“Good mornin’! The sun’s up, and so should we be. Let’s see if we can stay awake ’til lunchtime!”

It looks like it’s shaping up to be another nice day here in Cottage country. Though, there’s a chance we might get a light shower later on … nothing to fuss over, though.

Highway 522 is still pretty slow for this time of year, at least around our neck of the woods. There’s a lot of building going on, though. Folks are adding onto their homes, putting up new houses, and even building garages. I can’t figure out where all these people are coming from, but I guess they’re here to stay, or they simply have a lot of money to spend!

Bug Report: Everything is good in this department other than a few pesky mosquitoes irritating folks.

On another note, my wife and I spent the day yesterday beautifying our country home by mowing the lawn and working in our gardens. It’s a lot of work, but when it’s all said and done, we both know it’s worth it. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing our property looking neat and tidy. It’s a good feeling, knowing that all the effort we put into it really paid off. You could say it, makes our little corner of the world look just right.

My wife and I have also noticed a steady stream of new faces dropping by our gift shop, picking up items of their choice. It’s sure nice to see. While they’re here, we usually end up chatting about all sorts of things. It’s always interesting to hear what’s going on in other parts of the country. Makes us appreciate our piece of the world even more.

Today, I’m tackling a job I’ve been wanting to do for a few years now … adding a new back wall to our carport. It’s not going to be an easy job, but like everything else, slow and steady gets things done. I’ve learned over the years not to get overwhelmed by the big picture. Just get started, and before you know it, the work is done.

And now I am off for some pancakes that my lovely wife is making for me, topped with an egg yolk, a bit of butter, and drizzled with Mike Clapperton’s Maple Syrup. I kind of thing it’s the perfect way to start the morning … something sweet and tasty to enjoy before getting into the day ahead. Oh, we can’t forget our hot cocoa on the front porch by the fishpond … now, can we?

With that you all have a great day, I am going to tackle my chores and enjoy the quiet. They say a day in the country is worth a week in the city … ain’t that the truth! GW

Fishing Times for Friday
07/05/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
12:13 PM-2:13 PM

Minor Times
4:09 AM-5:09 AM
9:11 PM-10:11 PM

Day Rating: Today, I’m giving it a solid 5-star rating for catching a few. It’s turning out to be one of the best fishing days this year. Tight lines!

Advice from an Old Angler: Keep an eye on your lures. If they’re not swimming straight, adjust the eyelet slightly until they run true. A properly tuned lure can significantly improve your chances of a successful catch.

Good Morning! And remember, every day is a new start. And if it starts with coffee or…., even better!

It looks like we’re in for another nice day here in the north. It is a bit misty now, but the sun is slowly burning it off.

Highway 522 is seeing a bit more traffic lately, though it’s still not as busy as in previous years. I reckon many folks are feeling the financial pinch these days, which means more of them are staying close to home.

Bug Report: All is good in that department, except for a few mosquitoes lurking in the shady, damp areas. It’s also that time of year when they like to sneak into the house, just to irritate folks, right when they’re drifting off to sleep. I guess they think we’re their midnight snack!

On another note, my wife and I took a trip to North Bay yesterday. We got what we needed, had lunch in our car while watching the world go by, picked up a coffee and donut, and headed on home, taking in what nature had to offer, along the way. All in all, it was a good day. There’s something about these little outings that just lifts the spirits!

Today is mowing day for my wife and I, which will keep us busy for the morning. With all the rain and cooler temperatures, everything is growing like crazy. So far, it’s shaping up to be a great summer. As I always say, so much for global warming. Mother Nature has been running the show for millions of years, and no matter what we do, she’s going to keep doing her thing. It’s almost like she enjoys keeping us on our toes!

After we finish that up, being a nice day, I am thinking some front porch sittin’ will be in order, taking in our beautiful piece of property, and maybe a drink of sweet tea… just because we can.

With that, I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me, which will be a bowl of porridge this morning for a change. Kind of a healthy way to start the morning!

You all have a great day, for me: It’s time to get my boots dirty and see what the day brings. A little dirt never hurt anyone, right? GW

Fishing Times for Thursday
07/04/24

Major Times
–:—–:–
11:14 AM-1:14 PM

Minor Times
3:10 AM-4:10 AM
8:18 PM-9:18 PM

Day Rating: Better; Actually, I give it a 4-star rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Sun Data
Rise: 5:32 AM
Set: 9:11 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 39 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 3:40 AM
Set: 8:48 PM
Moon Phase

2% Waning Crescent

Advice from an Old Angler: Cast with the wind at your back. Not only does it help with longer casts, but fish often face into the current, so your bait will come to them naturally.

Good Morning! Time to rise and shine, or at least rise. We’ll… work on the shine part later.

