Akiwenzie's Fish & More...

First Market of 2012 - Dufferin Grove on Thursday

2012-02-13T10:45:00.000-05:00

Okay, as long as the forecast hold true, we will be down Thursday.
We will be smoking some fish up in the next couple of days and also bringing down some frozen whitefish.
No, we haven't pushed the boat back into the water just yet. We would like to but with the temperatures all over the place, we are hesitating. If the bay decided to freeze up, we don't have a vehicle strong enough to pull the boat back out of the water. Last year ice was able to punch a hole in the boat. We figure it is best to be patient this year.
This winter has been complicated. Weather has been so unperdictable with temperatures and lack of snow. We feel like we should have done some markets but then winter returns only to disappear again a few days later. We feel like we should have kept the boat in the water but who would have perdicted a mild winter back in December.
It was just another reminder that we are in a business that Mother Nature has the final say and she sometimes has an odd sense of humor.
We are looking forward to Thursday though. Cabin fever will be remedied and finally get some yummy food. Making the shopping list now and counting down the days to getting some real Olive Oil, Feta cheese, honey and hopefully some baked goods. Oh, can't forget coffee....

Getting Antsy.....

2012-02-09T14:30:00.000-05:00

Is antsy a word?
The sun is shining, the wind is blowing but it is soooo warm outside. Our dogs are out sunning themselves and I feel like spring is in the air. Strange to wake up listening to birds singing. It normally is still very quiet this time of year.
We are counting down the days. This winter continues to be an odd one and hard to go into hibernation mode when the temperatures are above zero and it feels like spring.
One more day we can check off as we very slowly creep towards March. We aim to be back into the water by March or March Break. Still very cautious for winter could return and I will need to dust off my skis again. Andrew is pacing back and forth from the shore. He wants to push the boat back into the water too but we both need to be patient. Oh it is hard to be patient when we see the sap is running in the maple trees, birds are singing and it is above zero. I must take a big sigh and go and do something to busy my hands. Fishing will come but it will just take time.....

Tried to take some pics of the weather before the camera or myself froze

2012-01-19T11:09:00.000-05:00

Time to put another log in the woodstove

2012-01-19T10:48:00.000-05:00

Winter has Returned

2012-01-17T14:20:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year's!!!

2011-12-31T23:13:00.000-05:00

I may able to stay up to see the New Year come in!
We wish everyone good health and all the best to you and your families for this comin' year.

Winter Has Returned

2011-12-28T16:14:00.000-05:00

Off to Wychwood

2011-12-16T21:56:00.000-05:00

We figured out a way to be down to market tomorrow. We had hoped to be at Dufferin this past Thursday but time got away on us.
Will have smoked and frozen fish with us and a bit of treat - 2 pieces of smoked pickerel.
Anyways I best go and get some sleep. 2am comes early.....

Quota is up in our area but will be renewed January 1

2011-12-09T20:38:00.000-05:00

We got at letter in the mail from our Chief and Council letting us know our quota is up in what they call Georgian Bay South. The other two areas which is north of us and then on Lake Huron are still open but we don't plan on making the journey up the peninsula.
So what will happen now for us? We will be at Wychwood tomorrow as long as the roads and driving is less than eventful. We will bring plenty of frozen whitefish, caviar and some smoked fish. If we do any markets again before the holidays (which I don't think we will) we will only have frozen fish on board.
I am not to sure if I am going to join Andrew on the drive down for he says my screaming every time the car slides, frays his nerves. Where is his sense of humour....? But one of our boys will join him or us for sure.
See you all soon tomorrow and if we miss seeing you personally, Happy Holidays and all the best in 2012!!!

Pictures of Today

2011-12-08T18:26:00.000-05:00

Listening to the Wind

2011-12-08T16:41:00.000-05:00

Interesting how the wind sounds when it is coming though the trees. We know it is windy when we can hear it long before the trees nearest to us begin to move

Won't be down to Wychwood this week

2011-12-02T20:24:00.000-05:00

Sorry guys, but no Wychwood this week.
Something new we are offering till the freezer is emptied, 10lbs. boxes of frozen whitefish. We are offering them as long as we have them. They are all individually vacuum packed and the box helps keep them nice and neat in the freezer. If interested. please let us know the day before a market and we will add it in with the rest of the fish.
Hope everyone will enjoy their weekend. I am going to spend the weekend adjusting to seeing snow when we wake up.

Crazy windy yesterday, today snow.....

2011-11-30T14:21:00.000-05:00

But even with all this crazy weather, we will be off to Dufferin tomorrow. We will have smoked whitefish and some frozen. Thanks to this wind we have not been able to fish but hoping for calm winds for next week. No promises though.
Things have been kinda quiet around here. Just puttering around trying to get some chores done around the plant and house. This afternoon the winter gear is being pulled out and this week the skis will be dusted off.

