Oh The Anticipation...

As you can all see from my little nifty counter over there, I only have roughly TWO days before leaving on the BEST VACA EVER!! I am so excited about every single thing with this trip. There is so much potential for amazing views and wildlife and trophy fish that I am having trouble sleeping at night. I CAN'T WAIT... :) So.......today I am cleaning the house and stocking the fridge for the house-sitter. Then...it's on to the good stuff. I am packing my bags and taking stock of my tackle box. Now...my tackle box is full, but I bet I could fit one more lure into it. That lure I sneak in is gonna be the lucky one...I AM SURE!!!

But alas like with every vaca...there is of course one small problem. A few days ago I was flipping through the pages of the album of my last Pike fishing trip, and I realized something. I do not look very womanly when I fish in Canada. As a matter of fact, I look quite frumpy and fat. Now I know this is because of the layers that one must wear to...you know...not DIE of frostbite but still...for the last two or three days, I have been stressing over how to make myself appear more girly while fishing or at least while being photographed with a fish ;)

See...I know you guys don't think about these things, and I always take some pretty girly products along with me when I go...like nice shampoo and conditioner...or nice soap...these are things that make a girl feel good when she gets off the lake after a day of smelling like fish slime and goo. BUT...I want to look like a girl in my photos. I mean whats the use in catching a Monster fish in Canada if the fish is prettier to look at than you in the damn photo. (Okay I know that if I am catching Monster fish in Canada the fish is definately gonna be the awesome part of the photo...but it wouldn't hurt to be a sexy fisherbabe while holding it right?)

I have been asking folks for suggestions...and they have not been too helpful. One friend suggested I wear pink...well I do wear a pink parka but then I just look like a big fat man in a pink parka so that is really not helpful. Another chickie offered to bedazzle my stocking cap...LOL ummmmm yeah probably that's a no!!!! I might want to look like a woman but bedazzling isn't even in my vocabulary...LOL!!!!

You know...sometimes life just isn't fair. Men look so hot when they fish...all manly and dirty and stuff. I do not understand why it is impossible to look like a supermodel while holding a fish...but I am going to figure it out. So I am off to the make-up counter to find some awesome new crap to slather on my face that won't come off and will make me look like Heidi Klum no matter how much fish S**t I have on my face!!! ;)

Happy Shopping All :)

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

Who The Heck Likes To Go Grocery Shopping????

Well I do...but only if it means that I need food for an upcoming fishing trip. Shopping for groceries for a do it yourself fishing trip is a very important task and has to be planned out to the last packet of crystal light drink mix...otherwise you could end up very hungry and drinking lake water by the end of your trip. My family plans out every meal for every day and then counts every item of food for one person that would be needed for the number of days of the trip. That number is then multiplied by 4. There are a few tips that make the weight of the food a little less daunting. One tip is, of course, to eat fish a couple of nights. This keeps the weight down considerably. Another tips is to take along no pop or other drinks in cans or bottles. Crystal light packets are very small and light and make great kool-aid type drinks.

I struggled with trying to find the best way to show you how we pack food for a do it yourself trip. I finally just decided to give you the list for our upcoming trip. Keep in mind that this list feeds four people for 8 days. Our grocery list includes:

BREAKFAST:

36 Orange Crystal Light Packets

36 Bagels

36 Large Donuts

LUNCH:

144 Slices of Bread

36 Slices Of Turkey

36 Raisin Boxes

108 Small Candy Bars

72 Crystal Light Packets

18 Cans of Pringles

36 PB & J Sandwich Filling

DINNER:

(plan for 4 nights of fish dinners)

2 Pound Hamburger

2 Box Hamburger Helper (add water only)

9 Packages of Idahoan Potatoes

9 Bags of Frozen Veggies

72 Crystal Light Packets

8 Packages of Ramen Noodles (for the ones that do not feel like fish)

4 Sirloin Steaks

16 Hamburger Patties

16 Buns

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

Salt and Pepper

Butter Canola Oil

Fish Batter Paper Towels

Season Salts Paper Plates

Garbage Bags Ketchup

Sandwich Bags Plastic Utensils

Cream Cheese Extra Jelly

As you can see...this list has been exacted to a science. There is no extra food (because there is no weight to be given up for extra food), but there is enough to keep everyone full. You can always pack some snacks as part of your weight if you want to leave a lure or two or maybe a pair of pants behind. I like packing a bag of beef jerky and some cashews because both of these items are full of protein and will keep you FULL for a long time.

