Muskoka Outdoors Network

Find some time during the winter break to visit Canada's largest marine marketplace in the Direct Energy Centre located at Toronto's Exhibition Place. The 53rd annual boating event starts January 8 and ends on January 16, 2011.

What particularly stands out about this event is that it is also on the site of the world's largest indoor lake. This sets the aquatic stage (of 1,000,000 gallons of Lake Ontario water) for events like:

-Wakeboard & Wakeskating WOWfest - Boarders and skaters crank up the volume for a spectacular show of grinds, tricks and flips
-wakeboard lessons
-FREE ride in an inflatable boat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboat
-Duma the waterskiing and boat-driving dog

The angler will also be find this show to be a worthwhile endeavour. Not only will there be bass boats to look over, but an angler will be able to view the Great Canadian Fish Tank. It is a 40' x 8' aquarium filled with 5,000 gallons of water and stocked with native Ontario fish. Daily fishing demonstrations and seminars by Canada’s top anglers deliver a rare underwater view of how fish react to and strike at various types of bait, lures and fishing techniques.

More Show details

SAVE $3 when you buy tickets online!
Available here November 1st through midnight, January 7th!

Click here to order tickets!

When:
January 8 to 16, 2011  
Saturdays 10 am to 7 pm   
Sundays 10 am to 6 pm   
Weekdays 11 am to 8 pm

Where:
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place
100 Princes Blvd.
Toronto, ON M6K 3C3

www.TorontoBoatShow.com

The Vancouver Sun has posted an article confirming that sport anglers in British Columbia will follow new shark fishing regulations, in coastal waters, that reduce allowable catches.  The changes will probably become implemented April 1.

Key changes as indicated in the entire article are:

-Support to ban directed (sport and trawling fleet) fishing of sharks where there is a science-based conservation concern

-Dogfish daily catch quotas reduced to 4 from 20

-Groundfish fleets will be issued shark I.D. charts

Read the entire article here.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Canada (PHWFFC) is a group dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled military personnel, veterans and other Canadians suffering from physical or psychological injury as a result of their service to Canada. The Ontario chapter is looking for help from dedicated fly fishing anglers and corporate sponsors.

With 14 new Nothern Ontario veterans waiting to benefit from the Project Healing Waters Canada program, the Ontario Director of PHWFFC, Geoff Hewko, has shared two areas where they need help for 2011:

1. The first (and most important) area is a need for fly fishing clubs or guides in Northern Ontario that would be willing to adopt the program and help/volunteer to instruct Canadian soldiers on, and off, the water with fly fishing basics.  PHWFFC has a program outline that can be followed and the angling charity may be able to cover club dues and fees where applicable.  Program participants in Ontario do not need a fishing license under the provisions of the Ontario MNR's guidelines.

Specifically, these are the Northern Ontario regions that have soldiers standing by:

Timmins = 1 veteran
Sault Ste Marie = 1 veteran
Sudbury = 1 veteran
North Bay = 6 veterans
Pembroke = 5 veterans

2. The second area is a request for a corporate sponsor that could cover the costs of waders, boots and walking staffs. PHWFFC will cover basic gear like rods, reels, line, flies etc. This will allow our honoured Canadian soldiers to continue enjoying the benefits of fly fishing after their time with PHWFFC.

The Healing Waters Project would like to help as many of Canada's veterans as possible. If you know of any soldiers who may benefit from this unique program, contact PHWFFC today!

To contact, help or donate to Project Healing Waters Canada in Ontario, please contact Geoff Hewko This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or visit the PHWFFC website.

A new IGFA (International Game Fish Association) length record may have been broken in the North West Territories, Canada. Marc Hatton, caught and released a 118 cm northern pike on the Taltson River. Visit the IGFA Website for more details.

The 2011 Great Outdoors and DIY (Do-it-yourself) weekend is set for November 25-27, 2011 at the International Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The uniquely Canadian 'flavored' Outdoor Show is the combined effort of four media leading, Canadian magazines: Cottage Life, Canadian Home Workshop, Explore, and my personal favourite - Outdoor Canada. The end result is a show that will appeal to a huge variety of outdoor enthusiasts. One ticket gives you exclusive entrance to all 4 venues!

Each magazine contributes their own content-specific exhibits, workshops, and celebrities to the exciting whole of the show. Depending on schedules, visitors can expect to see super-charged featured events like:

-Meeting Survivor Champion Rob Mariano (Saturday, November 26 at 11am)

-The thrill of an indoor Zip Line (with age, height and weight considerations)

-Meet Women of the Outdoors (Vanessa Harrop, Amanda Lynn Mayhew-Hare, Kathryn Maroun, and Mariko Izumi)

-Kids Crooked Christmas Village and Kids Fishing and Camping Area

-Meet your favourite celebrity anglers and hunters in the Outdoor Canada Lodge

-For a complete listing of other features and events (with schedules) visit the Outdoor Weekend Website

I enjoy the show because of it's timing in the year. It comes just as the apex of a 2011 hunting season begins to wind down. The show infuses a renewed excitement (at least for me) for hunting and fishing that keeps you looking forward to your next spring hunting and fishing opportunity.

Tickets cost $15 at the door for adults (18+).  However, if you purchase your tickets online - you can SAVE $2! Follow this link to buy your tickets now.

March 16 - 20, 2011 marks the date of this year's Toronto Sportsmen's Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Consider filling the winter void (that can exist) between hunting and fishing seasons and get excited about new products, outdoor celebrities and outdoor presentations this upcoming March Break.

Early Bird online tickets cost $17 for adults and $13 for Junior Tickets (6-15 yrs). Doors open 10am to 8pm (weekdays and Saturday) and 10am to 6pm on Sunday.

Canada's award winning Journalist and Outdoor Writer, Robert Reguly (80), will be missed by many.  He passed away on February 24, 2011 and his funeral and life celebration will be held at 2:30pm on March 6 (Sunday). The location of the funeral will be at the Pine Hills Cemetery, 625 Birchmount Road in Scarborough.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Bob's family at this time.

Ted Gorsline, who is no stranger to journalism and an appreciated visitor to this blog, considers Bob to be one of his heroes. Ted had this to say about Mr. Reguly,

"Bob Reguly, 80, past president of the Outdoor Writers of Canada has died. Bob was by far the most competent leader of that organization and the most competent journalist ever to write about outdoor subjects in Canada."

Ted also recommends Bob's story about Smoke Jumpers in Saskatchewan. Bob 'worked' as a Smoke Jumper in the early 50's. That story can be found here.

Canada's first National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Congress will be hosted at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, May 27-31, 2012. According to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters this Canadian Congress will:

"... bring together leading fish and wildlife scientists, government leaders, federal, provincial, state and local fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and anglers and hunters to participate in plenary sessions, workshops, discussions and debates about the future of fish and wildlife resources in North America. If you manage or study fish and game populations, are involved in the outdoor community or your lifestyle depends on the sustainable use of fish and wildlife populations, you will want to join us in Ottawa, May 27 – 31, 2012." Entire Article Here

Be sure to visit the National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Congress website for more details.