Canada | Ultimate Fishing Directory - Blog

21 May

Unbelievable…

Posted by the fisherbabe, under Travels, fisherbabe

So…the guys from the camp we were heading to next week just called and said that the ice is not off yet OMG…seriously guys…last year this happened too. We actually booked our camp on the way up to Canada because the one we booked a year in advance was not ready because of ice. I am not happy with ice in Canada right now.

The good news is we have one or two other options…but please…I beg of you all…pray to whatever God you pray to that the ice will be off Lake Waskiaowaka by Saturday of next week

I am an UNHAPPY fisherbabe right now…

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

05 May

Suggestions Needed…

Posted by the fisherbabe, under fisherbabe

Hey Everyone…

So, per last post, I am heading off to Canada in three weeks…yes THREE WEEKS…for some majorly awesome pike fishing. These fish are aggressive and fiesty, but they are also very beautiful with distictive colorations and eating patterns. Pike move with the water temperature and so we will be looking for bends in the lake filled with shallow weed beds.

As I am thinking about my trip and all the stuff that needs to be done before we leave, the thing of most importance on my mind is my tackle box and gear. It is time to clean out the box and take some stuff that I know won’t work out and put in more hammers and generics…

I am interested in trying out some new lures while I am out there. I know that 99% of the time I WILL NOT take my hammer off my line. This lure is MADNESS when PIKE FISHING!!! I SWEAR!!! But…I would like to experiment with some of your favorite lures for Pike Fishing. I will post about my catches when I get back and so you can get a real review of your favorite lures and how well they did in the waters of Canada.

So leave me comments about your favorite lures and make sure you give me the names, brands, and colors that work. I will try them out at Lake Waskiaowaka and let you know how they stack up against my all time favorite…THE ORANGE HAMMER!!!!

Happy Lure Suggesting~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

04 May

3 Weeks And Counting…

Posted by the fisherbabe, under fisherbabe

I know it has been a while…and I have no excuse. But in 3 WEEKS…yes people 3 WEEKS…I am heading to Canada for my first big fishing trip of the year!!

My husband, father-in-law, sister-in-law, and myself are heading up to Manitoba to fish for some BIG, MEAN northern pike. Last year, my husband caught the biggest fish and it was in the 42-43 inch range. However, this year, I am primed to kick his a**…all in good fun, of course!!

Each trip, we have beads for the person who catches the biggest fish of the trip. We pass them around as each of us catches a bigger fish than the last. It is quite an exciting tradition!!! This year I am super excited to win those beads…I haven’t before and I can feel it…this is MY year!!

I usually start packing a couple of weeks before the trip to ensure that I do not forget anything important. We fly in to the lodge and so if we forget it…TOO BAD. That sucks…let me tell you. Last year, one of our members forgot his jeans…we laughed but it sucked

This year we are starting our fishing trip season at Lake Waskiaowaka with the fine folks at Dunlops Fly-In Fishing Lodge. You all can expect a great review upon my return. If they have internet…I will blog a few times if I can. I try to stay away from the computer though on trips as it takes away from the true feelings of Canada.

The site for the Lodge is http://dunlopfishing.ca/site/. I encourage you all to visit there to see what an absolutely lucky girl I am. I am so excited…I CAN’T WAIT!!!!

Happy Travels

~ LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

20 Apr

Hello Old Friends…

Posted by the fisherbabe, under General, fisherbabe

WOW…it took a long time to get my damn computer back!!! But I am so glad to have it now. My old desktop is SO SLOW it takes a couple of hours to post one post and I usually got so frustrated that I just stopped in the middle.

But I am back now…and ready to talk fish!!! I am headed to Canada in May to fish for some Northern and maybe some Walleye…so I can’t wait to get started on the packing and the many trips to Cabelas and my local tackle shop to find the great new lures…although I usually tend to favor the oldies but goodies.

Stay tuned for more on my trip and I just wanted to write to say I AM GLAD TO BE BACK ONLINE…FINALLY!!!!

~Tight Lines

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

16 Mar

Top 5 Lures for Canadian Pike…

Posted by the fisherbabe, under Tackle Reviews, fisherbabe

My husband has been fishing for Canadian Pike for over 25 years. I just started. So when I finally decided to start fishing, and I mean seriously fishing, I asked him what he thought the top five lures for Canadian Pike really were. He gave me some examples and then, on my first fishing trip, I tested them out. I have to admit. Only one lure was really hot that first year…and many years after – The Orange Hammer!!! However, I caught Pike on each of the following lures and I find that they are, indeed, my top picks for Canadian Pike.

