I just got back from the Minneapolis All Canada Sport Show.

I brought my dad with me to help out in the booth and provide a little company.  Besides Karen and me, I don’t think there is anyone as passionate about our business as my dad. Maybe it’s because I’m his son, maybe it’s because he loves fishing, and maybe it’s because he is a born salesman.  I think it might be all three.  

We spent several hours travelling to and from the show, ate meals together and sat side by side in the show booth for 3 days.  Overall we just had a great time.  That is worth more to me than booking fishing trips. 

I highly recommend spending a little father and son time. If it includes an Ignace Outposts fishing trip, all the better.  Many don’t have the opportunity to “tip the guide”.  Do it while you can.

“Back in the day” it was Bud who encouraged me to follow my dream and he is the same one who taught me to fish.  I still marvel that I can do both in one career. 

Some of the details regarding this fishing adventure are foggy.  I do believe I was following instructions… perhaps the equipment was a little unorthodox,  but it is results that matter…right?

Last week some one said to me “What a job you have, fish and fly in the summer and take take winter off.”

Let me set the record straight.  Last night Karen and I returned from our first run of sport shows.  We left home on Jan 11.  Over the course of the last 21 days we drove over 3700 kilometers (2300 miles),  rode almost 43 hours in the vehicle, spent 18 days doing shows in 4 cities often driving between shows the same day shows started or ended.  We stayed in 7 different hotels, ate in countless restaurants, had to wash our clothes in hotel laundries, and tried to keep up on phone messages and emails. Somehow we still found time to visit with colleagues and guests along the way.

Our personal life still goes on so we skyped and emailed with parents, kids and grandkids, and worked on responsibilities for various committees and commitments aside of work.  Today we open 3 weeks worth of mail, catch up on office matters, start our year end, do more laundry and play with the dog.  On Thursday, at day break, I am back on the road for another sport show.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining, I wouldn’t trade my job for anything.  A wise man once said, “If you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Karen and I have just finished the Chicago All Canada Sport Show.   I have to admit, it has not been this much fun doing a show for years.  I think folks are a little more optimistic regarding vacations. Lot’s of great visits with guests, new guests and tire kickers.  We managed to book several groups. Many key dates are disappearing quickly.  

If you are looking for a top Canadian vacation this year stop by one of the upcoming shows and we’ll help you set things up.  See previous posts for show dates and locations. 

In Chicago we had our daughter Jo with us so I hope that wasn’t the reason for all the interest.  She has headed back to Ignace so Karen and I are now on our own.

Look for this booth at the show.  Ignace Outposts

January is back to the grind time for us at Ignace Outposts. We’ve had a nice break through the holidays visiting kids and spending time with the grandkids. Now it is time to focus on 2010. We head off to sport shows in a few days. We’ve picked some great shows to attend. We encourage you to stop by one of the shows listed and talk to us about spending your vacation with us. We attend these shows so you can get to know us better and see us on your turf. We always look forward to seeing old (meaning regular) guests and friends but are excited to meet new guests face to face. We will have plenty of photos and information to excite you about your 2010 Ignace Outposts vacation. We do carry our booking calendar so we can check availabilities based on your vacation time.

While we are on the show circuit, we are available by both phone and email. Feel free to contact us.

• Jan 14 - 17, 2010 - Chicago All Canada, Pheasant Run Mega Center, St. Charles, IL
• Jan 21 - 24, 2010 - Milwaukee All Canada, Milwaukee County Sports Complex, Milwaukee, WI
• Jan 25 - 27, 2010 - Madison All Canada, Marriott Madison West, Madison, WI
• Jan 28 - 31, 2010 - Green Bay All Canada, Shopko Hall, Green Bay, WI
• Feb 5 - 7, 2010 - Minneapolis All Canada, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Mar 24 - 28, 2010 – Northwest Sport Show, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN

If we are in your area, please stop by a show and we’ll “talk fishing”.

We’ve been doing this for a while…

This goes back to our early years! Notice the lack of grey hairs, and before my mother-in-law points it out … the abundance of hair, and check out the baby blue antique landline phone.

You’ll hear this often over the next year. We are excited to be in our 25^th season. Looking back we were just pups when we came to Ignace. We came with two small children and one in the oven, a big dog, lots of ambition and no idea that we’d still be enjoying this a quarter century later. Karen agreed to try this venture with me for 5 to 10 years. 25 years later we look back to many great friendships and lots of great memories…and forward to many more yet to come.

As we head into 2010, world economics are still soft, there are concerns of wars, and terrorism and Canada and the United States just can’t seem to get border issues under control. But we are optimistic that things will improve. Regardless of distractions, it is for that very reason vacations are important. We have the privilege of offering a unique Canadian experience – a remote get away.

No cell phones, smart phones, emails, Facebook, instant messaging or other tethers to the internet are available at our camps. These things were not even in existence when we began in Ignace.

Let go of the rat race and spend some quality face to face time with those who matter. Think about it, how will missing a few emails compare to the memories of time well spent at Ignace Outposts in 5 years time or even 25 years.

Have a great New Year and we look forward to seeing you in 2010!

Our base sometime in the past.  Likely the early 80’s.