Surprise!!! We will be at Owen Sound's market tomorrow!!!!

2011-11-25T14:50:00.000-05:00

I have missed Owen Sound. Started there over 9 years ago and it always feels like going back home. Think we will drag the boys or a boy out with us. When we first started at Owen Sound the boys use to be in car seats and one piece snowsuits. Use to have to push their little feet into tiny little boots that always fell off. The boys we would flop them into their winter gear and they would continue sleeping. They would wake up at market and then smile. They knew shortly they would be munching on some yummy food/treats. Good memories.....

Sorry we won't be down today

2011-11-24T12:06:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay but we had hoped to be down. We had an appointment this morning and it was running late and then made us run late. Hopefully our luck will be a little better for the weekend.

Off to bed so we can travel to Wychwood in a few short hours

2011-11-18T18:41:00.000-05:00

We have smoked whitefish, caviar and frozen whitefish with us this trip. Winds have been horrible today but nice to see the sun even if there was snow on the ground.

Headed off to Dufferin

2011-11-17T08:40:00.000-05:00

Fish are all packed up and even some caviar in tow. We have fresh whitefish, smoked whitefish and some golden caviar from the whitefish. I think it is safe to say it is officially whitefish season.
Looking towards Saturday and we should be down to The Stop's Market at Wychwood. Not to sure if we will have smoked fish though but fresh whitefish and caviar looks promising.

The Wind Continues

2011-11-09T21:29:00.000-05:00

We will be at Dufferin tomorrow. No fresh though but the winds have been a little frustrating.
Thanks to this relentless wind, we will not be down Saturday. Hopefully we will be down next week.

Off to Wychwood tomorrow with only smoked

2011-11-04T14:43:00.000-04:00

This wind is being difficult. So calm out this morning while we were taking the boys to school. Then on the way home we noticed it wasn't so calm anymore. The water had quite the chop and whitecaps. In less than an hour it changed. Thank goodness we hadn't put our nets out or we would be pacing the shore right now.
That means another week of no fresh fish. Next week hopefully it is a bit more cooperative. See you tomorrow at Wychwood though. We have regular smoked and also honey garlic.

Will be down to Dufferin but sorry no fresh

2011-11-02T10:06:00.000-04:00

With the Strong Wind Warning out again for Southern Georgian Bay, we won't have fresh for tomorrow's market. But we will have smoked. Hopefully this wind will give it a break one day but it looks like it may continue the rest of this week. It is November though. It is known to blow this month.

Off to Wychwood tomorrow morning

2011-10-28T16:15:00.000-04:00

The smokers are almost done. Just to finish the fish up and we will be off to Toronto tomorrow.
I think I will join Andrew for the journey. I haven't seen the city in a long time and I want to see it before the snow begins to fly around.
Better get back to work and see you in a few short hours.

Will be at Dufferin tomorrow

2011-10-26T12:55:00.000-04:00

This wind has been persistant but we are going to market anyways. We will have smoked and frozen fish with us. Hoping Toronto doesn't get the snow that is in our forecast up here tomorrow.

First Frost of the Year

2011-10-23T11:35:00.000-04:00

Frost on the deck

Mist on the Bay

Our back property - lots of rain

Found this in the our back field.... pretty

Weekend is Here but sorry no Wychwood tomorrow

2011-10-21T16:45:00.000-04:00

Thanks to this wonderful wind and the challenges it brought with it, no market tomorrow. But really crossing our fingers for it to cool it for a while so we can return to normal next week.
See you soon!

Wind Removed Our Shelter by the Boat

2011-10-20T09:54:00.000-04:00

some repairs will need to be done. atleast dock is still there. Andrew put an extra rope on the boat.

whitecaps still fill the background

this looks like the spring run off

Part Two of Today's Pictures

2011-10-19T18:57:00.000-04:00

Picture from the look out on Cape Croker

The waves beside the reserve's dock

Picture from Cape Croker's dock

Picture from our shore

Part One of pictures of Today

2011-10-19T16:39:00.000-04:00

Colpoy's Bay

Andrew at a look out at Cape Croker

More of the Look out

More of the look out

Andrew on the wrong side of the look out....

