Fishing Gear Guide
Get A New Angle On All Of Your Angling Needs
Reel in Big Savings
Whether you’re headed out for a week-long excursion into the wilderness or just enjoying a meditative afternoon on the local creek, there’s nothing quite like fishing for restoring the body and mind. There’s something magical about being close to the water, watching its rippling surface for clues, and dreaming about the silent quarry that lurks beneath it.
One could argue that just being a part of that placid natural scene is reward enough, but it’s nice when you actually catch something too! That’s where your fishing gear comes in. In order to make the most of your excursion – and bring home some whopping fishing tales – you’ll need equipment tailored to your particular scenario and level of expertise! So much of the lore of this time-honoured sport is connected to mastery of its accoutrements: i.e. perfecting your casting technique, understanding which lures to use and knowing when to give your fish play, and how to reel him in. In this introductory section, you’ll find brief discussions of the types of fishing that you can explore, the varieties of game fish that you can expect to find in each distinctive environment and the kinds of gear that will help you to make the most of your angling odyssey.
A. Freshwater Fishing
Boasting more freshwater surface area (891,163 square kilometers, to be exact) than any other country in the world, Canada offers virtually limitless opportunities for the inland angler! From British Columbia to the Maritimes, Canada’s lakes and rivers teem with game fish that are envied the world over! Freshwater fishing can be a very simple, leisure-oriented affair, or it can be an invigorating challenge to human ingenuity and dexterity – the choice is yours!
Freshwater fishing aficionados will want to study the environment they’ll be visiting very carefully. This is easier than it has ever been before, thanks to powerful aids like GPS devices, more accurate/detailed weather reports and a multitude of gaming publications and websites (see below for links to your province’s main governmental hub). For the serious angler, the most important thing of all is to know your quarry! Are you looking for bass? Catfish? Striper? Trout? Or some other denizen of the not-so-deep? Each species has its own haunts and habits – and it’s a good idea to bone up on these all-important facts before heading out. (Below, you’ll find a selection of top-notch books on the subject.)
Equipment-wise, whether you’re out for relaxation or glory, you’ll need to wear the appropriate clothing: water proof boots and clothes are always a good idea, even on a sunny day, because it’s always a little muddy on the shore of a lake or river – and don’t forget a hat to ward off strong sun. Most casual freshwater anglers will use the baited-hook method – and if this is your chosen approach, make sure that you’re using a slow-action rod (for more information on action types, see the Rod section, below). When using live bait (such as the ever-popular earthworm), you’ll want a rod with enough give to allow the fish to take the hook. (A “fast-action” rod might snap back to its original position so quickly that the worm will slip off the hook too early!) For information on alternatives to live bait freshwater fishing, consult the fly fishing section, below.
B. Deep Sea Fishing
With the world’s largest ocean on its west coast, and the second largest body of salt water on its eastern shores, Canada also offers extraordinary deep sea fishing! Out upon the briny deep, the game is often much larger, and the battles become even more intense! The subtle strategies of freshwater angling are less operative when you are questing for swordfish, tuna, mackerel, garfish or even shark! In the wild and wooly salt water arena, the emphasis naturally falls upon more powerful equipment (that means rods with fast action and heavy power ratings) and sheer determination on the part of the angler!
When you sail out upon the open seas, effective sun protection is even more important than when you are fishing upon the well-shaded banks of a river. Water-safety equipment is a must too – so don’t neglect to bring life jackets and life preservers along for the trip. As previously mentioned, you’ll have to buy a more powerful rod if you’re planning to switch from freshwater to deep sea fishing. However, the flipside of that is that the rewards (and the catches) could be immense! For the most accurate information on where to find specific types of fish – and how to land them when you do make contact – check out some of the handy guide books listed below!
C. Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is a highly demanding variation upon basic freshwater (or deep sea) angling – a brave new world of fishing that employs feather light artificial “flies” (which sometimes aren’t even shaped like flies at all) in the place of live bait. Devotees of this sport are famous for their exhaustive knowledge of fly lure lore (knowing which fly to use to hypnotize which type of fish), as well as their deft handling of the specialized lines and casting techniques that distinguish the activity. Fly fishing rods are constructed differently from their regular counterparts, because the lures they cast lack the weight to propel a line through the air on the strength of their momentum.
