If you’re considering a trip to Ontario this year, Dave Schwartz, has some advice on planning a memorable Canadian excursion.

As summer approaches, I find my thoughts drifting to our upcoming August trip back to Woman River Camp in Ontario, Canada. Over the years, the process has become automatic to me. I thought I would share some of the more pertinent aspects of the planning in hope that it might help others as they prepare for their adventure.

The venue

In selecting your destination, you may have to consider differences in age, physical condition and gender. Woman River was a no-brainer for us, as it easily accommodates our requirements for all of these. If you have no previous history with the camp, check them out online. Ask questions of the camp ownership, as they have a vested interest in your success. Book the trip as soon as you can. Prime times, especially with repeat guests, go quickly. I’ll typically have the venue selected by late fall.

Get agreement from your group that the camp features meet their requirements. Get a deposit from them; this will cement their commitment. The camp will require a deposit, usually at the time of locking in a date.

Satisfying the red tape

You are traveling into another country. Make sure your passport is in order. Don’t try to time this one with departure; get it done right away. Get your Ontario game card (needed separately from the fishing license) out of the way by logging onto Ontario.ca/outdoorscard. The website is easy to navigate. Beware of “false” websites trying to steal information. Check Ontario’s websites periodically to see if any travel restrictions have been added or re-introduced. With regard to the license, I typically get this the week prior to departure. This is also easily done on the Ontario website, or make sure you have options for purchasing this after you cross the border.

Grocery shopping

In the weeks, or even months before the trip, share a grocery list with all those going on the trip. You will also want to meet ahead of time to go through the fishing gear that each of you intend to take along. Make sure everyone has everything they will need.

Check with the camp to see what they provide so that you do not have to unnecessarily bring items, such as landing nets and minnow buckets. Our grocery shopping is typically done the night before departure. Meat items might be purchased sooner and then frozen to be used as freezer packs. Check out Ontario’s website to make sure you are not bringing something that is on their do-not-bring list.

The drive

Know your route. Check the weather conditions and the construction along your planned route.

We older types know to make the most out of fuel stops for bio-breaks. Switch to fresh drivers when necessary.

Crossing the border

For the border crossing, have your passports ready. (I stack them as to how we sit in the car: driver, front passenger, passenger behind driver, etc.) Have your windows down, hats off, sunglasses off, speak when spoken to and let the others speak for themselves. Try not to engage in a dissertation of past trips with the border staff. When traveling with others’ kids, have a signed, notarized travel authorization letter from the parents to present. This is all about minimizing the time it takes to cross. I believe our record was a couple of minutes, and as our passports were handed back, a compliment followed, “You have done this before.”

From here, drive safely and enjoy the scenery to your destination!

By no means is this article comprehensive in all the details that go into the planning of a successful trip, but I do hope that it at least served to stimulate thought and get some of the planning on the radar so certain aspects of the trip do not have to be handled under duress. So, get it done and enjoy!

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