Wave Watching

2011-10-19T15:28:00.000-04:00

Went to Foodstock

2011-10-17T13:10:00.000-04:00

Andrew, Chris and myself went for the afternoon to Foodstock. What a great turn out. We enjoyed the food, atmosphere and people at this event.
Glad we stayed home Saturday. The boat was surging quite a bit with the water and we decided to tie it to a tree just incase our dock decided to leave us. Our internet antenna was blown over and hydro flickered a few times. Didn't loose it completely but we were ready with the generator just incase. The weather is never boring.
This week we are not to sure if we will be getting out on the water. This wind is going to continue to late Friday. The wind will also be switching to the north and the temperature will begin to drop. We just ordered our first load of firewood. Not looking forward to stacking it but it is good exercise.
I have been busy trying to finalize the CSF. We hope next year to start a Community Supported Fisheries. Lots of details to work out but seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We hope to do it for 8 weeks in the spring and then 12 weeks in the fall. The weeks inbetween we hope to just sell whatever fish we have but those weeks have more complications like algae, wind, ice and anglers. Those 20 weeks we set aside for the CSF are normally the best or better weeks for fishing. More details soon. If this wind continues I should be able to finish it by mid-week.
Almost forgot. Some pictures we took from Saturday.

Look how wide the opening to our little harbour is

Water is way up. Almost touching the bottom of our dock.

Good thing we put an extra rope on the boat

Our internet antenna.

Off to Dufferin Tomorrow

2011-10-12T22:17:00.000-04:00

Fresh whitefish and some fresh lake trout are all ready for market tomorrow. Also all the flavours of smoked and in both of our normal species. Hoping the rain goes but if not, that's okay. Fish aren't to concerned with a little water. See you soon. Going to go put our feet up for a little while.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-10-10T19:47:00.000-04:00

Off to Wychwood tomorrow

2011-10-07T20:50:00.000-04:00

Finally the wind gave us a small window of opportunity to slip out and go fishing. It was rough out but Andrew managed. He found enough fish to venture down to the market tomorrow. We have no smoked for we didn't have enough to smoke up but hopefully next week we will. But some fresh whitefish and lake trout are ready to head to the city. Andrew will see you tomorrow.
Andrew took a few pictures of the sun rise and noticed the different location the sun is coming up.
Do you notice it?

Wonder how they moved the island? :)

October is Here

2011-10-03T21:28:00.000-04:00

I love the change of seasons. Leaves are changing but the wind is pulling them down faster than we can enjoy them. Thinking the other day we may actually see the first snowflakes in two weeks. BLAH....
We won't be down to Dufferin but really trying to make it to Wychwood. The winds are horrible but may give us a break at the end of the week. I hope so.
But nice thing with not doing any smoking of fish tomorrow, I get to go with my boys to their first of two, cross country running meets. First time I get to watch them run.
Hope to see everyone Saturday morning.

Headed to Dufferin tomorrow

2011-09-28T19:45:00.000-04:00

Fish are already. See you tomorrow.

Quiet Evening on the shore of Georgian Bay

2011-09-24T20:18:00.000-04:00

Beautiful Whitefish

2011-09-23T21:03:00.000-04:00

Andrew did make it out fishing and caught some beauties. Big, thick whitefish. Some smaller guys too but the fish were a good size overall. A good haul today and I am glad he got off the water as quick as he did. The marine forecast called for an East wind this afternoon and it came with something to prove. Could hear the waves pounding our shore and I was just thankful Andrew was on shore safe and sound.
See you tomorrow, bright and early.

Wychwood, Here We Come

2011-09-23T09:19:00.000-04:00

I think it has been forever since we even thought we would have a window of opportunity to make it to Wychwood. But the window was opened ever so slightly and we are taking it.
Smoker is done and Andrew just left to go out on the water. I don't know what he will catch but I am not about to complain.
Andrew did make it Dufferin yesterday. Very nice to have food from the market back here. When Andrew opened the trunk of the car it smelt like fresh coffee. I have some yummy feta and also a few other goodies from the market. I think the markets have spoiled me.... But in a good way.
See you tomorrow morning....

Andrew working on the fresh whitefish

2011-09-21T21:41:00.000-04:00

This is headed to Dufferin.... Sorry no trout....

Saturday looks like a go... Smoker is going on tomorrow for it and the nets were set back into the water to be lifted Friday. Keep your fingers crossed.
See you at Dufferin.

Beauty and the Beast

2011-09-21T09:53:00.000-04:00

Countdown to Dufferin - Smoker Done

2011-09-20T19:13:00.000-04:00

Smoker is on and Andrew is out setting nets...

