Painter's Paradise

The days are getting cooler but the forests are spectacular across James Bay Frontier with fall colors. Little wonder this is a favorite time for painters and sketch artists who like to capture the best of nature. I cheated. I took this photo by the Onaping River Sunday and used a photo-edit program to make it look like a painting. It's at the southwestern limit of James Bay Frontier. Click on the picture for the larger version.

Fall is here!

Fall officially arrived on the weekend. I was too busy enjoying the fall colors to really notice the calendar. But I did hear the honking of Canada Geese overhead when I was out in the bush near Shining Tree on Sunday. I grabbed this photo on the fly. The honking will be a familiar sound in the next few weeks at these big birds set off on their southward migration from James Bay Frontier.

Canoeing still great...

The weather is a bit cooler this month, but it's still excellent weather for canoeing. I have been out and about in the bush this week and the fall colors are a treat in James Bay Frontier. Many paddlers tell me that the rivers are running a bit low lately, but they say there is still excellent paddling on northern lakes. I also found a geat website for paddlers looking for info on their northern rivers. It's called Canadian Canoe Routes and you can even search for your favorite places.

Our newest book

We're just getting the final print work done on our newest Vacation Guide. It has scores of stories, photographs and features on great winter adventures in Northeastern Ontario. The photo was shot at an ice fishing derby on Porcupine Lake. The windchill was minus 35, but these folks were having fun. Look for the book, free at tourist information centres across Ontario and also at the outdoor adventure shows in the Northeastern United States. Or click on the e-mail tab in my profile over there on the right, and we'll be happy to mail one to your door.

Walleye fishing

Walleye fishing continues to be one of the favorite for avid anglers in James Bay Frontier. There was a fishing tournament in Timmins this weekend, one of several that occur each summer across the James Bay Frontier region. This was just one of the dozens of nice catches on Lake Kenogamissi. You'll likely read about in the Ontario Out of Doors Magazine sometime soon. We invited outdoors writer James Smedley to spend a weekend catching some nice walleye. We call 'em pickerel in this area, although walleye is indeed the correct name. I just know that they sure taste great.

Snowmobile news

Good news for avid snowmobilers! The cost of the annual trail pass has not increased. Once again, the rate is set at $180 if you purchase the pass before December 1st. After that the rate is $230 for the season. The rates are set by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. There is a slight increase in the weekly permit, which is now $120. There is no more daily permit. There is however a 3-day permit for $90. Not bad for enjoying some of the best snowmobile trails in North America. Happy sledding!

Westree Dawn

Deschênes Lake at Westree Village, early on Labour Day morning. I wasn't up early enough to catch a photo of the mist rising off the water. But it was still calm with a warm breeze coming in off the water. This is one of the THOUSANDS of quiet lakes throughout James Bay Frontier. Westree is a tiny community off Highway 560 close to Shining Tree where there is fresh air and great fishing.

Last Polar Bear ...

I was in Cochrane early this morning to catch a photo of the Polar Bear Express heading north for Moosonee. This was the last excursion train of the season, and it was packed with tourists. There were people from Germany, Switzerland and the US, among others. The PBX will be back next summer, but travelers who want to head north can still ride the rails. There is a regular train service between Cochrane and Moosonee. It's the Little Bear train, which runs all year. I also had a chance to have lunch with the travel writers from the United Kingdom, who wrapped up their week long tour of the North today and flew home. It was nice to spend time with them.