 | | |
|
Krista's Recipe of the Week |  |
Walleye Fish Cakes
Ingredients:
3 pounds walleye fillets
1 Pinch of salt & black pepper to taste
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 shredded carrot,
1 diced red onion,
1 diced celery stalk,
4 cups of panko bread crumbs
2 cups mayonnaise
1 tbs Old Bay seafood seasoning
1 tsp salt
2 tbs oil for frying
Sauce:
1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup stone-ground mustard
1 smashed clove garlic clove
1 tbs pickle juice
1 tbs capers
1 tsp prepared horseradish
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp hot paprika
1/2 tsp hot sauce (Frank's Red Hot)
Special equipment: a food processor
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to
375 F (190 C).
2. Place walleye fillets in a baking dish, cover with wine, and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20-25 min or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Set aside to cool
3. Mix carrot, red onion, celery, panko crumbs, mayonnaise, seafood seasoning, and salt in a bowl until well blended.
4. Break cooked walleye fillets into large chunks, and mix gently with the above so the fish doesn't break apart. Shape the mixture into 12 small patties.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Fry patties for 3-5 min per side or until golden brown.
6. Blend sauce ingredients together. Drizzle the sauce over the walleye cakes. Serve and enjoy.
|
|
|
|
It May Be September, But Summer Isn't Over Yet!
While September may mark the begining of another school year and the end of summer holidays, it does not signal the end of fishing season --despite all those adds for fall and end of summer projects. As those who stayed with us last week will tell you, the weather is still perfect for a day out on the water, and there continues to be great fishing in the North. As Graham points out in the weather report, Armstrong experienced record highs with temperatures reaching the high twenties, or mid eighties, as warmer temperatures continue.... so much for the early winter theory!
Other stories this week include record setting catches at Miminiska, the classic tale of catching trophy northerns while fishing for walleye out at Striker's, a tasty way to hold on to summer, and as promised, Scott's guide for mastering the choppy waters and late summer storms. Stay tuned for more great fishing adventures coming this weekend. Congrats to a fresh class of master anglers and, as always, it's nice to hear from you!
Keep in touch, | |
 Alan Cheeseman, President Wilderness North Ontario, Canada
1-888-465-3474 (F-I-S-H)
|
| __________________________________________________________________ |
| __________________________________________________________________ |
|
Reports From the Wilderness
Trophy Northerns are Still Biting at Striker's Point Lodge
Unfortunately there are no updates to report from the Diekman party this week, but the hot fishing continues out at Strikers thanks to ideal conditions. As Dale from the Jones party put it "The weather was great for fishing while we were there. Sunny skies, nice temps, and a good wind blowing to keep the fish active". The Jones party had great success catching walleye while jigging off of the various points around White Water Lake. In true angling fashion, the group ended up landing most of their pike while jigging for walleye. The largest northern at 41in was caught, while jigging in the 'narrows', on a light action rod equipped with 6.lb line, a silver minnow spoon, and, believe it or not, no leader.
Parties, Camaraderie, and Record Setting Catches at Miminiska Lodge | |
The Sarick group arrived at Miminiska last week for their annual father, son, and cousin fishing trip. Traveling from Toronto, Aspen Colorado, and North Carolina, the guys come together each summer to share their love of fishing. Fishing was at its best this trip as they enjoyed plentiful catches and tasty shore lunches prepared by our First Nation guides at the lodge. Special Walleye awards were presented to the boys to keep up their enthusiasm until next year... but I'm sure they'll be back!
The newly crowned Triple Master Angler Group arrived in two Wilderness North Otters after traveling from many points: Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Buffalo, Michigan and St. Catherine's Ontario. The four ladies and eleven men were strangers when they arrived, but new friends as they departed. Gordon landed a 44in pike at Petawanga, and Jack was close behind with his 40incher brought in at the same location. Not to be left out of the master angler race, on his last day, Fred reeled in a 42in northern at Watam Bay. Master anglers of a different sort, the Wozsyski group may have set an all-time record with their total catch coming just shy of 1000 fish by the end of their stay. Back at the lodge, Jerry celebrated his 77th birthday and was treated to a cake parade from the staff complete with an off tune rendition of Happy Birthday sung by the entire group. Plenty of fish, new friends, and a wonderful time were had by all.
|
| __________________________________________________________________ |
|
Krista's Corner
As the evening temperatures are starting to cool off a bit now that summer is winding down, I find myself thinking about comfort foods. Not the heavy meals of fall and winter, but something rich and savoury. One of the best ways to bring out these flavours is cooking with wine. The cardinal rule is use a wine you wouldn't mind drinking and pair it with what you are cooking -whites for sea food and chicken, and reds for beef or other red meat. For the uninitiated, cooking with wine helps to enhance the flavour and aroma of the dish. The alcohol helps break down the ingredients, melding it with the flavour of the wine as it burns off, adding more body to sauces and meats. A classic sauvignon blanc is a great choice for most white meat, like this week's Fish Cake recipe, due to its dryness and light subtle flavour. While you might be tempted to polish off the bottle you just cracked open... nothing says summer like sitting back with a cold one, so grab a bottle of Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale and enjoy your afternoon or evening. | |
Happy Cooking!
