Tag: Fishing

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Exciting Hunting/Fishing Website – Hook & Bullet.com

I invite all avid anglers and hunters out there to a website I manage called, Hook and Bullet. The site focuses on getting folks outdoors – to help plan your next adventure: where to go, when to go, what to pursue and what gear to bring.

We host the largest database of North American bodies of water, where you can find the best places to fish and hunt. We’ve already received over 250,000 fishing reports and have close to a million pages of content focused on fishing and hunting.

I am pleased to feature new Outdoors Guy insight and content regularly, on almost every aspect of hunting, fishing, camping, outdoor survival, and conservation including stories near and dear to my heart. Hope to see you there!!

Please visit: http://www.hookandbullet.com/

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Springtime trout or turkey – what’s your pleasure?

(Steve Enright of Orleans with a great looking brook trout)

For thousands of wild gobbler enthusiasts, this Wednesday (April 25) was like Christmas morning, but with long beards and spurs under the tree.

Thanks to reintroduction programs more than three decades ago, turkey populations across the province are now burgeoning. As we have witnessed in recent years, there are more gobbler sightings than ever up the Valley and around Eastern Ontario, and the spring hunt is improving each year. The glorious gobbler has evolved into one of the most prolific (and tasty) game species around, so you had better get used to them.

Play by the rules

Hunters are reminded that it is illegal to pursuing turkeys within 400 meters of any place where bait has been deposited unless the spot has been bait-free for at least one week. Bait is described as corn, wheat, oats or any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation of such feed. Standing crops, crops stacked in accordance with normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal farming operations are not considered bait. Following the rules is part of the game and it would be a shame to ruin a great hunt by pushing your luck.

Good luck to all the gobbler gurus and please drop me a line with news from your area!

Bragging board

Whether spending time in the woods or on the water, with family and friends, hunting and fishing adventures are among our most cherished memories. Every sporting enthusiast has one thing in common, the excitement of sharing photographs – be they traditional ‘grip and grin’ images of a big fish or a prized game animal, or more obscured pics from the great outdoors. One time I captured a photo of a mink as it ran across my hunting boot. I am looking for some of the best and most original photos taken during hunting or fishing trip for an upcoming Sportsmen Bragging Board to appear right here in the Pembroke Daily Observer next month! If you have images you would like to share with thousands of like-minded individuals, send them to me by email to [email protected] along with a caption.

Scribe heading for trout

It’s hard to believe that in less than a month I will be heading through the Upper Valley on my annual trout adventure with my dad and brothers-in-law, our minds filled with visions of the north woods and giant specs! First stop will be Chalk River for refueling, then in Mattawa at Myrt’s famous restaurant for one damn fine breakfast. Then as we meander north along the old ‘river road’ towards Temiscaming, Que., the City of Ottawa will (hopefully) be a distant memory. It doesn’t matter how far you travel each spring to enjoy Mother Nature’s springtime spectacle, just as long as you do it. Portaging the old Sportspal canoe and scouting the trails are all part of the experience. For all the avid trout anglers out there, here’s to tight lines, bent rods and monster brookies as far as the eye can see. See you soon, Lac Perdu!

Being bear safe

When traveling in bear country this spring, be sure to keep your wits about you. When portaging during the early season I always carry a can of bear spray and, although I’ve never used it, it is always at the ready! Statistics show there are a dozen or so bear attack attacks in North America each year, some of which don’t end well. Bear spray can be purchased at local hunting and fishing stores and, keep in mind, that there may be some paperwork to fill out. Bear spray will provide a bit of extra insurance when traveling in bear country this spring. We carry a can every year just in case.

Happy travels and be safe out there!

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Fish, Hunt & Ride Magazine – Spring issue is here!

FHR-SPRING COVER2

All those hunters, anglers and ATV enthusiasts awaiting the arrival of the Region’s favourite new magazine with baited breath, need wait no further!

