Electronics and toys

We all like toys and guys are by nature are sometimes “gadget guys”.

To help simplify the ever changing and sophisticated  array of electronics made for fishermen keep in mind, that fishermen like fish sometimes fall for the flashiest and most enticing bait.

All of our lakes offer many multiple reef structures, deep holes and drop offs. A portable depth finder is advisable for each boat and will enhance your experience at Ignace Outposts. These devices are handy but not necessarily necessary as our lakes are easy to fish and sometimes the challenge of reading shorelines and searching for holes is fun without electronic help. If you do succumb to the need to have a depth finder to please note that lead-acid batteries are restricted items when transported by air.

We suggest you use 12 volt dry cell batteries (with capped ends) for your portable finder. Other toys such as color finders, PH gauges and temperature gauges are not really necessary.  Keeping under 100 lbs becomes a challenge when the toys begin to pile up.  You do need food and maybe a beverage to two and that must also fit into the 100 lb weight limit.

GPSs are fun toys and certainly will help you navigate around the lake, but don’t rely solely on them to keep track of your location. Batteries in the GPS may die, but the batteries in your map will last all week. Know how to read it too.  North is “up” following the lines.  If you are heading south, east is on your left.

Minneapolis Sport Show

This week we are in Minneapolis for the Northwest Sport Show. Stop by and see us in Booth 1002. We can set up your 2011 fly in fishing trip to the Canadian Wilderness.

Walleye, Northern, Lake trout, and Small Mouth Bass.

Just a 9 hour drive from Minneapolis, we offer outpost camps on big lakes and small lakes, boats, motors and gas are included in the price. Try an untethered vacation away from cell phones and emails. If you’ve never had the opportunity to experience and Ignace Outposts fly in trip now is a great time. This type of quality fishing makes a great vacation for couples. Guys, get your wives hooked on Canadian Fly in Fishing. ps. there is no shopping at the lake.

We hope to see you at the “show”. The show runs from Wed Mar 30 to Sun Apr 3 at the Convention Center in downtown Minneapolis.

This is not just a fishing trip for men. All women groups are becoming more popular too. Ladies, get your group together and try a fly in vacation that you will talk about for years.

We are running a show special for all-women groups so come down to the show and check us out.

Book a trip and win

'Book a Trip and Win' Contest
To help encourage attendees to book their vacations at the show, the Northwest Sport Show is bringing back the 'Book a Trip and Win' contest. Attendees who book a trip at the show between Wednesday-Saturday will have a chance to win a $500 shopping spree at the Northwest Sportshow. Book your trip with us and then visit the Show Office to register for the shopping spree. You must bring proof of  your trip reservation and be able to return to the Northwest Sportshow on Sunday, April 3rd to shop.

Ignace Outposts   We’ll be at the show all week in booth 1002

Our cabins are set up comfortably for men AND women - hot showers, solar lights and double beds...

March Madness

For college basketball fans, March means only one thing... March Madness!

Fishermen however think of March Madness a little differently. Here are the top 10 March Madness words and their meanings to fishermen:

1) NCAA - No Complainers Allowed Anytime.

2) March Madness - A fisherman's state of mind after having been big city bound all winter long.

3) Free throw - Putting back a trophy northern.

4) Point spread - The difference between your reading of the fish measure and your buddy’s reading of the same measure.

5) Guard – protecting your share of a shore lunch.

6) Rebound - Regaining your sanity by the anticipated relaxing, restoring, and rejuvenating of your mental well-being by booking an Ignace Outpost vacation.

7) 3 point play – Landing a 44 inch plus northern, a 26 inch plus walleye and a 19 inch plus smallie all in the same day.

8) Foul – A good word to describe the smell in the cabin after a feast of walleye and beans.

9) Slam Dunk – Establishing your fishing prowess by winning the first fish, biggest fish and most fish pools

10) Tip Off - Telling all your friends about Ignace Outposts so they can enjoy a great fishing vacation too.

