Canadian anglers have long had a love affair with trout, seduced by their sleek beauty and the clear, cold waters they call home. Despite their popularity, however, trout can be notoriously finicky. So if you want to consistently catch them, it pays to go with the lures that have proven effective over time. Here are the top 11 trout lures you need to have in your tacklebox… Mepps Aglia More Mepps Aglia in-line spinners have been sold than any other single lure in Canada, and as we know, the consumer is always right. In this instance, they’re absolutely correct that the Aglia is dynamite on t ..read more

The new-product showcase at September’s American Fly Fishing Trade Association conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, may have been smaller than usual, but the attendees were certainly enthusiastic. And with the impressive array of new products on display, it’s clear the fly-fishing industry is still going strong following the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are my picks for 2024’s best new fly gear for Canadian anglers. For a look at more of the year’s best new fishing tackle, also see our round-up of 2024’s best new lures, conventional rods & reels and electronics & accessories. Best Rod WRAN ..read more

For a look at more of the year’s best new fishing gear, also see our round-up of 2024’s best new lures, rods and reels and fly-fishing gear (coming Friday). Best Battery DL+ 12V 135AH BATTERY Lithium batteries keep impressing. This dual-purpose model offers 135 amp-hours of deep-cycle capacity to power your boat’s electronics, plus 1,000 cold-cranking amps to start the big engine. That’s five times the usable power of a traditional Group 24 marine battery, at half the weight and with a lifespan that’s five times longer. Plus, you get an 11-year warranty. Just put it your boat and forget abou ..read more

For a look at more of the year’s best new fishing gear, also see our round-up of 2024’s best new lures, electronics & accessories and fly-fishing gear (coming Friday). Best Affordable Spinning Rods MUSE BLACK II I’m impressed by 13 Fishing’s commitment to making high-quality tackle at affordable prices, and this new line of rods doesn’t disappoint. Featuring Japanese components such as 40-ton Toray Graphite blanks, Fuji K Frame stainless steel guides and Evolve Custom Soft Touch Reel Seats, the six rods come in a length, power and action for every freshwater fishing scenario. They also c ..read more

Every year, the recreational fishing world comes together at events such as the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades Show—best known as ICAST—to showcase the latest and greatest angling innovations. And with such an astonishing quantity and variety of new fishing gear on display, where better to find those items best-suited for fishing in Canada? Here’s my selection of the top new offerings for 2024. For a look at more of the year’s best new fishing gear, also see our round-up of 2024’s best new rods and reels, electronics & accessories and fly-fishing gear (coming Friday ..read more

For cooking meals in the outdoors, you can certainly use a campfire, but they’re not always practical or permitted. That’s when portable outdoor stoves come in handy. Easy to carry in a pack, they’re perfect for cooking food, brewing coffee and even keeping you warm in an emergency. Here’s a look at the various options out there. The post How to pick the right portable stove for your outdoor adventure appeared first on Outdoor Canada ..read more

RUX 70L With a capacity of 70 litres, the B.C.-designed RUX ($369) is a rugged, weatherproof, soft-sided container for storing and hauling gear. Described as “part bag, part box,” it sports a rigid frame, yet easily collapses flat when not in use. Other features include a folding lid, grab handles, removable backpack straps and a reinforced foam bottom. Learn more: Rux, www.rux.life The post Cool new fishing, camping and adventuring gear for 2024 appeared first on Outdoor Canada ..read more

Inflatable watercraft are easy to store, transport and pack into remote waters, but they’ve been slow to get their due as effective fishing vessels. The latest inflatables, boasting tougher-than-ever materials, and designed specifically for angling, aim to change that. Here are a few next-generation models well-suited for fishing in Canada. IA.T.A.K 110 (US$1,399) Key features: Eleven-foot dropstitch kayak; Ergo Boost folding seat; adjustable foot braces; aluminum accessory rail; four Scotty mounts; batter-powered inflator included. The promise: “The rigidity of a hardshell kayak.” Learn mor ..read more

You need the right balance of pattern density and pellet energy for the hunting scenario at hand The image of the first duck I ever tumbled out of the sky back in the mid-1970s will be forever etched in my memory. How my shot string and that poor bluebill actually happened to find themselves in the same place at the same time remains a mystery on par with how the pyramids were built—theories abound, but nobody can fully explain it. I shot that duck, and many others over the subsequent years, with a 2¾-inch load of #5 lead manufactured by CIL Imperial. I’d like to say that was my duck load of ..read more

Originally designed for ranchers to pull newborn cattle out of the field and into the barn, calf sleds have also long been used by ice anglers and hunters to haul gear and downed game. Typically made of polyethylene, these rugged sleds are light, practically indestructible and easy to clean. They also have short sides, making it easy to load and unload gear or critters, while keeping the contents protected when being pulled. Outfitted with a rope handle and a rounded front for easy towing, calf sleds are also highly customizable. I enhanced mine for ice fishing, for example, by drilling holes ..read more