Show attracts Canada’s best

The All-Canada Show – visiting mid-America’s largest cities – will feature Canada’s top fishing and hunting destinations. The 28^th annual event also includes: free seminars, free maps and travel guides, a free magazine with features and tips on Canadian adventures, free Cabela’s hunting simulator and, on opening night, a free Dardevle collector lure.

Adventurers interested in traveling to Canada will find a wide variety of destinations including: canoe outfitters, drive in resorts, remote fly-in outposts, 5-star fly-in lodges and hunting outfitters. The shows website lists exhibitors in each market including links to their websites. Go to AllCanadaShow.com for details.

The show is also a resource for planning the perfect adventure. “The key to a successful Canadian trip is proper planning,” says the shows media manager Joel Prunty, “That’s the whole premise of the All-Canada Show – we have everything you need to plan your trip. The opportunity for show guests to talk, face-to-face, with the owners and operators of these lodge…greatly improves their chances of a successful adventure.

Show staff and featured speaker Norm “the Great” McCreight use their combined 50-years fishing and hunting expertise on the show’s seminar stage to educate consumers. These informational presentations offer insight into selecting for the perfect destination, choosing the right lodge plan, crossing the border, plus tips on saving money and wilderness safety.

Prunty also noted, “There are some misconceptions out there about trips to Canada, the biggest being that it is expensive. Our show does host some of the finest lodges and resorts anywhere in the world, but there are also many housekeeping lodges and camps offering fabulous fishing for $500 per person for a week (and everything in between).”

“If you like Canada, there’s plenty to keep you occupied at the show,” he said, “Although the primary purpose of the show is to select the perfect destination for your adventure, we also offer a variety of information, attractions and entertainment to aid in the process and create a real Canadian atmosphere.”

For a discount coupon and complete details on the All-Canada Show go to: www.allcanadashow.com.

Other show features include:

‘Hanson Buck’ presented by Cabela’s—The World Record Whitetail exhibit ‘Hanson Buck’ visits the All-Canada Show. This life-size exhibit brings you face-to-face with the magnificent buck shot by Milo Hanson of Biggar, Saskatchewan in 1993. The 'Hanson Buck' is sure to capture your attention.

Norm “The Great” McCreight—This icon of the All-Canada Show will talk

hunting and fishing in his beloved Canada at his daily seminars and may even throw in a few hockey comments. Updated seminar schedules will be posted on the All-Canada website: AllCanadaShow.com.

Moose Bay Trading Company – will an expanded inventory for 2010 Moose Bay offers unique Canadian gifts, food items and clothing. Anglers will also find must have lures for their Canadian Adventures. Visit MooseBayTrading.com for more details.

Meet 2008 DU International Artist of the Year—Anthony J. Padgett, rated in the top 10 wildlife artists in the United States, will be present during all show hours in the gallery at the show. Padgett painted “Locked at Lac Seul,” the original artwork of two trophy moose near Lac Seul, Ontario.

Eppinger night—Opening night every paid admission will receive a free

Eppinger Dardevle, one of the best lures to take along on your Canadian fishing trip. Throughout the show, children between the ages of 8 and 16 will receive a free mini-Dardevle with a paid admission.

Other Attractions—The show’s traditional favorites are back: an authentic Canadian shore lunch (for an extra fee) in concessions, featuring Labatt Blue and a Free Cabela’s hunting simulator.

Free stuff—All show guests will receive a free copy of All-Canada Adventures

magazine (a $5.25 value) as well as maps and brochures from exhibitors and the All-Canada Show Travel Centre.

Prizes—Grand prize for all eleven shows is an Anthony J. Padgett original artwork A view from Churchill, plus $1,000 Cabela’s gift card. In addition All-Canada awards a vacation prize to Canada in every city including: three days and four nights for two people, American Plan including all meals, boat, motor, gas, guide (two-day minimum) and tax.

Sponsors—National sponsors for 2011 include Cabela's, Travel Manitoba, Labatt Blue, Yamaha Canada, Tourism Ontario, Eppinger (Dardevle lures), PermaTrophy, and Spectra Print.

Admission--Adults, $10; seniors and children (13-16), $8; and children 12 and under, free. For $2 off coupon and complete show details, log on to AllCanadaShow.com or call: 800-325-6290.

2011 All-Canada Show Schedule: St. Louis, St. Charles Convention Center, Jan. 7-9; Indianapolis, The Ritz Charles, Carmel, Jan. 10-12; Chicago, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, Jan. 13-16; Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Sports Complex, Jan. 20-23; Madison, Marriott Madison West Convention Center, Jan. 24-28; Green Bay, ShopKo Hall, Jan. 27-30; Sioux Falls, Ramkota Exhibit Hall, Feb. 3-5; Omaha, Holiday Inn Convention Centre, Feb. 7-9; Des Moines, KJJY Event Center at 7 Flags, Feb. 11-13; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Earle Brown Heritage Center, Minneapolis, Feb. 18-20 and Dallas, Irving Convention Center, Feb. 25-27.

Hours: St. Louis, Des Moines and Dallas: 5-9 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. Chicago, Milwaukee and Green Bay: 5-9 p.m., Thursday; 3-9 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. Minneapolis: 3-9 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. Madison, Omaha and Indianapolis: 5-9 p.m., Monday; 3-9 p.m., Tuesday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday. Sioux Falls: 5-9 p.m., Thursday; 3-9 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday

Thanks for the Memories... Route Lake Lodge

By: John Durben

My wife Mona and I are members of the Green Bay Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen Club for probably about 20 years now if not more? I was on the e-board for most of those years and Mona was in charge of membership for several years as well.

The Club has an annual outing which involves area Special Olympics Groups. We run a raffle to raise funds so that we can invite Special Olympians from surrounding Counties to an outing which includes fishing in a trout pond full of trout, having them cleaned and ready for the frying pan when they get home, as well as a lunch or snack and beverages. The Club has been involved in this program for a good number of years now.

I mentioned the Raffle earlier, that is how we raise our funds to cover the cost of this event. There are special individuals and businesses that donate goods and services to help our Club with their support. One of those businesses is operated by Glen and Shirley Roulston who manage Route Lake Lodge on Route Lake about 20 some miles North of Dryden, Ontario. To make a long story short, Mona and I won the trip last spring at our annual Smelt Fry. We had been to Canada on fishing trips 3 times before, but figured what the heck - I have the week of Labor Day off and if Mona can get off - let's do it. On the way up there I mentioned to Mona that it could be our final "Bucket Trip" to Canada.

All I can say is that we both recommend the experience if you can do it. If you are looking for a place to go to get away from the day to day hassle this is it. I'm not saying your secluded from civilization but you can throw away your cell phone.

When you arrive at the boat landing you are greeted by Glen with their new pontoon boat. They pick up you and your "Stuff" and transport you for about 10 minutes or so to the Lodge.

The cabins are modern and clean and the electricity is supplied by solar power or one of the two diesel generators.

We were the last (and only for that week) fishermen booked for the season and we were told we had the best weather all summer. It was in the 80's every day.

The Lake is known for Walleye, Northern, Lake Trout, and Perch. Mona and I caught and released more Walleye then we had ever caught before.

We really enjoyed the trip so if it is ever offered again - buy some raffle tickets; not only are you supporting a great cause, you may get lucky. Otherwise if you have to pay full price - it'll be definitely worth it.

Below are a few of the 1,000 something pictures we took.

Mona caught this Walleye that was a keeper just under the slot size.

John caught and released this Northern Pike which was just over 30" and in the slot.

Sunset on Route Lake. Photo was taken from the deck of the Cabin.