Archive for April 8th, 2009
FISHING TRIP TO CANADA
April 8th, 2009 | 
Author: Planning that fishing trip to Saskatchewan or of a lifetime to Canada this year? Going to try to
catch that trophy Walleye or trophy Northern Pike? If you’re heading to Canada, Here are some things you want to
make sure you have before heading on the trip away from home!
Plan your fishing trip to Saskatchewan.
First and foremost make sure you have the proper paperwork
for a carefree crossing or it might turn into the headache of a lifetime.
The rules recently changed regarding the types of identification
needed to cross the border. Making matters even more confusing
is the fact that U.S. and Canada border requirements are not
necessarily the same but are closely linked.
The following documents of identification serve as satisfactory
proof of American citizenship when traveling to and from Canada
(note that photocopies of ID must be notarized):
You need will need minimum of 2 pieces of id:
at least one current photo id (such as a current driver’s license)
AND
a U.S. passport
a birth certificate
a certificate of citizenship or naturalization.
Personal Items To Ensure You Have:
Provincial Fishing License
No matter which province you decide to fish in you will need that
Province’s current fishing license. Make sure to read the rules and
regulations regarding fishing in Canada and the enviornment.
What about transporting your fishing rods and tackle?
Both can be checked as luggage but check on weight and length
restrictions and conditions with the airline you use. Also depending
on location you may have to catch a private plane to the actual fishing camp.
The main airline may not have restrictions, but the private flight
will likely have weight restrictions, so choose your tackle with care.
Bring your Rod, take off the reel and put it in your tackle box, put
your rod in a tube or hard case. Airline handlers are NOT very
care full.
Spare Spool with/or Spare Line
You have purchased a trip to Canada now before you go, buy and put a
new spool of line on your reel, buy 2. Walleye or pan fish (perch)
fishing, use the 6 – 8 lb line. Northern Pike or bottom bank and river
fishing, use 10 -12 pound line.
Needle nose pliers
Northern pike have lots of teeth. Those teeth can shred your finger
very quickly and they bleed for a long time and sting as well. I
suggest you get at least one pair for your box.
Mouth Spreader (fish gag)
Use to hold the fish’s mouth open, while you remove your lure. You
will be surprised as to how well Northern Pike can keep that mouth
closed making it impossible to get your lure out.
Snap swivels
Tied to your line they act as a swivel and snap. To keep line from
twisting and tangling, and a quick connect to lures and leaders.
Leaders/Fluorocarbon
Northern pike can bite through line faster than you can cut it with a
knife. Leaders prevent this, they come in 6, 9, 12 or 18 inches long.
Fluorocarbon line is new, but heck if it can hold a real shark it
will work for Northern Pike. Remember, here in Saskatchewan with
every cast you do not know but a “Slough Shark”(northern pike) may
bite.
Eye buster tool, Clippers or pocket knife, Hook Sharpener
All new hooks usually have paint in the eye hole. In order for you to
pass your line, snap swivel or leader snap through you need to get
this paint out. Finger nail clippers or knife are used to cut extra
line when
finished tying knots to lures, snaps and leaders (don’t use your
teeth). One of the most important items you will need is a good hook
sharpener. Always, make sure to sharpen hooks before using them,
almost all fish are lost at initial bite because of a dull hook.
Emergency rod tip, sinkers, split shot, weights, and bottom bouncers
Accidents happen, most rods break between the last two eyes on your
rod. You can cut off the extra rod at the top of the second eye but
casting is still going to be a pain. Weights used to get lures down
to fish. Summer walleye fishing may need to bounce off the bottom of
the lake as you float or slowly troll.
Safety Kit, Fire proof, wind proof matches, small heavy blade knife
Bandages, as well as for the basic survival items it contains. Make
sure matches are in a water tight container (never know when you will
have to make a fire). May need, if for nothing else, to cut limbs for
the fire.
Fillet Knife, Couple of large zip lock bags
If you do not have a guide, YOU will have to clean your fish. Most
lakes have cleaning stations, make sure when cleaning you leave the 2
inches of outer skin on for species Identification the Conservation
Officer is going to be looking for when you get checked. As well make
sure you have your Licence. Bags to put the fillets in, carry your
maps, holding your fishing license, use for anything that you need to
protect from water or dampness.
Bug repellent, Sun tan lotion, Good wide brimmed hat
Of course there is bugs, mosquitoes, no-see-ums, horse flies, sand
flies, and a whole host of biting critters. Protect your nose, ears,
and arms, reflection from the water makes sun burns very easy and
very intense in a very short time. The last thing you want is heat
stroke, being sick or hospitalised does not a good fishing trip make.
Rain Coat, Extra shoes, 1 change of clothes
Pack these in a separate daypack (over and above luggage,
carry with you even in the fishing boat)
The weather here is unpredictable. It can be perfectly calm one
minute and the next pouring rain. We have a saying here in
Saskatchewan, “If you don’t like the weather, give it a minute, it
will change, and/or turn around and face the other direction”
The number 1 thing to make sure you have in your backpack or tackle
Box Bring a roll of TP paper, leaves are a bit rough. Hope you can tell
the difference between regular leaves and poison ivy (hint avoid any
serrated edge leaves).
Going on a fishing trip to Canada or fly-in fishing trip to Saskatchewan, for most fishermen, will be the trip of a life time,
do not let it be ruined at the border, or forgetting to bring items. Oh, and don’t forget the camera. The scenery here is spectacular.
Remember, one picture is worth a thousand words! So, how many words are you going to capture while you are here.
Greg Parkin, Practical Sportman,
