Report from the 2015 Sportsman Show Season

by Sophie Castonguay

Every year come January, the Red Lake Publicity Board gets in gear to go represent its members at the American Sportsman's Shows. Tourism in Red Lake is largely centered around its numerous camps and lodges that specialize in fishing, camping and hunting. The great majority of tourists that come to Canada for fishing are American and so, we seek out Sportsman Shows in the States near to us that may be interested in coming up to enjoy the beautiful unspoiled Canadian nature.

This year, the Red Lake Tourism Board went to three Sportsman's Shows....
one in Chicago,  Illinois, one in Fargo, North Dakota and one in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

All were definitely worth attending!  Although some of the camp owners that we represent take the time and energy to travel to the States to the shows to promote their lodges personally, many don't have the time and energy required to do so. This is where the Publicity Board really works its magic at attracting new customers to come frequent the local camps.

If you've never been to a Sportsman's Show, the sheer magnitude of these shows is awe inspiring! These are Big shows! There's an area for boats, water toys and four wheelers, another area for campers, rv's and ice fishing campers and I'm just getting started...

Then, there are the booths. Booths for fishing lodges, hunting camps, there are food vendors, camping supply vendors, fishing and hunting supply vendors... anything that would appeal to people who love fishing, hunting and camping, you name it....it's there! Plus, there are activities for kids and workshops for both young and older on topics ranging from: Trolling Tips & Secrets to Tactics to Boat more Fish to How to Walk Among Deer Unnoticed.

This company was overhauling vintage campers!

All shows were well attended and although not all Americans are brave enough to cross that border and come visit us in the Great White North, all agree on one thing: Canada is gorgeous! So many pure lakes, so many giant fish, so much peace and freedom from our wide open spaces and fresh air.

The range of show attendees we chatted with at the show included many who were regulars to the Red Lake and Hwy 105 Region. Lots of outdoors men and women return to their favorite camp or lodge every year and have been doing so for many years. Once they get acquainted with the friendly hosts and staff of the camps we represent, they are loyal to that camp for years and years to come and they recommend that camp to all their friends and family. According to our camp owners, the rate of return of happy customers in the Red Lake region is upwards of 85%! That says a lot about the dedication of our camp owners!

Father & Son Bonding at Excellent Adventures

Other people we met at the show were families looking for an escape out of the big cities and the mostly lake-less lands of the north central USA to give their kids a taste of the great outdoors. This is a great idea and the Red Lake Region is definitely the place to come together as a family and bond over unforgettable moments spent in nature.

Many residents and camp owners of the Red Lake District notice that the number of families coming to their camps has greatly dwindled in the past years. Many claim that this is due to today's youth being addicted to technology and constantly on their phone on Facebook or playing online games.

Well, as a person that loves nature and is also apparently addicted to the information super highway, I have great news..... Many of our lodges and resorts have wifi in the lodges and many even have cell range and access to data! So, the best of both worlds can be had down hwy 105!

Of course, I'm not suggesting that everyone take to the outdoors in our beautiful fun filled natural environment to be glued to their phone or laptop and not enjoy nature! What I am proposing is to coax your technology addicted children and teenagers into a family getaway by reassuring them that the internet can be available at the resort you choose.

Next thing you know, they will come out of the basement, into the light of day and suddenly will be too busy reeling in the big fish or roasting the perfect marshmallow to even think about being on their phone constantly. Or else, they will simply be Facebooking, Snapchatting, Tweeting or Instagramming their big catch to their peeps to show off their catch.... and really, what's the harm in that!?

The view from Sunset Lodge

All in all, the 2015 Sportsman Show Season was very successful in promoting our beautiful region to the North Central USA area. We met many folks who dream of coming to the Red Lake area this year to enjoy our nature and partake in fishing, camping and hunting in our region.

Many Americans now armed with our brand new 2015 Adventure Guide and brochures from HWY 105 camp and resorts will now actively be planning their Northern getaway. We are eagerly anticipating your arrival if you are one of these people and will welcome you with open arms to our treasured Canadian landscape!

Scenes & Observations of a Freshly Sprung Spring

Northern Harrier at Airport

Just last month it was very hard to believe that all that snow would ever go away! The winters are very long here in Northwestern Ontario- from November to early May. Actually, we are still getting temperatures dipping below 0 degrees Celsius on some nights but overall, the temperature is quite pleasant now. The highest temperature we have hit so far this year in 2014 is +17 degrees so that is definitely enough to warm up our chilled bones!

Great Horned Owl 

The spring birds have returned and are such a pleasure to listen to, especially in the early morning and at dusk. Many types of birds that we don't usually see here are stopping by to pay us a visit.

The grass is starting to turn green and perennial flowers & grasses are sprouting everywhere! It's such a good feeling to have things growing again. Speaking of growing...

What a pleasure it is to walk into the greenhouse at Chukuni Campground and breathe in the sweet fragrance of blooms everywhere. It's amazing how many different types of annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables are ready to be planted everywhere in Red Lake and surrounding communities. So exciting to pay a visit to Carol and her daughter Andrea who have worked so hard to fill the 3 greenhouses for the pleasure of local customers. Of course Ralph, Carol's husband is the one who kept the place warm to allow the plants to grow to this peak. They are open 7 days a week until 5:30pm until the end of June.

The deer are back! On a recent trip to Kenora, we spotted at least 15! They are wide awake now and back to grazing in fields and backyards. We saw 5 deer in one person's lawn right next to the Tim Horton's in Kenora!We also saw a couple moose, a few fox and a rabbit. Nature is alive and well and excited to get on with the spring/ summer season.

Andrea Fischer of Chukuni Greenhouses is also an
impressive fisherwoman!

The May Long weekend that just passed was also an important event that marks the beginning of spring around here. Although bays and some sections of larger lakes are still pretty much frozen except for the edges, most small lakes, creeks and rivers are free of ice now and ready for fishing.

The highway was teeming with trucks pulling boats, campers and 4-wheelers.  Where were they all going? Fishing of course....and camping. Anything to be outdoors again, after being trapped indoors for so many cold months. Cheers to Spring 2014& all the upcoming fun, relaxing, exciting and warm moments spent outdoors and on the water with family & friends!