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Good Morning from the North, Where the Bears Sleep Longer Than We Do, and the Trees Have Seen More Than We Ever Will.

We’re starting off the morning with a few clouds hanging about, but give it some time, and they’ll wander off, leaving us with clearer skies. Here’s how the weather’s shaping up for us folks here in Port Loring, Ontario.

Today (Thursday, July 10)
Looks like the sun’s fixin’ to smile on us most of the day, though there’s a chance some old-time thunderheads might roll through by late afternoon. If the crickets start chirpin’ louder than usual, best keep an eye on the western sky. Expect it to warm up to about 80 °F (27 °C).
Tonight: Once those storms wander off, the stars ought to come out clear and bright, almost close enough to touch. Low around 56 °F (13 °C), a good night to pull up an extra quilt.

Tomorrow (Friday, July 11)
The sun will be up early, and it should be mostly sunny, with the air warming nicely to about 84 °F (29 °C).
Tomorrow Night: Clear again, with a gentle night settling in around 59 °F (15 °C), maybe a good evening to sit on the porch and listen to the doves carry on.

Highway 522 has sure picked up over the past few days, with lots of tourists wandering through our area. Most folks are just passing by on their way to the government parks, or at least that’s what they’re telling my wife and me. Then there are the regulars, coming back to their cottages like clockwork every summer, and the day trippers who figure a little country air might do them more good than all the concrete and noise back home.

Bug Report: Well, with it being so damp and warm, the mosquitoes are out in full force these days. And along with the heat come those pesky deer flies that, once they find you, won’t leave you alone. I have to say, they can be downright annoying at times. The no-see-UMS are buzzing around too, especially if you’re out mowing — they seem to have a taste for exhaust fumes. But other than that, it’s not too bad.

Northern Fishin’ Report:

If you’re thinking about wetting a line today, I’d say your best bet is to head out around 4 to 7 in the evening, once the sun starts to slide down and the heat lets go of its grip. The fish seem to perk up about then, same as us old folks do when the day starts cooling off.

As for tonight, just before dark around 8:30 to 9, that’s a fine time too. You might catch the old moon stirring up the water, and that’s never a bad sign. My granddad used to tell me, “If the frogs are singing and the water’s whispering, you best get your line in, as something’s bound to bite.”

So take it slow, keep an eye on the ripples, and don’t be too quick to haul in. Half the joy is sitting there waiting, soaking in the evening, and knowing you’ll have a good story to tell later on, whether the fish cooperate or not.

Lure of the Day

For a good day chasing pike, pickerel, or large mouth bass out here near Port Loring, I’d reach for a classic silver spoon lure. It’s been a favorite around these parts for years, flashing through the water like a fleeing bait fish, which is hard for those big teeth to resist.

And remember to keep your retrieve steady but not too fast, let the spoon do its dance. And if you feel a tug, hang on tight; these fighters don’t give up easy. My old Dad always said, “The silver spoon’s like a shiny piece of trouble, good trouble you want to get into.”

So with that, I’m off once again to the breakfast my lovely wife is fixing — grass-fed bacon and two eggs, easy over. After that, we’ll see what the day brings, which will likely include mowing the grass around our home here.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

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Good morning. You know, I’ve been doing this long enough to know that not every morning has a lesson to be learned, but in saying that… some still manage to surprise me.

Here’s the low-down on our weather for today, tonight, and tomorrow:

• Today (Wednesday): Expect intervals of clouds and sunshine, with a spotty thunderstorm this afternoon. High close to 79 °F (26 °C), dipping to around 60 °F (15 °C) tonight. Perfect fishing morning, but keep an eye on the sky later, as those afternoon storms can sneak up.
• Tonight: With that low around 60 °F (15 °C), a light jacket might be just the thing once the sun sets, if out by the camp fire. The breeze will be calm, so you’ll get a quiet night.
• Tomorrow (Thursday): It’s shaping up to be mostly sunny and downright delightful—high near 79 °F (26 °C), low about 57 °F (14 °C). Ideal for morning fishing or porch-sitting.

Fishing Times for Port Loring – Wednesday, July 9

Well, if you’re thinking about dropping a line today, here’s the sweet spots:

• Best time to wet a line: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
• Pretty fair early bite: Around 3:15 AM to 4:15 AM (if you’re up with the loons)
• Evening stir: Just before dark, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Fishing Tip of the Day:
If the bite slows down, don’t go changin’ your whole setup right away. Sometimes all it takes is moving twenty feet or throwing from a different angle. Fish aren’t always fussy, but they can be moody. Give it a little time before you start second-guessing yourself.

Highway 522 Report:
Traffic’s been picking up these days with lots of campers rollin’ through, trucks towing boats behind them, all of them looking to settle into their favorite fishing holes. Others just want a glimpse of how we live up here in the north. And honestly, who can blame them? This really is one of the finest places in all of Ontario. More folks are setting their sights on this area too—some just visiting, but more and more are lookin’ to stay. Can’t say I blame ’em, especially with places like ours hitting the market. There’s a lot to love up here, that’s for sure.

On another note, yesterday, my wife decided to head off to North Bay to pick up a few things we were in need of. While we were there, we filled up the car with gas. Looking around, we saw that half the gas stations were selling regular for $1.43 a liter, and the other half were down around $1.26. Actually, it was the same the last time we were in town. So when we see a place gouging folks, we just move along to the cheaper one. Makes me shake my old head at what they’re doing.

At any rate, we picked up what we needed—and then some. Ended up having a Canadian pizza at East Side Mario’s with a nice cup of iced sweet tea, had a nice chat with our favourite waitress, and then grabbed a coffee for the ride home. We then took our time, enjoying everything back roads had to offer—which, if you keep your eyes open, is quite a bit. Pulled back into our driveway around 5:00 PM. All in all, a long, busy day—but a good day.

So what are you up to today, GW?

Well, being market day here in our small town means there’s a good chance, folks will be out and about. So we’ll be putting our garage sale signs back up and opening the doors to our gift shop once again.

We’ve had a steady stream so far of people stopping by this spring, picking out things that caught their eye. But there’s still plenty left, so don’t be thinking we’re all picked over. That sure isn’t the case. Especially in the gift shop, where we’ve added all sorts of new pieces we designed and made over the winter, right here in our own workshop. Each one is unique and just waiting to find the right home.

We also just set out a fresh batch of our handmade flutes and opened a new box of books I’ve written. Truth be told, we’ve been having a hard time keeping them on the shelves with the way folks have been picking them up lately.

So if you’re in the area and feel like seeing something a little different, drop by 11588 Highway 522 here in Port Loring, Ontario. You won’t leave empty-handed, and I reckon you’ll be glad you came.

With that, I’m off to enjoy the breakfast my lovely wife made for me—a couple of breakfast sausages wrapped in fresh lettuce, along with a soft-boiled egg. It’s the kind of meal that’ll stick with you right up till lunchtime and keep a fellow going.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW