During this crazy summer of 2020, I had a rare chance to get together with my long-time fishing buddy, tournament fishing partner, public and high school pal and, of course, frequent beer-drinking cohort, Mike Burriss. This was our second get-together for the year (the first was a Smallmouth Bass slaying we did on Lake Ontario), and I’m […]

Gord Pyzer, aka The Doc, was a mainstay of the long-running Outdoor Journal Radio Show hosted by Angelo Viola. Here, in his first guest spot on Fish’n Canada Live, the Doc joins Angelo and Pete to give some insight into fishing transition periods. In particular, he provides helpful tips for how to fish the fall […]

I know. You’re saying, “What the hell is Bowman talking about now? Why would anyone want to make their fish look small?”  Well, I had a recent fishing outing with a couple of buddies. Not only do they starkly contrast with each others’ looks, when you add me into the mix, it’s like night and […]

Update: The original post indicated that Largemouth Bass have been in the St. John River since the late nineteenth century. In fact, Smallmouth Bass have been in the river since then—1890, to be exact. Largemouth have been in the river for only the last fifteen years.  After many years of competitive angling, my interest in […]

David MacLachlan is the Executive Director for Destination Northern Ontario, an organization committed to building and maintaining a strong tourism industry for Northern Ontario. He is also the owner of Lodge 88, one of Fish’n Canada’s favourite Northern Ontario fishing destinations. (Lodge 88 has featured prominently in many of Fish’n Canada’s most exciting Northern Ontario […]

Buck Martinez is well-known for his career as a Major League Baseball catcher and manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. Currently, he’s known as the voice of the Jays, providing the television play-by-play commentary. A lesser-known fact about this sports celebrity, however, is that he is an avid fisherman. Buck’s passion for the outdoors and, […]

There’s an art to paddling a canoe solo. But once you’ve mastered it, the wilderness is your oyster. Imagine how many remote fish-filled lakes are just waiting for you. Check out this video of some of my solo canoe paddling tips: The Goony and the J-Stroke There are a number of innovations when it comes […]

Lake Ontario Smallmouth Bass: Freaks of Nature It’s been a while since I’ve hit Lake Ontario for Smallmouth Bass. Shame on me for letting the time pass. Why? Because it’s one of the absolute best smallie waters in the entire universe. Breaking down specific lake geography, it’s the eastern basin of Lake Ontario that tops […]

Canoe sales and rentals have increased dramatically in the last couple of months. It seems heading out with a canoe and fishing gear is a great way to escape the COVID craziness. There’s also a lot more people wanting to go out alone. After all, it definitely defines social distancing. I just got back from […]

The First Catch If I close my eyes, I can almost feel the tug on the line. I was ten years old and it was my first fish—a Northern Pike pulled out of Bear Lake near Sudbury, Ontario. It changed my life. I think back on how it happened. It started with the discovery of […]

Well, with Bass season now in full swing for 2020, the long wait through another cold, Canadian winter is all but a memory. With the pandemic hitting us square in the ass, a day on the water during the warmer months is a relief. I went out for both the Ontario Zone 17 and 15 […]

Over the last number of years, I have interacted with many talented fishery researchers here on the east coast. One of the most troublesome things I have learned is how much we really don’t know about our fisheries. Governments have chronically underfunded recreational fisheries and any research studies required to understand our local species. This […]

A Better Place Economists look at the unprecedented growth of the global economy and of international trade and investment and see a promising future with more of the same. That was pre-pandemic. Things have changed now. It’s been a long time coming. Ecologists have always seen the economy in conflict with the environment everywhere:  collapsing […]

The people I’ve got to know in the paddling and angling community fully comprehend that when we spend time in wild places something profound goes on. Now, more than ever, we need to hear their voices. So, I’ve spent some time interviewing a bunch of my paddling and angling colleagues and had them tell their […]

The Social Media Hive A Dip in the Deep End Although I am a very social person when it comes to live interaction with other human beings, I’ll be the first to admit that I have not yet fully been assimilated into the social media hive. Sometimes I feel that I am the only person […]

Hey guys, If there is a bright side to this temporary madness called self-isolation, it’s that it gives us time to reflect and appreciate some of the things that we have been taking for granted for far too long. For over thirty years, Pete and I have been blessed to share our love for fishing […]

On a past trip to Ontario’s Algoma Region, Ang and I had a chance to really dig into one of Garmin’s extremely valuable features in the chartplotter/fishfinder world. This feature is called Quickdraw. THE LAKE We were based out of Buck Lake Wilderness Lodges and Outposts. Buck Lake (Lake Obakamiga) is a typical Ontario Walleye/Pike […]

It’s dangerous, it’s dumb, it’s illegal—but you have to admit, it’s kind of funny. Apparently, the latest craze in fishing, hunting, camping, and outdoors shopping is The Bass Pro Challenge, which is taking a plunge in the gigantic fish tanks at different Bass Pro Shops locations and broadcasting the antics on social media and apps […]

Historically, East Coast recreational anglers have primarily targeted trout and salmon species. But given the habitat changes over the last 25 years, the reduction in overall stocks, and lack of successful fishing trips, many East Coast anglers have given up the sport in favour of more exciting endeavours. In the last five years, with events […]

Going Off-Grid in Ontario means that you are able to produce your own renewable energy to cover your unique needs and establish complete freedom and independence from local distribution companies! Say goodbye to unexpected energy expenses and increase your own ability to be less dependent.  There is no better time than now to become more independent. Today, […]