Your Fishing Escape

Vacations come in all shapes and sizes; some people enjoy going from a museum to an exhibit to a gallery; others like to soak up the heat on a beach in the Caribbeans; while others prefer to avoid the scores of people entirely and go after some game. For those Canadian Fly in Fishing and Hunting is the best choice. I will share with you what you can expect, what you should bring, what you should avoid, and which companies you should plan your trip with. You can think of this as a Canadian Fly in Fishing and Hunting Guide.

My name is Jeremy Wadford, I’ve been fishing all over North America and over the past few years I have been on a couple of those fly in fishing trips to Canada. I enjoyed it; caught some walleye, lots of pike and a 28lb trout!

I’m telling you, this was a great trip and you should go! Leave your wife, your kids at home, take your buddies and fly in to Canada for a week to have the best fishing and hunting time ever. Seriously, ever! This is unlike any weekend trip out of town. The feel is completely different when you cross the border to hunt and fish in Canada.

What To Expect On Your Canadian Fly-In Fishing Trip

It’s a good idea to do your research first. There are 2 main companies that you can plan your trip with (see “Who To Plan Your Canadian Fly-In Fishing Trip With” below), and the staff at each one is well prepared to make your fishing trip an amazing one; so expect to be well taken care of.

Expect a boat and motor, solar-powered lighting, hot and cold running water, showers, fully equipped kitchens and comfortable furniture. The Clean Cabin Deposit (typically $100) guarantees you well maintained cabins with ample room for up to 8 adults. As a rule satellite telephones for emergency use are provided, but it’s still a good idea to make sure that they do have them at all their cabins, or at least at the cabin you’ll be staying in.

When we planned our first Canadian fly in fishing and hunting trip we found that a lot of the following things were provided to us:

Wide, heavy duty 14″ Alumarine boats with swivel seats
6 – 15HP motors and unlimited gas
Marine safety equipment (emergency kits)
Paddles
Anchors
Landing nets
Minnow buckets
Life vests/life jackets (they are mandatory, and whenever they are not included, they are available for rent)
Kitchens with cooking and eating utensils (pots, pans, plates, knives, forks, etc.)
Large propane refrigerators, stoves and freezers
Solar powered lights
Backup propane lights
High pressure solar water system with hot and cold water
Shower and urinal
Wood burning stove for heating
Firewood
Screened-in porches, 200 square foot decks /w benches
Covered area with propane and Charcoal BBQ
Fish cleaning areas with running water
Satellite phones accessible to each camp
Flight checks of our camp (should we need it, assistance would be quick)
Wooden walkways from dock to cabin

*When you plan your trip, read carefully what is provided, and where, because while the above is pretty much standard, we misread the provided features and learned only after-the-fact that some items are provided in select cabins. While I expected the items I listed below, they were unavailable to the cabin we booked. So for our next Canadian fly in fishing trip we will book the cabin with the following provided:

Canned pork & beans
Canned corn
Canned green beans
Canned fruit cocktail
Ketchup, mustard, relish
Flour & sugar
Salt & pepper
Dish soap & bleach
Mr. Clean, S.O.S. & garbage bags
Paper towels & toilet paper

Any problems with equipment you can expect to be taken care of quickly. The guys running the place really want to leave you with a Canadian fly in fishing experience you will brag to your pals about, so they are quick to fix your motor, provide you with gas and help you out in every possible way. When I went, they marked our map and spend some time with us to help us along, before we headed into the lake.

What To Bring On Your Canadian Fly In Fishing Trip

First remember that whichever company you chose, you are almost guaranteed plane transportation in and out of camp from Red Lake. This means that there will be certain limitations on how much you can bring. The limit is most likely to be 100 lbs per person. The weight restrictions are very strict, so plan your fishing trip well!

The bare minimums include duffel bag or backpack for personal gear including clothing, 1 sleeping bag (or blanket), 1 tackle box and 1 small cooler for the boat. A total of 4 items per person and that should be it for a total weight of 60 pounds per person.

General/Personal

Warm clothing and rain
Mosquito coils
Insect repellent and sunscreen
Sleeping bag or blankets (pillows are often provided)
read more

Read the Complete Canadian Fly In Fishing and Hunting Guide HERE

The United States has many forests, but all of them cannot be counted as public hunting lands. Compared to many other states, Minnesota can provide a fair number of public hunting lands for the eager hunter. Also, plenty of resources are available to provide information regarding these lands. As a matter of fact, Minnesota public hunting land maps are readily provided by the Minnesota DNR or Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

All the public hunting properties looked after by the state of Minnesota can be pinpointed on the Minnesota public hunting land maps. Hunting regulations and rules slightly vary in each type of land.

According to the Minnesota public hunting land maps, hunting areas in this state have been categorized as follows–

(1) Wildlife Management Areas.
(2) State Forests.
(3) Wildlife Protection Areas.
(4) National Wildlife Refuges.
(5) National Forests.
(6) Industrial Forest Lands.
(7) County-owned Lands.