The spring issue of Fish, Hunt & Ride is finally here, fresh off the press and it’s bigger and better than ever!!

Now available at over 130 Outlets across eastern Ontario and Western Quebec FREE of charge, our exciting new edition features black bear, spring trout, steelhead, turkey filming, ATV events, shed antler hunting, fly-fishing tips, an informative Q&A interview with our columnist Ted Nugent and way more.

This week you can pick up your copy of FHR in such towns as; Barry’s Bay, Killaloe, Forrester’s Falls, Golden Lake and Madawaska up the Ottawa Valley, and across in the Pontiac at Fort Colounge, Gracefield, Low and all points in-between. I’ll also be delivering a bundle to my hometown of Arundel, QC, at the Arundel Provision’s store!

I know for a fact there are a whackload of FHR – Spring issue sitting at SAIL as it tends to be the first drop-off spot during Distribution.

For more information on where to find an Outlet near you, check out our newly revamped website; www.fishhuntandride.ca

You may also read our Spring issue online: http://www.joomag.com/magazine/fish-hunt-ride-spring-2016/0596995001462510565?short

Please stop by our Facebook Page as well and let us know what you think of the new issue: www.facebook.com/fishhuntandride

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fish, Hunt & Ride Magazine, Spring issue around the corner

FHR-SPRING COVER2

Ok all you hunting, fishing and riding aficionados out there, get ready for the next exciting issue of everyone’s favourite new publication;

Fish, Hunt & Ride magazine!!

Later this month, readers will be treated to more than DOUBLE the articles, news, interviews, tips and coverage of our Launch issue earlier this winter.  Our FHR Writing Team has expanded as well to include 4 new columnists; each one an expert in the areas of ATV/All-terrain vehicles, Fishing, Firearms and Shed Antler Hunting.

Our original line-up of writers which includes ‘Uncle’ Ted Nugent, delved sooooo deeply into the Ontario & Quebec Great Outdoors this time, they barely managed to dig themselves out!

Our distribution has also expanded to include dozens of new convenient outlets around town and far off-the-beaten-path into the Upper Ottawa Valley and Outaouais Region. We’re getting FHR Mag out to more than 130 Outlets now, to the folks who can best be described as  the ‘Diehards’ or, as our Francophone friends refer to as; ‘Nemrods’!  Hoards of new hunters, fishers and riders have also taken-to FHR of late which is encouraging to say the least.

Thanks to all those who made our magazine an instant and overwhelming success – one that (if I do say so myself) is quickly becoming the best magazine the entire Region has to offer! (Its the one I like the best anyway)

I ask you, how can you go wrong with a Team of individuals who live, breathe, love and defend our hunting and fishing heritage until their dying day. And I say that without a word of a lie! (How’s that for dramatic)

So whilst waiting patiently for our Spring issue to arrive at local outlets, do yourself a favour and check-out our newly revamped website: www.fishhuntandride.ca

 To borrow a line from our pal Uncle Ted, this spring we want you all to Fish, Hunt & Ride like you mean it!!

 

Jeff Morrison

*Editor-in-Chief | Fish, Hunt & Ride Magazine

Reaching 125,000-200,000 readers each season, every issue.

 

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Summer fun in the Great Outdoors

My July column is now out in the Pembroke Daily Observer. Check it out:

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2015/07/17/summer-fun-in-the-great-outdoors

Jeff Morrison, the Daily Observer's newest columnist, offers up his take on the great outdoors.

Regardless of what outdoor adventure you embark upon this summer, the rest and relaxation of spending time the Great Outdoors is the ultimate reward.



Summer is meant to be enjoyed leisurely with my family and friends in an outdoor setting. Camping, cottaging, and of course fishing are a few of the things I enjoy. One day, I could be casting for northern pike and bass with my daughters at the trailer in Cobden or putting up trail cameras, and the next I might be scouting the deer woods or checking on the hunt camp.

