With its popularity and the vast size of the North American sport angling market, many outsiders get the wrong impression about the dollars involved in localized Canadian fishing clubs. Around Our Lakes, the Kingston Canoe and Kayak Fishing club is a true labour of love for a core group of supporters. “Mitch LeCoupe and I are generally the backbone, although last year we have had a number of other members step up to help us moderate the group and the administration of our tournaments,” said Jeff Dicks. “I found the passion for it in 2018 after my daughter was born and my wife bought me my firs ..read more

For many the lake is a muse. Especially for creatives who draw inspiration from the scenic vistas of water, rock, tree and sky. Throughout history, artists like painters obviously demonstrate their connections to the lake through every blended colour and brush stroke. Often the inventor, however, tinkers away – usually in a basement or garage far away from the beautiful views – with a link to the lake that is equally undeniable. One of the earliest inventions around Our Lakes was the lake trout lure invented by Johnnie Green, known simply as the Johnnie Green Spoon. There have been many versio ..read more

Editor’s Note: This is the third instalment in a multi-part series of stories spotlighting the communities of the Rideau Canal. By Ken Watson What sets the Rideau apart from other lakes and river systems is its rich history. The oldest continuously operated canal in North America, the locks work today much as they did when first opened in 1832. The canal, built in a wild frontier of lakes, rivers and swamps is an engineering marvel and a testament to human genius, sacrifice, and perseverance. For a number of years I’ve been compiling the histories of communities in the Rideau corridor for post ..read more

Each year 6,500 animals from all around Our Lakes arrive for help at the Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre (SPWC) in Napanee. “We also help patients avoid unnecessary help by advising the public, we manage several thousand phone calls per year,” explained Leah Birmingham, RVT Medical Director SPWC. “It’s mostly orphans found after the mother was relocated.” Sandy Pines’ peak season runs from about May through September when human-wildlife interactions are at their peak. Birmingham barely stops moving when things get busy. In addition to her medical and leadership roles, she also runs the Intern ..read more

Growing up, Roy Seiders and his brother Ryan always had a passion for the outdoors. “Hunting, fishing, traveling to outdoor industry trade shows with our teacher-turned-entrepreneur-father,” recalls Roy. “We were raised with an appreciation for wild game, unfamiliar territory, and high-quality gear.” Roy, who is four years Ryan’s senior, remembers how their outdoors-loving high school teacher father introduced them to entrepreneurship early in life. A class project father Roger, an industrial arts teacher, designed for his students led to the creation of a glue to fix broken fishing rods. That ..read more

Editor’s Note: This is the second instalment in a multi-part series of stories spotlighting the communities of the Rideau Canal. By Ken Watson What sets the Rideau apart from other lakes and river systems is its rich history. The oldest continuously operated canal in North America, the locks work today much as they did when first opened in 1832. The canal, built in a wild frontier of lakes, rivers and swamps is an engineering marvel and a testament to human genius, sacrifice, and perseverance. For a number of years I’ve been compiling the histories of communities in the Rideau corridor for pos ..read more

By David Radcliffe After a long hiatus, due to a global pandemic resulting in limited air travel, I finally had the opportunity to once again pursue some new species with one of many fly rods. This time it was Payara, Pacu and Peacock Bass in Colombia. The big three “P”s had been on my list as long as I can remember. They each come with a generous amount of exoticism, rarity and fabled fighting ability to justify the long journey flying out of Toronto to the border of Colombia and Venezuela.  After several months of research, I finally chose the Orinoco River and one of its vast and varie ..read more

When Island Marine Construction launched its first barge last summer and began servicing island septics on the Rideau, the demand was clearly there but no one could have envisioned things going so well. Co-owners Peter Copestake and the father-son team Greg and John Fleming christened their venture in June 2021 as the marine division of the Fleming’s 35-year-old construction company and managed to pump 38 tanks primarily on Big Rideau, Sand and Newboro Lakes. Before then, it had been decades since anyone was equipped, insured and prepared to service island septics. “It was a highly successful ..read more

During the 1930s, this time of year was a lucrative one for Lester and Edna Halladay. They would hitch up their horse team and venture into the bush collecting sap from the many maples covering their beloved Plum Hollow property. They used this otherwise quiet time of the year bridging winter and spring to make gallons of the sweetest syrup available in the area, some of which was sold to help supplement their household income. Nowadays, this tradition is proudly maintained by the Halladay’s son-in-law James Campbell and his nephew and partner in the hobby, Jim Carbino. “We’re located on Dayto ..read more

Editor’s Note: This is the first instalment in a multi-part series of stories spotlighting the communities of the Rideau Canal. By Ken Watson What sets the Rideau apart from other lakes and river systems is its rich history. The oldest continuously operated canal in North America, the locks work today much as they did when first opened in 1832. The canal, built in a wild frontier of lakes, rivers and swamps is an engineering marvel and a testament to human genius, sacrifice, and perseverance. For a number of years I’ve been compiling the histories of communities in the Rideau corridor for post ..read more