#total summer essentials

[simonschusterca]

10 Amazing Places to Go Fishing in Canada

Inspired by Field & Stream’s bestselling The Total Fishing Manual, the only guide you need to anything and everything there is to know about fishing, we’ve put together a list of our favourite Canadian fishing spots.

Canada is the fishing fan's ultimate destination: with our rich natural environment featuring over 1 million lakes, rivers and streams, plus three oceans, it was hard choosing just 10 places to feature below. Reblog to add your favourite spot!

1. Annapolis River, Nova Scotia

Best for: catching American shad When to go: Spring; historically, the third week of May is best! Known hot spot: the Junction with Nictaux River

2. Bay of Quinte, Ontario

Best for: catching largemouth bass When to go: July through to September Known hot spot: Hay Bay

3. Bow River, Alberta

Best for: urban fly fishing When to go: just before the runoff in Spring Known hot spot: Hay Bay

4. Fraser River, B.C.

Best for: catching giant white sturgeons When to go: September through November Known hot spot: the stretch between Mission and Chilliwack

5. Grand Cascapedia River, Quebec

Best for: catching salmon When to go: late June and early July Known hot spot: Charlie Valley Rock

6. Great Bear Lake, N.W.T.

Best for: catching trophy lake trout When to go: August Known hot spot: Bloody River

7. Haida Gwaii, B.C.

Best for: catching chinook salmon When to go: mid-June Known hot spot: Tasu Sound

8. Kesagami Lake, Ontario

Best for: catching trophy northern pike When to go: mid-May to mid-June Known hot spot: Small Bay

9. Kispiox River, B.C.

Best for: catching giant native steelhead When to go: late September to early October Known hot spot: Potato patch near the Skeena

10. Lake Athabasca, Saskatchewan

Best for: catching LOTS of big lake trout When to go: late September Known hot spot: the Russian Reef

To discover more ways about maximizing your summer, and for the chance to win a Summer Survival Kit that includes a copy of The Total Fishing Manual, visit Total Summer Essentials!

[simonschusterca]

The Top 10 Most Essential Fishing Gear You Need in Your Tackle Box

Inspired by Field & Stream's bestselling The Total Fishing Manual, the only guide you need to anything and everything there is to know about fishing, we've put together an essentials list for your next fishing trip!

Whether you're an old pro or new to the fishing game, here are the ten things every fisherman and fisherwoman needs in a tackle box:

1. ROD AND REEL

Beginners, your best bet is to start with a spincasting reel: they're easier to cast and they can handle fish up to 20 pounds. The longer the rod, the longer the cast it'll allow you--it's alsoLonger rods allow for longer casts and play fish better.

2. FISHING LINE

Pro tip: monofilament is both extremely durable and easy to handle, so it's an excellent choice regardless of your fishing experience.

3. HOOKS

Generally, circle hooks are ideal for beginners. They stick to the corner of the fish's mouth as opposed to ending up in the fish's stomach, plus (huge bonus), circle hooks are easy to remove. 

4. SINKERS

A hook and worm alone won't sink very deeply on their own--they're too light! A weight or “sinker” tied to your fishing rig will help you get the job done.

5. BOBBERS

Bobbers--they help let you know when a fish is biting! Protip: the SMALLER the bobber, the better you'll be able to detect fish bites.

6. PLASTIC WORMS

It's always good to have these guys on hand, just in case. Legend has it that some fish are even attracted to certain kinds of colours! They're also helpful if you a bit squeamish about the idea of hooking live bait ;)

7. NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS

To remove hooks from the fish that you catch! (And maybe even you--but hopefully not.)

8. LINE CUTTER (scissors, nail clippers or a knife)

Line cutter... self-explanatory ;)

9. SUNSCREEN

Fishing requires you to be on the water. Water reflects sunlight, meaning you'll burn faster than ever if you're not careful!

10. CAMERA

So your memories can last forever :)

(Other sources: Fishing Boy's Life and The Art of Manliness.)

To discover more ways about maximizing your summer, and for the chance to win a Summer Survival Kit that includes a copy of The Total Fishing Manual, visit Total Summer Essentials!

[simonschusterca]

The 5 Keys to Grilling Success from THE GRILLING BOOK

Internationally celebrated chef Marcus Samuelsson praises The Grilling Book for making “one of America’s favorite culinary pastimes accessible to anyone. The recipes are easy to follow yet refined. It’s a testament to [editor] Adam Rapoport’s appetite for style and taste.” One of our favourite pages in this visually stunning book contains the only five guidelines you need when you're wearing the hat of Grill Master, excerpted for you below:

1. PRACTICE, PRACTICE

Every grill is different, and grilling isn't a precise science. But trust us: The more you grill, the better you'll undertand the fire, the more organized you'll be, and the better your food will taste.