Holiday season is all about getting back to basics and enjoying things that really matter. So, do yourself a favour this summer, turn off that boob tube, and try to forget about gas prices for a week or two. We are fortunate to live in a region that offers such a wide variety of recreational outdoor activities at our doorstep.



Testing, testing

The new Danner Steadfast hunting boots I field-tested recently are a great addition from a company who’s been making high quality hunting boots since 1932. The 8″ Steadfast model I tested were form-fitting, solid and according to Danner are custom made for hunters who enjoy stalking. The footbed on these boots is positioned low within an all-new platform to provide ground-sensing traction, much like a high performance Porsche race car engine with a low center of gravity.

These boots combine nubuck leather and 900 denier nylon for lightweight support, and feature a great waterproof dry liner which pulls moisture away from the foot for improved comfort after a long day of sneaking along that deer trail. A roomier toe-box at the front also ensures warmer feet come late November. Overall, I found the new Danner Steadfast to be solid, comfortable and lightweight; a perfect fit for the upcoming deer or moose season. For more information, check out Danner products: http://www.danner.com/product/hunt/



Food for deer


At a time of year when many sportsmen are out on the water, Dave Smetana is out working his deer fields. Dave isn’t a farmer by profession but more what you might call an agricultural conservationist. He has been managing food plots for several years and has a variety of different feed options spread around his Carleton Place property.

Nurturing crops for deer is a growing trend and our region is no exception, with food plots offer supplemental nutrients throughout the summer and later in the season after farm crops are cut. Earlier this summer Smetana got things started with the ATV and a Plot Mule, which is a small set of discs hauled behind an ATV. From there it’s a matter of spreading the seed evenly.

According to this deer farmer, once the seed hits the ground, it needs to be covered with soil immediately. Some seed requires ¼ inch of coverage, while others need more. Managing your own food plots might be time consuming, but for dedicated conservationists like Dave Smetana, it is a labour of love. As summer progresses the food plots really come into their own providing great nourishment for white-tailed deer.



Bear awareness this summer


Each summer cottagers, campers and municipalities are urged to do their part to avoid nuisance bears. Black bears are attracted to any food source, and in areas where berries and other natural forage is not available, bear’s will eat whatever they can get including pet food, compost and even garbage. They will also return to food sources they remember from last year so be mindful when spending time in bear country. Although bear encounters are rare they do occur, so be sure to keep your wits about you this summer.

If you have a nuisance animal around your property, report it immediately to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in Pembroke: (613) 732-3661.


 

 

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Bass season just around the corner…

My June Outdoors Guy column in the Pembroke Daily Observer was out in print this week,  and is now available online:  http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/

Jeff Morrison, the Daily Observer's newest columnist, offers up his take on the great outdoors.

Bass may be the last fishing season to open each summer but with a growing list of devotees, it remains one of the most popular sport fish in Canada.

Each year, the Valley bass season in Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 15 gets underway the forth Saturday in June; two weeks later than most other sport fish. From a conservation standpoint, a later start allows for smallmouth and largemouth to complete the spawn and for young bass to mature so they may fend for themselves. Other species like walleye and trout play no role in guarding of the eggs so their seasons always open earlier in the spring. Anyone who fishes the Ottawa River, otherwise known as the Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 12, may begin bass fishing next Friday, one day before the rest of the FMZ 15. If anyone’s looking for me next weekend, I’ll be in Cobden trying to beat my personal bass record of 7 pounds.

Deer tags up for grabs!