1. The Orange Hammer – (7/8 oz)

If I could only take one lure to Canada with me for some serious Pike fishing, I would definately rely on the Orange Hammer. Now…keep in mind that this name has come from my family. If you go to Cabelas and ask for an Orange Hammer…they are going to look at you like you are crazy. This lure is in fact only sold Cabelas as the “hammered nickel and orange canadian casting spoon” and can be found at http://www.cabelas.com/.

I, along with my family, swear by this lure, and I always have at least 7 in my tackle box at all times. Along with Pike, this lure caught me well over 400 Walleye in Canada last year. It was amazing. Take my word for it.

This is also a lure that is not commonly acknowledged or used among Pike Fisherman…as a matter of fact, we often get smug smiles when we suggest this lure…but then guess who really brings in the Master Anglers and TROPHY PIKE….there has been more times than one that a Guide has asked my family what lure they were using when they caught their big pike!!! Also, this lure has worked on every lake that it has been tried on. There has been no variation for success due to the location of the lake.

2. The Cabela’s Generic -(7/8 oz)

This lure is no longer available for purchase at Cabelas. Therefore, I am giving you an incredible secret right here on fisherbabe.com. This lure is so amazing that my family will not part with their limited stock of the original lure. My husband even refused to give me one of these sacred lures for a wedding present. This is how amazing and how limited in supply this lure is.

Therefore, I had to learn to paint my own. This spoon can be made by taking a regular red and white Cabelas Canadian Casting Spoon and painting it the colors that make up the Generic Colored Spoon. These colors are Orange and Chartreuse. I made about 5 of these last year and they were very easy to make.

I started by painting the lure a white base coat. After this paint dried completely, I then taped the curved pattern of the original (red and white spoon) onto the lure and proceeded to paint the green and orange where the red and white was. I know this sounds confusing. If you would like specific instructions on making this lure please email me or comment and I will be more specific. Also take a look at the picture and you can see how the paint was placed on the lure and the curve of the pattern.

It is important to get this paint right as it is the movement of the spoon along with the pattern that really makes this lure a success. I have other lures that are painted differently with the same colors that did not catch any fish. Therefore, the pattern and coloring is very important.

I can tell you many stories of how this lure has been the only hot lure on a fishing trip. My husband and his father swear by this lure and have said many times that it is their go-to lure for Pike. It is also a lure that is not commonly known among other Pike fisherman and Guides in Canada.

3. The Silver Minnow (weedless) -

The Silver Minnow is a go to lure for spots that really weedy. As you all may know, Pike like to lay in those shallow weedbeds to warm up in the spring. Therefore, when you fish during these times a weedless is often needed. This Silver Minnow is great for attraction because its silvery body is very noticeable in the sun and is very attractive. Also, it moves great through the weeds without getting caught.

This lure is based on a nearly 80 year old design and has been successful for that long in catching all kinds of fish. The lures 35 degree angle rocks the lure back and forth in a specific pattern that is unmatched for weedless lures. Its bright plating is very attractive to fish and its weedless design allows you to crank it through all kinds of cabbage!!!

4. Red Eyes – (1 oz)

This lure comes in weedless as well as the regular treble hook model. It gives a variation to the Silver Minnow lure if you find that it may not be working as well as you would like. The distictive red beaded eyes are something different than other lures and offer a variation to the normal casting spoon.

The bigger spoons are good for deeper sitting pike in the late summer months. The colors that are good in this lure are the firetiger, the red and white, and the brass, however keep in mind that the lure colors that work well for this lure on one lake may not work as well on another.

5. The Lindy GatorBack Spoon -

This lure is different because dozens of diamond shaped, multi faceted ridges cover much of the 4 1/2 inches of this lure. The front of the lure is a smooth surface and has a big eye that gives the appearance of a baitfish. This lure is very good for either casting or trolling and has been successful in many of the lakes that it has been tried. The colors that are good for Pike are Crimson Shad and Citrus Chub.