Keep in mind that if some camps offer to buy the food for you or to fly in the food ahead of time. This usually means that you can get beer and other goodies flown in, as well. These options cost more so understand that up front and ask about the cost. But if you are willing to pay, these are great options to take advantage of.

Hopefully, our list will help you plan your grocery list for your next trip. If you just take a look around the grocery store, there are lots of ways to keep the weight down and yummy options that can be both nutritious and good. Do not be afraid to experiment with new items if you really, really have a craving for something. Just always keep in mind the weight and try to substitute.

Happy Shopping ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

P.S. Make sure to look back in the archives of Miss Rikki...she has some great tips on shopping healthy for your next fishing trip!!!!!

Packing Light...

is a tough feat to accomplish when your destination is the wild outdoors where it can be both hot and cold in the same trip. But, add on weight restrictions and groceries to the chore and all of a sudden packing becomes harder than solving the riddle of the sphinx. Although it can seem a bit overwhelming at times, making a list and packing early can solve much of the anxiety that can accompany this task.

The first thing to address when you are beginning to pack for a fishing adventure is the weather. You have to know what the weather will be like during the time of your stay. Obviously, there is no way to predict the future and know for sure whether it will be rainy or sunny, hot or cold. However, you can research past weather patterns and talk to the camp managers or owners about weather conditions presently and in the past. A great tool for checking the weather in different locations and countries is http://www.weather.com/. Also, camp managers and owners are great tools in understanding the conditions of the lake.

Even though you can try to guess whether the gods will shine on you and bring sun or whether they hate you and will throw ice pellets at you in july, its never a good idea to pack with only hot or cold temperatures in mind. With Canadian fishing, the temperatures can change drastically from day to day. Last year, on our Pike trip, my family spent a leisurely thursday fishing...and although it was not necessarily warm, it was pleasant. The very next day we woke up, looked outside, and were stunned. There was SNOW on the ground...AND it was still falling out of the sky :( Layers upon Layers were definitely necessary that day.

With weight restrictions being part of the process during these types of trips, you have to keep your clothing at a minimum. You need to make sure you take enough clothing to stay safe and warm, but no extra. Two pairs of jeans or pants usually do the trick...along with a couple tshirts. On top of those basics, you should think about carrying along a hooded sweatshirt and a fleece jacket of some sort. Thermal underwear is also a must as it protects your body's core and keeps in the heat. Warm socks are important, as well. I suggest smartwool brand socks because they keep your feet warm with only one pair. If you put on too many pairs of socks, your feet will not stay warm because the layers of socks will cut off your circulation. Another simple option is a really warm light-weight boot. My husband has a pair of Irish Setters that are protected by a high degree of Thinsulate but are EXTREMELY light. They sell this boot at Cabelas. It's amazing. Raingear is, of course, always a must, and if you are traveling someplace cold, bring along your coveralls. Warm gloves can help protect your hands from the icy air and are an important tool in keeping your fingers from frostbite.

It must be mentioned that these clothes will get dirty. When you are taking only a limited amount, you must resign yourself to wearing the same things day in and day out (with, of course, the exception of undies and socks :). Remember...your rain gear is what gets the most disgusting. The clothes that you have on under the raingear usually stay dry and clean. Don't be too concerned about wearing clothes with fish slime on them. If your rain gear is working properly, your clothes should be wearable for at least two to three fishing days at a time, and doing this REALLY saves a lot of weight.

Duffel bags are a must for this type of situation. Any type of regular suitcase (especially ones with any metal parts or rollers) just plain weighs too much. Those types of suitcases usually weight 10-20 pounds when empty. Thats a lot of lures and tackle you could be taking instead. Duffels only weigh a fraction of what the regular suitcase weighs and is so easy to carry and pack. If you buy a larger bag, everything from you clothes to your sleeping bag will fit inside. It is a must have for this type of trip.

