Liddle's Fishing Adventures Inc. Newsletter for Fall/Winter 2002 - 2003

The 2002 Summer In Review: Although spring didn't show its face until the beginning of June this season, we did manage to have a very successful summer at Liddle's Fishing Adventures. Cold was the best word to describe the opening weeks of 2002. We witnessed the latest spring in many years on the Albany River this season. Typically the ice is melted from the lakes by the middle of May, however this past year there was still some ice to be found on the first of June. This caused some scheduling difficulties early on, with the transfer of several parties from Makokibatan Lodge to Miminiska Lodge. I can recall a couple of adventurous groups (Zane's, Lamparski's, and Emede's) dressed more like snowmobiler's than fishermen. Although everyone had difficulty keeping their paws warm, there was some explosive fishing to be found. Both lodges were witness to unbelievable summer fishing. Many anglers experienced days where they landed 100+ fish, and there were too many trophies caught to be counted. One of our long time guests, Richard "Tennessee Rich" Robertson, landed five walleye over 28 inches during his stay at Makokibatan Lodge this June. The Ganz party managed to boat 8 speckled trout during their week vacation at Miminiska Lodge this season. There were also dozens of trophy pike battles fought, where the outcomes turned out to be a 40+ inch monster northern. After a beautiful hot and sunny July, we experienced an extremely wet August. Many guests spent some uncomfortable days on the lake in the rain, as the staff stared skywards, waiting for the clouds to break. The fish didn't seem to mind too much though, as they were often actively chasing their next meal. And for fall fishing? Well…most of you missed out! Although there were many vacancies at the lodges this September, those who did manage to venture north to see the seasons change, not only got to experience the beautiful fall colors, but also got to experience unseasonably warm days, and furious fishing opportunities. Although the economy has been struggling both north and south of the border, it was terrific to see all of our guests getting away from the daily grind, and enjoying the relaxing serenity that the Albany River has to offer. Thanks to everyone that helped make this summer a success. We're already looking forward to spring, and seeing you again next year. Liddle's Plans Over The Winter: It didn't take long for the office staff to jump back into routine after returning from a busy summer at the lodges. Plans are already underway to move our North Bay office. Steve has begun office construction in his new home, which he purchased last winter. This will allow him to communicate with you our guests with greater ease, and should accommodate our larger staff more effectively. We are planning to begin operations there as of December 1st. Steve Liddle and his girlfriend Leigh-Anne are venturing "down-under" before Christmas, spending six weeks vacationing in Australia, and New Zealand. Steve's already sick of snow, and can't wait to get his shorts back on. Heather Liddle and her boyfriend Marc are planning on taking a six-week safari in Africa in the New Year. The anticipation of seeing all the wildlife is already getting the better of them. When not vacationing, we plan on being pretty busy here in the office; corresponding with our guests, marketing for the upcoming season, planning lodge improvements, and getting prepared for another fantastic summer in the north. Pam Liddle is still enrolled at Western University in Southern Ontario. She is currently in her third year of an aviation degree, and will acquire her commercial pilots license by years-end. Both Dave and Roger Liddle are doing well, and continue to provide direction in the business operations. Dave now resides in Montreal, where he has taken on new challenges in the insurance industry. Roger is often seen around the office, and continues to operate his real estate business full time. In our spare time we all enjoy Northern Ontario's beautiful outdoors, participating in ice fishing, snowmobiling, and skiing during the winter months. We would love to hear from you throughout the off-season, so please give our office a call, or email us, and let us know how you are doing, and what your winter plans entail.

A Call For All Fish Photos: We have noticed that many of our anglers have been switching to digital cameras over the last couple of seasons. The lodges have also joined the digital craze, and have come to realize some of the advantages of digital photography. We would like to encourage everyone to forward digital photos of their vacations to us to be added to our archives. You can email us your pictures at fishing@liddles.com. Of course, anyone with traditional photographs please feel free to send those along as well. We always enjoy reminiscing back to the warm summer months, and seeing some of those trophies we only heard about at the lodge. We select many photos from our archives for Liddle's publications each year, and often comment on how some "good" pictures could have easily been "excellent" pictures. Here are a few pointers to remember when snapping a shot of that trophy walleye, northern, or brook trout: Always take a photo with the sun at your back Remove sunglasses, and headwear that produce undesirable shadows Be conscious of how you are holding the fish - one handed is usually best, under the gill plate, or behind the head - always making sure that your hands are not blocking the view of the fish Hold that monster out like you're proud - the further you hold the fish away from you, the larger it looks when the photo is developed And of course, don't forget to smile! By following these easy reminders, anyone can take photographs like a professional! We can't wait to see photos of your 2002 Liddle's Fishing Adventure.

