Midwinter Update

   It's the 5th of February and I have already noticed that the days are becoming longer! This is always a hope filled event for people who live in the North. If you have been watching the weather lately, International Falls and subsequently Fort Frances have made it on the "Coldest Spot in the lower 48 United States," once again. There has to be one place colder in Alaska. Somebody is always worse off the you, well we hope so. Otherwise we wouldn't be capable of coming to accept that we are actually trying to live in the coldest place in the US. Being from Canada I can be assured that it is colder someplace else. We feel for those people living there but we smile and think, "I'm glad it isn't me in Saskatoon, or Flin Flon, or Moosanee, what a hell hole. It -40F here but it's -42F plus wind chill there making it -50F." The fact is at -40 or -50 it's still frigging cold. Hey but we are starting to see more daylight.
   We have been getting a ton of snow this winter. That's terrific for our lakes and rivers. I find that the fish spawn more successfully and they are much more predictable than in low run off springs. It has been a long time since I've seen so much snow fall in January. January up here is usually quite cold and dry. We are getting the cold but when a warm front roles in we get a dumping of snow. The snow is now starting to cause some slush problem out on the ice. I've been hearing from a lot of folks, that have been ice fishing, that they were fortunate just to get off the lake due to the conditions. I dislike ice fishing anyway. I go out from time to time just to get some fresh air but I don't make ice fishing a real winter past-time. The gym is where I spend the winter months.

Frank Zane at 70!

    I have been pushing myself into new physical challenges in the gym. Right now I'm working a 6 week, 5 day split, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) program designed to increase lean body mass and conditioning. I'm going on week 2 and all I find it's doing so far is hurting. The routine really gets your heart pumping and you feel super...once you complete one of these workout marathons. 100 pre-exhaust bench presses or Squats before going on to perform my regular squat or bench routine. Do the 100 reps in the fewest sets possible or don't rest at all if you can. Then go on to complete 15 other exercises. Yes it's murder. I will keep it up and let you know how it goes. You know when things get real tough and you feel like the gym is just too challenging for you, find a role model. Someone who you admire or respect. I find motivation in the words and deeds of people like Marcus Aurelius, Gandhi, Muhammad Ali, Walter Payton and Frank Zane. Lately, when feeling sore, beat up and defeated, I read about Frank Zane. Frank Zane is 70 years old! Fitter than most people 50 years younger. Now there is something to aspire to. And it is actually attainable. It just takes hard work and perseverance. (Well intelligent dieting, proper supplementation, drug free/hormone free training, enough rest and an unflagging positive attitude.) All pretty much things I really need to work on. Diet- I don't eat enough, Supplements- I don't know enough about it and I'm learning, I don't use drugs or hormones so check there, rest- I don't get enough of that either and the unflagging positive attitude part well I've got work to do there. Anyway, the one image in my mind that really gets me off the couch is, now picture this, You're on the beach in Cuba, slurping down a Mojito and sunning the fat when a shirtless 70 something Frank Zane strolls by. Yep, time to get to the gym, I'm only 47, I've got 23 years to catch up!
   Some of you have called or messaged me about how my job is going. At this time I won't comment. (see earlier statement about the unflagging positive attitude I need to work on). They say that all the things you say on the net will someday come back to haunt you. So I say nothing and that should say more than anything.

Book Recommendations

Going along in the stream of working on a more positive attitude I've been re-reading and actually trying to absorb the information contained in these two books written by Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Now A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
A New Earth Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