My family always manages to keep our weight down under the restrictions. Yet, we always have everything we need to make for a great trip. Personal items such as shampoos and soaps can be shared by the group so that no one person has to carry the weight for all. Places like Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops carry microfiber towels that weight as little as an ounce. These towels will save you a pound or two if you are heading to a place with a shower but that does not provide towels. Sham-wow towels make for very light yet durable boat and cabin towels. I like to take along a flashlight. It gets pretty dark at night...and they have bears in Canada :)

You must remember that the weight limitations include everything. Your tackle box, gear, clothing, and groceries must all fall within the guidelines. Extrememly efficient packing is a must for a nice relaxing trip. When it comes to weight, every little bit saved helps. There is nothing worse than getting to the airport and finding out you are over. Such chaos ensues that I shudder to even think about it. The main tip to packing in these situations is to just think light. Really think about whether you really need an item or if it is just a luxury that you could possibly do without. AND ALWAYS WEIGH YOUR BAGS AND GEAR BEFORE YOU GO!!!!

On a side note, my tacklebox is so light that it weighs EIGHT POUNDS LESS than my old one. I use the Plano 9606. Its a hip-roof tackle box that has three pull out trays on each side and a deep space in the bottom for extras. This tackle box is very durable, and when fully loaded, only weighs about 20 pounds. Compare this to my hubby's which weighs 30+ pounds and you can see that my tackle box really saves the weight. I always recommend this Plano box ,because it's AWESOME!! Another imporant tip to consider is to make a list. I always make a list a couple of weeks in advance of my trip. This allows me to really think about the weight restrictions while I considering my clothing and gear. That weight restriction usually has to encompass everything and is on a per person basis. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to inquire about any restrictions before you go. Nothing sucks worse than showing up and having to leave half your gear in the truck...trust me on that one.

For my trips, I usually try to stick with the least amount of clothing that I can get by with so that I have plenty of room for my gear. It must be stressed again that rain gear is a must have in any situation. The temperatures in Canada can get pretty dangerous, and rain gear is the first step in ensuring the warmth and safety of your body.

In the end, the best tip is just to make a list and really think about what you are packing. Because there are no stores around, you must prepare and pack everything that you need. Just do not go overboard and make sure you talk to the others in your group to ensure that there are no duplicate group items being taken along. Packing can be the funnest part of your pre-trip planning process, because it allows you to really get excited about where you are going and the fish you are about to catch.

Happy Packing ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

Maps...Your Key To Fearless Adventures!!

Fishing in the Canadian wilderness is an unsheltered, somewhat primitive experience. This is coming from our standpoint of course. Our family takes pride in living on the bare essentials. We enjoy exploring and discovering. It is the challenge of living off the land that is the motivation to tolerate freezing conditions and thundering white caps. Our family does not hire a guide for even the biggest of lakes we travel to. However, we ALWAYS have on hand several copies of a detailed map!!

Being your own guide for a lake where no other human soul is around can prove to be very nerve-racking. Therefore, hiring a guide might seem very appealing. Although guides can be a useful resource, you should not be scared to navigate the lake on your own. The next time you plan a trip consider the fact that lake navigation is not really all that tough.

When making trip preparations, one of the first things to do, after choosing the location, is to buy a map of the lake. A company known as Map Town Ltd. (http://www.maptown.com/) sells topographic maps for pretty much every single lake in Canada. They offer maps in multiple scales. Although it sometimes takes several panels of paper to get the entire lake, my family orders the 50,000 to 1 scale because it offers more fine detail. Often you can get an entire lake on a 250,000 to 1 scale. However, this is not always better. The details on the 250,000 to 1 scale are often tougher to navigate from because of the smaller size.

