Spring ritual

Every year before the props can turn, the pilots have to be re-trained in aircraft operations, government regulations and other various items of particular interest to pilots and the safe air transportation of our guests.  Even though between them they have almost 3/4 of a century in aviation, Randy and Brad have been burning the oil so to speak.  Karen says not only can she smell their winter dormant brain cells being pushed to their max, she also thinks they  look intelligent pouring over the books.  The later is a skill Brad mastered in University. 

Many may think the life of a bush pilot is one of “just get in and drive!”.  In actuality, any professional pilot is required to  move a lot of paper.  This annual training takes days.  The goal is to be as safe and up to snuff as possible.  Even old timers can learn a thing or two now and then. 

As they wait for ice out they will be ready for the actual recurrent flight training which will be done in a day or so once the aircraft are in the water.   They have to be sharp behind the controls too.  Book smarts is only part of the equation. 

Popcorn Walleye

One week today, May 16 is equivalent to Christmas Eve to an Ontario angler.  Walleye season opens on May 17 this year and even though we are not sure ice will be out, we can always be optimistic.  Analogous to kids in late December, anglers in this area will go to sleep on Friday with visions of lunkers and shore lunch dancing in their heads.  My job is to make those dreams come true.  In the mean time to facilitate those dreams, as a teaser, here is a photo of one of my recent fish cooking experiments.

I call it popcorn walleye.  I will admit, I didn’t invent this – I don’t think – but Karen, my most honest critic, is sure I perfected it.  In spite of the name, I wouldn’t even think of tossing back a few of these out of a bowl in the living room on “movie night” or while watching a playoff hockey game.  These walleye nuggets are great however as an appy or as a prime ingredient in walleye tacos.  My advice is do not leave a bowl like this unattended while cooking.  They will never reach the plate with the abundance of “quality control inspectors” who will materialize near your cooking station.   Personally, I guard this culinary product aggressively and usually with a weapon. 

Cut the walleye into tiny bite size pieces and coat with your favorite fish coating.  They fry up quickly and do not require a lot of oil.  Enjoy!

Ignace Outposts

Sign of spring

A long winter does really funny things to people.  Seseganaga Joe who rarely likes to venture to a population center larger than Ignace had enough of winter this year and drove 4000 km to visit to other end of our province.  I think the whole trip was an excuse to see new faces – some of the faces around here have gotten a little old.   Joe somehow managed to arrive at the only Bass Pro in Ontario (near Toronto) and managed to do a little pre season preparation. 

I think Joe threw this fish back in anticipation of fresh walleye on Seseganaga Lake in just a few weeks.  I understand he bought the fishing rod however to add to his arsenal. 

Snow is melting

The snow is melting quickly now.  I finally figured out why I haven’t seen Randy for the last few months.

We are still hopeful for iceout soon.  Now that we’ve found Randy, and the walleye are hungry and the northern pike are well trained, we are ready for opener.

Location, location, location

Last week I was in Toronto to attend a couple of days of meetings.  I sit on a volunteer advisory committee.  As I sat in an office building in downtown Toronto, I couldn’t help but notice the irony.  Our committee is focused on promoting tourism in Northern Ontario, yet here we were in Toronto. 

Compare the view from this office…  I sometimes don’t fly this high…

and my office…

It is no wonder, the powers-that-be bring a few of us “northerners” in for a little advice. 

Where would you rather be? 

Make time

Sometimes we have to just sit down and figure out why we are so busy.  If making a living becomes more important than having a life, I think we have to adjust some priorities.   I doubt that at the end of it all our last thoughts will be “I wish I had worked a few more days”.

Congratulations Jo and Dean

This weekend, Karen and I traveled to Niagara Falls to celebrate with Jo (our youngest) and Dean.  

They were married on Sunday.

The Bright Side

This has been a brutally cold and long winter.  The media has in their zeal of naming winter storms, now come up with something to call the weather when it is not a storm.  They have invented the term “polar vortex”.  I guess it sound ominous enough to have more viewers tune in but to those of us who live in the midst of this seasonal cold, we call it “winter”.  Always have and always will.  This time of year sends many, who are tired of complaining, running south to bask in the sand and surf or to even somehow enjoy the desert.  

It is cold and snowy this time of year.  And such is life in Northwestern Ontario.  Our chief pilot Randy tells me there is a bright side however.  He says he hasn’t seen a mosquito for weeks now.