Who Names Those Hurricanes
|
According to our weather expert, Professor Graham Saunders - it's a committee.
Hurricanes no longer have ONLY female names.
The early practice of naming hurricanes happened after the storm. The naming first happened in Australia, Graham's native country.
You see, Clement Wragge was the first guy to name a hurricane and he chose the first name of a politician he described as "wandering, without a particular direction, and capable of doing considerable harm."
HMMM - Something to think about when we all vote next week.
Anyway Graham has a great little podcast that summarizes how the selection of hurricane names has evolved over the years.
Click here to listen.
|
|
|
Where Is That Bird That Sings "Oh-Canada" ?
|
|
"That Bird" ... is actually the white throated sparrow and like many of its friends of a feather, is flying through the U.S. and Mexico and along the U.S. Atlantic coastline this time of year. Ontario's most famous bird, the common loon is in the Great Lakes area, with both changes in song and colour taking place. Dr. Jeff Wells, world renowned orinthologist conducted a bird song taping this summer from our Miminiska Lodge and tells us more about that trip and the whereabouts of our boreal birds in this podcast. Click here to listen!
|
|
Halloween Carving |
|
Wilderness North Master Angler, Dan Carlson has carved his Halloween pumpkin. Dan lives in Iowa and after his fishing trip this summer returned home to get over to the Iowa State Fair with a 1300 pound plus pumpkin which won first place. Now he's carved it into a giant chair. Wow. Hear our interview podcast - click here. See the story from Iowa Public TV by clicking here.
|
|
|
Catching Up
...by Alan Cheeseman
Well, the lodges, camps, and cabins are all closed. Winter is breathing down our necks, and the world economy sure looks a lot different than it did just a month ago.
So let's catch up.
Good Economic News? - You Bet!Again in 2009, we are offering our Reel Deal promotion. Guests who book now, and pay in full by check before December 10, 2008, will receive a 10% savings off the rates published at the website. However, it doesn't stop there. You will recall that our prices are in Canadian dollars, and today the American dollar has a 20% margin over Canadian currency. In addition, we know that gasoline prices have dropped as much as a dollar a gallon.
When you do the math, a $1045 (Can$) outpost cabin trip, is no w available for about $732 (US$), taking into consideration both the Reel Deal, and currency exchange rate savings. Economists tell us the exchange rate advantage to the American dollar may not last long, so now is a perfect time to book and save. You may send us an e-mail to learn all the details on dates, available destinations, and prices by clicking here or you may call us at 1-888-465-3474.
What's up with our feathered friends? We have been back in touch with Jeff Wells, senior scientist at the International Boreal Conservation Campaign who has an update on Birding in the Boreal. His podcast is available by clicking here, or by a click at the end of the sidebar on the left about migratory activity.
Solunar - Sun and Moon Calendar Available - FREE !
Our 2009 solunar fishing tables are calculated and ready. They are at the downloads section of the website. If you can open Adobe PDF files you can have them now. Free. They are calculated on our "latitude and longitude" and are adjusted for 2009 Daylight Saving Time. Click Here to go to the download page at the website.
BTW: this is the weekend that Daylight Savings Time expires for 2008 - set your clocks back one hour Saturday night in most provinces and states.
New Guest Services Hours
Our offices in Thunder Bay now have longer hours for guest convenience. You may call us from 8am to 7pm - Eastern, Monday through Friday. Tyler Lancaster, our resource specialist from Striker's Point Lodge, is in our Thunder Bay office now and ready to chat.
Anyway, let's keep in touch. E-mail by clicking here. And always by phone at 1-888-465-FISH (3474).
Alan
|
Fishing License Changes for 2009
Ontario anglers and hunters all have one. 
An Ontario Outdoor Card.
Now everyone, including non-resident hunters and anglers must have one starting January 1, 2009. The card will cost $9.00 and be valid for 3 years. These new requirements are part of the implementation of a new licensing automation system, which takes full effect in 2010.
This year when our guests apply for a fishing license they will also purchase the Outdoor Card. In about a year the application can take place on-line, but for now it will require a paper application. We will provide the application forms to guests, so both your Outdoor Card and Fishing License will be waiting for you upon arrival for your adventure. The MNR will send you a plastic card-about the size of a credit card with your unique number printed on the card, a number you will use to acquire both fishing and hunting licenses in the future. This new Outdoors Card will be mailed to your home address.
Click here to listen to a podcast interview with Burton McClelland, Manager of Licensing Improvement Project, Ministry of Natural Resources - Ontario. |
|
Coming in November
Our 2009 wall calendar goes on the press soon.  To insure that your calendar arrives, let us know if we need to make a change of your mailing address in our database. Plus we will announce our lucky guest photographers whose photos will be in the 12 by 10 inch calendar and who will receive a logo vest as their thank you.
The tabulations on the Gulp vs Live Bait face off results will be in.
Eddie Nickens talks about his Audubon Magazine January 2009 article on the Boreal forests of Ontario from his summer 2008 canoe trip and fly over. He'll also tell us how the provincial leaders are declaring certain parts of the Ontario wilderness as "untouchable" to lumber and mining.
|
|
|
|
|