The map is bought as soon as the trip is planned-this means, in a perfect world, the map should be bought a few months in advance. It is a good idea to get it shipped early for a couple of reasons: (1) it takes a few days to a few weeks for shipping and (2) because the sooner it arrives, the sooner fishing spots can be located. We tend to fish every nook and cranny of the lake until we find that hot spot (a.k.a. honey hole.) For Northern Pike, we look for rivers or tributaries that flow into bays. The inlet to the lake and outlet are always pinpointed on the map as these are usually major areas for major fish. For Pike, we look for the marsh symbol on the map because that may indicate that the lake bed around that area is muddy…which in turn possibly suggests that there may be weed beds found in that area. For Lake Trout, we look for reefs (or underwater rock formations) during the spawn. When Pike fishing, rocky areas can also be pinpointed for walleye fishing. These reefs are indicated by a cross (or a +) on the maps.

After the map is bought, you can make very good quality copies at your local FedEx/Kinkos or office supply store. These stores are also capable of resizing the maps so that you may enlarge them to an appropriate size. Another good tip for maintaining the quality of your map, and for waterproofing it, is to buy extra-large Ziploc bags to hold the maps so that they are protected. This also works well to protect them from the major fish slime of your major fish!!

After your maps are bought, copied, secured in their protective coverings, and you are sitting in your boat ready to fish, you must finally put your fears aside and navigate the lake. For the first day on the lake, we choose a shoreline to hug (North or South) and which direction from camp to head. Once the boat is out on the lake, we stay loyal to that shoreline and loyal to the map. We follow the curves on the map with the curves in the landscape itself. You should begin to memorize the islands that you pass and the reefs that lie in your path. Understanding and memorizing the landscape of the lake can prove to be a useful, and even a lifesaving, skill.

The first day we fish a specific portion of the lake by the afternoon. Then, we hit those same fishing spots (if we found any hot ones) again that evening on the way back to the camp. The next few days you can follow the same routine going farther on the lake until your party has covered the entire area you have planned to fish. Maybe by that time, you have fished the entire lake…Not too difficult eh?

Happy Navigating ~ Miss Rikki

and

Lizzy aka The Fisherbabe

Research-The Fundamentals Of Choosing A Good Location...

Research is the obvious place to start when thinking about planning a trip...any trip. For this series, I will utilize my knowledge of Canadian fishing to plan that perfect getaway. I will plan a do-it-yourself fishing trip from start to finish so that you guys can get a good idea of each step in my process. I think that a trip to Canada to fish should be a dream of any avid fisherperson. The natural beauty is unmatched, the wildlife is abundant, and the trophy fish are waiting. This information will show you how to plan that trip and how to make it easy and affordable.

When I decide to take a trip, the obvious first step is to figure out exactly what my goal is for that vacation and what my expectations are. For example, if my goal for my vacation is to catch monster pike, I choose to take my vacation in May or June. If my goal is trophy Lake Trout, the September spawn is when I want to be on the lake. It is very important to begin planning months in advance to ensure that you have ample time to budget for your trip and fully research every lake and lodge that falls within that budget.

As for the expectations, you need to decide what you want your trip to be. Do you want a fly-in adventure? A drive-in adventure? A campsite or a RV site? You need to really think about what you want this trip to be and what you can afford. Do not be discouraged if your budget does not allow a fly-in fishing trip to remote areas of the tundra. There are great drive-in lakes that are less expensive and offer fabulous fishing at a fraction of the cost. The only downside to those lakes are that they are more accessible to other fishermen. That does not mean you will not catch that monster...but it may mean you have to work harder for it.

Another important step to consider at this point in the planning stage is the amount of money you can afford to shell out from start to finish. We all know how expensive fishing can be. Therefore, it is VERY beneficial to just sit down and budget for your trip before you start researching any potential lakes or lodges. Be sure to include the amount you can spend on the lake or lodge, any expense for additional gear or tackle, gas money or airfare (or both), groceries, and miscellaneous items like fast food, hotels, and things like that. Also, remember that a do-it-yourself option will cost you less because it will be unguided and you will, most likely, be bringing your own food.

