Contents -- Chapter Descriptions

CHAPTER 1 -- UNDERSTANDING THE WILDERNESS FISHING EXPERIENCE

So what is it really like "up there"? Read this chapter and you will want to start packing.

CHAPTER 2 -- HOW TO SELECT A LODGE

We have seen folks collect scores of brochures, start to look them over and give up because they are overwhelmed by the mountain of information. Another season goes by and they still don't go fishing. That's unfortunate because selecting a lodge is easy if you follow the advice in this chapter. You will also have far more confidence that the decision you do make is the right one.

And this chapter could save you money; lots of money.

CHAPTER 3 -- DECIDING HOW TO GET THERE

Driving or flying on commercial airlines a portion of the way are obvious means of transportation. But they are not necessarily accomplished as easily as in the U.S. Before assuming you will drive (or fly) read this chapter.

 We also offer suggestions for alternative means of getting there.

CHAPTER 4 -- SELECTING YOUR COMPANIONS

Whether you are the one forming the fishing group or have been invited to go along, this is a "must read" chapter! What should be the trip of a lifetime can turn sour when there are incompatible fishing partners -- or simple misunderstandings.

Chapter 4 will alert you to the issues that can cause friction and show how to head off trouble.

CHAPTER 5 -- FINAL BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS

This chapter was written for the group leader. There's more to being the leader than just sending in a check to cover the deposit and waiting for a confirmation letter.

This chapter will lead you through the items that need to be verified/resolved in connection with booking the trip.

CHAPTER 6 -- PRE-TRIP TO-DO LIST

Likewise there is more to getting ready than throwing clothes and fishing gear in the trunk a half hour before leaving. Chapter 6 contains advice on preparations that should be started a month or so before the departure date.

For example, we alert the reader to the fact that many health insurance companies and Medicare do not provide coverage for subscribers when they are out of the country. Then, if they choose to do so, there is time to obtain supplementary insurance. There is also information as to: what the Canadian government requires regarding car insurance, where to get maps, what documentation is required for crossing the border, and more.

CHAPTER 7 --WHAT TO PACK AND HOW TO PACK

For the novice, figuring out what needs to be taken along is the second most daunting task. (The first is deciding where to go.)  

The recommendations of Chapter 7 as to what to pack regarding personal gear, gear for the group, and groceries -- along with the accompanying check lists in Appendices 1, 2, 3, and 4 will make it easy.

As to how to pack, this chapter should be required reading for anyone flying to a remote outpost where it is essential that nothing is forgotten and yet both the weight and the volume of gear is minimized. We can always pick out the rookies by looking at their gear as it is loaded onto the plane.

CHAPTER 8 --ON THE WAY

Prior chapters will get you going, but what about the travelling? Is driving in Canada the same as in the U. S. ? For the most part yes, but this chapter tells you the exceptions. For example, do you know which provinces allow their police to confiscate radar detectors even if they are turned off and stored in the trunk?

Additionally there are some tips regarding commercial airline flights. For the folks flying private planes, we have the addresses for obtaining flight maps and for filing flight plans.

CHAPTER 9 -- CROSSING THE BORDER; IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS LAWS

Here we have a concise summary of Canadian immigration regulations and the laws regarding the importation of liquor, tobacco and firearms.

We have also included a few little known provincial laws that could be a surprise to the traveller.

CHAPTER 10 -- FLYING TO THE OUTPOST 

The vacation is about to start! Here's what you can expect for the bush plane flight to the outpost.

CHAPTER 11 -- AT THE CABIN 

The basics of living in a cabin are revealed. What about wolves? What about bears? Why is the wood stove smoking up the cabin?

CHAPTER 12 -- SETTING UP THE BOAT

Tips on how to set up the boat for some serious fishing -- good advice whether fishing in the middle of nowhere or on a local lake.