2011-09-20T12:11:00.000-04:00

The water was eerily calm this morning. Beautiful, stunning and reminds us why we live here. But after a week of wind to go this calm... Of course we will take what we get and Andrew hurried up and went to set some nets this morning. I had a smoker to put on this morning and felt a bit rusty. Just a little while ago went to check the smoker and the wonderful smell of sweet maple and the beginnings of smoked fish hit me. I do love that smell. It smells so sweet and smokey.
We are doing Dufferin this week as long as something doesn't change the weather dramatically. We can work with rain or overcast skies but please let the wind remain calm like this morning.
Other than preparing for market, all is quiet. Just nice to hear the boat leaving the dock for the first time in a few weeks and smelling the smoker just puffing away.

Andrew's Pictures of the sunrise this morning

2011-09-19T10:24:00.000-04:00

We are aiming to be at Dufferin this week. Fish will be going into the brine later today to be smoked tomorrow. Hopefully this east wind will go away. Even at 7 this morning you can see the chop on the water and it has picked up yet again as the morning goes on. Tonight it is said to die down and then be calm for a couple of days. Tomorrow we hope to set some nets, smoke some fish and begin to prepare for Dufferin.
Other than watching the marine weather reports and going down to our shore to visit the boat, all has been quiet. Kids had alot of homework over the weekend that kept the computer pretty busy. Nice to see that their memorizing of the keyboard is really improving but now to work on the keying skills and try to get them away from the chicken pecks.
The leaves are beginning to change really quick around here. The air has a bit more of a bite in the morning and makes you wonder if you should go back in for a sweater. Our dogs are beginning to get their winter coats on and geese are leaving quickly.
I guess that means caviar season is coming up. Last time we fished the eggs are becoming large. Could be a month from now I will be working on the first batch.

East Winds Today and Tonight

2011-09-18T19:42:00.000-04:00

Sea Gulls Enjoying the Wind

2011-09-18T19:29:00.000-04:00

Caught Tonights Sunset

2011-09-14T20:11:00.000-04:00

Catching the sunset tonight was almost as challenging as catching fish. Joking of course!!!

Watching some interesting clouds go by

2011-09-14T16:11:00.000-04:00

Thinking we may get some rain today.

Strong Wind Warning in Effect.... Same ol' weather story

2011-09-13T14:45:00.000-04:00

The thought was brief but it was there. What if we could slip out and put even one net back into the water. Then there was a gust of wind and blew the bedroom door shut. There was the answer.
Just for giggles we checked the Southern Georgian Bay weather conditions. And there was that darn red banner across the top of the page yet again. Strong Wind Warning in Effect. I think it is just etched into our computer screen. So we read it and this is what it reads: Winds 20 knots diminishing to 15 before Wednesday morning then increasing to 20 Wednesday morning. Wind veering to northwest 25 Wednesday evening.
But I did go down to the shore and took some pics. Water looks nice for it is blowing off shore but the boat would be like a giant sail and the nets would be a hoot to set.

What the shore looked like tonite

2011-09-12T21:11:00.000-04:00

Beautiful evening. Rain or a chance of thunderstorms tonight but the day was sunny and warm. Andrew did consider putting nets out this morning but it was good that he reconsidered for this afternoon the wind really picked up. Between the sun and wind, it dried our laundry pretty quick that I had hung out earlier.
Vehicle issues are not going away. Our new (or what is new to us) car is still in the shop getting a safety done. We are bracing ourselves for a shock for it needed tires, brakes and something done to the exhaust. The shop had it for two days now so are beginning to worry they may have found something else. Hoping not and maybe they just had to wait for parts or something and that is why the delay.
Other than that, all is pretty quiet. Andrew is applying for his first job tomorrow. We have been working on updating his resume. Had to dig it up from 10 years ago. I am trying to update mine to but no jobs around here have been posted that I could apply for. Strange to be looking for work. We usually have so much work that we are wishing we could add hours to the day. It would be also very different to work for someone else. Normally we are the ones that are delegating out the work and trying to figure out how to do it the most efficiently. It would also be strange to not be working with fish. I can remember when I thought the day would never come that I would ever touch a fish other than the ones that escaped our aquarium. Things change over time I guess.
Our oldest son returned from Montreal yesterday. He went to a Bike Expo and then watched a Bike race in Montreal over the weekend. His coach, friend and himself went off on this adventure. He returned excited about the bikes, thoughts of attending McGill maybe one day and exploring a new city. He paid for the travel by himself with the money he made with his ice cream business this past summer. We are really proud of him. He knows he is guaranteed a job next year. He just has to save enough to do the start up again next May....

Today's Pictures - Part Two

2011-09-10T14:37:00.000-04:00

Andrew Filleting a Whitefish

Whitefish fillets

Left to Right: Whitefish, Rainbow Trout and Lake Trout

Lake Trout all ready to go

Andrew's Fish all done!!! Time to put in freezer.