After figuring out your budget, the real fun can begin...RESEARCHING LAKES AND LODGES!!! The amount of information that is at your fingertips these days is truly amazing. The internet is an amazing source for planning your trip and most lakes and lodges (in all areas of the world) are now on the World Wide Web. I suggest doing a google search for camps and lodges in the area of the world that you choose to visit. Most countries (states and cities) have tourism boards that can send you a TON of information if you request them to do so, and often you can even sign up by email.

For a trip to Canada, there are number of options for beginning your research. First of all, look at all the materials from the tourism boards. I like to visit tourism websites such as http://www.travelmanitoba.com/, http://www.spectacularnwt.com/, http://www.sunsetontario.com/, http://www.sasktourism.com/, and http://www.allcanada.com/ (among others) to really get a feel for each region. I really like that these websites have in depth information on most camps or lodges in the areas that I really like to fish. There is no better place than Canada to find awesome fights from Pike, and these sites can lead you to the best lodges and lakes the country has to offer. Once you do some cursory research on the different regions of the country, you can narrow down which one you want to visit and eventually come to a conclusion on which one you want to fish.

Once you have settled on a region, you can begin the in-depth research of learning about the land, lakes, and lodges that the area has to offer. This part of the process is very important because it is where you begin learning about each lake and lodge and where you begin adding and cutting from your list of possibilities. I sincerely suggest keeping a notebook handy for this portion of the process. Writing everything down in one place will keep all the information clear and separate and will keep you from confusing one lodges prices with another. Plus, you can save all those notes for your next trip!!

For each lodge you research, write down the website, the phone numbers (many have two numbers-a summer and a winter), and the rates for the time of year you want to visit. The prices can vary so keep that in mind. If a lodge really intrigues you, but seems out of your price range, write it down anyway. Also, this is a great place to write down important information about the lake itself such as how big it is, how deep it is, what types of fish live there, the average size of fish caught there, and the size of the record fish caught there..but keep in mind that there is a tendency for camps to embellish a bit to make their camp look better. Make a list of your favorite lodges and lakes and really begin researching the quality of the lake. You can often find photos and reviews on the internet from folks that have visited that lake before. Do not be afraid to ask them what they thought and how the fishing really was. We are all fisherpeople with the same goal...if you ask, we will tell you!!

After you research the lakes and find the ones that best fits your needs, narrow down your list of lodges to the ones that interest and excite you the most. Then, pick up your phone and start dialing. Talking to the camp owners and managers is the ONLY way to really get a feel for the camp and the service that you can expect once you are there. It is also the only way to find out the exact rates of the trip. You will be spending quite a chunk of change on this trip so do some comparison shopping. Some camp owners and managers will work with you if they can afford to do so and sometimes will offer a discount or a group rate. Talk to them about your price limitations and they may offer a bargain...just do not expect it. Remember that your vacation is their livelihood so always be polite and never feel entitled.

Also, when speaking to the camp about rates be sure to ask some important questions: (1) what does the price cover and are boats, motors, and unlimited gas included; (2) is airfare to the camp included; (3)where does the flight depart from; (4) what meals are included in the price and will the price go down if I bring in my own food; (5) what, if any, amenities are there in camp; (6) what are the weight limitations and restrictions on the plane; (7) is there a camp manager on site or a satellite phone available; (8) is there heat/stoves/appliances/cookware on site; (9) when is the deposit and final payment due and what are the terms regarding cancellations of the trip whether by you or the camp itself; (10) are fish finders or a battery to run your own fish finder available to you; and (11) any other relevant question or issue that concerns you or that you feel you would like to know before your adventure. Never be afraid to ask!! Also, make sure that you explain that you are wanting the do-it-yourself/housekeeping option because some camps do not offer that plan up front. In some situations, you will have to specifically ask for an unguided/housekeeping plan.

Once you have spoken to the camps, you can finally mull the decision over and choose which camp is right for you. Take your time when choosing and make sure you are comfortable with your choice. After doing this, you can finally move forward to the next stage of planning your perfect trip.

Keep in mind that it is often necessary to plan these do-it-yourself trips with at least four people because you are often the only people on a lake. At remote locations, you want to make sure that you have at least two boats so that if something happens to one of them, you have a safe way to make it back to camp.