So grill a lot (what could be bad about that?) and learn from your mistakes--and from your successes.

2. KEEP IT CLEAN

Before and after you use your grill, clean it. Yes--every time. When you're done cooking, and while the grill's still hot, use the grill brush to scrape the grate clean. When you fire up the grill the next time, brush the grate again. If you have a gas grill with a built-in drip pan, clean that, too.

3. OIL THE GRATE

To help food release easily from the grill, oil the grate thoroughly. Unless the recipe specifies otherwise, use vegetable oil. (And never, ever use nonstick spray cans around a heated grill--they can explode.) If you don't have a brush at the ready, crumple a piece of aluminum foil and use that.

4. KEEP IT MOVING

Both gas and charcoal grills have some spots that are hotter and cooler than others. Get to know yours, and move food around on the grill for even cooking. Place food at an angle to increase the surface area that's exposed to the heat.

5. LOVE THE CHAR

We write a lot about char in this book--it's nirvana in grilling. More than just turning food black, it's a chemical process that happens at high temperatures in dry-heat cooking, changing food's molecular structure and creating deep brown color and intense flavor. So yes, that rib-eye steak really does taste better straight off a grill.

To discover more ways about maximizing your summer, and for the chance to win a Summer Survival Kit that includes a copy of The Grilling Book, visit Total Summer Essentials!

[simonschusterca]

Our Ten Favourite Canadian Camping Sites

Summer is the best time to escape the city life and become one with nature, where you can stargazing and enjoy fire roasted hot dogs and s’mores. Here are our top 10 favourite camping spots across Canada. For those new to the camping experience, you may want to bring along a copy of Field & Steam’s Outdoor Survival Guide just in case.

1. Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

There's so much to explore within Algonquin Provincial Park, that it's hard to know where to start, but just so you know, Lake of Two Rivers--the oldest camping ground within the park--features a gorgeous beach and a White Pine forest.

2. Banff National Park of Canada, Alberta

While you're sure to have a great camping experience at any one of the 2,500 camping sites available within Banff National Park, we recommend the sites at Protection Mountain for two reasons: 1) easy hiking access, and 2) higher quotient of wildlife to see on those hikes!

3. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia

Home to the incomparably gorgeous Cabot Trail, six front-country campgrounds, one backcountry campground (Fishing Cove), 25 hiking trails, golfing at Highlands Links (one of the best-ranked courses in the world), beaches with fresh and saltwater swimming--an absolute must-visit.

4. Forillon National Park, Québec

From the above shoreline, you can see whales and seals; a bit further inland you might even see a black bear. You can fish, you can kayak, you can snorkel--oh and there's over 200 kilometres of forest, sand dunes and gorgeous cliffs too. Something for every outdoor aficionado and novice!

5. Fathom Five National Marine Park, Ontario

Located in Ontario's Georgian Bay, this national park is primarily underwater and home to 20 different islands. Popular activities include scuba-diving and glass-bottom boat tours--keep an eye out for shipwrecks dating as far back as 1852!

6. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia

The ultimate west coast camping experience: explore the beach, go whale-watching from the gorgeous Amphitrite Lighthouse in the town of Uclulelet, or listen to the sound of the surf as it lulls you and your family to sleep. (Don't worry, no giant robots here either! *chuckles gently*)

7. Aulavik National Park, Northwest Territories

“Aulavik,” in Inuvialuktun, translates to a “place where people travel.” And for good reason: campers must travel by plane to get here, but it's so worth it. With continuous sunlight in the summertime, campers can go exploring whenever they want (just follow the "leave no trace rule"), and maybe even see a muskox.

8. Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia

At the heart of this park is Murtle Lake, the largest paddle-only lake in North America--which makes it the perfect destination for a quiet camping trip, be it a family vacation or a romantic getaway.

9. Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan

This breathtaking, fully-developed prairie campground largely remains natural: no fences, no wheat fields, and you can camp anywhere in it that you'd like. Close to the established trails and within hiking distance of plains bison’s preferred hangouts, this is the perfect way to get away from it all. You can even ride around on horseback!

10. St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Ontario

This campground has been a Canadian staple since 1904. Popular activities include sailboating and kayaking, and watching out for the Black Rat Snake, the biggest reptile in Canada. Well, what are you waiting for?

To discover more ways about maximizing your summer, and for the chance to win a Summer Survival Kit that includes a copy of Field & Stream's Outdoor Survival Guide, visit Total Summer Essentials!