March is almost over and summer fishing season will be here soon.  Our last sport show is in Minneapolis MN March 30 to April 3.  If you live in the Twin Cities area stop by and see us to set up your 2011 fishing trip.  If you live elsewhere and need to get that trip booked to “rebound”, get in touch with us by email or phone.  

Eau Claire Sport Show

I returned from Eau Claire WI on Monday where we did another sport show.  I was fortunate to have my dad with me to help out while Karen is in Vancouver visiting our grandkids.  

At the show we met Dave Robinson, former linebacker for the Green Bay Packers and winner of Super Bowl 1 and 2.  Dave is a real gentleman and first class guy.

Dave lent me his Super Bowl 1 Ring – for a short (very short) period.  Here it is on our counter with a picture of our Otter.

We will be in Minneapolis in a week or so (March 30 to April 3) at the Northwest Sport Show.  If you are in the Minneapolis area and even if you don’t have a Super Bowl ring, feel free to stop by and get your 2011 fly in fishing adventure set up.

Flying with Ignace Airways

On a fly in fishing trip with Ignace Outposts, you will really be flying with our sister company Ignace Airways.

Your pilot will be a seasoned professional who must meet stringent Transport Canada requirements in order to work for us. It might even be me.  Before you board the aircraft, it will be your responsibility to help the pilot (especially if it is me) load your gear and to ensure all your stuff is out of the vehicles. Once aboard the aircraft your adventure begins. The pilot will brief you on emergency procedures aboard the aircraft. Please be sure you understand what he is saying.  He may not speak more than one language, but he can definitely speak slower. The pilot is there to help you enjoy your vacation so feel free to ask questions but please do not disturb him while preparing for takeoff, during takeoff or landing. He may not have all the answers but he can usually make up a convincing story pretty quickly.  Usually, if you ask  and if conditions are conducive, the pilot will be able to show you the lake from the air as you arrive. Very often the pilot will point out a moose or bear from the air.  We won’t “buzz” them so don’t ask.  Even if you do think you see them,  it really is tough to point out walleye or small mouth bass from 1500 feet – northern pike, medium sized ones and larger, maybe.  

Your flight will last from 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on your chosen lake and whether we have to stop for directions.  You will fly over virgin forest, cutovers, lakes and otherwise fantastic scenery.

Every seat is a good one. Someone will be able to sit in the cockpit with the pilot. If you do sit “up front” be careful as you enter and exit that you don’t bump any switches or pull any handles or cords. The pilot will appreciate this. The front seat is not “reserved” for the biggest guy. Usually, it is best if an agile member of the group gets up front with the pilot.

A little more on first aid

Our fly in camps are remote.  I am surprised sometimes how fishermen forget they booked a remote fly in and somehow imagine, there is a pharmacy just around the next bend in the lake.  There maybe some nice walleye and northern hanging out around the corner but there certainly isn’t a drug store.

With this in mind, please ensure everyone in the group brings and keeps with them their own personal medication including things like antacid, aspirin and especially prescription medicines. Leaving them in the car doesn’t help much either.   Extra medicine is also advisable in case there is a delay in getting out of the bush. In the event someone in the group has a particular condition such as diabetes or a heart condition, another person in the group should be instructed in the proper method of administrating medication, in the event the person becomes incapacitated.

Another thought; sometimes it takes more than one aircraft to move a group in or out of the bush.  Please be sure everyone has any medications or required personal items with them on board the aircraft.

We really do want to bring as many people out of the bush as we bring in.

What time is it really?

Every once and awhile I get philosophical. 

This weekend we made the leap forward to Daylight Savings Time.  I am sure walleye and bass could care less.  As a matter of fact neither could I.  Too bad we couldn’t bi annually change the length of an inch while we are at it.  A slight change of measurement certainly could help in measuring a trophy northern pike - at least in the summer. 

I  don’t think anybody at their last moment in time, will be wishing they had worked one more hour or squirreled away 1 more dollar.  Why not spend more time with friends and family doing something like fishing.  

We all have only an allotted amount of time so playing hour games in the spring and fall won’t make a difference.  There is still time however to book your Ignace Outposts fly in fishing trip for 2011.