Author: Don Lamont

Start at the boat show when ready for a serious relationship. Others may question your commitment and mock your impulsive nature. Take comfort that you and your boat, your new love, can always cast off to where the current leads and where others’ voices are distant. I was told as a boy “the sea is in your blood”. Seems fate leads one to the boat show. The first boat I remember was made by Fisher Price and arrived with water ski and scuba gear, dolphin and mini sub. The experiences we shared proved transformative. Next, I captained our robin’s egg…

It all started a while back with a call from Kevin Stobbe, publisher of Hooked magazine. Kevin was asking if I could set up a helicopter ice fishing trip and write an article about it. Of course I said yes, but I needed to call my cousin Derek Longley owner of Prairie Helicopters Inc. for approval. Before I could even make the call Kevin calls me back saying wouldn’t it be cool if we could get Winnipeg Jets superstar Dustin Byfuglien to come with us? Now Dustin Byfuglien had just stated to the media playing in the All Star Game would…

In 2000, the Area A Slot Limit for Walleye was implemented. Area A defined by ‘the area south of Gammon-Bloodvein Rivers to the south and west shores of the Winnipeg River, including Lac du Bonnet, and the southern boundary of Whiteshell Provincial Park, and from Lake Winnipeg to the Ontario border (excluding the Winnipeg River from Pine Falls Dam to Lake Winnipeg)’. The slot limit initially was all walleye between 38 cm and 70 cm must be released. Notice the lower end is not 45 cm but 38 cm. This reflects the different growth rates for walleye located in lakes…

By Josh Wood & Jason Murdock Kayaks have been around for thousands of years with a primary use as an aid in the pursuit of fish and game. Originally built with animal skin stretched over a whalebone or wooden frame their modern counterpart is typically polyethylene resin. Over the last 15-25 years the sport of kayak fishing has taken off and is flourishing all over the world in all types of water bodies. From a stealthy pursuit of easily spooked fish in the shallows to jigging in the wide open ocean, these vessels are putting more and more people on good numbers…

Known for its wildlife, great golf course and scenery, Riding Mountain National Park is also an angler’s paradise. The gem of all the lakes within the park though, is Clear Lake. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, most people that launch their boats use it for watersports such as tubing and water skiing. The Lamont family has a long history with this region, having made the Wasgaming town site a summer destination from the early 1950’s. My dad grew up on a farm near Margaret, Manitoba so Clear Lake was the number one resort destination for people…

Don’t worry guys, I hear it’s a very peaceful death,” my brother Matt reassures us, as he butters his toast over breakfast in Kelvington, Saskatchewan. Sean argues, “We’re not not going to be using the portable heaters. Besides, I’ve got a detector!” Matt lets out a doubtful smile, “If you want to put your trust in a machine I guess.” After squaring up for the meal, we gather by the vehicles. “We’ll have few hours of sunlight to find a spot and set up our tent, so they’ll just have to find us,” I announce excitedly, but annoyed that three…

Finding springtime walleye can be somewhat of a challenge depending on the kind of weather conditions we get in this part of the world when the season opens. Moving water is always a great equalizer as it attracts fish for a variety of reasons. The size of the creek or river you are fishing will also dictate how you might want to present your bait to be the most effective. On larger rivers, with strong current flow, a three way rig is a very effective way to go. This is a simple setup and one that can be extremely productive.…

A deadly looking crew!STREAM FLY FISHING THE ROCKY MOUNTAINSNOTE: I recently found out we would be going back to the mountains this year so I put together this chronological account of our ten day trip there two years ago in late July. It brings back some great memories.It was five thirty in the morning when the moving house that was to be our home for the next ten days pulled up to the driveway. Soon we were on the road for our ten day fly fishing adventure to southern Alberta. Six of us were heading out to explore the rivers…

Ever fished for crappies in Manitoba? More and more people are realizing that this species should be added to their list of fish to target in this province. Why? They are aggressive predators so when you find them, they will usually bite. They are also delicious table fare, with delicate white flesh that rivals walleye in both taste and texture. Many lakes in the Whiteshell region of this province are now home to strong populations of this popular gamefish. Ken Kansas, who is the fisheries biologist in this region, says the crappie fishery is under the radar when it came…

Looking for a little different angling experience to end off the ice fishing season?  Then maybe you should consider trying your luck for Lake Whitefish. In Manitoba, we have a number of lakes that hold large populations of this great sportfish. Not to be overlooked, whitefish are also great table fare. I love my whitefish baked in an oven with just butter, salt and pepper. Cook at 425F for about 11 minutes, then get some fresh parsley and lemon zest on the top. For shore lunch, dip in egg and flour and some corn flake crumbs. Cook quickly in some…