Gone Fishing
M
y Dad was an avid fisherman. Every chance he'd get, he be on the freshwater lake in front of our country cottage, trolling for trout. (Did you know 25 percent of the world's lake trout population lives in Ontario, Canada?)
Sometimes he'd be lucky. Sometimes he'd come back with trout, bass, pike, or the odd carp. Either way we knew we'd have fresh fish for supper that evening.
Even though my mother loved eating the fish, she didn't appreciate having to gut, scale and clean them. Ugh. But she always did, and then pan-fried them in butter.
When I was young, I often went on fishing trips with my father. I learned how to bait a hook with nightcrawlers and minnows, how to net the fish and how to unhook them. I also learned how to operate an outboard motor, cast a rod and troll. (Can't say I've done any of that in the past 40 years, but it still may come in handy one day in the near future.)
Dad liked to collect different lures and keep them in a rusty old tackle box, along with a pocket knife, extra fishing line and other items that I really didn't pay that much attention to.
He's gone now and the fishing tackle and other items have long disappeared among other family members, but the memories of our fishing adventures will always remain. Thanks, Dad, for the experience, education and the good times!
If you love to fish, or have a child or a fishy friend that enjoys the sport, here are some items that could make a great gift.
This fun gift is a monthly lure subscription service and a wonderful way to discover new tackle. There are three plan levels and you can chose or change the species of fish you are targeting each month. Choose between a STANDARD or PRO version of bass, trout, catfish (catfish excluded from PRO), panfish, or inshore saltwater boxes, and ELITE boxes for hardcore bass or multi-species anglers. mysterytacklebox.com and you can get regular tackle boxes and backpaks here amazon.ca and US: amazon.com
In case you don't have enough lures, this great selection of 100 lures and spinners (plugs, spoons, soft bait for pike, trout and salmon) will guarantee you catch something. It's especially great for the just starting fisherman. joom.com and amazon.ca and US: amazon.com
These 10L or 20L waterproof sacks are sealed shut and can conveniently float alongside you during your paddleboarding, kayaking, and at sea adventures! They are perfect for fishermen and suitable for small and medium-sized items you’d like to protect from the elements: cell phone, camera, clothing, towels, toiletries, shoes, etc. Bigger sizes for camping are also available and work as a backpack. Canada: amazon.ca USA: amazon.com
Fishermen (and women) always need tackle boxes. This enormous, yet compartmentalized tackle box by Plano will be able to contain everything they need. Includes three removable bait racks with separate access and features a comfortable over-molded handle. Canada: amazon.ca USA: amazon.com
Here's an informative site that shows you how to tie fishing knots and where best to use them. animatedknots.com
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Fishing will give you lots of tips on how to fish and what equipment is necessary. It even has a section on the history of fishing! hobbyhelp.com
Here is info from Cottage Life: Fishing 101: A guide for beginners on fishing in Ontario at cottagelife.com
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Fishing Gear & Tackle
What are the best types of fishing lures for beginners targeting trout, bass, and pike?
How do I choose a good tackle box for different types of fishing trips?
What should I include in a basic freshwater fishing kit?
What are the differences between plugs, spoons, and soft bait lures?
Fishing Accessories & Storage
How do waterproof dry bags work, and what should I look for when buying one for fishing?
What are the pros and cons of monthly subscription tackle boxes like Mystery Tackle Box?
What’s the best way to organize fishing gear for kayak or paddleboard fishing?
Fishing Skills & Techniques
"What are the most essential fishing knots every angler should know?
How do I bait a hook with nightcrawlers or minnows?
What’s the difference between casting, trolling, and still fishing?
How do I properly net and unhook a fish?
Beginner Fishing Guides
What are the best online resources for learning how to fish from scratch?
What are the basic rules or etiquette for fishing in Ontario, Canada?
How has fishing evolved as a sport over the years?
Fishing with Kids & Family
What are some tips for teaching a child how to fish?
What kind of fishing gear is best for kids or young beginners?
How can I make fishing trips more enjoyable for the whole family?
Regional & Environmental Info
Why is Ontario home to 25% of the world’s lake trout population?
What are the most common freshwater fish in Canadian lakes?
What are the environmental best practices for catch-and-release fishing?
Some suggested AI sites are: ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Perplexity.ai, Deepseek and others.
By D Revelins
Photo Credits: See Acknowledgements