Each kind of land is described below–

(1) The Department of Natural Resources looks after uplands, woods and wetlands listed as “Wildlife Management Areas”. Public hunting is allowed on these locations during the normal hunting season.

(2) There are 56 forests belonging to the state. Covering an area of three million acres, these “state forests” are home to animals like bear, deer, ruffled grouse and moose. The public is given access for hunting in these areas.

(3) Some areas are under federal protection, yet open for limited public hunting. These “Wildlife Protection Areas” consist of a few uplands and wetlands. The Minnesota Public Recreation Information (PRIM) maps will lend Minnesota public hunting land maps to search for these locations.

(4) The US Fish and Wildlife Service gives access to Minnesota public hunting land maps as well as hunting laws related to its 8 “National Wildlife Refuges”. Hunting is restricted to certain parts only, and the harvest allowed is limited.

(5) The 2 “National Forests” of the state are Superior and Chippewa. A hunter can get Minnesota public hunting land maps for directions to these northern forests from the US National Forest Service, since hunting is allowed on these properties.

(6) Large companies dealing with forest products also own “Industrial Forest Lands”. Hunters are geneally allowed access to these properties during the regular hunting season, unless a company wants to use its land for another purpose.

(7) Landowners who have not been able to pay their taxes, lose their properties (generally forested areas) to the government. They are then considered as “County-owned Lands”. There are Minnesota public hunting land maps to provide directions as well as the list of hunting regulations to be followed. Each county has its own hunting laws. Also, the acreage varies from place to place.

The great outdoors offers a huge number of opportunities for getting out there and reclaiming your one-on-one enjoyment with nature though activities such as hunting fishing and hiking or camping.

If it’s been a while since you’ve indulged in any sort of strenuous outdoor activity, then consider getting a full physical first and tell your doctor that you’re wanting to pursue activities such as hunting fishing or hiking. This will ensure that you are physically able to enjoy these activities as well as catching any potential health problems that could be aggravated by a sudden increase in physical activity. If you get the green light from your doctor, get your fishing hunting gear together and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors.

Along with getting your physical health checked, you need to make sure to remember the safety basics for hunting fishing outdoor recreational activities. First of all, if you’re going to indulge in any of these pastimes, tell at least one other person where you are going and leave a map of the route you plan to take to your favorite fishing hole, place to hunt whitetail deer or hiking trail. It’s important because if you encounter a difficult situation and you are unable to call for help, then others will know the routes to take to find you.

For your hunting expedition, make sure that you are well-versed in the basics of gun safety. As well, it’s imperative to wear an orange reflective vest during deer hunting season so that you will not be mistaken for big game. Using a turkey call is a good way to let other hunters know you’re in the area too. Because the deer herd actually considers the call of a turkey to be calming, this won’t give away your location or cause the deer to run. Just remember that when engaging in hunting, being visible to other hunters will avoid a tragic accident.

Reconnecting with your family is a great aspect of enjoying outdoor recreational activities. Whether it’s hunting fishing or taking the family for a hike through a “not often traveled” trail, it’s great to get away from the stresses of life and enjoy the simple pleasures that don’t involve cell phones, laptop computers or text messages, at least for a weekend.

Product Description
Angler’s & Shooter’s Bookshelf: Out of Print and Rare Hunting and Fishing Books, Sporting Art: List 78, Part II, “L”-”Z”. Undated paperback…. More >>

Angler’s & Shooter’s Bookshelf: Out of Print and Rare Hunting and Fishing Books, Sporting Art: List 78, Part II, “L”-”Z”

The sky reflected neatly over the inviting blue and clear waters, home to the Tampa fishing charters – or merely an artistic delineation of an immovable inspiring scenery; only someone who’s fished in the blue of the Tampa Bay area can tell the tale right – and we guide you through the writing of one such!
In no later than 10 minutes of departing from the docks at Tampa, you can look forward to fishing fun in the clear and abundantly inhabited waters of the coastline here that is home to many species of healthy, clear-eyed and large size fish, including sharks! Fishermen hiring Tampa Fishing Charters are known to secure a heavy bite in a matter of minutes after casting a line – ready to reel in a small catch, if not the big one, (yeah, the kind that is fodder for those long, fishing tales – the one that got away? – Yes, that one only!)

So, those new to the sport of fishing are given added incentive of getting a fast and easy catch within minutes, which is encouraging and old hands at angling just get the added boost needed to reiterate their confidence when casting a line at Tampa coastline under good weather conditions and in the fishing season. Learning smart and fast is the right way to come back from the Tampa fishing charters experience with a basketful of fish besides a glorious tan so the fishing tales have an added color to them – and you have memories to last a lifetime!

