BY SCOTT HADDOW
Wild Northerner staff
I was told I had to try it, but was also warned it was highly addictive.
I didn’t hesitate and did it the first chance I had.
Everything I had been told was true. It was fun. It was contagious. It had to be done again.
Last year was the first spring I targeted smallmouth bass. My thawing seasons have always been about chasing trout of the speckled kind or pike. After last season, it has me changing my plans for this spring.
A few years ago, WNM contributor Bruce Heidman did some spring bass fishing as the season opened year-round North of Highway 17 when the regulations changed. He had an outrageous time hauling in hogs and I couldn’t help but notice.
I promised myself the following season I would give it a go.
Last spring, I skipped a few outings for trout and took on smallies with Bruce, and fellow WNM contributor James Hodgins. It made for some serious fun days.
The real challenge now is figuring out a way to satisfy my trout fix and my newly acquired affliction - the spring bass fix. I only have so much time to fish.
I like having this problem. It isn’t a dilemma. It’s options, and options are a good thing to have especially when you have an incessant urge to stubbornly tackle brookies.
Spring time is always a good time to put forth a new foot and challenge yourself in a new way as an outdoors person. I began my challenge last spring when I tried fly fishing for the first time ever. I plan on trying it a lot more this year. Again, it’s all about having options.
In this issue, we have stories and columns about a wide variety of outdoors subjects and people and animals. It was a lot of fun putting the issue together. As always, there are a few changes and new features for this issue. We pride ourselves on this aspect each issue - you never know what you’re going to get in our magazine and it’s part of the anticipation and excitement.
There are stories about fishing, art, food columns, conservation, tying flies, gear reviews, spring fun in the bush, another True Wild Northerner and a new feature we’ve added called, One Town, Many Options, and so much more.
The contributors stepped up again to add contrast to the magazine thanks to their unique styles. I can’t say enough about these people from northern Ontario who love the Wild Northerner Magazine as much as I do and the readers.
These people are passionate, purposeful, resourceful and full of that Northern charm that serves as our calling card to the rest of the world.
The tight grip of winter is over and it’s now time to embrace the warm hug of spring.
Get outdoors and make the most of it.
Thanks for reading.
-Scott