Fly casting is an art unto itself, and requires a great deal of practice in order to attain full proficiency. You have to learn to throw your line in such a forceful-yet-delicate way that your fly lands exactly where you want it to – and alights in the graceful manner of a real fly. It can take years to develop true expertise. However, the rewards of mastering this outdoor discipline have inspired many writers to flights of literary fancy. If your interest is piqued, and you yearn to join this elite group of anglers, you will definitely want to consult some of the books listed below, before you begin equipping yourself for one of the sporting world’s most revered pursuits.
D. Ice Fishing
In some ways, ice fishing is a different type of activity entirely from the other varieties of fishing. Given the weather conditions it depends upon (temperatures cold enough to freeze a lake’s surface solid), it lacks by definition the peaceful, lazy qualities of a sunny day’s angling, with your hat down over your eyes, during the summer or early fall. However, devotees of this eminently Canadian sport swear by it as a way of keeping active in nature during those endless frigid months. There’s something invigorating and even empowering about piercing winter’s thick icy hide and renewing contact with the life giving waters (not to mention the living creatures who somehow manage to prosper under those unimaginably cold conditions!) beneath the surface of the lake.
In keeping with its somewhat set-apart nature, ice fishing equipment is very different from regular angling gear. Rods are uncomplicated affairs, throwbacks to the old-fashioned “fishing poles” (glorified sticks, actually) of pre-industrial time. On the other hand, in order to put your line where it needs to be, you’ll have to break through the ice with an auger (a special ice fishing drill). These tools can be quite high tech (many are powered by electricity), and they must be used very carefully – otherwise you could find yourself submerged in dangerously cold water (and even trapped under unbreakable ice) in a hurry! Safety is always a concern when fishing, but it becomes even more crucial when you go out angling on the ice. So prepare for the adventure with information gleaned from some of the top books on the subject!
E. Provincial Fishing Regulations and License Information
In order to ensure that Canadian rivers, lakes and coasts will always yield wonderful sport to anglers, the government monitors fish stocks very carefully. No matter where you live, it’s important to know what fish are in season (this can vary from lake to lake, and from river to river, as well as from province to province), and what restrictions might apply to your activities. If a particular region has seen a steep drop in a certain species’ population, anglers might be ordered to operate under “catch-and-release” rules (at least giving you the opportunity to take a picture of your “whopper” before you throw him back to help restore his civilization!) More likely, you’ll be informed of the limits on bass, trout, walleye, garpike, etc. that you are allowed to catch during the season in question.
Provinces might also require anglers (especially from other parts of the country or the world) to purchase a fishing license, and a wise outdoorsperson is duty bound to inform him or herself about these matters, before heading out. Governmental regulation plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance, and the fees earned through licenses are generally used to fund environmentally beneficial projects. Furthermore, fines for violating these regulations are steep – so always fish lawfully!
Below, you will find links to each province’s main fishing information site:
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
1. Fishing Rods and Reels
You won’t stand a chance against those crafty denizens of the deep without a rod and reel you can depend on. The angler’s number one weapon comes in all manner of makes and models – and in an astonishingly wide range of prices. There are two approaches to equipping yourself for your great outdoor adventure: you can either go with a pre-assembled rod and reel combo (or “outfit”), or you can do it yourself by fashioning a dream outfit from the choicest parts on the market. The decision, as always, is up to you – although generally a beginner or light hobbyist will opt for the much less expensive combo route, while an aficionado of the sport will gradually develop a desire to create a personalized fish-catcher out of hand-chosen parts.
A. Combination Rod and Reel Outfits
Combination outfits take the worry out of elementary angling by wrapping up a complementary rod and reel ensemble in an attractive (and, as a rule of thumb, quite affordable) package. They come ready to use, right off the rack – an important consideration if you’re just dipping your toe into the angling experience. You might not want to fool around with ultra-sophisticated (and not-always-easily assembled) rods and reels until you’ve mastered the basics of casting, catching and cleaning your scaly quarry.
You can get started with a combination outfit for less than $20 (both the basic Spectrum Spincast and the Pro Staff Spincast models check in at that level). If you’d like something a little more sturdily constructed – with perhaps a more responsive rod (see the Rod section below for a discussion of rod properties) – you can find a wide assortment of $30 to $120 rod/reel combos from Quantum, Shimano, Zebco, Pflueger and Shakespeare). Beyond that point, you’re getting into sophisticated territory indeed – with certain deep sea ready outfits from Shimano and Orvis checking in at around $300.