There you go. The first part of my five part series on planning your own do-it-yourself fishing trip. I hope that the tips that I have given here will help guide your planning efforts and show you all that it really isn't all that hard!! PLUS...you get to talk to some really cool people who own their own fishing camps. That must be a pretty cool job!!

Stay tuned and check back because tomorrow its ALL ABOUT MAPS...

Happy Researching~

Lizzy aka The Fisherbabe

I LOVE FISHING TRIPS...

and not only because of the amazing fishing that will inevitably occur. I mean...that is GREAT, but I also love the anticipation leading up to the day we will finally pack up the truck and head out. I love washing all my gear and shuffling through my tacklebox and the trips to Cabelas. All of these things are soooo much fun and make the trip feel as though it will last forever.

When my family plans a trip, we do everything ourselves. There are no travel agents or guides, and this makes it more fun and adventurous for me. That is not to say that travel agents and guides are not useful...some people swear by them, and I can understand that!! For me, however, the adventure starts the day I decide to take a trip and does not end until I return home. Because my family does all our own planning, the excitment and anticipation surrounding our trip can last for MONTHS!!

In honor of our AWESOME upcoming trip to Mackay Lake in Northwest Territories, I have decided to do a 5 part series entitled "How To Plan Your Own Do-It-Yourself Fishing Trip." The series will include sections on researching and picking a lake and lodge, ordering maps and navigating lakes, packing and grocery shopping, the importance of good gear and tackle, and other essential tips for planning a self guided trip.

Although the terms "self guided" and "do-it-yourself" often evokes an absolute sense of fear in people, it is really a very simple and rewarding experience. Being prepared and educated before you go is the way to combat most uncomfortable situations that can arise on these types of trips. Fear is never a reason to not experience the feeling of pride that comes from truly being one with nature.

The sense of accomplishment that comes from this wild adventure is one that has been felt by explorers for hundreds (if not thousands) of years. We owe it to ourselves to experience life to the fullest. I never feel more alive or blessed than when I stand on an island in the middle of a lake that only a handful of people in the world have also stood on.

In my opinion, we should all be so lucky to experience that feeling. I hope you enjoy the series, and that it serves to alievate any fears you may have about amping up the adventure in your life...whatever that may mean to you!!

Check back tomorrow for Part One in the "How To Plan Your Own Do-It-Yourself Fishing Trip" series entitled "RESEARCH - The Fundamentals Of Choosing A Good Location."

Happy Planning ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

And The Winner Is........MACKAY LAKE IN NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Yes that's right folks...The Fisherbabe is headed to fish Mackay Lake during the Lake Trout Spawn in the first weeks of September. There are a couple of reasons why this lake rocks with the first and most important being the potential for TROPHY LAKERS. There are also big grayling in this lake which excites me more than I can possibly say.

Another rockin' piece of trivia about this awesome lake is that it is part of the ice road in the hit show "Ice Road Truckers." Now...I do not know how many of you watch that show, but I am totally hooked on it. I love Lisa who is new to the show this season (which is in Alaska), but I sincerely hope to see her truckin' on Mackay someday. I am super excited to get to fish in a place where one of my favorite shows was filmed.

Now, I have never been this far North. That's another reason I am extremely excited about going to this lake. Mackay Lake is only 150 miles from the Arctic Circle and on the tundra. How cool is that????? Also, if there is a clear night, I will finally get to see the famed "Northern Lights" otherwise known as Aurora Borealis. Seeing this natural wonder is on my "To Do Before I Kick It" list, and I am stoked to cross it off. Also, I get to visit Yellowknife which will be pretty special, as well.

The only thing that concerns me at this point is the cold. It is gonna be freeeeeeezing up there at that time of the year. As you all can imagine, this princess is not fond of the cold, and I am pretty sure the cabin walls aren't painted pink for my pleasure. As of right now, I am pushing the thought of the cold out of my mind...now if I can just get my hubby to quit asking me if I am ready to freeze my a** off, all will be good. I mean...I just have to pack right and I will stay warm...I hope. Maybe I should start packing...