A Fit Life

   I am now on my third year in my new fitness lifestyle. Eating right and getting tons of exercise. I believe that it all has helped me through the challenges life has been throwning at me. Things, for me, could be a lot worse if I didn't have the gym, my faith and a feeling of gratitude to give me strength. You really try to share with people the benefits of a fitness lifestyle. But I know from my own experience that they won't heed it. They may listen and they know deep down you are right but they won't act. The seed is planted though and it will bloom eventually. It did for me.
   Some of the benefits of a fit lifestyle include increased strength, stamina, you think faster on your feet, you look and feel more confident, stress is relieved (even though it's never gone and a little healthy stress motivates you), and it gives a different more positive perspective on things. You've faced the challenges your life and body has given you and you're doing something positive about it. What better way to build character? So hopefully I've just planted a seed.
   Now just because I love going to the gym and lifting weights doesn't mean that this is the only way to get fit. My brother rides a bike and it works wonders for him. Some others I know cross country ski, many run, some terrific athletes play squash, they have found their niche. I would prefer that everyone stay out of my gym- I don't share my toys well with others. I'm kidding of course. If my gym didn't have customers it wouldn't be there long. That doesn't mean that I don't cherish the times I have it all to myself. It's sort of like fishing I guess. I love to fish with friends...it's just hard to share fishing holes. (Unless you're a client and I share everything... maybe).
   Today I had one of the newer gym members ask me about supplements that I might be using. That is a personal but very valid question. First of all, when people see the changes and strength you attain after training hard for almost three years they become curious. Particularly when you are 47 years young. So I think it's best to divulge my secrets and it lets my Mom know that I'm not using any bad things that some people accuse you of using. First I eat, a lot, only good things. Cut out refined sugar completely. No soda or candy of any kind. Not to say that I won't have a piece of birthday cake or a couple of chocolate chip cookies my daughter might make. Just do everything possible to limit unnecessary sugar intake. Eliminate processed foods all together. No more fat and nitrate filled lunch meats. Eat nothing that you can't identify entirely. Carrots are carrots, beans are beans, chicken is chicken but what is that frozen pot pie made out of? If you can't name all of it's ingredience individually and can eat them individually, don't touch it. If you want a chicken pot pie, make it yourself, then you know what's in it.
   Try turning the government food triangle upside down. You have all seen these things that the government publishes to promote good nutrition. Problem is the stupid thing is upside down. It seems that lobby groups have infiltrated our nutrition guides. The triangle encourages you to eat more beef and dairy then pork and poultry and then maybe fish, after that grains then fruits and vegetables. My advice is to turn the thing around, eat more fruits and veggies, then grains, eat more fish, eat poultry then pork, perhaps a little cheese and milk and finally perhaps lean cuts of beef but no greasy fat steaks anymore. I also eat a lot more eggs and egg whites. I think the Canadian and US governments may have been getting some guff over their use of the triangle and the placement of food items in them. So they have gone to a plate graphic. It's still wrong. And to get around the fatty beef thing they now call it proteins. Now with all this said you ask what else should one supplement with. I take a multi-vitamin, Zinc magnesium and vitamin B6 together, Beta Alanine and Creatine Monohydrate. I also might take CLA when I have some but they are hard to get around here and they are expensive for an oil tablet. For energy I take a green tea extract and drink a cup of coffee before a workout. I always take an Omega 3. To top it all off, I drink down a protein powder shake after a workout. I don't like them much as they taste crappy and they don't dissolve well in almond milk. (I mix the powder in almond milk). These shakes are almost always lumpy and overly sweet for my taste. But I choke one down a couple times a day. So that's it folks. See Mom, no bad stuff those muscle heads in the magazines are selling. Just good whole food, lots of water, rest, vitamins, protein, never missing a workout no matter what, faith, and a positive attitude about the future, that's my simple secret.

