Well, when Mark asked me to write an article about my fishing trip to Canada, I have to admit that I was a little reluctant. I mean that I was selfish. You see I didn't want others to find the best fishing spot in the world. But as you can see, I've reconsidered, and want to share with you a fishing spot that you'll never want to leave.

First let me tell you that this is the cheapest vacation you'll ever take. When most people think of fishing in Canada, they think of fly-ins to remote lakes that usually cost upward in the amounts of $1000 a person, not including getting there. Well, that is not the case here. Our Party of 4 started its adventure from Lexington, Ky, where we all met. With all 4 of us taking turns driving, towing our own 21ft Bullet Bass Boat, we made it to the US/Canada border at International Falls, Minnesota in 16 hours. From the border it took us 1 Hour to reach our destination of Nestor Falls, Ontario, Home of Bull Moose Lodge on Crow (Kakagi) Lake.

Where most other lodges in the area charge by the person, Bull Moose Lodge charges by the cabin. The average cost per week is around $400, that's Canadian Money, which is like play money to U.S. The only other costs one would have are food, boat rental (if you don't bring your own), boat gas, and fishing license. So at the end of the 7 days, each one of us spent about $300 American, including splitting the gas to and from.

Crow Lake is a 120 square mile clear glacier impoundment, with over 200 islands, and picturesque wilderness shorelines. The water is so clear and clean; if you want a drink. just dip a cup in the lake. No need for ice, since the lake doesn't melt until May. Depending on what time of year you want to go, there is always something to do. If it were deer hunts in Fall, ice fishing in Winter, or fishing from a boat in the late Spring and Summer. I myself have yet to visit for a deer hunt but if it is anything like the fishing, I may have to stay year round.

We have been coming to Bull Moose every year for the past four years. With each year getting better and better. What brings us back every year? Well, let's see. More smallmouth bass than you can catch, Trophy Musky and Lake Trout, tenacious Northern Pike, and delicious Walleye. We usually plan our trip for the first week of July, which is the start of smallmouth bass season. Plus, by then the Musky, Lake Trout, and Walleye are already in season. There is no closed season for Northern Pike.

Well, our normal day would usually start at about 6am, which is about an hour and a half after daylight, and the best time to see moose or deer. We would spend the morning smallmouth fishing, usually yielding anywhere from 100 to 200 fish before lunch everyday. Since the water is so clear, its like fishing in a bathtub. Most of our fish were caught sight fishing with either Smoke Tubes or Lucky Craft Sammys. Each one of us would keep two fish to eat for shore lunch, which is done on a remote island so that we don't attract any black bears. After lunch, we usually went back to the cabin for a mid-day nap. Then about 4pm we made our way back out on the water, this time hunting toothy critters. Either throwing some sort of giant spinner or jerkbait, (or live smallmouth bass, which you just caught on a tube), your chances of catching a 40 inch plus Musky are good. Many locals say the next world record will come out of Crow. Since the sun doesn't go down until 10 p.m., we would get plenty of casts in and look forward to a good night's rest. If walleye is your main catch, you would either have to go across the street to Lake of the Woods, or cross a portage into Cedartree Lake, both full of Walleye and Northern Pike. If you like the way your heart jumps out of your chest when getting hits on buzzbaits, bring a doctor when throwing for Northerns. They take no prisoners! Catching a 12lb Northern on a buzzbait may be the most fun I've ever had. I promise this trip will be the best you'll ever take, and not break the bank doing it. If you like more information about the trip contact me at Woobass33@aol.com or call Gordon or Betty Martinson at Bull Moose Lodge (807)484-2472 and tell them Team Woobass sent ya.