This lure can be found at http://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/

Please keep in mind that all of these lures have been used in Canada for Pike Fishing. It depends on the lake that you are fishing as to which will work better for you. I suggest having all of these lures in your tackle box at any time if you are heading to Canada to fish. These lures have over 25 years of use behind them and will catch you a lot of Pike. Although the orange hammer is by far my favorite (and a Lay family secret…SHHHH), I would bet my catch on any of the above lures.

Check back soon for a BIG picture of the Cabelas Generic. I promise to post it SOON!!!

Happy Fishing and Happy Lure Shopping ~

LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

13 Feb

BURNTWOOD LAKE LODGE ~ MANITOBA, CANADA

Posted by the fisherbabe, under Fishing Trips and Reviews, fisherbabe

May 2008

Our trip to Burntwood Lake Lodge in Manitoba, Canada was my first trek into the wild country of Canada. When my husband, Cody, expressed interest in taking me along on one of his week long trips to rough it and fish like crazy everyday all day in some remote location in a country I had never been before, I admit I was a bit weary. I mean, I like to fish…but I am a real girlie girl. I like shoes that are inappropriate for boats and mud and fish scales, and I like dresses and make-up and hot rollers

As a matter of fact, my first thought may have been related to the luggage and weight limitations that the fly-in outpost camps give to their visitors. I was puzzled on the matter of fitting all the stuff I would need into one duffel bag.Regardless to say, I packed lighter than usual. There are many uses for 4 inch platform snake skin Jessica Simpson pumps, but fishing in Canada, sadly, is not on that list. I gave up on the idea of hot rollers and the like when I realized that the cabin we were staying in did not have actual electricity. A wood burning stove would keep us warm at night and we would have nice, warm showers. According to my husband, this was a real luxury, and I was appalled at his definition of luxury!!!

I must admit that I had a ton of fun shopping for gear and tackle. I did not have alot of the tackle that I would need for the trip so a trip to Cabelas Outfitters was imperative. Cabelas is an amazing store and I had such a great time shopping for tackle boxes, rain gear, boots, and that special, secret lure that would surely catch me the biggest fish of all time!!! In the end, I would quickly find out you only really need two lures when fishing in Canada, but I was prepared none the less. I am proud to say that, after a few more trips to Cabelas (and http://www.cabelas.com/), my collection of gear and tackle would make any fisherman or fisherbabe totally jealous.

Arriving at Burntwood Lake Lodge was an experience, because we had to fly in on a float plane. I had done this one other time in Alaska, and it was pretty fun then. This time I got a little air sick but ended up just fine. We threw our stuff in the cabin and headed to the Lake. That first afternoon turned up nothing major…I caught a 5 or 6 pounder right a way and then nothing else for the rest of the day. But, I knew it would get better!!!

After that first afternoon, the fish were caught in swarms. I bet I caught at least 200 walleye over the week and countless Northern Pike. Most of mine were smaller…I guess you have to put in the time and the trips to finally catch that monster….but I did catch an 8 – 9 pounder that last day. Even though I did not catch the monster, my husband caught numerous large Pike, as did my father in law and sister in law who were both in the other boat. I have to say, I did an amazing job of working that net, though!!

The camp and cabins turned out to be more than I could have hoped for, and the meals that the cook prepared for us were absolutely amazing, to say the least. We had steak, pork, potatoes, and many more delicious dishes. I will not get into the desserts, because I would be typing all night. The staff there were so awesome, and they really made the trip special. I cannot say enough great things about their service and great attitudes.

All in all, my first trip to Canada was so amazing that I have been dying to go back ever since we returned. We have another trip planned in May of this year, but that is not soon enough. I was completely hooked (pun intended) on Canada fishing that first evening when, after dinner, I sat down in front of the big picture window at the Lodge, cracked open an ice cold bottle of Labatt Blue Canadian Beer, and stared at the most amazing and peaceful sunset I had ever seen in my life. The fish were jumping, and I found myself in a state of mind that is not common these days…completely stress free and relaxed.

And as for all my worries about high heels and hot rollers, all it took was one tug on my line to change my way of thinking. There is no better feeling in the world than feeling that first bite…anything could be down there, and there is no better exercise for an imagination than having a fish on your line. PLUS, I really like my hiking boots from Cabelas…and my hubby things they are hot!!!

But now that I think about it, they really should make those boots in metallic snakeskin…then life really would be perfect!!!~

~LIZZY aka The Fisherbabe

Please visit http://www.burntwoodlakelodge.com/ if you would like more information on visiting this fantastic lodge and outpost camp.