Time to Get Writing Again

   It is time to start writing again. My last blog entry was in May. That is terrible. Thankfully this is a new year and nobody is paying me for my blog production so my neglect can't hurt me. 2012... Was it as shitty for you as it was for me? I am glad it's over and we have a new year to begin again. Some of the residual 2012 bullshit is still sticking to my shoes but I am trying to scape it off.
So lets review the past year, then perhaps I will share some of my hopes and aspirations for 2013. (Some of them will be radical and drastic).
2012 The year I wish to forget but it just won't let me. First of all, as many of my friends know, I got really sick for the first time in my life. I was in extreme pain, internal infection, plugged bile ducts, surgery and subsequent recovery. I missed 5 months of work (which really was 41/2 because Abitibi decided to lay people off for a number of weeks for some dubious reason more on that later). I was set back substantially in my weight training as my diet and routines were limited. I could get some exercise but I couldn't go into beast mode while sick and off work. I was very very weak at the start of the fishing season, but after my surgery and when I was able to work again, I hit the water. I wasn't at my best, that's for sure. I had trouble with my equipment and lacked the necessary energy to be the guide I normally aspire to be. I have to apologize to all the folks that came up and witness the fishing circus that was the start of the 2012 season.
   I continued to struggle with health issues into the fall. Finally one of my doctors stopped and listened to me concerning my lingering issues. After all sorts of pain killers, pills and potions this guy recommends that I try Metamucil, yep a laxative. I thought, "O Christ more grasping at straws." But you know what? I am 150% better now. Better, Stronger, Faster, and it didn't cost six million dollars, just $6.95 for Metamucil.
   So the holiday season roles around and my employer decides to give 230 people a nice crisp pink slip for a Christmas present. I  received one. After 27 years of accident, incident free service, thank you very much. I won't go into the corporate shit show that occurred before and continues now but needless to say in a community of 6900 people this is devastating. I've read a lot about corporate ethics and practices but when it takes a dump on your front step you really get an understanding of what ruthlessness is. Additionally surprising is that people are willing to carry these antics out and get indignant when they get called out on account of their actions. Are we not supposed to ask about what will become of our severance and pension plans? Oh I'm a malcontent and a difficult employee now that I asked. Sorry I made you uncomfortable Mr. Corporate Thief.
So, the New Year rolls around. I feel great, my wife is as wonderful and beautiful and ever. So is my daughter, who will be graduating university this spring and beginning her professional year to attain her teaching credentials. Abitibi rescinded the pink slip they gave me for Christmas. How long will the mill run or should I ask how long will I remain employed at the mill? Who knows and I really don't care much anymore. I am seeing a light now. As William Blake said, "I must create my own system  or be enslaved by another man's." I've been allowing myself to be a corporate stooge slave for 27 years. Time to make big changes. I do know one thing and I will state it now; I won't go to the oil patch to  work. I won't leave my wife for two weeks in two weeks out. That isn't what our life together is about. We will bloom where we were planted and do it together. Therefore more guiding! What better way to make a living than to do what you really love. I have other irons in the fire but the main battle plan is to keep working at the plant while becoming less dependent upon it. Work at my other projects with much more vigor and diligence. Once I reach a few goals, get the hell out! 2013 is the year it all changes.
   OK now for fishing. I have a huge number of terrific spring pike and smallie hot spots lined up. Ice out will be great fun. If we continue with the snow and a proper seasonal melt, these big back dark water bays will pay off again this spring. For those of you who like to fish these areas with me in the spring, I will keep you up to date on the ice out and fish movements. This year I am 100% ready to go. The boat has new floors and electronics! Perhaps even a new trolling motor, (well it's on my wish list). My enthusiasm has never flagged of failed when it comes to spring pike and smallie fishing. If you have never tried spring pike fishing, consider it. It is a true adventure.
My writing is done for now. Happy 2013 everyone.


Here is a reading recommendation. I just finished this book recently. I am sure you will find it interesting:

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man By John Perkins

I Can't Sleep So I Blog

It's 12:56am, I'm wide awake. I can't get settled or comfortable. In about 3 weeks I will finally get the surgery I need to remove a nasty gall stone. It has been bothering me for months and I've been hospitalized with it once already. I guess the damn thing is lodged in a bile duct now, thing is huge they say. One might think that if a person is suffering with an amazing amount of pain doctors would perform surgery to remedy the problem, as soon as possible. In my case, they waited around and put me on the back burner until I was to infected for a safe operation. One great thing about all this is that I got to experience an air ambulance ride for the first time in my life. Too bad it was such a waste...this whole thing could have been dealt with three months ago, and I was whacked out on morphine.
It's funny how folks down play this surgery. Hopefully in my case, this procedure will be performed laproscopically. Three or four small incisions are made and it's all done with cameras. Well I found out that the procedure is a big deal.  My surgeon explained that there are lots of vital organs in close proximity to the gall bladder. The liver being one. Infections can still occur and the for-mentioned liver can easily be nicked with a sharp instrument. If all goes well it is the recovery that doesn't take so long, about two weeks. If the procedure has to be done the old cut and hack method then it's six to eight weeks of recovery time. Not to mention the complications in the future. A big scar tends to make it's own issues.
So I wait and live with a very uncomfortable abdomen. A constant ache and feeling of shittiness. Life is on hold. Only light exercise, a no fat, no red meat, no dairy diet, (this is really hurting my weight training gains), no booze, no working and no guiding. I've got tons of work to do on my rigs but really can't do the job. I just don't have the energy right now. Lack of sleep and a weak diet might be the reason. It's absolutely absurd how I look forward to surgery. I'll sprint through the hospital hurtling gurneys, people in wheel chairs and do a half gainer on to the operating table. (Remember O.J. Simpson in the Hertz Car Rental commercials years ago, that will be me). Looking forward to surgery, it sounds insane.
On the up side, the weather has been cold and overcast so I don't feel so bad about missing the spring fishing. Perhaps the fishing Gods will reward me later for all the missed trips. My clients have been terrific. They have been rescheduling fishing excursions instead of cancelling or going with another guide. I've got the best clients in the world.
Well I thought writing this would help me feel like sleeping, the two Tylenol #3's have barely scratch the ache. So perhaps it's time to crack open a new book. It won't be about fishing that would really hurt.
All the best.

