Here's your Wilderness North Newsletter

If you purchased your Ontario Outdoor Card three years ago - you have likely received, in the mail, your renewal notice from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Canadian Outdoor Card

These plastic ID cards are your master file record in Ontario's licensing computer and are required of all resident and non-resident anglers and hunters who practice their sport in Ontario.

Now obtaining or renewing your card is just a click away. This is true of your fishing license as well.

If you do not have a computer, you may call 1-800-387-7011 and obtain these two documents well in advance of your arrival.

If this year is your first trip to Ontario since 2009, you must purchase both the Outdoor Card ($10 - and good for 3 years) and a fishing license (8-day conservation - $30.)

If you have purchased your Outdoor Card in the past two years, make sure you have it in your hand when going online or on the phone.

Your unique number - as printed on the card - is the beginning point of obtaining your 2012 license.

Countdown to Opener

Since I last wrote to you, we have had a blast of winter. Heavy blizzard like conditions throughout the area, closing schools and roads for couple of days. Then very cold. However, today it's back to those unusual balmy days, with a hint of spring in the air. It is my understanding that spring, officially now just a week away, has arrived in full force in the US with temperatures in the Twin Cities reaching the 70's recently. All in all, this should allow us an early "ice out" so we can prepare our lodges and cabins for our May 20th opener.

At The Border

There has been considerable confusion over the recent announcement regarding relaxed admission procedures for non-Canadian guests who have minor criminal records, such as DUI's. We are attempting to confirm details with our sources at the Canada Border Services Agency.

The Operational Bulletin for this initiative has been posted online and can be found by clicking here.

Feature Destination:

Each newsletter this spring will be featuring one adventure destination. Of course you can always click on the links to the left to go to our website and see what's in store at any and all of our destinations.

SO: (drum roll please)... this week it is

Opichuan Lake.

It's fun to say. Oh-peach-a-won. It's even more fun to fish. This new cabin, that welcomes up to eight persons, is nestled on the river system that makes up the legendary Albany River. It is the only cabin on the seven-mile long lake. A few casts into the narrow passage ways or up to the rocky shores of the many islands produce excellent Walleyes and scrappy Northern Pike. Even Brook Trout! The strong current flow contributes to the high "catch to cast" ratio. This river system has it all. Open lake areas, narrow river channels, cliffs and breathtaking views. Opichuan Lake...it's a Canadian fishing outpost cabin adventure in a very special place.The nine photos on the left show you the very pristine setting, and the great cabin, including that solar panel for interior lighting.

We had the chance to catch up with guest Joe Fazio, of Toronto, ON who loves the lake...and the ease of getting there from our Nakina dock, an easy drive from Toronto or points east
of Thunder Bay, especially for guests coming across the Big Mac Bridge from Michigan.

Click here to listen to Joe's PODCAST of fishing at Opichuan.

The Moose Hunt:

Again in 2012, we are cooperating with the Ontario MNR wildlife conservation program to control populations of healthy moose. To that end we will be offering moose hunt trips to many of our camps and lodges.

We have the tags, and Scott Earl Smith of Scott Earl Smith Hunter Thunder Bay is serving as our resident hunt specialist. The hunt lasts from about September 20th to October 10th.

We offer seven night/eight day trips. If you are interested in receiving more information and become part of a special Wilderness North moose hunters newsletter and information group, click here and leave us your request.

Fly In Fishing Trips:
Our 2012 reservations are on pace for our May 20th to September 20th season...and there is no better time for you to contact Joe Pichey, our Adventure Trip Planner to insure that your dates and destinations are still open.

Always enjoy hearing from you, send me an e-mail if you like.

Alan Cheeseman

President, Wilderness North

Hey Joe ! What's New? JoePine

Every new season brings with it a few new questions, a few new concerns and as always, a few new lures on the market that we fisherman just can't resist. I am convinced that the great minds behind the tackle companies have decided to design lures to catch one thing and one thing only: FISHERMAN!!! I love to walk the isles of my local Bass Pro or Cabelas to see the new lures, the old stand-by's and the clearance items. (I've learned to leave my credit card at home, if I really want to save some money.) While something will always be flashy enough to make it into our shopping carts, the old reliable lures such as the Eppinger Daredevle or Storm Hot-N-Tot should always be in the tackle box for the trip north. Over the last few seasons, we have asked our guests to make a list of their favorite lures and a number of them are on almost everyone's list. Some are old, some are brand new and some are just plain funny to look at or pronounce.

Let's start with the top Pike lures over the last few seasons. My personal favorite has been the Williams Whitefish. This large flutter spoon has produced year in and year out on Whitewater Lake with fish up to 52-inches. The bigger the better on this lure. The next lure for both trophy Pike and Walleye is the Mepps Syclops. This is a great casting spoon and will produce some monster strikes. (Thanks to Dan Carlson for the tip on this great lure.) I love the blue or gold colors on this one. The third lure on my tackle list is the Johnson Silver Minnow. When tipped with a twister tail and tossed into the thick weeds, this one is hard to beat. I prefer to go with the larger sizes when it comes to Pike lures.

The Walleye can be a bit more picky. Jigs with twister tails produce about 80% of our Walleye each season. Whether they are tipped with minnows, leeches or crawlers, they can be counted on each and every month of the summer. If you are looking to try something new, look for the relatively new DeepTail Dancer by Rapala. This is a great deep diving lure with lots of action. It is good for both Walleye and big Pike. Actually, anything by Rapala is a good bet to produce during the summer. One bait that has proven successful in recent seasons is the Berkley Crazy Legs Chigger Craw. This is typically a Bass lure, but thanks to annual guest Dave Mapes and his successful trip into ZigZag a few years back, we now consider this a great Walleye option.

As the tackle industry "sets the hook" in the fisherman with new products, don't forget about the old reliables that can still be counted on with regularity. I look forward to see what new, old and homemade lures make it up to camp during the 2012 season. If you have any recommendation, please e-mail me as I always love to talk fishing.

Joe Pichey

Outdoor Expert - Adventure Planner

Click here to e-mail me.

Wilderness North

Contact Us

531 Shipyard Drive

Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7A 8A8

1 888 465 FISH (3474)