Ice. Snow. Fish. And you.

It doesn’t get any better than the incredible, thrilling hard water fishing you’ll find in Saskatchewan. With expansive ice, a long winter, and multiple species to go after, you’re sure to find the ice fishing adventure of your dreams right here.

Start your trip at fishhuntsask.com

JEFF GUSTAFSON considers himself very lucky that is able to pursue a living within the fishing community. His motivation to continue on is to put off having to get a real job for as long as he can! Now 40, Gustafson is competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series, the top level of competitive bass fishing. This will be his fifth season fishing the Elite Series and his eleventh season fishing professionally in the US. When he is back home in Kenora he spends much of his time fishing on Lake of the Woods and area lakes. His favourite waterbody currently is the English River system, north of Kenora, which has incredible fishing for smallmouth, walleye and pike. He is still guiding throughout the year around home to stay busy and get on the water with long time friends and clients. Off the water, Gussy contributes his writing to over a dozen publications annually, posts content regularly to his social media pages and works closely with sponsors to promote fishing and their products. You can find him online at gussyoutdoors.com and on social media.

FROM on a fly in trip one of the many outposts that Shaun Jackson operates on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. You will see in this issue that we will be giving away a fly in trip with Jacksons Lodges and Outposts as a 15th Anniversary Prize!

Meantime television host Wes David generously organized another trip giveaway as part of the celebration. This one is to northern Saskatchewan and Nordic Lodge at the end of the summer. The lucky winners will even get to appear on the Fishing the Wild West television show!

Dale Martens heads up north again to the wild Gods River for big brook trout. Kevin Rossi visits rainbow alley in Central British Columbia and Glenn McDonald outlines some fantastic fishing adventures for the whole family in Northwestern Ontario!

It’s a big year here at Hooked magazine. We are celebrating our 15th Anniversary, an important milestone.

Over the last ten years that I have been the editor of the magazine we have expanded our editorial offerings. This in no small measure to the new writers that have made the magazine what it is today.

There has been a huge jump in popularity in wild foraging. Saskatchewan outdoor writer Lowell Strauss was invited on an incredible adventure to central Alberta this past fall. His article is titled “Bounty in the Boreal” and you will see why once you read it. He savoured a day, learning about nature’s bounty and feasting on wild ingredients expertly prepared by masters in their craft; a team of anglers, hunters, and foragers — outdoor chefs collectively known as From the Wild.

Speaking of foraging we have a recipe from Josh McFaddin as he prepares some burbot for the pot, all brought to you by Hunt/Fish Manitoba.

This Special Anniversary Issue is our biggest of the year. Our writers travel the world to tell stories of their outdoor adventures. Jeff Gustafson, who has been writing for Hooked from the beginning, visits Australia to catch the mighty barramundi. It really is the trip of a lifetime. Rebekka Redd, meantime, heads to Argentina to catch a wide variety of exotic species on a fly rod.

Of course, we have our usual adventures close to home. My family and I go

We haven’t forgotten that it is currently ice fishing season. Dave Shmyr heads out for last ice burbot, and Mike Sweatman tells us how to catch tullibee in the wintertime.

For those looking for some great information on boat rigging we go to one of the best in the business. Hardcore tournament angler Jamie Bruce tells all on to how to rig your fishing boat to be the most efficient fishing catching machine possible. He really knows his stuff, and this is part one of a two-part series.

In our Conservation corner, regional biologist for eastern Manitoba, Eric Mullen gives up some fascinating information of successful handling of trophy northern pike. Some fantastic facts that will really make you appreciate how valuable a species northern pike are.

All in all, we pretty much have it covered. Make sure you also follow us online as we will be having tackle giveaways during the year.

Don Lamont, Editor

ON FISHING AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Publisher

Hooked Media Inc.

