Happy New Year! Have you caught your first fish of the year yet? Mine can be seen below (if you look closely, LOL)! My first official catch of 2017 was a tiny yellow perch. I hope the year holds many more and much bigger catches!
So far I’ve been chasing primarily panfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, crappie, and perch). I ventured out on a new lake with a family friend over the weekend and was amazed at the super clear water conditions. The pumpkinseeds I was catching were very light in colour. I took a quick video while releasing one, seen below.
I’ve been having lots of fun out on the ice, but there’s also been a lot of fishing business going on off the water too. My debut article in MidWest Outdoors Magazine can be seen in the January 2017 edition! I am very excited and honoured to join this very successful publication in their 50th year! My first piece highlights my trip to Saskatchewan over the summer in the ‘Canada Fever’ section. It’s quite an opportunity to have my work published across the United States and I’m very thankful to connect with even more anglers and share my stories! I’m giving away a free 1-year membership to this monthly magazine on my Facebook page. Here is a direct link if you’d like to enter: MidWest Outdoors Subscription Giveaway.
Over this past weekend, I traveled to Bass Pro Shops in Toronto for the annual Ice Fishing Event. Myself along with Cole Vardy and Scott Brauer were the guest seminar speakers at the event. There was a great turn-out of enthusiastic anglers anxious to hit the ice this season! Thanks to all that took the time to chat fishing with us! Bass Pro supplied prizes for giveaways and I had a great time meeting new people of all ages and seeing some familiar faces! Eric came along and snapped some great photos throughout the day. You can click on or hover over each individual photo for the caption.
I’m very excited to share that I was invited this year to be the Ambassador for the Ontario Boat Shows! I’ve never had an opportunity like this and I am quite honoured! Leading up to the shows I will be sharing more details, show highlights, and will also be interviewing some of the fishing expert seminar speakers. I will also be the emcee on the stage for each show. I’m giving away a 4-pack of tickets for each show on my Facebook page. Here is a link to where you can enter: Ontario Boat Shows Ticket Giveaway.
I’m looking forward to what the rest of January has in store starting with a ladies ice fishing trip coming up this weekend! Stay up to date with my catches on the water or ice by connecting with me on my social media pages below. Thanks for stopping by!
I attended all the seminars and learned a lot from the three of you so thank you for sharing all your insight, knowledge and experiences. It was very interactive and helpful. Great job!
Thank you so much for coming out, Richard! Glad to hear you enjoyed it 😄
I wanted to check out the BPS show over the weekend but it was not in the cards. A little too far to make the trek. However, loved the online content. Looks like it was a great time!
Thank you, Jason! It would have been great to see you! But I guess I will be seeing you very soon 😊
Hi Ashley, I remember you from Sail Ottawa Trainyards and I am a friend of Sam and know his Grandparents from Haileybury. i am looking for some different fishing adventures and thought you would be the perfect person to seek out and share with. I am looking for Bay of Quinte walleye in either winter and spring as well as any flyfishing as I am very passionate about it. Hopefully you can help with my wishes. and i see you have fished the Grand and I had in Fergus with my daughter a few years back with the fly and it was quite the river. You can reach me by text on cell @613-797-8115 and I work at Lowes Nepean in Ottawa. Hoping to hear from you soon, David Abraham, 2408 Iris St Ottawa On k2c1c6
Wow Ashley you have quite a year ahead of you. I just wanted to congratulate you on all of your success and wish you continued success. Perhaps one day I will be fortunate enough to go out fishing with you and Eric in Ottawa so you can show me some great spots to catch fish.
All the best and continued success.
Ryan
Thank you so much for stopping by, Ryan! I appreciate your kind words and support 🙂