Hot Lures: Throughout the last several seasons, we have become firm believers in the Hot'n'Tot lure. It has proven to be one of the most effective walleye baits on the Albany River. Whether trolling for those suspended summer walleyes, or working productive stretches of river, the Hot'n'Tot's quick vibrating action is sure to get a walleye's attention. This year, after hearing a lot of buzz from other outfitters, we decided to introduce the Reef Runner Lure to our tackle shops. Once we hit some of our favorite fishing holes, it became quickly evident that this new deep diver was going to be a hit! Our guests agreed. The combination of rattle and wobble action the reef runner presents is impossible for walleye to resist. It really showed an uncanny ability to attract large female walleye. How big you wonder? Walleye were consistently being reeled in that were in the 6 to 10 pound class. This lure can be trolled reaching depths of up to 30 feet, or can be cast reaching depths of up to 12 feet. We found them to be great on those days when the larger fish were a little deeper, and out of reach of the Hot'n'Tot. There was a limited stock of Reef Runners this past season, but we plan to carry a larger selection of colors for 2003. For the lucky few that got their hands on a Reef Runner this season, you will know what we are talking about. Those that were not as fortunate, we strongly suggest adding a new Reef Runner lure to your tackle arsenal next year.

Join Us For A Three-Day Weekend Getaway! Are you dreaming of an ultimate fishing vacation, but are too busy to take a full week's holidays? Or are you apprehensive about taking a vacation that requires driving for two days to reach your destination? We have the answer for you! Liddle's Fishing Adventures has made the three-day fishing package a realistic option for today's busy lifestyles. We are now offering regular scheduled flights from Minneapolis direct to Miminiska Lodge, enabling travelers, both local and from throughout the States easier access to our lodge. Be whisked away from the daily stresses of traffic jams, report deadlines, and endless telephone calls, to enjoy a long weekend of quiet peacefulness on Miminiska Lake. Now you can avoid the headaches of airport security, and long waits in check-in lineups. Instead board our charter executive class aircraft, and fly in comfort and style directly to our airstrip at Miminiska Lodge in under three hours. If you are interested in a longer stay with us, or prefer to fly from another destination, we offer several different package options, and can customize a fishing vacation that's right for you. Experience the world-class fishing, outstanding accommodations, and our unmatched hospitality at Miminiska Lodge this season, and take advantage of our direct flights to get you to and from our lodge quickly, safely, and without hassle. Please check our brochure for rates on three fabulous days of fishing at Miminiska Lodge! Wondering What's For Dinner? We've got a terrific walleye recipe for you to try! Walleye: With Artichokes, Mushrooms, and Tomatoes The Sauce: 3 cups mushrooms, sliced thin ˝ cup butter 1 ˝ cups red onions, sliced thin 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 14-ounce can artichoke hearts 4 tablespoons dry white wine 3 tablespoons Sambuca liqueur 3 tablespoons lemon juice 4 ˝ cups tomatoes, seeded and diced 2 tablespoons fresh basil salt and pepper to taste Saute' mushrooms in butter over medium heat until brown. Stir in onion, garlic, and artichokes. Cook until onion is soft. Stir in white wine, Sambuca, and lemon juice. Add the tomato, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook until sauce thickens. The Walleye: · 6 walleye fillets · salt and pepper as needed · flour · butter Season walleye fillets with salt and pepper and dredge in flour. Saute' fillets in butter, about 2 minutes per side. Keep warm. Spoon thickened sauce over walleye and garnish with basil leaf. Serves six.