B. Rods
Whether you’re looking for something as simple as the classic “fishing pole” or a sleek modern masterpiece that combines adamantine strength with incredible flexibility, there’s a fishing rod out there to comfort you! The most popular materials for building rods in this day and age are graphite and fiberglass, which provide a sturdiness and a “bend without breaking” quality that wood or metal cannot match! Fishing rods come in a vast assortment of sizes and price ranges, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you make this all-important purchase. So much depends upon the type of fishing that you intend to do – spinning rods, baitcasting rods, tenkara rods, fly rods and trolling rods each have their own peculiar qualities and particular realm of effectiveness, so make sure that you pick an item that jibes with your intended adventure.
Most of the differences between rods can be quantified on one of two scales: “power” and “action”. A rod’s power refers to its ability to withstand strong force applied by your quarry – and the scale here ranges from “ultra light” to “extra heavy” (with 5 gradations in between). If you’re going after swordfish on the open ocean, for instance, you would need an extra heavy rod on your side – otherwise it’s likely to snap before you reel in your big catch. On the other hand, many tenkara and fly rods are of the “ultra light” variety, as these fishing methods either use a drastically simplified reel or even no reel at all, and the lighter construction allows the angler the greatest possible flexibility when casting his or her delicate lures onto the water’s surface. The “action” scale (which ranges from “extra fast” to “slow”) describes the amount of “give” a rod has, when responding to pressure. An extra fast rod, for example, will only bend at the tip, and will immediately snap back to a straight position. Meanwhile, a slow action rod will bend most of the way down to the handle, and will take its time before straightening out. Each degree of “action” has its moment and situation to shine. Fast action devices are great when you are throwing your line far into the distance (i.e. on a deep sea mission), while slow action rods are crucial in live bait situations, because a rod that responds too rapidly could cough up your worm or minnow before you’ve got your targeted fish on the hook.
Other important considerations when buying a rod are length (longer rods enable longer casts) and comfort of the handle – most of the good ones are made with cork, which enables you to get a good (yet soft) grip. You will also have to be careful to match the rod’s “reel seat” to the reel that you want to use – not all rods and reels are compatible! For freshwater trout and bass fishing, you can pick up a good 6’6” medium action spinning rod from L.L. Bean for as little as $60. A medium fast Shimano Blue Water model – ideal for salt water angling – will set you back about $140. Meanwhile, ultra-fast TCX rods from Sage can cost up to $900 – but could be worth it to you, if you’re aiming for angling immortality! Another option to consider, if space is at a premium in your car (on your bike), is an easily transportable telescoping rod, which can either be collapsed or disassembled. You can get telescoping models from Shimano for less than $70!
C. Reels
Reels are incredibly complex spool and axle devices that give anglers remarkable control over the casting and catching process! This market offers a wide variety of these devices – from simplified, manual fly reels to supremely tough deep sea worthy reels that can be mounted directly onto a boat’s gunwale or transom! Among the most important reel manufacturers are: Shimano, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Islander Reels, Penn Reels, Amundson and L.L. Bean. As previously mentioned, it’s crucial to remember that not all rods and reels are compatible, so make certain that your purchase will fit comfortably onto your rod’s reel seat.
Reels can be broken down into four important categories. Centrepin Reels are used mainly in fly fishing. Bait casting reels (also known as the overhead reel, thanks to its position on the rod) are mainly used, as their name implies, by anglers casting live bait. Spinning or fixed spool reels were developed to help with the casting of lighter lures. Finally, spin cast reels simplify many of the more complex aspects of angling – particularly backlash – and are very popular with newcomers to the sport.
You can purchase a basic pre-loaded Quest II fly reel from L.L. Bean for as little as $70. A decent spinning reel from the same company will cost you about $75, while an entry-level spin cast reel from Synergy won’t set you back more than $20! At the other end of the spectrum, really top notch fly reels from Islander can cost up to $850, while a state-of-the-art spinning reel from Shimano might go for up to $800. Meanwhile, a Titanium saltwater reel from Zane, which could probably reel in Moby Dick himself, costs about $8000!
D. Fishing Lines
If you’ve purchased a combination package, you probably won’t have to worry about buying a fishing line just yet, as those reels tend to come pre-spooled. However, it never hurts to have a backup line handy – especially if you’re going to be battling big game fish, or dealing with the ever present threat of snagging your line on treacherous rocks. And if you’re assembling your own outfit, it’s absolutely crucial that you purchase the right kind of line for your rod and reel. When it comes to modern fishing lines, the most important lines of distinction are between fly lines, wire lines and regular lines. Fly lines are specially made to facilitate the delicate operations of fly fishing, and often have silicone within their makeup to promote buoyancy on the water. Wire lines are extra tough to deflect the biting attacks of powerful deep sea fish. Regular lines are made from nylon, polyethylene and other similar substances, and are chiefly distinguished by their length and the complexity of their braiding (which goes a long way toward determining their “breaking strength”).