Krista |
| __________________________________________________________________ |
|
Scott's Words of Wisdom
 Seven Secrets for Stormy Seas
September is one of the windiest months of the open-water fishing season. I will defer to experts like Dr. Saunders on why this is. I just know that the wind whips up a good froth on our Northern Ontario lakes nearly every afternoon during August and September.
Many years of guiding and fishing on Northern Ontario lakes has given me lots of experience with waves and wind. I have a cabin on Nipigon Bay on Lake Superior so I've spent a lot of time on that enormous body of water. Even though Nipigon Bay is somewhat sheltered from the big lake by a series of large islands, the bay is about 20-miles long and 5-miles wide - with its length lying east and west. Subsequently when prevailing winds blow from the west the waves can be downright nasty, and boating can be challenging - even frightening. In fact last summer my wife and I had to spend 4 long hours on an island waiting for the wind to settle so that we could safely boat across the bay back to the cabin. We were actually prepared to stay the night in the event that the wind did not settle.
Many of the lakes accessed by Wilderness North also have potential for big waves at certain times of year. Certainly not as daunting as Lake Superior, but with enough wind and surf to put a damper on your holiday (pardon the pun). Lakes like Makokibatan, Whitewater, and Miminiska are also long bodies of water that lie east and west. A good west wind can whip up some dandy waves on these bodies of water, and not just in September. This past June I boated with two customers on Makokibatan on a couple of days with substantial wind. I did my best to get the customers onto fish in some pretty nasty weather; hopefully without giving them the impression that they were reenacting the final scene from the movie, The Perfect Storm.
Here's a list of techniques and considerations that I employ to deal with stormy "seas":
- Pay Attention to the Forecast: When available, check daily weather forecasts using the internet or radio weather channels. I use the weather channel on my GMRS radio (walkie-talkie) religiously. When the marine forecast calls for a wind warning, I take heed.
- Who are you going to believe, the weather-man or your eyes? Whether forecasted or not, watch for storm fronts developing on the horizon. If you see black clouds approaching move towards camp and prepare to get off the water. Don't be one of those dopes that say, "But the forecast wasn't calling for a storm".
- Stay close to camp on windy days: If the weather is calling for building winds in the afternoon, plan your boat trip such that you don't have to cross open water to return to camp. Instead find a secluded bay on the same side of the lake and fish there.
- Go home with the wind at your back: Plan trips so that you travel into the wind in the morning and with the wind when you return in late afternoon. It is easier to boat with the waves than against them, and waves generally build as the day progresses.
- Don't cross the waves: There is nothing more nerve-racking than cresting waves breaching the side of your boat. You can lessen risk by "tacking" like a sail boat and crossing open water in a zig-zag pattern. A boat can flip sideways much easier than end-for-end.
- Take the long way home: There is a tendency to want to hug the shore-line when boating in angry seas. A presumption is made that if the boat capsizes you will be closer for swimming to shore. However, this thinking is flawed for a number of reasons. One is that reefs, rocks and sandbars are often closer to shore - especially near points. If you run aground during high seas, you stand a very good chance of sinking your boat. Secondly, waves swell as the water column decreases near the shoreline. And finally, if you're anticipating the possibility of capsizing - go to shore and stay there!
- Stayin' Alive: If you want to live long enough to disco dance to the BeeGees like John Travolta...or not! then you need to stay alive. Ensure all your safety equipment is onboard and wear your lifejacket. Making a decision to spend a few hours or even a night on an island is a lot better than capsizing your boat in rough weather. Most of us have enough body fat to see us through a missed meal - or two!
If you have some additional tips, or experiences you'd like to share about "troubled waters", I'd love to hear from you.
Tight Lines,
Scott Earl-Smith |
| __________________________________________________________________ |
Ontario Weather - Graham Saunders
Who's More Confused, the Geese or the Weather?
There are a few signs that the remarkable summer of 2012 is winding down in Northwestern Ontario. Geese were a topic last week along with leaves in the northern forests which have hints of colour. Part of the changing of the leaves is probably due to triggers like less daylight and, most critical this year, dry conditions. In regards to the geese and their early migration, it is probably best to ask them directly - but one has to wonder about their flight path. Drought conditions prevail for most of their migration route - and forecasts suggest persistent drought. They have had a good summer but it may be slim pickings on the way.
The temperatures in the last seven days do not confirm these seasonal signs. Armstrong recorded a high of 29ºC(85º F) on Thursday and most recent days have been warmer and drier than seasonal. For people and geese who are staying around for the next week: a weak cold front will usher in seasonal conditions, afternoon temperatures around 20º C (high 60s º F) with a chance of isolated showers.
Wilderness North Weatherman Graham Saunders teaches weather at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, and writes a weather column for the Thunder Bay Chronicle. |
|
|
|
|