Since becoming a bona-fide fishin',explorin, and all around adventuresome babe, my idea of what luxury means has changed drastically. I used to think that I could only be happy if my bed was turned down and a mint was cheerfully placed upon my pillow. Now...there is no better feeling than walking into that cabin for the first time and seeing an ancient wood burning stove and a hot shower. You would be surprised at how a hot shower each night and a running indoor toilet can feel like your own little piece of heaven. Fishing has definitely transformed my idea of what is fun!!

There are so many things about this trip that excite me. It will be an adventure, for sure, as I will be exploring and experiencing things that I have not before. I will for sure find out if I am as hard core as I claim to be when I wake up to 35 degree mornings and the guys are waiting for me at the boat. There will be no staying in the cabin if it is too cold and no complaining if it snows. I will be the only woman fishing on this trip, and it is my goal to keep up with the guys. I mean...I have to REPRESENT!!!

I am pretty confident in my ability to out fish them...even if the only pink I see is on my raincoat!! If you wanna check out where I will be spending the first weeks of September (we will be fishing for 8 FULL days!!), check out http://www.truenorthsafaris.com/.

How Lucky Am I...

Lizzy aka The Fisherbabe

Could It Be True...

I think we have finally chosen a lake for LAKERS!!! We are still hammering out the details, but I will let you all in on the plans SOON...maybe even tomorrow!! STAY TUNED...it's gonna be a cold son of a b***h!!!! Happy Happy Everthing~ LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

What The Fisherbabe Does When She's Home Alone...

IS READ FISHING MAGAZINES!!! I know that title sounded WAYYYY better...but get yer minds outta the gutter...LOL!!!!

I love fishing magazines, and every month, when my in-fisherman and other various subscriptions come in the mail, its most likely the greatest day of my month!!! There are several types of magazines geared towards fishermen and women. I want to discuss three of my favorite types!!

REGION SPECIFIC MAGAZINES ~ I love these types of magazines, and they are usually my favorites because they offer so much incredible information about all the great places in the world that are available for us to visit!! A few of my favorites are:

1. Travel Manitoba - As you all know, I love fishing in Manitoba. I love the natural beauty of the land and all the wonderful lakes that this area has to offer. PLUS, it does not hurt that I have had my best fishing experiences to date in Manitoba. In addition to all that, the region publishes a fishing and hunting guide that is the most amazing source of information I have ever seen. The lists of lodges and lakes is so thorough that you could plan your trip directly from this magazine. Its like your own personal Manitoba travel agent.

Another great thing about this magazine (at least this years edition) is that my name is in it!! It lists every Master Angler that has been recorded in the last year. I think this acknowledgment of such amazing achievement and angling is really a great reward and one of the reasons I continue to go back to Manitoba every year.

2. BC Outdoor Sport Fishing Magazine - I have never fished in British Columbia, but it is high on my list of places to go ASAP. This is not a free publication, but it is well worth the money. I like this magazine for two reasons...it gives really great information about the region and it's lakes and it has amazing articles that are really handy regardless of where you are fishing.

The 2009 Spring Edition includes a lake guide that gives locations, directions, facilities, and other information regarding each lake featured. These types of articles are what I look for in a good magazine because I use these guides so frequently for research purposes when trying to find that perfect trip. We all know research is key and these types of publications put all that information at your fingertips.

These are only two of my favorites, but every region usually has their own regional guide. I suggest trying to locate the travel and tourism board of the place you would like to visit to have them send you a travel guide. Most of them have websites and emails and are happy to send out as much information as you would like!! It's also helpful to subscribe to the magazines that cater to the region you are interested in visiting. You can usually pick up just one or two issues if the publication has a website.