You can pick up a spool of strong mono smooth casting line from Berkley for as little as $11. If you’re looking for something a little more resistant to waterlogging, 125 yards worth of Berkley Fireline sells for about $25. Meanwhile, powerful big game braided line from Berkley can cost up to $225 (with several gradations of price and toughness in between). Entry level fly line is somewhat more expensive, with items from Scientific Anglers and Normark beginning at around $22, and specially treated Orvis floating fly line starting at about $45.
2. Fishing Flies, Lures and Weights
So much of the angling experience depends upon knowing what types of bait or lures to employ in any given situation. Bass or trout will respond to very different enticements than catfish or sturgeon will, for example. Much of this information will have to be gleaned from specialized fishing books, web sites, message boards or word of mouth from experienced friends. The rest will come from experience, as you get used to fishing a particular spot or region. Below, you will find some of the most important tools in the angler’s arsenal, from artificial “flies” to specialized weighting devices.
A. Flies
Flies are the preeminent tools of the fly fishing enthusiast. These lightweight artificial lures – which don’t necessarily resemble flies (some of them replicate the appearance of small crustaceans for example) – are designed to float very daintily upon the surface of the water, in order to tempt an unsuspecting bass, trout, salmon or steelhead into your basket or onto your trophy wall! Fly fishing has often been called “the contemplative man’s recreation” (although contemplative women enjoy it too!), and can sometimes feel like an outdoor game of chess, versus a foe that you never see until you have him in check. Your fishy foes have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves, but their weakness is that they need to eat – and your best move is to know exactly which fly will make them an offer they cannot refuse.
To prepare for a fly fishing excursion, do your homework by reading up on your target’s proclivities – and bring along a notebook to record your observations with regard to the effectiveness of your chosen lures. You can pick up a small 6-piece assortment of steelhead flies from Black Fly for as little as $8. Meanwhile, a more extensive 14-piece assortment of trout-catching flies from Cabela’s will cost you about $25. At the higher end of the spectrum, a top notch collection of deluxe bass flies from L.L. Bean will set you back about $70, but should leave you prepared for just about any freshwater encounter!
B. Other Lures
Non-fly lures are used to catch a fish’s eye, and draw him toward your baited hook. Less specialized than flies, these versatile devices come in handy when you aren’t really sure what types of fish might lurk beneath the water. Many of them will resemble the small fish that your bigger quarry preys upon, and most will feature brilliant colours to draw attention to themselves. You can pick up very nice individual pieces from Strike King, Blue Fox or Storm for anywhere from $3 to $7, while a classic red devil lure from Lindy Little Joe will cost you less than $2. You can also pick up lure kits (like L.L. Bean’s 5-piece Acme Deluxe package) for as little as $18.
C. Sinkers
A sinker, sometimes called a knoch, is a small steel, brass or bismuth device that you can attach to the end of your line in order to facilitate casting or help to drive your lure deeper toward the bottom of the lake, river or sea that you are fishing. Sinkers come in a wide array of fun models (in addition to diverse weight classes), including: pyramid, barrel, split-shot, bullet and egg. You can pick up excellent sinkers (in all of these shapes) from Jim’s Jigs, Lindy Little Joe, Sea Striker or Bullet Weights for less than $4. Alternately, you can purchase a sinker mold from Cabela’s (for anywhere between $25 and $30) and forge your own devices for decades to come!
D. Bobbers and Floats
Bobbers and floats perform two very different functions on the water – they can either help to keep your lure afloat (to entice fish who feed at the surface), or, when placed a little further up the line, they can signal the presence of a fish nibbling almost imperceptibly at your lure well beneath the surface. You can pick up effective bobbers from the likes of Lindy Little Joe, Hokey, Canadian Tire, H.T. Enterprises or Danielson for $2 to $4.
3. Tackle Boxes
A well-stocked tackle box is the angler’s indispensable bag of tricks – absolutely essential to the pursuit of fishing fame! These compact carrying devices store all of your hooks, lures, sinkers, bobbers and flies – and keep them conveniently by your side, whether you’re on the shore or in a boat. Tackle boxes come in a wide range of sizes and styles, to accommodate everyone from the novice to the seasoned professional. The best items will be waterproof and buoyant, since the last thing you want is to lose all of your gear at the bottom of a deep lake!
