In the heart of Ontario’s waters, where ancient rhythms echo through time, swims a fish that knows how to make waves—both in folklore and on the end of an angler’s line. Meet the Freshwater Drum, affectionately known as the ‘Sheepshead.’ Its drumming beats resonate through the ages, connecting us to Canada’s Indigenous heritage and the …
Do you love history, particularly living history? Imagine yourself swimming with living dinosaurs, or perhaps even holding one. While this may not be Jurassic Park, in Ontario you can get close to that experience by encountering some of the oldest living fish still swimming on Earth: Bowfin, Gar, and Sturgeon. These three fish species have …
3 Important Ancient Fish of Ontario: Bowfin, Gar, and Sturgeon Read More »
“What’s So Great About The Great Lakes?”: Picture the world as it was 12,000 years ago where the land was covered by melting mile-thick glaciers. This amazing sculpture of ice, carved the land and created the Great Lakes. Forming approximately 15,000 kilometres (9,500 miles) of inland freshwater “ocean-like shores”. The lakes also contain an estimated …
Would you like to Experience Fishing? Did you know that Bear’s Den Lodge is a pilot site for this exciting program to help educate “women, children and new Canadians”? What about adults, yes, we will also teach adults. The pilot program was launched in the French River under the French River Resorts Association with hopes …
The Outdoor Journal Radio Show is live every Saturday morning 8:05AM EST. If you\’re in southern Ontario (Canada), tune your radio to Sportsnet 590 The FAN AM or visit www.odjradio.com and listen live online. Angelo Viola has hosted Sportsnet 590 The FAN\’s \”Outdoor Journal Radio Show\” since 1996. Traveling around the world to produce popular …
“It hit in three to four feet away from the boat. It was raining. The muskie gave me a real fight, it ran three times taking my black and chartreuse eagle tail under the boat. What a fight!” With a quick measure and photo of the French River musky, Bob Griffith of State College, PA, …
“Nothing like catching musky in your front yard!” said Chris Burnette to the start of his and Harry Haddix’s week at Bear’s Den Lodge. The seasoned West Virginian muskie hunters had fished some of their favorite French River muskie holes, but after a long day they decided to troll home during the twilight hours. As …
Returning to the French River Bill and Nancy Hamblin talk to the lodge owners, Art & Brenda Barefoot, before the hunt for the elusive French River Muskie. The weather conditions for the day were spotty with high winds and choppy waters but no musky can be caught without putting effort into it. In their search …
After 31 years of ownership for the Bear’s Den Lodge, Art, Brenda, & I thought it would be best to make some revisions and follow through with a New Year’s Resolution of revitalizing ourselves. We are still in the process of working on our project but some brief history of the old logo (left): When …
Bear’s Den Lodge, a “historical” museum, was built in 1925 for a New York Banker, H. Martin. Mr. Martin hired Bud West, local tourist lodge operator, to build a lodge on the property were an old logging camp used to stand. Bud hired Sandy Mower, Sylvester Ritchie and some of the Thompson family to help …