Today's Pictures - Part One

2011-09-10T14:26:00.000-04:00

Geese flying south

Andrew's Catch. The one with the spots is called a German Brown Trout. Don't catch them to often but pretty fish.

Will have fresh fish shortly!!!

2011-09-10T08:43:00.000-04:00

Andrew couldn't help himself with such a calm evening to go set some nets. And the way our luck has been, we woke up this morning listening to the wind blowing. Andrew was up early and then out the door. He needs to go rescue his nets. But I am sure he will have caught something overnight. The wind has answered the question if he will leave his nets in or not.
I best get some coffee into me and go unlock the plant. I will try to remember to take the camera for a couple of pics of the camera shy fish....

Mixed pics from this evening

2011-09-09T21:01:00.000-04:00

thought it was a leaf

Frog or toad?

Frog or Toad?

Andy getting back from setting nets. Tomorrow will have fresh.

Beautiful, calm evening

Definitely no fishing today

2011-09-08T10:27:00.000-04:00

Won't be down to Dufferin or Wychwood this week

2011-09-07T22:50:00.000-04:00

I know some may be wondering if we will return and we are also beginning to think the same.
The van has decided to die and this time we have no idea what to do. I will tell tomorrow what is going on once we hopefully get some more information on a few things.

Will be at Dufferin today

2011-09-01T10:33:00.000-04:00

The fish was all loaded up and away it went. I hope they will be down around 2ish today at Dufferin.
What a crazy thunderstorm that woke us up this morning. Lots of thunder and lightning and the rain was just crazy.

Going to be at Dufferin tomorrow

2011-08-31T20:37:00.000-04:00

We have fresh whitefish and Andrew kept one whole just incase someone was hoping to stuff it with something. The smoker was successful but I did one flavour only. I did just regular but with whitefish and lake trout. Now I need to go veg for a while and begin to start hoping the van makes the journey safely.
We didn't put the nets back into the bay so no market on Saturday. The winds are going to pick up tomorrow and we can't afford to take the chance. It will give us the chance to get the boys back to school stuff. I am sure they have grown just a bit.... :)
See you soon and just a hint, we don't have a whole lot of fish.....

Hate to speak to soon but we are hoping to be at Dufferin

2011-08-30T15:55:00.000-04:00

I have fish defrosting and brine is made. Andrew is hoping the winds will calm by tonight which they are calling for. I don't know about the van but we have taken it out a couple of times without it misbehaving.
I will smoke up only whitefish and lake trout in our original flavour. Hopefully Andrew finds the fish and tomorrow we will know what the catch is.

Pictures of yesterday's clouds

2011-08-25T12:04:00.000-04:00

Sorry we won't be down to Dufferin or Wychwood this week. Van is still down. Took it for a short run the other day but it continued to misbehave. Not to sure what the plans are if the van continues to give us issues.

Pictures of Pow Wow weekend

2011-08-22T10:10:00.000-04:00

Didn't get as many as I wanted for the weather was crazy. If it wasn't raining Chris' booth was busy. Survived two crazy thunderstorms this weekend. One was absolutely crazy. But it was good overall. Sold lots of ice cream even in yuck weather. Chris handled it well and overcome some obstacles wonderfully. Next year will be much smoother for we know what to expect now.

boys enjoying an Indian Taco

Pow Wow is here!!!!

2011-08-19T10:09:00.000-04:00

Sorry, we won't be down to Wychwood. Our son has hired us to serve ice cream.
But the van is still not moving. Have to keep this short for Andrew is out fishing and I should be at the plant waiting for him and helping the boys open up their businesses.
Have a good weekend and I will update the blog once I am home from the pow wow.

Sorry no Dufferin

2011-08-18T10:05:00.000-04:00

I meant to do this last night but totally forgot. We won't be down today for the van is still in pieces waiting for new ones to come in.
We are busy trying to prepare for the pow wow weekend. Having 300lbs of potatoes delivered today for one son to make his fries and poutine. Tomorrow we will have 26 tubs of ice cream coming. Haven't seen that amount of ice cream in my life.
Andrew is out fishing right now so expecting some good looking fish shortly. Yesterday he caught a big beautiful rainbow trout.

Andrew took the camera while out fishing today

2011-08-16T19:56:00.000-04:00

Variety of Pictures to Summarize the Day

2011-08-15T17:22:00.000-04:00

Glad Andrew knows how this all goes back together

Grow!!!!!

Boys will need to put down grass seed.... All those games of badminton. :)

Cape Croker's Pow Wow Next Weekend

2011-08-13T21:04:00.000-04:00

The countdown is on. Time to tie up the loose ends so that Chris is able to sell his ice cream at pow wow this year.
Maybe we will see some familiar faces there....

