| In this issue:
Our
Fishing
Video Site is up and running. If you have hi-speed
internet access
click
here to see some great short fishing video clips. We've
added a few new UNDERWATER Videos
Sunny Side Lodge
- We are located on the north shore of
beautiful Lake Nosbonsing. We have 5 fully equipped lake front
housekeeping cabins. There is a wide variety of fish in Lake
Nosbonsing, walleye, northern pike, trophy muskie, small and
largemouth bass and yellow perch. We also offer a full guided black
bear hunt in the fall which includes baited trees stands and
accommodations for a 6 day hunt (license is extra) there are also
fall and winter fishing packages available
Golden Eagle Camp - Great fishing for
Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass and other pan fish in the
famous Montreal River system. We’re surrounded by many remote lakes
to plan your daily fishing adventures. Complete packages available
with meal plan, boat & motor, all equipment, bait and ice included.
Plan this year’s vacation with us for fishing, bear hunting,
moose hunting and great snowmobiling!
Kenda Wilderness Lodge - Located on
Mesomikenda (Beaver) Lake, near Gogama. Kenda is a small informal
camp designed for your comfort. Fish for 30 miles on a beautiful
chain of lakes without a portage, or if you wish to portage we have
several lakes within walking distance that we maintain with boats
and motors. The log cabins are built of peeled log. The cottages are
insulated and paneled. We offer bear and moose
hunting, and fishing for walleye, pike, rainbow, speckled (brook)
and lake trout.
Cedar Ridge Lodge - At our Lodge you
get a truly memorable experience at a reasonable cost. Run by
sportsman who have a passion for the outdoors and want you to
experience the same. Located on pristine Burt Lake, 30 km west of
Kirkland Lake. Surround yourself with thousands of acres of crown
land and an abundance of your favorite hunting or fishing species,
including: Moose, Bear, Wolf, Grouse, Ducks, Geese,
Trout, Pike, Walleye, Small Mouth Bass and more! We operate a clean
lodge and offer full American Plans.
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"Fillet Knife Facts!"
By Justin Hoffman
 There's
nothing more satisfying to an angler than enjoying a home-cooked
meal of fresh caught fish. The aromas, the taste, and that
prerequisite feeling of fullness should be icing on the cake to an
otherwise productive day spent on the water. Now, actually catching
those fish is always a hit and miss possibility. Using the right
tools to prepare your catch, however, should essentially be a
no-brainer.
The World of Knives
Choosing a fillet knife can be a daunting task for those that are
new to the cooking arena. Many of the fillet knives out on the
market have very similar characteristics, often making it hard to
realistically tell the good from the bad. The truth of the matter
is, an inferior knife can be responsible for wasted meat, excessive
time spent filleting and an ever-present danger of personal injury
due to slippage. Pretty good reasons for choosing wisely, aren't
they?
The Size Factor
Fillet knife blades average between 4 and 9 inches in length, with
the standard sizes being 4, 6, 7.5 and 9-inches. Quite the variety,
but the main reason for these variances is in correlation to the
size of fish they are used for. Bigger fish require a longer blade,
due in part to the wider girth and extra surface area you will be
faced with. Smaller fish, on the other hand, require a shorter blade
for easier handling and less overkill.
For those that target panfish (crappie, perch and bluegills) a 6"
blade would be an optimum length. Bass or small trout would be best
suited to a 7.5" blade, whereas pike, salmon and larger fish will
require a 9" blade.
An "all-around knife" would consist of a 7.5" blade - this model
will allow you to fillet small and large fish quite satisfactory,
and with the least amount of struggle and effort. If you can only
choose one for a wide-variety of situation, my advice would be to go
this route. For optimum efficiency and ease of use, pick two or more
to cover all of the bases correctly.
Blade Material
Stainless steel is the standard of the fillet knife world. This
metal is extremely strong, durable and corrosive resistant, making
it the ideal alloy for knife manufacturing. Although some inferior
and cheap models may try to get by with something other than
stainless steel, passing them over for the quality steel provides is
the best route to go.
Flex Test
The amount of flex a blade possesses is an important consideration
when it comes to choosing a knife. Flex can be critical to optimum
cutting and slicing, and will make your task of filleting all the
more easier.
For the most part, flex is contingent on the thickness of the blade.
The thicker the blade, the less flex it will hold, and vice versa.
Shorter blades should have more flex, as the smaller fish you are
working on will require tighter angles and sharper cuts. Longer
blades should still have a certain degree of flex to them, but it is
not quite as important as maintaining it in the shorter steel. Four
and 6" blades should be quite thin and considerably flexible. (The
blade should 'bend' an inch or more either way when the tip is
pressed straight down and pressure is applied.) As blade lengths
increase, flex should still be maintained throughout the blade, but
with length comes an added thickness, due to the higher strength
capabilities they need to exude.
Handles
Although the blade is the business end of a fillet knife, the handle
certainly plays an important role. Comfort, grip and execution can
all be derived from a well-constructed handle, allowing an angler to
fillet safely and effortlessly.
Material is the first consideration to look at. Although wood has
been the standby in years past, plastic and rubber are certainly
taking over the market in the present day. The one downside to wood
has always been its ability to get extremely slippery when wet,
leading to a lack of control and the possibility of slippage, often
leading to the dangerous aspect of blade to flesh contact. The other
negative surrounding wood is its ability to 'soak' up fish smells,
engraining them in the handle and causing difficulty in regards to
cleaning and sanitizing purposes.
Plastic and molded rubber are both excellent choices. Rubber will
provide a slightly greater grip, due to the fact it can be squeezed
slightly. They both provide good traction. Both rubber and plastic
can be cleaned easily and thoroughly, so germs and fish smells need
never be a worry. Of course, both materials are corrosive resistant,
so your investment is bound to last a long time.
Make sure that the knife you purchase has a beveled area for your
index finger. This is found at the spot where the blade meets the
handle, and will provide extra insurance against slipping, while
providing extra leverage.
Recessed finger holds can be great for extra grip, yet they only
work well if your fingers are of a similar size. If your hands are
of an overly large size, this setup may prove more uncomfortable and
constricting, as they won't form-fit to each individual finger.
Knife Sheaf and Sharpening Stone
Most knives on the market come with a sheaf. This is great for
storing your knife in a cupboard or tackle box when not it use, but
can also be handy for attaching to your belt when out in the boat,
or while preparing a shore meal. To lessen any chance of injury,
always keep it covered unless actually in the process of filleting.
It goes without saying that your knife will lose its sharpness over
time, rendering the cutting surface dull and ineffective. Most
knives will come with a small hand-held sharpener, making the task
of keeping a sharp edge quick and easy. (I actually give it a few
swipes through the sharpener before each use, always keeping it at
its optimum condition.)
Buying a knife that comes with a sharpener is advantageous, as it is
manufactured for that specific blade, meaning that it will excel at
the job it is designed for. It also means that you will never have
an excuse for keeping a dull blade.
 Electric
Knives
For those that like to clean a mess of fish regularly, an electric
fillet knife might be the perfect option for you. These machines can
effortlessly work through fish like a hot knife in butter, saving
time, effort and patience. Although they have a bit of a learning
curve, and will take some time to get used to, the benefits are
certainly viable.
Many models out on the market have rechargeable battery packs, 12V
lighter plug (great for back wood fishing when your vehicle is the
only source of power), 110V wall plugs, and even 12V battery post
clips. The options for powering these units really are limitless.
Throw in a travel case, and you're set for some heavy duty
filleting. Keep this option open if eating fish is a favorite
hobby of yours - the advantages of going electric certainly speak a
strong argument. Eating your catch has become a tradition that
most of us share in. Nothing beats the taste of fish, and of course,
the family and friend gatherings that they always provide. Fillet
knives are an important part of the cooking equation, and selecting
the right one is paramount for success. Have a happy filleting
season, and have fun with your new knife!
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