Ontario's Family Fishing Week July 3 - 11, 2010 - No fishing license required!

The time is here for National Fishing Week in Canada...the coast to coast salt water and fresh water free fishing extravaganza! Here in Ontario, from the week beginning July 3rd until the July 11th, every fishable water source within the province can be fished without you requiring a government issued fishing license.
We boost about some pretty amazing fishing right here in cottage country so, I hope you have your angling gear in check and at the ready? All age anglers and wanna be's are invited to stick their lines in the water and make a fishing memory in the great outdoors and if your shy on fun tickets, fishing is an affordable pastime best shared amongst generations of family and friends.

Canada's Catch Fishing Program (National Fishing Week) was formed on behalf of the Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation and the National Recreational Fishing Task Group across Canada and is considered a collaborative effort including local sport, fishing tackle and bait retailers, enthusiasts and outdoor organizations.

p.s. here's a bragging shot, just to show you what's really out there...mmm, a beautiful Pickerel fish(be sure to check the fishing regulations though because they may not be in season in your area at this time. And yes, hubby was grinning just not by take5 on my bunk camera ;)

Smelt Fishing - Lake Simcoe 2010

To me, Smelt fishing is somewhat like waiting for Santa Claus...at the golden age of 50! There's lots of hype but it's simply not like it was when you were a kid.

The elusive Smelt fish have tickled the fancies of fishermen surrounding the great lakes for hundreds of years and around the shores of Lake Simcoe, it's no different. Once a year these scaled, slim lined beauties begin their spawning cycle within the shallows of Simcoe making them a vulnerable target to those in the want.

Smelt fish are used as bait to catch other fish but historically they are also a known delicacy, a tasty treat for the kings! Therefore, the spawning Smelts beckon not only the local racoon population but the fishermen want them too ;)

Check along the shoreline and shallows in the late to wee hours of the morning. You can spot them in their hip waders (the fishermen that is and by the way, that's not a sexy look ;), their flashlights, dip nets and buckets in hand... scoping, checking and re-checking the shorelines for nights on end. In that sense, it's worse than waiting for Santa Claus 'cause at least you have a clue when he's comin'!

For the past two weeks, late in the evening to early morning, my hopeful hubby sets out on his search. He faithfully, year in and year out, beats a path to his childhood hot spots. While the Smelt, well, they're nowhere to be found!

This evening may be the same scenario, but perhaps not? I'll keep you posted!

All Fish Seafood Recipes has oodles of recipe options for cooking up the Smelts, if you catch em' that is! I personally have never tried them, nor do I want to, so that means all the more for you. Although, I did read a rumour that the reason there are no Smelt fish left, is because Darryl Choronzey ate them all ;) ...shore lunch!!

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