Sorry but no Wychwood tomorrow

2011-08-12T22:59:00.000-04:00

Day two with vehicle not going anywhere to quick. Andrew was able to tear it down but now have to wait for the parts.
I am not known for my patience. Feel a little lost for I know I should be preparing for market or something but instead I am trying to keep busy.
One thing is helping though. It has been windy so we wouldn't be able to fish anyways. It has been a brisk east wind today and tomorrow it is going to continue. An east wind is horrible for fishing in our area.
Kids are doing fine selling ice cream and the other doing fresh cut fries. We have two picnic tables out front and they are full most the day with kids and families. The boys have a badminton net up and we catch the kids vs. kids, parents vs. kids and adult vs. adult. Lots of laughter and some of those games get pretty darn serious. Amazing how the boys businesses are becoming almost like a central hub for a lot of the kids from this area. I am glad they are doing well and people are enjoying fries/ice cream/the boys company and sometimes a highly competitive game of badminton.

Got the results for the Van

2011-08-11T13:45:00.000-04:00

When Andrew asks if I want the good news or the really good news I know we are in trouble.
A pulley he bent for it was seized on and it had to come off, is not in stock in Canada. The auto shop has just ordered it for us but two weeks will be the soonest it will be in. Now that wasn't even what we were trying to fix. We were trying to get to the fuel injectors for we thought it was the sensor and if not it was the injectors themselves. So the repairs continue but the van won't be turned over until the pulley comes in. All I can do is sigh.
Now what, is the question? No vehicle is going to effect the boys businesses too.

Sorry for the Delay but won't be down to Dufferin Today

2011-08-11T12:56:00.000-04:00

We are having vehicle issues. Hoping it is not to serious but it is one of two thing. Both are hard to fix but one is much more expensive. Andrew is working away on it but it doesn't look like we will be down this week. I feel like I am watching a serious surgery and hoping for the best. Soon the doc will tell me what the outcome is and I hope he says all went well....
But kids are doing well selling fries and ice cream out front of the plant. A pretty regular following they have and I think I have met most kids from the reserve.
I should go. I have been trying to help hand tools to Andrew but seriously I am not the best assistant. Getting a crash course in sockets and air tools. And I doubt I will ever remember the difference in screwdrivers. I think I will always call them a big flat edge, small square, normal star, etc. After 16 years of marriage I figured out Andrew and I can't drywall together or work with to many tools for thingamagig and whatyoumacallit doesn't help to much.

Pictures of Andrew returning from setting nets tonight

2011-08-09T22:53:00.000-04:00

He beat the thunderstorm but it was moving in quite quick....

Glad Andrew go off the water before this wind picked up

2011-08-03T18:26:00.000-04:00

WOW!!! Crazy East Wind..... This video shows what an east wind looks like and why we never fish if we know the wind will go east. One thing we are worried about though is our nets and gear is out there in this. Hopefully Friday we have some net left.
On another note. We will be at Dufferin tomorrow with lots of smoked. The quick customers will get some fresh....

Rainy day but Andrew made it out fishing

2011-08-03T08:53:00.000-04:00

Watching the marine weather the last 48 hours has been interesting. They changed the strength of the wind and the direction on a pretty regular bases. When we first started watching it the winds were going to be light for today. Now it is calling for it to change direction 3 times today and pick up in the afternoon and die off tonight. Good thing Andrew made it out early and should be back very soon. It is raining though so Andrew will be a little damp but the fish won't mind it to much.
Hopefully we will make it down to Dufferin tomorrow. All depending on what Andrew catches. I am sure he will find those sneaky fish....

Ready for Wychwood tomorrow morning

2011-07-29T21:07:00.000-04:00

Andrew is off to bed so when the alarm goes off shortly he can get up. Not a lot of fresh but some and one big lake trout. He was a real beauty. We have quite a bit of smoked and all the flavours. See you soon and nice to be headed to Wychwood. It has been a while.

Happy 16th Anniversary!!!

2011-07-28T20:51:00.000-04:00

Wow... Where did the time go? A day spent in reflection and what wonderful memories of our journey together. Hope the market went well for Andy and missed him today but will make up for it later on this weekend. Excited to see what the next 16 will bring us....
On another note. Smoked some fish up today. Hoping and crossing my fingers and toes that tomorrow's winds will be calm. Let you know tomorrow if all is a go!!!

Will be at Dufferin Tomorrow

2011-07-27T19:58:00.002-04:00

Andrew was able to slip out late yesterday afternoon. He lifted the gear and had some beautiful fish. So he will be down tomorrow. Not with a huge amount so the early birds will be happy....