No dearth of fish ensures no dearth of fishing tales either and Tampa fishing charters rely heavily on being home to so many species of fish that are readily available for its visitors, such as the Redfish, sharks, snook and sharks among others. Thus, with a good guide who is knowledgeable about the techniques and fishing hot-spots, which are generously shared out among tourists, there is immense opportunity for visitors to Tampa gaining necessary fishing experience and – a tasty dinner too!

The best Tampa fishing charters include a Tarpon hunt adventure. The mere size of the Tarpon and the fight it puts up when it is caught is what makes the Tarpon a favorite game for any angler. Many fishermen agree that there is an art in pulling in one of these great fish, and that it is not something most amateurs can handle. In their attempt to get away from the trap can end up pulling in the angler into the drink. Fishing for Tarpon is one of the most desired adventures in the Tampa Bay, with almost every angler trying to bring in the great silver king on every fishing trip you embark on.

Coin Hunting or ‘Coin Shooting’ as it’s often called, is not only very fun to do, but it can easily be very profitable. Finding just one gold piece or any rare coin can easily pay for the cost of the metal detector. When it comes to Coin Hunting or ‘Coin Shooting’, there are some places that I call ‘hot spots’, or the best places.

Riverbanks – Ponds – Lakes – Swimming Holes: These locations are true treasure hunting top spots. The Riverbank is a huge area that can provide a lifetime of detecting. River banks were used as ferry crossings, and some had covered bridges with toll stations. The local old timers may be able to tell you where the local fishing and old swimming spots were. Remember many of the old fishing spots were also drinking and partying spots, and at the swimming holes a lot of people took off their outer clothes, losing change as they did. And going back even earlier in the years, folks would take their clothes to the riverbanks to wash them in the water. The same goes for old farm ponds, many were used as a favorite summer time swimming spot or picnic area. The banks and shores of rivers, ponds, streams, lakes etc, are great locations for coins, jewelry, trinkets and more.

Schools – Churches: These are also ‘HOT’ areas for metal detecting, most towns or even rural areas have a school, some have multiple ones. Schools that are currently open during school season are a great place to find modern coins and even a few clad coins, also numerous trinkets, diecast cars, and cheaper jewelry items can easily be found on modern school grounds.

If you are as lucky as I am, then you live in a rural or country area that keeps a lot of their old buildings. I know where there are two old buildings that served as one room school houses, these places were open in the late 1800′s to the early 1940′s. Just imagine the wonderful finds these old grounds may be hiding. The old one room school houses also served as churches, social halls, farm grange buildings, and as meeting places for scouts, ladies aid societys and more.

Many old Churches and one room school houses had there own treasure chests, that’s right. When these buildings were constructed, the local kids and adults would bury a chest on the grounds or under a corner stone of the building. The chest was a sort of time capsule containing coins, newspapers and other unique items from the time when the building was erected. Many of these old buildings rotted away over time, and folks forgot about the buried time capsule located near the corner stone.

Searching the land a church is on is like searching for a pirates loot, you never know what you may find. And a lot of churches are very old, even many of the modern ones are like schools, they are built on the grounds where old ones stood. Churches were often the first buildings built in many towns. Right here where I live are numerous churches, and one was built in the early 1700′s. Church buildings not only housed people on sundays but, most were wedding sites, reception halls, dance halls, dinner sites, ice cream social locations, group meeting spots and much more.

Woods – The woods can be awesome for metal detecting if one knows what to look for. Look for old paths, those are great places to detect along. Old paths in the woods served as shortcuts to open fields for farmers to get their equipment through, or for cattle to follow and more. In a wooded area not far from where I grew up as a child I know where there is an old path, now grown up with trees and bushes, most folks would overlook it or not know it’s history. My grandfather and dad built the road by blasting stumps with dynamite and by hand cutting trees. They used the path to quickly get tractors, and other farm machinery to another open field below the woods. Just imagine the number of times my own dad and grandfather probably sat along that old road, eating their lunch or sipping some cool lemonaid underneath the shade of a large tree. Any time someone sat along a road eating lunch, they would often pull an old cloth hanky from their pocket to blow their nose or even wipe their mouth, often losing some pocket change at the same time.

Another rare but great metal detecting site that can often be found in the woods is old stone foundations and old stone chimneys, each has the potential for a rare gold coin or a jar of old silver dollars. Remember at one time this old stone foundation or fireplace was part of a familys home, with kids playing, parties and numerous outdoor activites.

Some other great Metal Detecting sites are – Parks, Beaches, Old Ball Fields, Playgrounds, Fairgrounds, Camping Sites, Camps, Ghost Towns, Battlefields, Old Picnic Spots. Make sure that you have permission to search and dig in any location you are going to do your detecting at.

There is Computer Software that is made just for the hobby of Metal Detecting. The software is called: ‘Metal Detector – Treasure Hunter Professional’, and may be seen at this website address:

http://www.rb59.com/md/meal.html

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2006

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