Valley deer enthusiasts are watching the calendar closely as the antlerless deer tag validation draw closes on June 30. There are three application methods available although your chances at a tag remain the same, whether you apply by telephone, Internet or at a Service Ontario outlet. To apply over the phone dial 1 (800) 288-1155, but remember that if you have already purchased your regular deer license, you’ll not be permitted to enter the draw this way, and must apply either online or visit a Service Ontario outlet. For more information:    http://www.ontario.ca/travel-and-recreation/apply-big-game-draw

Testing testing

I recently had the opportunity of trying-out a pair of Kamik’s new Bushman hunting boots and was very pleased that I did. Truth be told, I was not a huge proponent of old-school Kamik boots from the 1980’s. They were big and clunky and after a long day of lugging them around the bush, your legs were more fatigued than would be expected. Thank goodness things have changed greatly from a design standpoint, with this long-running Canadian boot manufacturer. The new Bushman boots are more form-fitting and snug around the ankles for improved comfort and support. These Kamik’s are 100 per cent waterproof with 7mm 4-way stretch neoprene uppers and a waterproof synthetic rubber shell. Part of reason they’re so lightweight is the company’s patented synthetic rubber material, which is 50% lighter than natural rubber and 30% lighter than other synthetic rubbers in its class resulting in a terrific lightweight, waterproof combination. I tested the new Bushman on uneven terrain while setting-up some new trail camera locations in the forest behind my house, but I could see these boots serving well during the first week of deer season. Kamik has succeeded in producing a solid pair of waterproof boots that weigh-in at a scant 34 ounces! For more information, check-out Kamik hunting boots online: http://www.kamik.com/b2c_int_en/men-boots-elements-S15.html

BAIT tourney a success!

The 27th annual Blind Anglers International Tournament (BAIT) hosted by Nangor Resort in Westmeath on May 29-30th was another big success and set a record for the most fish caught, with 11 walleye and 107 pike weighed-in, for a total of 287.6 pounds! The Catch of the Day prize went to the team of Pro Angler Rick Klatt and Blind Anglers; Darrell & David Furgoch. Biggest Pike prize was taken by team of Pro Rick Martin and Blind Angler Gord Wilson, with a nice 9.36 pound pike. The Biggest Walleye award went to Pro Angler Dan Fanning and Blind Angler Bill Rizzo. Number of Pike prize was taken by Pro James Vaillant and Blind Angler Madelaine Peters with 6 pike, weighing in at 24.52 pounds. The Number of Walleye prize went to Pro John Podlesny and Blind Angler Tad Skalski, for their 3 walleye weighing 3.57 pounds. A special thanks to Lions Club Chairman Al Page for the update and a huge round of applause to all the volunteers and Nangor Resort for another fanatic BAIT tournament!

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May long weekend in The Great Outdoors

Regardless of what you have planned this May long weekend be it fishing, cottaging or camping, I wish you all the best in The Great Outdoors!!

What’s new? Where have I been, you ask?

I just returned this week from my annual trout fishing adventure in Temiscaming and will be blogging(not bragging) about that next week. Also, keep an eye out Thursday for the latest Outdoors Guy column in the Pembroke Daily Observer.

My 6th book release; The Canadian Berry Cookbook will be on the shelves in the next few weeks, and the summer issue of Bounder Magazine is due to hit local stores by end of May.

HOWEVER!!!

The ABSOULUTE BIGGEST news to hit the Ottawa-Gatineau hunting and fishing world THIS YEAR has yet to be announced!!!! 

Have I piqued your curiosity?  Official announcement to come in the next week or two. (maybe, if you behave yourself..hehe)

All the best this weekend, drive safe and enjoy all the Great Outdoors has to offer.

 

Outdoorsguy

 

 

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Valley Fishing & Outdoor Show this weekend!!

Get ready folks, the Valley Fishing & Outdoor Show is here!!

The 15th annual Valley Fishing and Outdoor Show arrives this weekend in Carp! The brainchild of my old pal Dave Arbour, this year’s show is set to run from this Friday March 27th until Sun March 29th at the Carp Fairgrounds and Arena, and will feature everything from casting ponds to archery, shooting and fishing simulators.

With more than 100 exhibitors and lots of hunting and fishing equipment this truly is the best the valley has to offer. And this year, I will there hanging out in my very own booth.

Stop by and say hi to the Outdoors Guy!

 

From Dave’s Site:

Located at the W. Erskine Johnston Arena 3882, Carp Rd off the 417. 