Me last summer with a nice shoreluncher.

DMMA

For the last two years I have been hitting the gym hard. It has been a terrific adventure and I'm glad to say it is a journey that will never end for me. The health benefits I have gained are terrific. I'm stronger, leaner and much more capable of enduring stresses. I'm mentally, physically and spiritually stronger than I was when I was 25!
Yet there are things that bother me. So much confusing information is out there regarding weight training and body building. It's like the fishing industry. TV programs, videos, books and magazines all claiming to report the secrets to fishing success. If you buy fishing pole A and reel B and fish finder D along with bass rig Z, the fish will be jumping into your boat. It's all BS. Hey, I've written articles that have been published in some of the most prestigious magazines. I've witnessed the pressure and temptations that accomplished anglers/writers are subject to. Manufacturers give writers free stuff so that they write about how fantastic this year's new crank baits are. Resorts operators give away free trips to writers so that they will pen glowing articles about their establishment. Many writers sell out to this. It makes the whole business dirty and unreliable. What is the truth and what is marketing? I've stopped outdoor writing because of this. I've seen article queries stolen, great ideas borrowed, or marketing side bars added and even sales slogans slipped into my hard work. Worst of all, totally incompetent people portray themselves as experts without anyone to call them on it. If its published it must be true right?
All this is what is happening in body building. The dietary supplement industry sponsors lifters to sell their products. Even if the athletes have never used the magic powder, they get paid to endorse it. Weight lifters, trainers, and other strength athletes write about their experiences. I feel they begin their writing careers with good intentions. Most lifters I know are terrific people who are willing to share their hard won knowledge. (Sounds like most accomplished fishermen doesn't it). But the big corporate dollar gets into the mix and everything falls apart. For example; if you take a moment to look through most weightlifting/body building publications and websites, you will find that they are swimming in a sea of advertisements featuring your favorite strength training athlete endorsing the next great secret potion that will make you stronger, successful and say ain't so, more attractive to the opposite sex. Again, it's all BS. Weight training is all about discipline, hard work, dedication over a long period of time, nutrition and genetics. Today I found out that some of the most popular pre-workout supplements contain DMAA or dimethylamylamine, which is a geranium extract which also contains methylhexanamine. These substances give you energy. Some real humph so you can train and lift more weight longer. They aren't a steroid but athletes like Marion Jones and Mark McGuire got themselves into hot water for using them. Some of the finest strength athletes have endorsed these products. (Some of whom are admitted steroid users making their endorsement an even bigger fib). If a healthy athlete uses a pre-workout product properly at the right dosage for a short period of time they are pretty safe. Pre-workout products do raise your blood pressure and heart rate but if your healthy that's not something to worry about. Problem is, these products are addictive for some strength training athletes. People get to believe they can't train without it. Additionally, some folks aren't healthy enough to use these products and a warning on the side of the packaging isn't enough to stop people from using them. Then  some lifters tend to double the recommended dosage to get double the effect. It may not hurt you at first but continue to do it and a body builder can find themselves in a world of hurt. So here we are, people abusing a substance that at the proper dosage can be beneficial. The FDA and other government agencies in a number of countries are moving to ban the use of DMAA. Why? Because advertisers have been so successful duping people into believing they need these products to get fit and reach to their goals. These products do have a terrific effect on the quality of your workouts, but the temptation to abuse them and aggressive marketing has put lifters into danger. Sometimes chemicals are dangerous yet useful, but the cons out weigh the pros. The desire to get strong, get big and to get the girls is just too much for some people and they just can't control themselves. It's to bad. So the solution again stands with hard work, good quality nutrition, and perseverance. In fishing it's patience, time on the water, and understanding of the environment. You just can't buy success in powder form served from a jar or from an expensive computer mounted on the console of your boat.