It's Tuesday and Smokers are going on

2011-07-26T09:08:00.000-04:00

Trying to drink my coffee a bit quicker this morning. Need to get a smoker on so trying to hussle out the door. Actually kind of looking forward to it for I haven't done it in so long I would like to know if I remember how to.
Wondering about the wind though. Could hear the wind blowing through the trees before I glanced outside. I looked up on the Marine Weather and the red banner across the top has returned. Strong wind warning. Says it may slow by evening and then go to light by midnight.
Can't worry about that till later on today. Hopefully around 4-5pm tonight things will be different and gives Andrew a chance to set some nets. But right now I best get moving on the smoker.... Enjoy the day!!!

Pictures of Today

2011-07-24T21:23:00.000-04:00

This morning was windy. Woke up hearing the water before seeing it. Beautiful blue skies though.
Tonight though is a bit of a different story. Clouds are moving in and feels like the calm before the storm. Maybe finally we can get some much needed rain.
Made some brines in hopes to be smoking Tuesday....

Variety Of Pictures of the last 3 days

2011-07-23T20:17:00.000-04:00

Opening Day (Thursday) for Chris' new business "What's the Scoop?"

Dad giving his son some business advice before he (Andrew) has to go give a speech at candidates night (Thursday) in front of the community. Andrew has been nominated for a position of councillor.

Beautiful evening tonight. Bugs are really hungry though.

A family of ducks fleeing me and the camera.

Sorry Haven't Been Updating

2011-07-21T11:58:00.000-04:00

We won't be down to Dufferin today. The last 10-11 days we have been feverishly working on our son's business and today around 12 or maybe 1 he will be opening for the first time. Then we can get back to doing what we do - fish.
Hope to see everyone next week if everything works out the way we hope.

Working on Shed for Son's Ice Cream Business

2011-07-16T21:56:00.000-04:00

So we haven't been able to fish. But we have been busy working on our son's business/shed so he can open shortly, hopefully. Some pictures of yesterdays and todays progress.

Sorry, won't be down to Wychwood tomorrow

2011-07-15T23:43:00.000-04:00

What a wonky week. Glad it is done but time is flying by. We had a few hiccups this week and we couldn't make up the time we lost.

View and Sounds of Georgian Bay today

2011-07-13T14:07:00.000-04:00

Variety of Pictures of the Day

2011-07-13T13:25:00.000-04:00

The guys fixing van. Alternator died yesterday....

Chris' business will be located in front of the fish plant

Third rose of the year...

Chris' shed so far

Lots of baby fish of some sort at our shore

Will be at Dufferin

2011-07-06T19:28:00.002-04:00

Can't remember exactly when we were down last but finally we found enough fish to make the journey.
I had hoped to take some pics but I think I fed the mosquitoes enough today....
See you tomorrow.

Pictures from today.... Beautiful day out on the water

2011-07-04T14:09:00.000-04:00

Working on trying to get to Dufferin this week but it seems to be going very slow. 20lbs. of whitefish today and 13lbs. of lake trout was today's monster catch. Maybe 12 fish total. Andrew moved his nets again today and hopefully will find something tomorrow. Beautiful weather but just waiting to find the fish and avoid being algaed again.

Sorry but won't be at Dufferin.

2011-06-29T22:17:00.000-04:00

Beautiful day.

14 fish... wait maybe I missed counted....no, I got it right the first time.

Andrew leaves in a grey sweater and comes back green. How does that happen?

Found this at the bottom of Georgian Bay. Wonder what it was?

Found algea. Hope to find the fish one day.

Monday Pictures....

2011-06-27T21:09:00.000-04:00

First Rose Blooming.... Andrew found and planted this rose for me after the first market we did this spring.

Nets we just finished cleaning today. Ready to hit the water hopefully tomorrow.

One dirty net being replace by one of the cleaned ones

Second dirty net being replaced

Third and last net being rotated out

These three dirty nets need to have the pressure washer used to clean them. The three clean nets were stretched and cleaned yesterday and today but it was a job and a half. Now we are just keeping an eye on the weather reports. Winds are suppose to pick up tonight and tomorrow but we have to wait and see.

We just deliveried some of our smoked fish and whitefish to Rocky Raccoon's Cafe in Sauble Beach. He is trying a few new things with the fish and some of the response has been pretty positive. He hopes to offer our fish in a display cooler eventually so that his customers can take home a piece of smoked or fresh home to experiment and enjoy the fish the way they want. Good idea we think. Rocky Raccoon's Cafe is the boat shaped restaurant if you make it up to Sauble over the summer season....

Sorry not Wychwood tomorrow

2011-06-24T20:45:00.000-04:00

We did catch something but not fish. Algea galour. :( See you next week hopefully.

