Spring snow storm wallops the Thunder Bay area

Waist deep snow courtesy of AZ Bikes

The Spring of 2013 is sure to be remembered as 'the winter that never went away'. It is April 20th and usually at this time most of the snow has melted, the ice on the lake is rapidly disappearing and we are enjoying the warm sunshine beating down on us. Surprisingly the one thing that we have had this Spring is sunshine. Unfortunately the couple of cloudy days have brought heavy snowfalls.

That couldn't be more apparent today, as people are digging out from as much as 2 ft of heavy snow. While the storm has passed and the sun is out, there is a large swathe from the Atikokan area through Thunder Bay and along the north shore of Superior that is covered in many inches of heavy, wet snow.  The high winds that were strongly blowing during this latest snowstorm have made drifts so high, many had trouble even opening their house doors.

Take a look at some of the photos of the April 18/19, 2013 snowstorm.

Michelle Key writes on Magic 99.9 "Trying to get to the front door."

Sarah Luchies writes "Wow! Is it April or December??" on Magic 99.9

Kashabowie Outposts Office - Just a wee bit of snow

John Erickson measures the snow depth in Thunder Bay and shares on CKDR

Photo submitted by Madison Wallace to Magic 99.9

Nearly 2 ft of snow falls on Nolalu. Photo courtesy of Bow Narrows Camp

So as you can see, many will be digging out for a long time. Any other year, it wouldn't matter as much because most of our snow would have been gone and we would have enjoying Spring. Since we haven't had Spring yet, this snow storm seems like Old Man Winter is kicking us when we are down.

How is it where you live? Are you ready for Spring?

Plenty to do this Ontario Family Weekend

You don't need a fishing license Family Day Weekend

There's a ton of stuff happening in Sunset Country this weekend including tons of free events.

Free Ontario Family Fishing Weekend
 
Ontario Family Fishing Weekend is a province-wide opportunity for Canadian residents to fish Ontario waters without the otherwise mandatory fishing version outdoors card. The Ontario Government designates two periods throughout the year as license-free, one of these being this Family Day weekend. You can fish license free from February 16-18, 2013 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Monday). In the summer you can also fish license free from July 6-14, 2013 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday). During all other time periods, Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64 years must purchase a valid fishing license to legally fish in Ontario. If you've never been ice fishing, this weekend would be an opportune time to get out there and fish. You can also take a friend fishing.

Participants fishing without a license must fish under the Conservation fishing license limits which are set out in the current Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. With the exception of the licensing requirement, Ontario fishing regulations, fees and limits continue to apply during license-free days.

Snowmobile our winter wonderland

Permit Free Snowmobiling

The OFSC is also having a 'Try Our Trails Permit'. The Try Our Trails Permit is only valid for available OFSC trails on Ontario’s Family Day Long Weekend February 16-18, 2013.

• You will be required to enter your sled license plate number, VIN, make, model and year when applying for this permit.*
• Print the permit yourself from confirmation email you receive after registering online.
• Permit must be affixed to your sled.

The OFSC wants to invite new participants, former riders and out‐of province visitors to try OFSC trails at no cost. They encourage all regular permit buyers to invite their families and friends to obtain a 2013 Try Our Trails Permit, so they can Take a Friend Snowmobiling. What a great opportunity to try the OFSC snowmobile trails. Find out more at the Ontario Federation of Snowmobiling Club website. 

2012 'Pimp Your Ice Shack' Winners

Winter Festivals

Check out the Dryden Winter Festival February 15-18, 2013. Celebrate winter outdoors with family and friends. There's a pancake breakfast, horse drawn sleigh rides, skating, sliding, snow kiting lessons and demos, snow sculpting, family fishing derby and so much more... You can download a printable schedule of Dryden Winter Festival events.

The Vermilion Bay Kin Karnival will kick off on February 14 with the Kin Baby contest at 6:30 p.m. The event continues on Friday with the annual fish fry at the Lions hall. There will be events all day Saturday including a pancake breakfast and a mini kids carnival, and a new event - the trapline challenge dog sled race. It's a mass start at 10:30 at the government dock. After that there will be having a kids mutt run. Sunday events include the Kin Family Fish Derby, which is often called the main event. Those interested in signing up for the fishing derby will be able to at the carnival. For more information on event registration contact Scott McEwan at 227-2904.