Basic plastic tackle boxes from Plano, Flambeau Products, Caddis and Danielson can cost as little as $3 – with a fairly wide selection of models selling for less than $6. These lower priced items can be somewhat cramped however, and aren’t advisable for storing prized lures and delicate flies. For that job, you can purchase a Midge Buddy Fly Box from Orvis for $12, which will protect a large number of fly fishing lures and help you to keep them organized. As your collection grows, or as you graduate to larger, saltwater flies, you can switch to one of several models of Orvis Medallion fly boxes, all for sale at around $50. For mixing and matching delicate lures, more robust hooks and anything in between, you can pick up a three-tiered tackle box from Plano for as little as $18. And if you really want to go for the gusto, Plano’s patented Hydro-Flo tackle systems (guaranteed to increase your fishing efficiency and resist even the most vicious elements and impacts) cost anywhere from $160 to $220, depending upon the size of the model.
4. Fishing Nets, Baskets and Cages
Sometimes the fish are just too big or cantankerous to land by rod and reel alone! When that situation arises, you want to have the right accessories on hand to finish the job. Nets can also offer a more humane angling alternative to traditional methods. For example, L.L. Bean’s Katahdin Eclipse Catch and Release nets (price for a set: $55) are specially designed to reduce injury to fish that are going back out in the wild to spawn. If you’re not looking to spend quite that much on a net, a nice aluminum hoop and handle model from Mengo Dotline sells for about $20.
On the other hand, if a wire basket net is what you require, you can pick these up for anywhere from $12 (for a small one from Danielson) all the way up to a little over $70 (for a capacious but lightweight rubber coated knotless mesh net from Lucky Strike). And when nothing but a cage or trap will do - for example, if you’re cruising for crustaceans – you can reel in a nice 32” diameter model from Promar for about $32!
5. Fishing GPS and Fish Finders
This is the modern era, and there’s no shame in using a little hi-tech help to zero in on your subaquatic targets! So amp up your angling with the best electronic devices on the market!
A. Fishing GPS and Hull Transducers
A fishing GPS does far more than help you to orient yourself on the river, lake or ocean – it can actually show you where your targets are congregating! It won’t help you to lure them or reel them in however, so there’s no damage to the sporting element! You can pick up a dual beam transducer from Garmin, the acknowledged leader in the field, for as little as $113. This device uses sonar to scan as much as 45 feet of water, so that you know exactly where to drop anchor! More elaborate GPS/fishfinder devices from Garmin or Raymarine, with greatly expanded effective ranges, touch operated screens and course plotting functionality, can cost anywhere from $1000 to $6000.
Transducers are also extremely useful for helping to gauge the depth of the waters you’re trolling through – because no one wants a fishing trip to end on a sand bar! These devices come in either thru-hull (installed by drilling a hole through the bottom of the boat) or in-hull (installed just inside the bottom of the boat) variants. Either should work well for you, unless you have a particularly thick hull – in which case an in-hull device might not convey the information accurately enough. Thru-hull transducers from Raymarine sell for as little as $100, while certain plastic Garmin in-hull transducers go for about $76!
B. Fishfinder Mounts and Other Accessories
Now you can create your very own technological dashboard with specialized mounts for your fish finding equipment. Companies like Humminbird, Lowrance, Garmin and Raymarine lead the way in providing handy solutions to the problem of keeping your GPS or other device on track while you keep your eyes on the prize! You’ll have to take care to match your mount to the particular device that you own (not all mounts will be compatible with your fish finder), but you can purchase a good basic swivel mount from Scotty for as little as $13. If that doesn’t work for you, a larger (and likely more compatible with your Garmin GPS) swivel mount by Garmin sells for about $35.
6. Polarized Sunglasses
We all know that the sun can play havoc with our vision – and that goes double for sun glinting off the surface of a lake, river or ocean. Fortunately, you can cut the glare drastically by donning a pair of specially treated polarized glasses. These essential accessories work by opposing the sunlight glinting off the horizontal plane of the water with vertically polarized filters within the lenses. Some of the most prominent manufacturers of polarized-lens sunglasses include: Smith, Anarchy, Electric, Oakley, Von Zipper and Gargoyles.
