Canada’s Ultimate Fishing Town

The World Fishing Network (WFN) is running a contest for the Ultimate Fishing Town in Canada. Our little town of Ignace is competing. The winning town receives a $25,000 community donation to be used towards fishing-related initiatives benefiting anglers in or reasonably close to the town, and also a half-hour show produced by WFN featuring the winning town will be produced. The show will air on WFN and / or www.wfn.tv

I am presently preparing a submission in support of fishing in Ignace and I am asking all our loyal fishing friends to submit an entry and help us be recognized as Canada’s Ultimate fishing town. 

Here is the web site to submit a short entry.   Ignace as Canada’s Ultimate fishing town

Metionga Lake, Seseganaga Lake, Flindt Lake, Tri Lake, Hilltop Lake, Irene Lake or Gamble Lake let’s get the word out.

Come on fisherpeople.  Many who read this blog make an anticipated trip to Ignace each year to fish our waters. Others grew up in this area and some are planning to someday visit.   There is one who even personalized his licence plate to commemorate the best place to fish. 

It will only take a minute but it will make a big difference in getting Ignace recognized.

Thanks

What more can I cay

The best way to eat walleye.  When they are still quivering when they hit the pan, you know they are fresh!

An interesting recipe

This is one of those recipes that if you are preparing it for adults you don’t want them to see the ingredients, and if you are preparing for kids, you do want them to see the ingredients.

I have to admit I was skeptical myself but it really does taste great.

I don't’ have a good name for this recipe except another “walleye recipe”

The ingredients

4 Pickerel fillets

1 Large white onion

1 cup Ketchup - no need to really measure; enough to cover everything

Butter

Salt and Pepper to taste

Garlic to taste

4 sheets of heavy tin foil or double with light sheets

The Method

Spread butter on tin foil sheets

Place fillets on top of tin foil sheets

Slice onion and place on fillets

Season with S & P & Garlic

Top with ketchup

Fold and close tin foil packages

Place on hot BBQ and remove when tin foil expands – about 5 minutes

Thanks to Daryl Beamish for this recipe. Except for the fact that I know Daryl has caught and cooked more than a few walleye in his day, I wouldn’t even had tried it. But I did and it is great.

The salad Karen created as a side dish was awesome too. It is simply spinach, roasted corn off the cob, toasted pine nuts and fresh blueberries. The dressing is a home made raspberry vinaigrette.

How do you spell success - Seseganaga

I suppose the prime measure of a fishing trip is catching fish. All our lakes produce numbers as well quality.

Seseganaga Lake is a primary choice for having the experience of a lifetime – not that you would want to do it only once.

Catchin’ them and lettin’ them go for another day.

Civeche - Walleye cooked in Lime Juice

Our beaver pilot Rob returned to Toronto a couple of weeks ago.  Before he left he made us some Walleye Civeche.  For guys like me who don’t know fancy terms for food, it is simply walleye cooked in the acid of citrus fruit.  There is no heat involved, only the juice. This is probably the healthiest way to eat walleye and makes a really nice appetiser.  It was great having a pilot around who is also a chef.

Fancy restaurants serve civeche and charge dearly for it.  They probably don’t use walleye but walleye does make it easy to make at camp.  The real secret is to slice the walleye very thin.  Rob gave me the recipe so I can share it with you.   It certainly isn’t difficult and there is no danger of burning yourself.  It also provides some time to enjoy a glass of wine or two while the fish “cooks”.  I suspect that if you can’t get key lime, regular lime will work.

Civeche

4 fillets o’walleye (2 fish) (15-16 inchers work best)

1 bag key limes

1 grapefruit

1 orange

1 jalapeño

3 shallots

Method

1) Juice the key limes into a non-reactive bowl. Since they are small this will take a while. Do the same to the grapefruit and orange. I like to add some chunks of the latter two.

2) Slice the shallots and jalapeno (if you don’t like heat de-vein and seed first) add them to the bowl.

3) With fillet knife at an angle thinly slice walleye fillets into 1-2 inch chunks.

4) Now immerse the uncooked walleye in mixture. I like to add some cracked black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours. Fish done when white all the way through.

5) If you want to save some for the next day make sure you drain from the liquid as it will continue to cook.

Is it really that difficult?

The Ekins crew sent me pictures of all the work they had to do to get fish.

Paddling into position.

Navigating between lakes.

What a tough way to get fish.

The reason some work

Bill has “sort of” retired – the way most Doctors do. He still does some assisting in the operating room now and then. 

You never know when the urge to go fishing over takes the urge to work and a little extra cash doesn’t hurt in facilitating the fishing trip.

Glad you enjoyed this trip Bill.  We look forward to seeing you again.

First fishing trip to Canada

“Brad / Karen,

    I was part of the group at Lake Irene  last month and wanted to share a few pics with you.” 

    “We had a wonderful time during our visit (our first to Canada) and look for to our return next year.”

-Larry Kinder-

Someone has to do it.

So far this summer I have not been able to get a fishing line in the water myself.  This is certainly not the business for anyone who thinks running a successful fly in fishing operation means fishing all day.

But… being the father of a successful outfitter does have its perks. 

Somehow my dad has managed  another few days “TESTING THE WATERS” so to speak. 

He tells me all is well on Metionga Lake.  Fish are biting, John is helpful and the boats don’t leak. 

Arriving at the lake

The vacation really begins when you get to the lake.  Before the plane takes off and leaves you alone for a few days, the pilots are often a great source of local knowledge.  Randy (in the middle) gives a little last minute advice and kicks the dirt a little when the guys thank him for the safe flight.

How can we not like our job?

“Hello Brad and Karen.

I would just like to thank you and your wife for the wonderful trip and opportunity to spend time at Seseganaga Lake.

This was my first trip to Seseganaga and what an experience.  My son will never forget this trip and the fun he had there.  Hundreds of Walleye were caught and glad to say released back into the lake.  Caught my share of Northern Pike as well which were also released back into the lake.  I would like to also thank Joe for the wonderful company and guidance while out there, I would recommend taking all the great advice he has to offer - what a guy!  I look forward to booking another trip to this wonderful lake and cannot wait to see you all again.”

Brian

It is quality time spent with people that matter that makes a great trip.  We feel privileged that we can be part of that.

See you again soon Brian.

The best part…

First the fish must actually be caught.

Then the best part…

Story time while revisiting the days events.  Of course,

without that photo there will always be one who is unconvinced.

Mama and baby

This mama grouse at Metionga Lake wasn’t going to let baby out of her site.

Chris and Don W spent a week at Metionga Lake with friends.  Besides catching and releasing an amazing amount of fish, Chris did a little nature photography.  I recently saw an add on TV promoting a zoo as the best place to view animals.  I guess most folks don’t know the wilderness is really the best place.

Hilltop: One of my favourites

Hilltop Lake has always been a good producer of Walleye and Northern Pike.  The Patton family has been verifying this themselves for the last few years. 

And that is not exactly a “walleye chop” on the water.  The way I see it, the fish bite when they are hungry (most of the time) and when a tasty morsel is presented to them.

June on Metionga Lake

Metionga Lake is a perpetual favourite.  Walleye and Northern abound.  Don flies from Florida to Chicago and drives with his group to Ignace. We’ve seen members of the group shuffle over the years, but Don is a regular as the rising sun.

Another Met Walleye soon to be released to fight another day.

Seseganaga fun

What makes a great trip?

How about being with folks you really like – your family for instance, a perfect location for remoteness and great fishing – like Seseganaga Lake, some real nice fish and of course a camera to capture the moment!

Another Newbie

The Filer Family made a trip to Seseganaga Lake in June and managed to initiate a few new fisher”persons” who have decided they will not be left behind again.

“Certainly not the largest fish we have caught on the lake but Emily was a first time fisherperson one very excited and happy daughter.  Emily caught dozens of fish every day!”

Why not take your kids fishing?

Happy Independence Day

To our American friends, have a great 4th of July.

Enjoy the holiday!

First trip

Phil wrote the following after a family trip to Seseganaga Lake 

“We caught dozens of 24 inch walleyes this week but Dan was thrilled one day by boating a 27.5 inch walleye!  This was Dan’s first trip to Canadian waters.”

Congratulations Dan.  Now that you set the the bar so high you have some work to do next summer to hold onto the walleye king title.

Post your fishing reports

Many send me their fish stories and pictures after visiting our lakes. I try to post these to my blog in timely manner. I have come across a couple of other sites our guests can post their own reports and pictures to. You may as well take advantage of a few minutes of fame and when you do don’t forget to mention Ignace Outposts.

Try these fishing sites.

http://www.hooked-in.com

http://www.thefin.com/

http://www.ontarioanglerawards.com/ You can enter your big fish on this site and perhaps be the largest in Ontario this year. In 2004 one of our guests won the Northern Pike division.

Canada Day

A few days before our American friends celebrate the 4th of July, we, in Canada celebrate Canada Day.  The 1st of July used to be called Dominion Day and in 1982 Canada’s Government changed the celebration to Canada Day.  Since the change was made in October, our first Canada day was actually in 1983. 

 

This holiday usually involves a host of  community events, backyard BBQs and fire works.

For us it is another work day with the prospect of working early on the 2nd too.