The Valley Fishing & Outdoor Show – Come get your Redneck On

The Valley Fishing and Outdoors Show has gone REDNECK CRAZY.

The Carp Fairgrounds and Arena is located in the Village of Carp (3832 Carp Road) and is once again the site of this year’s event – the largest of its kind.  Three buildings will be hosting the event this year, with one building dedicated just to firearms for sale or trade. The fairground offers lots of free parking.

This year has it all – with boats,  to get you on the water, outfitters to help you plan your next great adventure getaway, and tackle shops and hunting gear to help outfit you for your season. This year’s show is full of great prizes thanks to our many sponsors. You could win a pair of Monster Spectacular tickets for May 30th at the CTC Centre, fishing rods at the casting pond, a Muskie charter from Muskie Canada or a cookbook from Jeff Morrison “The Outdoors Guy”. This year’s event is truly interactive and a family oriented event with games for the kids and young at heart to test your skills in shooting, archery, casting and fishing, soap carving, fly tying and more.

New this year is Fish Cleaning demonstrations by Jeff McNaughton from MNRF and “Ask the Butcher” with Steve Moss from Mossy’s Smoke Shop. Their demonstrations and tips of the trade will help you turn that trophy catch into a tasty treat. Also new this year will be live entertainment from the Felhaver Band on Sunday to help you kick off the winter blues and put a “jig” in your step as you get ready for spring and the new fishing & hunting season. Amanda Kingsland from Y101 will be on hand Saturday on the main stage to host “The Redneck Runway”, a fashion show of all the new and latest clothing to help keep you warm, dry and looking your best. 

Seminars: We are pleased to be offering an outstanding line-up of presenters on the main stage this year.  John Anderson one of the world’s foremost renound Muskie speakers and television guest and tournament pro will be on the main stage Friday and Saturday.   Canadian Hall of Fame inductee Big Jim McLaughlin will take the stage Sunday. Big Jim has been an integral part of Canadian sport fishing for 30 years and is always a hit at the Show.  The Ottawa Fly Fishing Society will also be taking the main stage on Friday evening.  They will also be giving demonstrations and lessons on tying flies throughout the weekend.  Saturday Len Dickinson will present on “the travelling hunter”.  Len is an avid globe–trotting hunter who will be sure to pass on his tips to make sure your next hunting trip is a memorable one. 

The third building at the show will house the Gun Show.  Admission to the Fishing & Outdoor Show also gets you into this venue.  A Show within a Show! There will be 50 tables of firearms for sale and trade.  These vendors will help you find the perfect firearm for your upcoming hunting season.

So come on out and get your REDNECK on. Free parking and reasonable admission rates, makes this an affordable outing for the whole family. 

 Bring in your receipt and ID to Dave’s Hunter Saftey Booth and write your Turkey Exam at the show!

Haven’t ordered the DVD? Don’t miss out, follow the link to order! 

http://www.ofah-cps.com/turkey/DVD.cfm

We have a great line up of seminars this year with some new faces, and old friends!

Check back regularly for times!

Seminar Overview

Friday Saturday  Sunday 
6:30 pm -“Fly Fishing”-Ottawa Flyfishers Society  10:00am -“The Traveling Hunter”-Len Dickinson 10:00am – “Muskie Fishing”-John Anderson 
7:30 pm Muskie Fishing”- John Anderson  11:00 am – “Fish Cleaning & Cooking Demonstrations 11:00 am – “Falhaver Family Band”
  12:00 pm – “Muskie Fishing” -John Anderson 12:00 pm – “Ask the Butcher” -Steve Moss 
  1:00 pm – “Rendneck Runway Fashion Show” – Amanda Kingsland Country 101.1 1:00 pm – “Wild Game Cooking Demonstration” 
  2:00 pm – “The Traveling Hunter” -Len Dickinson 2:00 pm – “Big Jim McLaughlin” Canadian Sports Fishing Legend 

There will also be a top-notch chef on hand, a Miss Redneck fashion show, great prizes and more.