You can pick up a pair of perfectly serviceable polarized sunglasses from Atlantis or Body Glove for as little as $30. On the other hand, if you’re interested in turning heads as you cast off, designer polarized models from Prada, Oakley or Gucci sell for anywhere from $200 to $325.
7. Ice Fishing Equipment
A. Rods
Ice fishing rods are much simpler affairs than their warm weather counterparts. Long casts are out of the question in frigid environment – since your quarry lurks just on the other side of a thick floor of ice – so combination ice fishing combination outfits sell for much less than regular rod and reel packages. You can pick up a basic 25” Little Jigger Ice Jig Pole from H.T. Enterprises for as little as $10. Even the most luxurious 28” to 32” ice fishing combos from Canadian Tire, Arctic Cooling or Normark won’t cost you more than $50 to $70. If you know you’ll be dealing with some of the larger, more powerful fish, it might be worth to pay the higher prices and invest in a more durable rod.
B. Augers, Chisels and Other Tools
Ice fishing simply isn’t possible without the cutting and boring tools that open up access to the magically alive world beneath the frozen surface of the water. So stock up on the best chisels and augers on the market – or your Arctic angling expedition might stall on the wrong side of the ice! You can pick up a decent 2-piece Mille Lacs Ice chisel set from Jiffy for about $50, while deluxe sets by Jiffy and L.L. Bean sell for between $85 and $100.
Once you’ve made a good dent in the ice (and if it was easy to do, you might want to move, because you could be camped in a dangerous spot!), it’s time to break out the auger (a specialized ice fishing drill). You can purchase a powerful 6” manual auger from Sub Zero for about $55. A larger, 8” auger from Normark (with a handy telescopic handle) sells for about $75, while electric powered models from Stingray begin at about $280.
8. Clothing
A. Hats
Start your assembling your angling outfit at the top, by protecting yourself from the sun with a classic fisherman’s hat or cap! You can pick up a traditional wide brimmed Bosun’s Fishing hat from Canadian Tire for as little as $10. Meanwhile, sturdy front-visored fishing caps by L.L. Bean (some of which are sold to support the recovery of breast cancer survivors) sell for about $16. If the bugs are biting more than the fish, you can keep them at bay with combination baseball cap/bug net from Canadian Tire for about $8. And if you’re looking to make a little more of a statement on the water, you can get a snappy river straw hat from Orvis for about $80.
B. Pants, Shorts and Waders
When you need to throw caution to the wind and wade in after your quarry, protect your legs from chilly water, seaweed and mud with rugged fishing pants, shorts and waders from the likes of Orvis, Loon Outdoors, Bare Essentials and Northern Escape. If it’s a nice warm day, grab a pair of Orvis convertible pants – which turn into shorts at the drop of a zipper, and are made of quick drying nylon! If you’re braving chillier waters, a pair of protective Fishfinder rain pants from Northern Escape (price: about $60) or thermally insulated climate control pants from Bare Essentials (price: $85) should do the trick!
C. Fishing Vests and Jackets
Keep your torso – not to mention any important items like matches and electronic devices – dry and warm with a waterproof vest or jacket from top brand names like Orvis or L.L. Bean. Start things off with a multi-pocketed mesh vest (with lots of space for lures, bait, hooks and the rest of your gear) from Orvis for as little as $60. Then keep the water away by picking up a very nice Wetskins waterproof rain suit from Canadian Tire for about $45. And when you need warmth in addition to impermeability, an Orvis waterproof stretch over/under jacket (price: $95) is tough to beat.
D. Waterproof Shoes and Boots
Turn a tough slog into a cakewalk with waterproof footwear for your fishing expedition! You can pick up top-notch wading boots from the Muck Boot Company for as little as $76. Extra comfortable leather and mesh cross current wading boots from Korkers will set you back about $80. Meanwhile, if you’d rather be a bit lighter on your feet when you take the plunge, Dan Bailey Wading Cleats from Springbrook sell for about $80.
Take the Bait This Fishing Season!
Whether you are young or old, male or female, athletic or sedentary, fishing is a great way to get some low impact exercise and take in the splendors of the Canadian wilderness! An ideal way to spend a solitary afternoon mulling over the mystery of life, it’s also a fantastically fun family or group activity. Best of all: angling is an extremely affordable pastime, for those who are happy to use basic, entry-level gear. Once you become a little more intensely involved in the sport, you might find yourself wanting more expensive equipment, but by then you’ll be so immersed that you’ll find a way to work those exciting purchases into your budget without giving the matter a second thought! After all, when you’re hooked, you’re hooked!
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