history lesson and very entertaining I really enjoyed it and it got me dreaming of journeys taken and yet to take and really had me hyped for Spring/Summer https://www.northernjacks.com/post/book-review-disappointment-river-finding-and-losing-the-northwest-passage Cheers Andrew

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it Andrew

I think I have pointed out my love of a good spot name before Over the years so many have become almost mythical in my memory, this one particular hump - known as The Hump on Shekak Lake really stands out Second fly in, first day of fishing was really tough and I have convinced a good friend to join - I am feeling the heat lol Then along comes the Hump https://www.northernjacks.com/post/humping-around Cheers Andrew

Wow - that is one beautiful rod! Kudos to you sir Thanks for sharing Andrew

True - thats a better word for it. I know we did our first bonfire fish fry on out last trip (typically we have had a camp stove) and while it was a better experience it was a bit of a gong show in the beginning Cheers Andrew

Newest post is up As much as I would love to do all my fishing on hard to access Northern lakes the reality is a big chunk of my fishing is at the cottage with the family Over the years I have simplified what I take w me since I have to make room for family, dog and all of the gear that comes w middle age Here’s an overview of my setup which has served me really well the last few summers https://www.northernjacks.com/post/cottage-fishing-set-up-with-the-family Cheers Andrew

Thanks guys Glad you enjoyed it. And yes fire, grease and bare feet is brave lol Andrew

The last Tales from Post seemed to get a solid response so I have added a new one This is Tales from The Lodge - an interview with Gord Bastable, owner of Vermillion Bay Lodge on Eagle Lake It was a really interesting chat and a bit of an eye opener about a day in the life of running a fishing camp https://www.northernjacks.com/post/tales-from-the-lodge Cheers and thanks for reading Andrew

Thanks John - for sure Right now we have a canoe tripped plan for this summer but theres an outside chance of a short fly in potentially as well Cheers Andrew

My group had the experience of booking a trip in August 2019 for August 2020 Needless to say what we thought we were doing and what we ended up doing were two different things Yet this trip was one of my favorites - mainly because we ended up going (at a few points we were sure it wasn't going to happen) and because once at the outpost life felt relatively normal With much of Canada still being in various stages of lockdown I thought it may be helpful to share how we managed it https://www.northernjacks.com/post/planning-your-fishing-trip-during-the-pandemic Cheers Andrew

Nope - I am not training for a marathon or a boxing match - I am way to far gone for that On our first fly in trip I was a bit freaked out by the idea of "making weight" Coming in with the right amount of stuff, not forgetting something and having enough beer and stogies for the week Over the years our group has come up with our own system for making it work and I will say on our 2020 trip I never really thought about it. (Well I will say a small bead of sweat may have appeared when all of the beer hit the scales) https://www.northernjacks.com/post/the-weight Cheers Andrew

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great kit. I use Plano trays as well and big lures are not easy to put in and I always find they get jammed up and eventually crack the box. Years ago I remember seeing a musky show (maybe the Next Bite) and the kit the used for trolling was a 5 gallon pail with lures hanging down inside the bucket. In my mind it was a good alternative as well Cheers Andrew

Normally I would try to space out product reviews more but wanted to get this one up while its still seasonally relevant and when most retailers are clearing out winter gear Bought this jacket for hiking and walking as an in between option for when my parka was to warm and my fleece not warm enough So far I have been quite happy with it - and I love that I got it for a great price on Boxing Day https://www.northernjacks.com/post/product-review-helly-hansen-lifaloft-hooded-jacket Cheers Andrew

Congrats - just took a look at the website and those look like fun and very practical for getting into those back lakes Cheers Andrew

Thanks Bill. Chris is great and very knowledgeable. Hoping to wet a line together for sure Thanks Bill Appreciate the feedback and hope to keep writing as well. Have been enjoying it

When My group did our first ever trip we relied a lot on generous people providing there insight into destinations, lakes and outfitters Part of the goal for Northern Jacks has been to bring that to the forefront and if possible provide some tips and tricks for those looking to take a fishing trip or paddling or just spending time in the outdoors' A new addition called Tales from is part of that experiment - interviews with people about what moves them in the outdoors First up is Tales from the Float Plane with Chris Brock - who has provided my tons of great info and is just an all around good guy https://www.northernjacks.com/post/tales-from-the-float-plane If anyone is interested in offering up their own Tales from feel free to PM me here or email through the site - would love to have one of these up every month or so Cheers Andrew

Like many on this site I am sure over the years I have built up a healthy stockpile of fishing cr$p in the garage Heck my pile even includes an 12 foot kayak A while ago I decided to organize, sell some stuff, give some stuff away and most importantly get my rod and reel combos out of the corner and onto a rack lest they be broken I bought myself a tackle station from BPS and decided to do a review https://www.northernjacks.com/post/product-review-bass-pro-shops-tackle-station Cheers Andrew

For sure it’s a great way to kill some time in the down months. I am not sure I save any money but something sweet about catching a fish on a homemade lure I like the Mustad slow death as well. So far I think red is my best colour for those hooks Andrew

A few winters ago - probably through this site I saw a few threads about making your own lures Considering my love of the worm harness I started there I am generally building/making things challenged - not handy at all but with a few good Youtube videos and articles I found a way to power through https://www.northernjacks.com/post/how-to-tie-your-own-worm-harnesses Cheers Andrew

Thanks Bunk! I think I called it out in the post but your trips are the reason Plummers made my list! I think one of the reasons this would be a "special event" trip is the fact that I would probably go full out. I have never targeted lakers before - never caught one and I think I would be useless on such a huge lake lol. Anyway - when this one rolls around I will be hitting you up for sure for tips and tricks! Who knows if you are ever looking to fill out a group, hit me up lol Cheers Andrew

I spend a good chunk of time researching potential trip destinations - especially during the winter A while back I did a bucket list post but I limited my fishing choice to just on trip Newest post focuses on a few fishing trips I would like to take - my interest in the spot can be species, location or water body https://www.northernjacks.com/post/bucket-list-revisited-fishing-only-edition Cheers Andrew

Awesome - I took a look at the Bounce Lake website - nice new cabin and the fact that it seems booked solid is a good sign I would guess Enjoy - I know our first fly in was magical and I am sure you and your family will love it Andrew

Slow on the draw or slow on the read on this one Bunk but as always enjoyed and it got me to review a post or two I missed Cheers Andrew

Thanks for sharing - enjoyed that video and glad to see you back online Simon Cheers Andrew

It's been a while but I finally managed to get a new post up Meal planning is always a big discussion point ahead of our trips. Generally we are looking for a blend of good food, east prep and a budget that doesnt break the bank. To some degree we are also s of weight - to many canned goods = less beer lol This time around we were doing new things - flying commercially and shopping in Thunder Bay and we had a vegan amongst us! https://www.northernjacks.com/post/top-5-meals-from-our-2020-trip Cheers Andrew