All posts by George Walters

George Walters is a Canadian columnist and author with more than forty years of writing experience. For over twenty years he has written a weekly column for Postmedia Network — Canada's largest newspaper chain — never missing a single week, publishing fifty-two stories a year. Combined with his work in Reader's Digest Community Voices, World News, Country Living, The Country Register, and farm and rural lifestyle magazines across Canada, he has published well over two thousand stories drawn from everyday life. He writes about farm work, fishing, old trucks, and the kind of people you only find in small towns — but just as likely he'll hand a voice to a weathered telephone pole, or turn his eye on something happening in the world today and tell you exactly what he thinks about it. No subject is off limits. If there's a story in it, George will find it. He has been called a philosopher of everyday life, a description that came up more than once during his television appearances over the years — and it's not hard to see why. His writing has a way of making the ordinary feel worth sitting with. He is the author of eleven books, including yearly short story collections and the Clay Moretti Files mystery series. Clay is a fifty-year-old private investigator who drives a 1967 Ford Galaxie, smokes cigars, and operates by a code the modern world gave up on a long time ago. The cases are present day. The man handling them is not. All titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon. Together, George and his wife Ruth have also created Elmer Finds His Way, the first in what he hopes will be a long series of children's books. Ruth did all the illustrations, as she has for every one of George's books — and beyond that she designed and painted the covers as well. Her work is woven into every page of everything he has published. A few words from readers: "I pulled up a kitchen chair and read your story three times." "You have a way of making a person homesick for a place they haven't been to." "Thank you for writing things that make old people and kids feel the same way at the same time." All my titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.ca here.
George's Writers Corner

What’s Happening In Cottage Country on June 1/2023

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Well, here it is June 1st, man time is sure flying by. Looking outside, things like the trees are sure putting on a show with their leaves all up to size. It’s nice to see, and along with that the perennials are also about ready to show off. Our rhubarb is ready to pull, and my lovely wife will be making us a strawberry rhubarb pie either tomorrow or the next day. I sure do enjoy them.

On another note, Highway 522 is getting busier and busier every day, with lots of tourists and campers moving around looking for places to park their rigs for a month or two. It will continue like that for the remainder of the summer.

Bug report: There are still a lot of Black Flies out there irritating folks these days, along with the mosquitoes. This heat though will get rid of a lot of them, and the dragon flies will eliminate a lot more, along with the birds helping out. There is a lot going on with Nature if you take the time to notice. The old saying is that we humans need to take more time to smell the roses is so true.

Yesterday I did go to North Bay with my wife as we had to take our car into Ford as our engine light came on again. This is the second time it happened. First time $500.00 yesterday another $500.00. $109.00 Parts and $350.00 Labour. I have to tell you, things have sure gotten out of hand nowadays when it comes to what people are charging for labour. Some things I can see are warranted for them high prices, but for other things they sure aren’t. At any rate, we humans brought it on our selves, wanting this and wanting that and going into debt to get it. Some call that progress. I won’t tell you what I call it.

After we finished up at Ford we picked up a few groceries, well I should say my wife did, I waited in the car as I am still unable to walk too far. Sitting, I am okay. Once we had our groceries and a few other things, we both got ourselves a milk shake at the Dairy Queen, and headed back home. I have to tell ya, you can’t beat a Dairy Queen Milk Shake, especially chocolate.

Today is mowing day, so I had better get going as we want to beat the heat, as it is going to get quite warm as the day moves forward. I am going to see if I can use the rider today. Not sure how that will work out.

Have a great day. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Events

Pickerel and Large Mouth Bass

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Today, I’m going to talk about catching Pickerel and Large Mouth Bass, and what baits and lures work best. I will also discuss the best time of day to catch these fish.

Pickerel, also known as Walleye, is a popular game fish in Northern Ontario. They are often found in deep waters near rocky structures, such as drop-offs, points, and shoals. The best time to catch Pickerel is during low light conditions, such as early morning or late evening.

When it comes to bait, Pickerel are known to bite on live minnows, leeches, and night crawlers. Artificial lures such as jigs, crank baits, and spinners also work well. In Northern Ontario, some of the best lures for Pickerel are Rapala Husky Jerks, Mepps Aglia Spinners, and Northland Mimic Minnows.

Large Mouth Bass is another popular game fish in Northern Ontario. They are often found in weed beds, shallow bays, and around submerged logs and rocks. The best time to catch Large Mouth Bass is during early morning or late evening, when the water is cooler.

When it comes to bait, Large Mouth Bass are known to bite on live bait such as worms, minnows, and crayfish. Artificial lures such as plastic worms, spinner baits, and top water poppers are also effective. In Northern Ontario, some of the best lures for Large Mouth Bass are Zoom Brush Hogs, Strike King KVD Square bills, and Booyah Buzzbaits.

In addition to bait and lures, it’s important to pay attention to the weather conditions when fishing for Pickerel and Large Mouth Bass. A light rain or overcast sky can make for good fishing conditions, while bright sunny days can make the fish more skittish.

Another thing to keep in mind is the time of year. Pickerel tend to spawn in the spring, while Large Mouth Bass spawn in the summer. During these times, the fish may be more focused on spawning and less likely to bite.

In summary, if you’re looking to catch Pickerel or Large Mouth Bass here in Cottage Country, try fishing during low light conditions, and use live bait or artificial lures that mimic the fish’s natural prey. Pay attention to the weather conditions and time of year, and you’ll increase your chances of success.

Tight lines, and we’ll see you on the water. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]