It’s looking like another nice day here in cottage country, the kind of morning that makes you glad to be living in the north. The sun is shining, and there’s a crispness in the air that you just don’t get anywhere else. In my mind, it’s a pretty nice part of Ontario to be living.

You know, I didn’t move to this small town to strike it rich. Truth be told, I came here to escape the noise and rush of the big city. I was looking for elbow room, a bit of space to breathe and stretch out without bumping into someone every five minutes. And let me tell you, my wife and I found it. We settled in, enjoying the peace and quiet, the kind that lets you hear the crickets at night and the birds in the morning.

But as with all good things, time and people bring change. If you stick around long enough, you’ll see it happen. What was once open and free starts to close in on you again. They call it progress. More houses, more people, more hustle and bustle. It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it? Moving to get away from it all, only to have ‘it all’ catch up with you.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying it’s all bad. Where we live is still pretty darn nice. There’s still room to stretch out a bit, and you can still hear those crickets at night if you listen hard enough. And the folks around here are good people, just like us, trying to find their own bit of peace in this fast-paced world.

So, while progress rolls on, I remind myself why we came here in the first place. It wasn’t for the money or the amenities. It was for the quiet moments, the elbow room, and the simpler way of life. And despite the changes, there’s still a lot of that to be found if you know where to look.

Highway 522 did pick up a lot yesterday with a lot of new folks entering into the picture.

Bug Report: Other than those pesky mosquitoes, things are pretty good these days. Honestly, they aren’t all that bad if you stay out of the shady areas. Of course, that’s where the best fishing spots are, so it’s a bit of a trade-off. But hey, it’s summer, and summer is summer here in the north. We take the good with the bad, and the bad with a bit of bug spray. Or at the very least wear long sleeve shirts. I don’t personally care for bug spray.

Yesterday was quite the busy day for my wife and me; as our gift shop saw a steady flow of new faces, each person picking up items of their choice. It was nice, really, because along with the sales, we got to hear about what’s going on in other parts of the world. It’s always interesting to learn something new from folks passing through.

Today I have some outside work that needs attending, like weeding our vegetable garden, cleaning up our woodworking shop and… working on our lean-too where we keep our car, which I will get at after breakfast, that my lovely wife has made for me. Oh, and can’t forget our cup of hot cocoa on our front porch, or swing by our fishpond, taking in our beautiful piece of property.

With that, you all have a great day: I am off to see what the day throws my way. Take it easy, folks! GW

Fishing Times for Tuesday
07/02/24

Major Times
9:17 AM-11:17 AM
9:46 PM-11:46 PM

Minor Times
1:49 AM-2:49 AM
5:58 PM-6:58 PM

Day Rating; I give it a 3-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Sun Data
Rise: 5:31 AM
Set: 9:11 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 40 mins.

Moon Data
Rise: 2:19 AM
Set: 6:28 PM
Over: 10:17 AM
Under: 10:46 PM

Moon Phase

12%
waning
crescent

Advice from an Old Angler: Keep an eye on the water’s surface. If you see fish jumping, or schools of bait fish, that’s where you want to cast. Fish activity means feeding time

It’s the first day of July: Good Morning! Another day…another chance to not step in something that the cows left behind.

It’s looking as if we are in for a real nice day here in cottage country. The sun has finally made its appearance, hardly a cloud in the sky. Just the kind of mornings I enjoy waking up to.

Highway 522 is still very quiet these days other than the locals roaming around looking for things to do and see. In a small town, the road may be empty, but the stories are always flowing.

Bug Report: All is good… other than a few mosquitoes.

On another note, yesterday I worked the day away here in front of my computer writing up a story. You know, some days the words flow like a river, and other days it’s like trying to squeeze water from a rock. Yesterday felt more like the rock, but I did manage to get one out in the open.

Today, I plan on fixing up the building where I keep my lumber. It’s been a mess for over a year now. So today, I’m going to see if I can organize it, so I can get to things. It’s going to be a job, but it needs to be done. There’s nothing worse than wanting to work on a project in my woodworking shop and not being able to get to what I need.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is making for me, and after that, a cup of hot cocoa out in the fresh country air before I settle into the day’s work. Pretty rough life, huh?

With that, you all have a great day: And remember, life’s what you make of it! GW

The Best Fishing Times for Monday
07/01/24

Major Times
8:23 AM-10:23 AM
8:50 PM-10:50 PM

Minor Times
1:22 AM-2:22 AM
4:39 PM-5:39 PM

Day Rating: I give it a 2-Star Rating out of 5 for catching a few. Good Luck!

Sun Data
Rise: 5:31 AM
Set: 9:12 PM

Day Length
15 hrs. 41 mins

Advice from an Old Angler: Thread several small worms onto a single hook to make a worm ball. Creates more movement and scent in the water, which attracts more fish!!