Any one remember?

I was looking in a cupboard this afternoon for something totally unrelated to work, and found an unmarked CD – remember those?  I had no idea what might be on it, but I know from looking at the photos and seeing some of the people involved, where it came from.  Thanks Ted. 

Anyone recognize this outpost location? circa 1989

Hint:  It is still one of the best walleye and northern lakes in NW Ontario.  The newer looking building in the top picture is now called Joe’s phone booth.

Here is a more current look at the location:

Seseganaga Lake main camp

This wasn’t in the job description

This job I have is unique.  Day to day is a guess as to what will be on my agenda.   I wouldn’t change it for anything!     I can be a pilot, a marketer, an office worker, a paper shuffler, a listening ear, a handyman, a painter, a salesman, a blogger, a fisherman, and the list goes on.  One thing I never saw coming was a very quick proficiency in reupholstering chairs. 

I managed to get a hold of some old restaurant chairs (really sturdy and not so pretty).  Joe (from Seseganaga Lake) spoke for them immediately, envisioning them comfortably ensconced in a cabin near him on Ses.  The problem was they needed an upholstering job and Ignace is in rather short supply in that regard. 

So…  trial and error produced a nice system which resulted in a rather professional looking job if I say so myself. 

Anything that keeps me out of Karen’s sight and her ever present to-do list is my goal.  When I told her what I was up to, she grinned and let out a rather large “Ooooo” while looking at a chair or two in our house.  Now to convince her it was just dumb luck and not an inherent ability on my part. 

Did you know?

Below is right out of the Ontario Fishing Regulations (2007) – the current regs.  

Possession or Use of Bait

28. No person shall release live bait or live baitfish, or empty the contents of a bucket or other moveable container used to hold bait or baitfish into any waters or within 30 m of any waters.

28.1 No person, other than the holder of a commercial baitfishing licence or any other licence that authorizes the culture of baitfish, shall catch and retain in any one day, or possess, more than 120 baitfish.

• 29. (1) No person shall use as bait, or possess for use as bait, an invasive fish or live fish that is not a species of baitfish.

- It is interesting to note that it is illegal to empty the contents (I think that means water too) of any bucket or bag of minnows within 30 meters (30 giant steps or about 100 feet) of the lake.  Good to know when transferring minnows into the minnow bucket and really good to know about what you shouldn’t be doing with left over minnows after your trip is over.

- Did you realize that an individual is only allowed 120 baitfish (bought or otherwise) in one day. 

- And the third point, the key is “live fish that is not a species of baitfish”  which answers the old question as to whether it is legal to use a walleye gullet for bait.  They do work well and they are legal.  A further reading of what defines a fish for purpose of a limit makes it sound like the gullet by itself might be construed as a “fish” so watch how you count! 

Here is a link to the actual regulations and here is a link to the 2012 summary. The regulations are the actual law. The summary is just that - a summary and is made to be read by the everyday man.

Good News… I think

As of Feb 27, 2012 our Federal Government has a new policy regarding allowing non residents with a history of a minor criminality offense to be allowed into Canada as a Temporary Resident (TRP) without a fee.  Once!

Here is the info on the government website.  Operational Bulletin 389

Even though I consider myself at least average in reading comprehension and other natural cognitive functions, I am not fully sure what all this means.  It sounds like good news but details are still forth coming.  In any case, it seems that someone with a minor criminality record can visit Canada to fish with Ignace Outposts (or another outfitter of lesser quality if they so choose) but there are still constraints. 

Typically, there is a paragraph at the bottom of the bulletin that says: “For further information or questions regarding the changes outlined in this OB, please contact Operational Management and Coordination at OMC-GOC-Immigration@cic.gc.ca.”  So I suggest if more info is needed, send them an email with your inquiry to find some answers. 

A few notes

One of the nicest things about our job (more like our lifestyle) is exceeding expectations.  We regularly receive notes from our guests about the adventures and memories they have had at our fly in camps.

I recently posted a sampling of 2011 notes on our website.   Check them out here.

We do enjoy what we do and it is the people involved that make our work so enjoyable.  Of course we don’t do it all alone.  We have a great team working with us and their hard work is what make our job easy. 

Ignace Outposts