CHAPTER 13 -- HANDLING THE BOAT

This chapter is a supplement to the generic boating manuals in that the advice herein is geared specifically to handling a boat on a wilderness lake. For example, how not to get lost when everything looks the same. Therefore, even the experienced boater would do well to read this one.

For those who are unfamiliar with running an outboard motor we go through step-by-step instructions for starting the motor.

CHAPTER 14 --FISHING REGULATIONS; SO YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW IT ALL

Ignorance is not bliss. Here we give you a "heads up" on the lesser known regulations. We're confident even the seasoned fisherman will learn something.

CHAPTER 15 -- THE BIG ONES AND THE NOT-SO-BIG ONES

This chapter will describe how to handle all fish; the big ones and the not-so-big ones, how to keep the eating fish fresh, and how to land even a big northern without a net.

But most important, there is well-tested advice which will greatly increase your chances of landing "the big one". 

CHAPTER 16 -- CLEANING FISH

Learn the basic technique for fileting that can be used on most species of fish.

Plus we show how to get the Y-bones out of northern pike fillets so you can enjoy completely boneless fillets. (Few fishermen know how to do this.) 

There is also a section on how to "gut and gill" a fish in case you are fishing in a region that has slot limits.  

CHAPTER 17 -- SHORE LUNCH

The famous Canadian shore lunch. Here's the "how-to".

CHAPTER 18 -- GOING HOME

This chapter covers the preparations for heading home. We tell how to make "supercooled" ice to keep your fish colder on the way home.

It also outlines the laws regarding duty free imports, what can and what can not be brought back into the United States.

CHAPTER 19 -- TAXES AND REBATES

Chapter 19 could save you the price of this book several times over.

The Canadian federal government will rebate the tax paid on certain items. Some of the provinces will also rebate a portion of their sales tax. This chapter tells which provinces charge the least tax, which charge the most, which rebate the most, what purchases qualify, and how to get the rebates.

CHAPTER 20 -- SO WHAT'S THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN?

Fishing on a remote lake is like paradise, but even paradise had a snake in the garden.

This chapter will help you to make the best of what could go wrong: fish hooks in the finger, medical emergencies, leaking boat, lost on the water, ...

APPENDIX 1 -- COMPREHENSIVE GROCERY LIST

The comprehensive list of groceries, it is intended as a starting point from which you can pick and choose.  

APPENDIX 2 -- SAMPLE MENUS AND ACTUAL GROCERY LIST

There are two sample menus. The first was from a trip for just the two of us to a fly-in outpost. The second menu, and the corresponding grocery list showing the quantities, was used for a group of 13 going to a drive-in camp.

APPENDIX 3 -- PERSONAL GEAR

This is a checklist for the gear each person should take. It should be used in conjunction with CHAPTER 7 --WHAT TO PACK AND HOW TO PACK which explains the rational behind the items on the list.

APPENDIX 4 -- GEAR FOR THE GROUP

Here is the checklist for the gear that will be needed by the group. It should be used in conjunction with CHAPTER 7 --WHAT TO PACK AND HOW TO PACK .

APPENDIX 5 -- QUESTIONS TO ASK PROSPECTIVE LODGES

As a supplement to CHAPTER 2 -- HOW TO SELECT A LODGE, we have condensed, in an outline format, the question you may want to ask the lodge representatives.

APPENDIX 6 -- ADDRESSES OF TOURISM DEPARTMENTS AND INFORMATION RESOURCES

We have compiled the addresses and phone numbers of federal and provincial/territorial agencies relevant to planning a fishing trip. The departments of tourism addresses will provide maps and a listing of fishing lodges. The fish and wildlife agencies will send fishing regulations. The Canadian map offices will sell detailed lake maps. Outfitters Associations provide information specific to their respective regions.

APPENDIX 7 -- METRIC/ENGLISH CONVERSIONS

Canada uses the metric system. Appendix 7 will first give you some quick and dirty conversions that will be close enough for most purposes and then provides a tabulation of the exact conversion formulas.