SPECIES SPECIFIC MAGAZINES ~ These types of magazines can be very helpful when you are hunting down that monster fish of your favorite species. We all know that different fish eat different things and react differently to certain motions, ect. Therefore, it is imperative to be educated about the type of fish you are hoping to hook and become as much of an expert as possible. There are many resources that one can use to become better acquainted with the chosen species, but magazines are an excellent place to start. My favorites are:

1. The Next Bite ESOX Angler - This magazine is focused on Northern Pike and Muskies. You all know how much I love to fish for Pike, and this magazine helps me to understand the species a little better. When I was just beginning to fish for these monsters, I had no idea that Pike sunned themselves in the shallows to warm up after winter. Magazines like this one (along with my expert of a hubby) taught me where on the lake to look for the big ones. It was also great for understanding eating habits, aggressive behaviors, and lure choices.

2. Walleye Insider (published by In-Fisherman) - I love this magazine because I love walleye. Canadian walleye are my favorite because they flare up and flare out their gills at you like little fishy lions. I try not to tell them that I think it's cute because to them it is survival...no one likes their survival skills to be called cute.

There are many other great magazines that deal with specific species of fish. More of my favorites include Bassmasters, Salmon Trout and Steelhead, Pike and Muskie Guide, and Trout. I know there are many other fine publications out there as well. These are just a select few of my favs.

GENERAL FISHING MAGAZINES ~ These are magazines that give you great articles month after month on every possible type of fish and location. They are a great resource but not always specific enough to work for research purposes. However, they are highly entertaining and those who write for these magazines are very educated and knowledgeable fishermen. My favorites include:

1. In-Fisherman Magazine - This is such a great magazine for a multitude of reasons. First of all, it almost always has information about pike. But it also always has information about bass, crappie, and walleye. It really is amazing the amount of information they put into each issue. On top of that, the editor of this fine magazine is none other than Doug Stange. Doug is an amazing fisherman and really knows his stuff. With a pro like him at the helm, you can be sure the information you get in the magazine is accurate and dependable.

I also love the adventures section of the magazine which gives the reader great ideas about locations for great fish all over the United States. I always make notes on the cool areas I read about. I really hope to mark some off my list this year and next. I love the stories that they share and the tips for great tackle that are always a part of each issue. As far as great reads go, this is one of the best.

2. Outdoor Canada - For those of you that really love Canadian Fishing, this is the magazine for you. Not only does it have great ideas on hot spots for fishing, it also gives great ideas for gear and tackle to use in the Canadian wilderness. I love how the magazine covers all the types of species that can be fished for in Canadian waters and is therefore a great resource for all types of anglers. Whether your goal is a monster pike or a monster lake trout, this publication is a fantastic weapon to have in your arsenal.

3. Sport Fishing - This is a magazine for saltwater fishing. I have not been fortunate enough to do a ton of salt water fishing yet, but I hope that that changes soon. This magazine has really peaked my interest in this type of fishing. It has given me lots of exciting and interesting information on the differences between salt water and fresh water fishing. PLUS...those fish get HUGE!!!

Fishing magazines can provide a wealth of information for the reader. They are really invaluable resources to those of us that search long and hard to find just the perfect spot to go. I love learning new things and there is always room for more tackle in my box!! Please remember that these are only a few of my favorites!! Feel free to comment and add yours to the list. I am interested to know about any magazine that I may not have mentioned here or may not know about yet.

There are a couple of really interesting websites associated with some of these publications. They are:

http://www.travelmanitoba.com/

http://www.bcosportfishing.com/

http://www.in-fisherman.com/

http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/

Happy Readings ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

The Lake Trout Better Watch OUT!!!!

Ha...that rhymed!! Ima poet and didn't know it!!! Anyways sooooooo...it's time to start thinking about where we want to spend our fall fishing expedition. It is Lake Trout Spawn time in September, and I want to pack up my tiara and head out!!! As much research as my family and I do on excellent fishing locations,we have a few really cool places in mind. Obviously, what we tend to look for is the absolute best fishing lake for the species that we have decided to fish for at the best possible price. Sometimes, if the camp is not completely full they will give you a discount, and a few camps offer discounts for families that fish together. If you are planning a trip to fish, you should always ask if they offer any of these types of discounts. We have a few favorite camps for Lake Trout fishing, but I want to know where your favorite spots are for these awesome fish??? Have you been Lake Trout fishing before? Where did you go in the past?? Leave a comment, and let me know!!! Happy Trip Planning ~ LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe