I have yet to take a single fishing trip to Canada where someone in the group hasn’t said "Darn, I should have thought of that!" So here’s a quick list of some to-dos that will make your fishing adventure more enjoyable.
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Bring a rain suit - NOT A PONCHO!
learned this one the hard way. Unless you are going to fish off the pier everyday, a poncho just won't cut it. One boat trip in the rain and you'll know why! Ponchos are bulky, hard to fish in and flap like a kite in the wind. The $20 you spend at Kmart for a cheap rain suit might just make or break your trip.
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Bring a warm coat.
There's a saying in Canada - "if you don't like the weather - wait 5 minutes." I've been on trips where the temperature has dropped 20 degrees [F] in just a few hours. As an outdoorsman, nothing is worse than being cold [and wet], so prepare. Bring along a good midweight coat for the 40-50 degree weather you might run into …. EVEN IF IT'S AUGUST! I'd recommend a pair of gloves too.
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Don't forget a spare rod 'n reel.
Depending on where you are going, everyone in your party should bring along at least 2 rod 'n reels - generally a 12-20 pound set for the big fish and a 4-12 pound set for the eaters. But don't forget that spare! Your party should have at least one extra rod 'n reel just in case someone's equipment breaks.
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Spool up some fresh line.
Few things are more frustrating than working that lunker next to the boat and having your line snap. Be sure to put fresh line on all your reels. I recommend doing it the easy way. Grab a bag and take your reels to the tackle shop and have them put on fresh line. And don't forget to bring a little extra to respool on your trip after you cast a nice bird's nest.
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Bring a good assortment of jigs and spinners.
If I could only bring one type of lure, it would be the jig. Spinners come in a close second. If you don't want to end paying a buck or so apiece for these, as some places charge, I recommend a trip to your local tackle shop. A good mix would be a dozen each of 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 ounce of various colors for walleye and larger for northerns and trout. For spinners, 3 or 4 each of 5 color/blade combinations should do. Don't forget a variety of soft baits too.
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Order some live minnows if possible.
When the fishing gets tough, I have yet to find a bait that works better than live minnows. However, some outfitters don't keep these on hand, so be sure to ask in advance. At $3 to $5 a dozen these can get expensive, but I look at this as an insurance policy. If you're going on an outpost trip, a minnow seine is a good idea too. Also, it's a good idea to bring along a portable aerator [$8 - $16] to keep these little fellows active. [Note: Ask your outfitter for the legal seine requirements for the province. It is against the law to bring your own minnows into Canada.]
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Bring cash or traveler's checks for your bill.
Almost every lodge and outfitter requires the tab to be paid in cash. A few accept credit cards, but I have yet to find one that takes a personal check. Be sure to ask before you leave for your trip. And don't forget about the taxes. Also, there is no need to get any Canadian currency. U.S. greenbacks work just fine.