Fishing Tips: When reading magazine articles, or watching fishing shows on television, you are often bombarded with tips on how to improve your presentation, and better your fishing technique. What's seldom mentioned is what to do once you have that monster up to the boat. Because Liddle's is a strong promoter of catch and release, we thought we would help everyone understand the importance of proper fish handling, and release techniques. Releasing a fish may seem straight forward enough, but there are some simple steps you can take to ensure that you don't harm your catch. Remember that time is essential. This is not only the time out of water, but also time fighting the fish. If you play a fish too long, and plan to release it, there is a good chance it will be too exhausted to recover. Whenever possible, releases should be made without taking the fish from the water. Using your net can be helpful. It is important to try not to disturb the layer of protective slime covering the fish. Keep your hands wet, and if your catch must be lifted from the water, don't let it flop on the floor of the boat, on sand, or on rocks. There are a couple of inexpensive tools that should be a part of every anglers tackle box: a pair of needle-nose or fish pliers, and a pair of jaw spreaders. It is amazing how these two items can make removing those deep down hook-sets so quick and easy. The advantages of using a jaw spreader is that having the fish's mouth secured in an open position provides you with a good view of your lure to see exactly where, and how many barbs are in the fish. They also provide peace of mind, in knowing that your hands will not succumb to a nasty bite. Needle nose pliers enable you to get into those hard to reach areas, and provide leverage in pulling out hooks. Remember to remove them in a quick jerking motion. Never tear out a hook, which will cause increased bleeding and chance of infection. If you think that your lure is too deep, and you can't get it out, it's best to just cut your line and leave the lure in, as it will do less harm to the fish. Some may think this is barbaric, however, the lure will fall out on it's own after a short period of time. It should also be mentioned that by using barbless hooks, you can save yourself much of the hassles associated with removing lures. You don't have to purchase new hooks for all of your lures, you can simply pinch your existing barbs down with a pair of pliers. Some anglers will say that you won't catch as many fish using barbless hooks, but the truth is that as long as you keep your line tight while reeling in that lunker, you will catch just as many fish. Although it's just a suggestion for walleye and pike, we do make it mandatory to fish for the revered Albany River brook trout with barbless hooks. When handling a fish, be gentle. We find it's best to grab a fish behind the head. This tends to relax the fish, making it a lot easier to hold. Many anglers hold a fish by the gill plates, which is fine, just be sure to avoid the gills, because they are the most sensitive exposed area. Holding a fish by inserting your fingers into its eye sockets should also be avoided. This method causes scratches to the lenses of the fish's eyes, which diminishes its hunting abilities. When releasing a fish back to the water, there are several methods that get the job done. If it hasn't been out of the water very long, a good method is to support it under the belly with your free hand, and just drop it in headfirst. Doing this will help the fish into deeper water where it wants to be, as well as force a rush of fresh water through it's gills, giving it an instant shot of oxygen. If you have been struggling to get the hooks out, or have taken a little extra time for a photo, it's a good idea to manually revive the fish. Do this by holding it upright in the water, and move the fish forward and backwards so that water is running through the gills. You should be able to see the gills being forced open during the backwards motion. This process may take several minutes. Once the fish begins to struggle, release it. A fish that has been placed on a stringer should never be released back to the wild. In most cases, a fish will not be able to recover due to the increased stress and fatigue that a stringer induces. Our goal has always been to provide excellent fishing opportunities for you our guests. Over the past several years, we have come to realize the importance of catch and release practices. By following these release techniques, you can take pride in knowing that you are contributing to the maintaining of an excellent fishery-for you, and everyone in the future.

Thanks For Your Input: Every season we ask for your feedback on how we are doing in providing premiere fishing vacations, and what we can do to improve your stay with us at our facilities. We realize that filling out our surveys, and comment cards, takes a little bit of extra effort and time on your part. We would however, like everyone to know that we take every suggestion seriously, and base our improvement initiatives directly on the comments received by you each year. We take great pride in providing the best in marine equipment, and our guests have responded very positively to our improved fleet of 16-foot Lund pedestal seat boats at Makokibatan Lodge. Because of their increased space, speed and comfort, we plan to outfit all of our facilities with these larger open-concept fishing boats. New for 2003, we are including 16-foot Lund boats and 25 horsepower Mercury outboards in the fishing packages at the Makok Outpost. We are also replacing the 14-foot Lund boats at Miminiska Lodge with new 16-foot pedestal boats, making a complete fleet of larger boats, and motors. We plan to replace the remaining 16-foot bench seat boats with the more spacious style over the next few seasons. We are also continuing our accommodation improvement projects at all of our facilities. Makokibatan Lodge has already seen some renovations. Several cabin bathrooms have been refitted this fall with larger showers, new flooring, and new sinks and vanities. This project will be completed throughout the summer of 2003. The main lodge lounge at Makok is also undergoing a facelift, which will provide a much warmer, more comfortable atmosphere for socializing. We would like to thank everyone for filling out their comment cards, and surveys this year. We hope all of you will benefit from our improvements, as we strive to provide you with the perfect fishing vacation.