Ok…well not Canada but it was on our way to Canada so that counts!!! I got to visit Glacier National Park in Montana, and it was a blast. We mainly just drove through on our way up to Edmonton, but the sites were so beautiful that it was worth the extra hour it took to get there!!!!

The Fisherbabe and Fisherhubby

I saw the carved out areas where glaciers USED to be…and it was awe inspiring and sad at the same time.

I really love the scenic drives that come along with our trips up north. The scenery is always amazing. The little ponds and lakes on the sides of the roads always make me just throw my collapsible in the trunk and hit the road.

There were so many lovely waterfalls to be seen in Glacier National Park. They took a little walking to get to, but the beauty was worth the hike. This one is one that I did not get to, but my husband took my camera along on his hike and shot it for me. Isn’t it lovely?

We hiked along the riverbed to get to this little falls, and all I thought about the whole time was “I really hope a bear doesn’t get me…”!!! LOL

I am always worried about bears in Canada….even though I have never actually seen a bear in Canada. But it doesn’t hurt to be on the look out.

As we were leaving the park and heading down the road towards the Monster Fish, we stopped and looked back at the beautiful sunset behind us. I am so glad we did!!!!

This was one of the most fantastic scenes I have ever witnessed. The pink sky and silouette of the mountains made for a majestic site.

Kinda makes a person feel small…

If you ever get the chance to visit this beautiful National Park, I suggest doing so!!! On a more serious note, however, I suggest you go very soon. The Glaciers are receding so fast that I am very afraid that they will just be tales to tell my grandchildren.

Stayed tuned…tomorrow the post is all about fish porn. Oh yeah…I said fish porn!!!

Happy Evening ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

Check out my profile on GetREELed.com
Check out my site: www.fisherbabe.com

Thats my excited noise because I am leaving in exactly 8 HOURS for my Lake Trout trip. I just wanted to post one last time before I leave because I will be gone a really long time and I wanted you all to know that I will MISS YOU!!!!!!

I will be tweeting up until I hit the Canadian border, though. So if you want to know if Wyoming and Montana are still there…follow me on twitter and I will report!!

Much love to you all and I cannot wait to show you the picture of my monster/world record Lake Trout (and of course me looking like a supermodel while holding it)!!!!

Happy Happy Fishing Trips To All!!!

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

… 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

Check out my profile on GetREELed.com
Check out my site at: www.fisherbabe.com

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

Check out my profile on GetREELed.com
Check out my site at: www.fisherbabe.com