Just took these from the shore....

2011-06-23T15:02:00.000-04:00

I am so glad I didn't chance hanging up some laundry for something ate up the blue sky that came out for about 15 minutes earlier today. I love the smell of rain coming though. It is so clean and fresh.
Andrew is down in Dufferin right now and I am hoping he is not looking at the same clouds that I just got pictures of.
I am really proud of my oldest boy right now. Christopher applied and wrote a business plan to own/run his own business this summer. He was approved so he can start hussling so he can open for Canada Weekend. He will be selling ice cream and frozen treats just across the street from us. I think this will be a wonderful opportunity for him and give him some experience that working for someone else could never offer. So if you happen to be in our neck of the woods I am sure he would appreciate you dropping by and checking it out.

Rainy day but still headed to Dufferin

2011-06-23T08:40:00.000-04:00

Well, Andrew is off. He has only smoked fish in tow.
I am just glad he made it off the water yesterday before the thunderstorms moved in. They were pretty consistant till we went to bed. Today a new batch is moving in. Hopefully Toronto is missed or waits till the market is over.
Enjoy the day and I should get some chores done up.

Pictures from today

2011-06-22T17:36:00.000-04:00

Looking at the bluff while the storm swallows it up

Looking up towards the point which our lighthouse is but it is already hidden by the storm

Looking at King's Point and the storm moving in

One of our nets was filled with algea today

Pictures of being out on the water

2011-06-20T14:24:00.000-04:00

Will be at Wychwood

2011-06-17T20:12:00.000-04:00

Very quickly. We will be down to market tomorrow. Have some fresh but not a lot. Have smoked though but maybe not as much as last week.
I should be sleeping but can't seem to turn my brain off. Also the sunlight is not helping. Okay, I will go back to bed and try this again... See you soon.

Tonight's Moon

2011-06-16T22:47:00.000-04:00

Today out on the water

2011-06-15T16:41:00.000-04:00

I know a lot of people will be disappointed for no fresh fish will be available. With the full moon and as calm of a night we had, we figured there might be a struggle to find them. We did find algae though.... But can't sell that. Sometimes it is luck and other times especially when the moon is sooooo bright, we know we are are in for it. We have moved the nets but have to wait till Friday to see if that was the wisest of ideas or if we should have stayed put and played the waiting game.
But Andrew was able to take some pictures for us to enjoy.

Andrew Filleting a Whitefish - Today's Catch

2011-06-14T17:50:00.000-04:00

Will be down to Wychwood tomorrow

2011-06-10T22:44:00.000-04:00

Fish are done.
I should be sleeping but have to finish watching this hockey game. "Go Canucks...." Soon I will be off to bed.

Andrew is out fishing

2011-06-10T11:06:00.000-04:00

Don't know for sure yet if we will be at market. All depends on the catch and if he is able to beat the weather that is moving in. It was sunny when he left but get kinda windy now and really overcast. So just to wait and see. Smokers are on though and they are doing fine, so just need the fresh to top it off. Working on Mother Nature's schedule is unperdictable at the best of times.

Part Two From This Morning

2011-06-06T12:38:00.000-04:00

Can you imagine your commute looking like this?

Pictures of this morning....so calm

2011-06-06T12:31:00.000-04:00

Andrew was fishing up by the lighthouse on the reserve. The furthest piece of land that juts out into Georgian Bay. it usually isn't so nice up there but when it is, its absolutely stunning.

No Wychwood tomorrow

2011-05-27T11:00:00.000-04:00

Good thing we did pull out our gear from the bay. Windy, windy today.
It was calling for sun today so I did up our laundry. Why do I believe the weather reports? You would think I would learn but I keep thinking they maybe correct sometimes. They have changed it and now it could rain and no sunshine. So now hoping it will hold off till the jeans are dry. I do sometimes think I am asking to much.
Heard this tidbit of data on the radio yesterday. This spring is the 6th wettest since the weather has been recorded.
So now just trying to figure out what to do with a day on shore. The fish plant needs a bit of attention. Had my delivery of bags come in today and the boxes seem to be helter skelter. I also want to wash some fish boxes with the pressure washer. But first I think I need another coffee and I will go and read the weather reports again just because.

Sorry but we won't be down to Dufferin this week

2011-05-25T14:21:00.000-04:00

The weather reports were calling on bad weather and it looks to be pretty accurate this time. We didn't have any nets in the water for the weather perdictions were sounding pretty iffy.
We hope to make it for Wychwood but it depends on how fast this new batch of storms will go through tonight and tomorrow. We will know by tomorrow evening if we are doing Wychwood for we will need to set nets by tomorrow night to make it possible to do market Saturday.