Hard Waiting

Every time I drive past the marina my heart sinks. Rainy Lake is open early and I can't get out there.  I know in a normal year, Rainy would still have ice on it. Yet it's out now and I can't stand it. The big pike are lurking near some of my favorite fishing holes and I'm missing it.
I've got exactly one month to wait before having my surgery. As ridiculous as it seems I can't wait for it. I really just want to feel better and get on with my life. I also miss work. Something I thought would never happen. Men need a purpose and working is one of the most important purposes we have. Even if our employers don't give a rats ass about us.
I've been reading a lot and setting up new workout routines for when I can get back into the gym. I still have to wait and see how things go after my surgery and how my body reacts/changes. I've already lost some weight and will want to bulk up again later. I hate not being as strong or as big as I was. Guess I have little man syndrome. Gotta have big pipes or my self-esteem goes into the crapper.
The phone has been ringing lately. Guys calling to ask for my advice about how to find and catch pike this early in the season. Well first you have to get out there, something I can't do.  Although I really think the whole system will be upset for a while. The ice is out early yes but the fish may not have spawned yet. For two reasons: 1. The water level is very low and the primary spawning areas are dry or too shallow for spawning. In years where the water levels remained low throughout the spring I've found many pike didn't spawn at all. They reabsorb their eggs and don't feed much until  the water temperatures speed up their metabolisms. 2. Cold nights, cold water temperatures and lack of direct sunlight has them in a holding pattern. I know the temperatures are warmer than normal but the nights are still very cool, near or below freezing. The sunlight during the day is still indirect, quite far to the south and short in duration. Big females may be just waiting of the proper conditions (hopefully these conditions arrive for them).
What would I be doing if I could be out there. I'd work very slowly near the spawning bays in deeper water. Even off main lake points. Use slow presentations. I might go shallow if it is a warm, calm day. Surely smaller male pike will be cruising the shallows looking for love or something to eat. Finally, if you just have to catch a fish, sit in a bay and toss out a big dead sucker minnow under a bobber, then wait. I hate doing this but sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do. You might catch a big pike but look out for big walleye or even a monster smallmouth looking for a big easy meal. Remember though, walleye season is still closed for another three weeks.

By the way, this is what heaven will be for me. A gym on the beach just feet away from my favorite pike fishing bay. Note beautiful weedline in the background!
All the Best
Jackfish

Illness

My age has caught up with me. A terrible gall bladder attack and subsequent pain put me in hospital for a week. If you can believe that a person can become too sick and infected for surgery...that's what happened, and is still happening to me. I have to wait until all infection has cleared up, then surgery in 6 weeks.

This all comes at a very bad time. Spring is here and I've got clients wanting to fishing but I will be out of commission for the next month or so. Depending how my present situation and future surgery works out. 

I miss the gym terribly. I can't work until I feel better, (but I never feel good unless I can train). My wife is watching me like a hawk. I can't leave the house without her in tow, I might just sneak of to the gym. I love her for watch out for me but I've got to be me. I've already lost about 15 lbs. of hard earned weight.

Writing Again

Wow, I haven't written a blog is a long time. What has inspired me to write again? I'm not sure but it could be a number of reasons. Could be the arrival of spring here in Northwestern Ontario. Perhaps I've been carrying around a lot of baggage in my thoughts that I need to express, (not many folks read them anyway). Lately my day job has become a burden. Working for an unreliable and shady employer can make you contemplate your working life. Particularly when you have worked for them for all of your adult life and there isn't a lot of new opportunities here. Guiding is a terrific way of life but it only puts food on the table for five months of the year.
What probably is bringing me back to writing my blog is the positive changes I have already made that are outside work and social interests.
For the last 18 month or so I have been following a very grueling weight training and fitness program. I lost almost 40 pounds then packed on more than 15 pounds if the good lean stuff. At 46 years old it is surprising how resilient my body is. I also discovered that this old chassis loves to work. If I miss a day of training, my body knows it.
How did I get started on my fitness journey? First realize a fitness journey never ends and after a lay off, for say a vacation or illness, you just start again. There is no more guilt or regrets just a new day every day. Goal setting is an art in it self. Yet it's an art I had to master. I set realistic but challenging goals. For example I decided that I wanted to dead-lift 400 pounds. It might as well have been 100,000 when I started but I saw other guys doing it at the gym and thought why couldn't I. And I now do sets with 400 pounds. Setting short term goals is huge. Target weight loss but don't make a big deal out of what you see on the scales. If you feel stronger, look better, sleep better, your cloths get looser and your attitude toward life gets more resilient, your on the right track no matter what the scale tells you. I stopped using the scales a year ago.