Mount Evergreen Ski Hill is open Family Day

There are also many Family Day Activities throughout the cities and towns in Sunset Country.

In Kenora, visit the Kenora Recreation Centre for a free public skate from 12:30-2pm and a free public swim from 1-2:30pm. Mount Evergreen Ski Hill will be open from 10-4pm and they have special pricing for the day. Beaver Creek Ranch is also open from 2-4pm. They will have sleigh rides, petting zoo, crafts and a bonfire.

In Thunder Bay there are lots of great things happening this Family Day weekend! There's Fort William Historical Park's Voyageur Winter Carnival all weekend and Winterfest down at Prince Arthur's Landing on February 18th. 

An “Indoor Planetarium” is coming to the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre on Monday, Feb. 18 (Family Day). Pick up your tickets for one of the six shows, which cost $2/person.

That's just a taste of what's happening in Sunset Country this weekend. Now get off the computer and head outside!

Angler Young Angler Introduces Kids to Competitive Fishing

Focus on Kids at AYA Tournament!

Dryden AYA 2011 Winners John Butts, Aidan Butts and Luke Turcotte

The Angler Young Angler program takes place in Red Lake, Dryden and Thunder Bay Ontario as well as many other cities in Canada and the U.S. This year's Championship is in Kenora on Lake of the Woods. The Angler & Young Angler Tournaments started in 1998 with the intent of giving  youth the opportunity to fish in a Competitive style tournament.  The main objective is to introduce young anglers to competitive sport fishing in a fun environment surrounded by family and friends. Kids get to spend time with their parents fishing together. The memories created will last a life time.

This year Red Lake held their event on June 5th on Red Lake. Dryden's  was on July 9th on Wabigoon Lake, Thunder Bay's was also on July 9th on the Kam River and the National Championship is being held held on Lake of the Woods in Kenora this year taking place on August 13th. The 2011 winner of the Dryden AYA was John Butts, Aidan Butts and Luke Turcotte. Gord Ellis along with team members Austin Ellis and Landon Brochu won in Thunder Bay this year. The 2011 winners from Red Lake were Ed Goulet, Jenna Goulet and Brett Kreiger.

Huge walleye from Dryden's AYA Winning Team

Each team consists of 1 adult angler and 2 young anglers under the age of 17. Since fishing is the main attraction in this part of Ontario, the tournaments are one of the highlights of the summer and a fun family event! There is an official weigh-in, prizes and a BBQ to follow a day of fishing. The winner of each regional event qualifies for the opportunity to participate in the International Championship. The first place team wins the title of  'Angler & Young Angler International Champions'  as well as an all expense paid trip for 4 to Walt Disney World.  The second place team wins a fishing trip for 4 to a Wilderness North lodge. Past years have seen trips include Knee Lake Resort, Plummers Lodge, Totem Resorts and to Arctic Adventures.

In March 2012, there will be the Third Angler Young Angler Ice Fishing Derby. The 2011 Ice Fishing Derby was held on Lake Winnipeg. Carter Johnson, an 8 year old angler stole the day catching a huge 12.08 greenback walleye. For his catch, Carter won a trip to God's Lake Lodge.

The AYA events are filmed and presented on TV. The series is broadcast throughout the country, reaching millions of children who do not have the chance to participate in the tournaments. A goal of the AYA Fishing Tournaments is to expand the exposure of youth fishing throughout Canada, by participation in the tournaments and reaching them through TV. Go the Angler Young Angler web site to see video clips of excited kids and families fishing across North America. You can also find out information on how you too can become a part of the AYA experience.

For a list of other fishing tournaments in Northwest Ontario, please visit our list of Fishing Tournaments in Sunset Country.

UPDATE: August 16, 2011
The winner of the 2011 Angler Young Angler Championship on Lake of the Woods was John Butts of Dryden, a former Professional Walleye Tour angler, his son Aidan Butts and friend Luke Turcotte (pictured above after winning the AYA in Dryden earlier this summer). The Dryden Team won the tournament by 1.22 lbs, with a total of 46.41 lbs. Second place winners were Ed Goulet, Jenna Goulet and Brett Kreiger from Red Lake, Ontario. The winners win a trip for four to Walt Disney World and the Red Lake trio win a trip for four to a Wilderness North fly-in lodge.