For more information: http://www.valleysportsmanshow.com/

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2013 Ford Explorer Sport – fancy fish hauler

Explorer1

Thanks to Maxine Patenaude of Ottawa’s Thornley Fallis for putting me behind the wheel of this new Ford product.

My two weeks with the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport  included a trip up the Ottawa Valley and across the river to Témiscaming, Quebec, followed by a jaunt to our trailer up in Cobden.

The new Explorer is more than roomy enough for the whole family or group of full-sized trout anglers, with comfortable seating for 7 passengers, although I put the back two seats down to increase storage space for our fishing and camping gear.

My first impression of the Explorer Sport was ride quality, and my second impression was power, I mean big time power, and the 365 hp twin turbo had a lot to do with it!

With a 6-speed transmission and 0 to 60 mph rating of 6 seconds flat, it is easily the fastest vehicle in this class I have tried yet.

Explorerdrive2

The new Explorer Sport is also being dubbed as the most fuel efficient High Performance SUV/CUV on the market(est 16 mph city and 22 mpg highway)

Since the Explorer’s redesign in 2011, this classic SUV was magically transformed into a modern-day Crossover vehicle. Gone is the traditionally stiff truck frame; now replaced with crossover-style unibody construction.

 Explorer6

The ride is smooth and silky with smaller bumps being soaked up like a sponge in the vehicle’s suspension. And trust me, the dirt roads in NW Quebec had more than a few bumps and curls.

Off-road purists may be disappointed with the new CUV Explorer and lack of typical 4X4 features like high and low range and ladder frame construction; however, modern day families and weekend campers will appreciate the roominess, comfort and ride quality.

Instead of high and low range of traditional 4X4’s, Ford has included a new ‘intelligent 4WD system’, featuring different settings for conditions like sand, snow or mud.

Ford4wd

The Sport model also boasts a ‘sport tuned’ suspension for a more solid and stiffer ride over uneven ground. Ground clearance is still decent however a low hanging front scoop could hinder rougher off-road driving. It; however, did not cause any problems for me on the rough northern roads.

Exploresuspension

The Explorer’s interior layout is a must see and feels more like the cockpit on an F14 fighter jet.  (I nearly forgot I was on an up north fishing trip) The interior is laid out in a functional and classy manner with every luxury detail considered. Such safety features as ‘blind spot’ indicators take the guess work out of passing, and Ford’s Sync voice command system is a wonder to behold, once you practise with it a bit of course.

 FM 106.1 please!

Explorercockpit

Most every aspect of the Explorer can be monitored from with the Sync System: navigation, heating & cooling, sound and so on. You can use the touch command screen, or really take charge of this beast with the voice command!

I managed to Sync my cell phone and my daughter even Sync’ed her iPod.

The Explorer tells you how many KM’s left before you need to fill up which isn’t a new feature for 2013, but I really like it on long trips, and it also boasts a wide assortment of modern day necessities like MP3, USB, SD memory card slots and even a 11o power outlet.

Explorer3
For those who aren’t used to it, though, this vehicle does carry a good-sized footprint and requires care in parking and manoeuvring into tighter spaces. It is considerably larger than Explorers of days-gone-by and feels more like a luxury vehicle in many ways.

With perhaps the nicest overall look on any SUV/CUV I have seen yet, there are few remnants of the old Explorer left.  This vehicle is definitely a head turner, with its sleek look and  20-inch mag wheels. 

Explorer5

In the end, the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport was a great experience and a vehicle very comfortable to drive. I have never travelled north in such luxury, and it is so fast that I feel fortunate to have returned home speeding ticket-free.

For those looking for modern day convenience and luxury in a full-size crossover combined with off-road ability, this is the vehicle for you.

And for the avid angler, this is one fancy fish hauler indeed.

Explorerdrive

 

Outdoorsguy