President Kevin Stobbe - 204-771-4041 kevin@hookedmagazine.ca

Editor Don Lamont - 204-292-5234 dlamont46@gmail.com

Design/Production

Nuance Design nuancedesign@shaw.ca

Advertising Dave Simpson 204-782-9070 dave@hookedmagazine.ca

Writers

Jamie Bruce, Wes David, Jeff Gustafson, Don Lamont, Dale Martens, Glenn & Kyla McDonald, Josh McFaddin, Eric Mullen, Rebekka Redd, Kevin Rossi, Dave Shymr, Lowell Strauss, Michael Sweatman, John Toone

Illustration

Chloe Brown

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Hooked Magazine is published 5 times a year by Hooked Media Incorporated 15-971 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3M 3S3. We carefully inspect all ads for accuracy, however, the publisher and the printer shall not be responsible for any mistakes, design errors or incorrect information which is provided by the advertiser. The advertising, photographs, editorial and artwork is the property of Hooked Media Inc. and not that of the advertisers. The entire contents of this publication are protected by copyright and are intended for the sole use of the public. Any reproduction or duplication of the contents in any form, without the consent of Hooked Media Inc., is prohibited. Return undeliverable copies to Box 15 RPO Corydon, Winnipeg, MB R3M 3S3. Copyright ©2023 Hooked Media Inc. Printed in Canada.

“As one of Lacombe’s most vibrant recreational areas, the Len Thompson Trout Pond presents an opportunity to build a solid foundation of inclusion and the opportunity for outdoor recreation through angling for the mobility impaired and their families,” says Jason ‘Jigger’ Lunn, founder of the Team Jigger Foundation.

A quadriplegic himself following a 2011 motor vehicle collision, Jason and his foundation have worked tirelessly to advocate for those facing barriers to accessibility. “Accessibility breeds inclusion, and inclusion helps to remove barriers for many people in our communities,” adds Lunn.

The dock will be permanently installed in the pond via steel piling and have a wooden deck and railing system that will be sturdy and safe for all participants.

There will be several picnic areas on the dock that will allow for anglers and non-anglers alike to enjoy a unique lunch venue on the water overlooking the World’s Largest Fishing Lure.

“Angling attracts people from one of the widest variety of ages, capabilities and physical ability,” said Brad Pallister, Vice President of the Lacombe Fish and Game Association. “As an Association, a key part of our mandate is to help attract

Ais News Not Good

Spiny Waterflea, an aquatic invasive species, was detected in five samples taken from Foot Print Lake (near Grand Rapids, MB) through monitoring conducted by Manitoba’s Aquatic Invasive Species Unit during the 2022 open-water season. A total of 25 SWF were found in five out of seven samples collected from seven different locations within Foot Print Lake. A detection of this quantity indicates people to all the benefits that fishing offers through accessible fishing opportunities in our stocked trout ponds. We really wanted to see if we could create a flagship fishing dock to compliment this busy pond, but also a dock that could be accessed by every angler no matter their mobility.” there could be an established or reproducing population in the lake. The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Unit initiated a response protocol, as well as developing and implementing a containment plan.

The completion of this complex project will be done with several financial partners. The Government of Alberta’s Community Facility Enhancement Program will contribute $80,000; The County of Lacombe will contribute $75,000; The City of Lacombe will contribute $75,000; The Lacombe Fish and Game Association will contribute $50,000; The Team Jigger Foundation will contribute $15,000; and Len Thompson Lures will contribute $15,000.

The park attracts an estimated 9,000 users of all ages primarily throughout the spring, summer and fall months. It is estimated thousands of additional visitors visit the park to take a picture with the Guinness World Record Certified World’s Largest Lure that was installed in 2019.

Construction is expected to be complete over the winter months. This will allow for a Grand Opening of the dock at the Lacombe Fish and Game Association’s annual Kid’s Can Catch Day held at the Len Thompson Pond on June 3rd, 2023.

Spiny Waterflea are native to Eurasia and were originally introduced to North America via ballast water of ocean-crossing ships into the Great Lakes. movement. For example, they can be present in standing water in watercraft or water-related equipment (e.g. bait buckets) or become entangled