Can I use my hair dryer with the solar electricity system?
NO! The solar power system is not designed to handle any type of electrical appliances that produce heat or have a blower fan such as hair dryers, space heaters, toasters and automatic coffee makers. The solar system is in place for lighting and convenience purposes. Any heating or blower devices will completely deplete the solar power system , leaving you without lights or it will kick out the system altogether. If you have to call an airplane into your outpost to repair the solar system due to the use of these types of items, it can get quite costly. Please leave these items at home!
What happens if I am over my 100 lb per person weight limit?
Please adhere to this weight limit. If you are over your limit, it will mean a larger airplane at an increased cost to your group, or an extra flight altogether which will cost approximately $300.00 US funds. The following are a few suggestions to help you pack.
Fishing gear: There is really no need to bring an old, heavy, large tackle box filled with a whole bunch of tackle that you will not need. A handy item is a smaller tackle bag with removable compartment boxes. Fill up each box with lures for different angling needs, and you are set to go.
Clothing: We suggest that you invest in a good rainsuit, as well as light weight clothing that can be layered up for warmth or removed as required, and a pair of thermal underwear if coming early in the spring or late in the fall. There is a good variety of “fishing apparel” on the market, that include lightweight clothes that are designed to be quick drying as well as offering protection from the sun. Zip off pants and 2 in one jackets are also a great idea.
Food: Tinned foods are heavy as is bottled water, sodas, and beer! We provide all of your ice as well as drinking water in the cabins in 5 gallon jugs. If you would like to bring a small case of individual bottled water that can be refilled from the water provided, this is ok. Any beer brought into the outposts must be canned beer, not bottled. Canned vegetables such as potatoes should be kept to a minimum. Fresh veggies and fruits are lighter, and powdered mashed potato mixes and other dried foods are tasty and work well.
What are the best types of fishing lures to use?
- Small Mouth Bass: spinners, top water lures, ounce jigs w/twister tails.
- Walleye: 3/8-ounce jigs w/twister tails, crank bait, jig and a minnow.
- Northern: spoons, bucktails, shad raps, trolling lures
- Trout: ultralite lures, ultralite spoons, 3 way swivels.
At Sharpstone Lake we suggest lead heads with twister tails, spoons, spinners or crank bait. The walleye and northern will bite on all of these lures. There is no live bait used on the Berens River.
I have a previous DUI (minor offence). What do I need to do to cross the border into Canada?
In Canada, driving while under the influence is considered a criminal offence. If your DUI is older than 10 years with no other offences, then you are deemed rehabilitated and should have no difficulties crossing the border.
If your DUI is less than 10 years old, but not less than 5 years old, there are certain steps that you can and need to take to apply for rehabillitation and admissibility into Canada.
Due to improved screening at the borders, even though you may have been able to cross into Canada in prior years, you may be subject to additional questioning and difficulties at the border. Also, it is quite important that you are honest and forthright regarding minor offences such as DUI's. It is much better to volunteer information than to conceal it.
For more information on admissability. please feel free to contact us and we will be glad to answer your questions. For further assistance people can also contact:
Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association (N.O.T.O.)
386 Algonquin Avenue
North Bay, ON, Canada P1B 4W3
Phone 1-705-472-5552. Fax 1-705-472-0621.
Email: info@noto.net
What are the usual wait times at the borders?
Border wait times vary throughout the summer. The Canada Border Services Agency has a quick link for border wait times. Fort Frances is usually a very busy border. Other convenient border crossings for guests driving from the Midwest States are located at Emerson MB and Pembina ND, and at Rainy River ON and Baudette MN.
What ID do I need to get into Canada?
Currently, to cross the border into Canada, Customs Officers will want to see a piece of photo ID AS WELL AS proof of citizenship, for example a birth certificate, passport, or green card.
In the near future, passports will be required for travel to and from the U.S.A. Information on U.S. citizen passport requirements can be found at the U.S. Department of State. Below are the timelines for passport requirements, taken from www.state.gov/travel/. If you are a frequent traveller, it is probably not a bad idea to get your passport soon to avoid any rushes or delays. January 8, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.
December 31, 2007 – Passport or other accepted document required for all air, sea and land border crossings.
I have children in my group that are traveling without their parents or only one parent. What do I need to do?
Minor children travelling without their parents or only one parent MUST have a notarized letter of consent to travel into Canada from the parent remaining at home, as well as some form of identification. Children will also require passports by the deadline stated by the U.S. Department of State.
What kind of rain gear should I pack?
In most circumstances a good lightweight rainsuit should suffice. Pack a couple of ponchos for any kids in your group.
If I am flying on a commercial airline to Winnipeg and then taking your amphibious caravan to the lodge, how do I find your airplane?
After you land at the Winnipeg Interrnational Airport, you need to collect your luggage and clear customs. Once this is done, proceed to the greeting lounge area, and one of our staff members will meet your group there. He or she will be holding a sign with Halley's Camps and your party name on it. Our airplane pickup point is just a short 10 minute drive from the Winnipeg International Airport, courtesy of Halley's Camps and The Outpost Company.
What happens if my airline loses my luggage?
A: In the event that your airline loses your luggage, report the missing luggage to the customer service desk, and leave The Outpost Company as a contact. Upon retrieval of the luggage, the airline will contact us and make arrangements to deliver the luggage to Kenora, either to the Kenora Airport, the Bus Depot, or by chartered car if there is already a car making the trip. We will then pick up your luggage and deliver it directly to you.Lost luggage does happen from time to time. If you have anything that you absolutely must have, PACK IT IN YOUR CARRY-ON! This includes your MEDICATION!
Where can I stay in Kenora if I need to get a hotel?
There are many great places to stay while visiting the Kenora area. The following is a short list of a few places around the city for your convenience, or, if there is somewhere else that you would like to stay or you want to get a room in Minaki please give us a call and we can help you out.
What phone number do I leave as an emergency contact?
The phone number at The Outpost Company office is 1-800-617-1906. Make sure that people at home know which Outpost Company location you are going to and what name your party is registered under. Your party could be at any of our twelve locations, and we do not always know off hand the name of everyone in your group. The "800" number will only be answered during regular business hours.
How bad are the bugs in the summer?
The bug situation in the summer really depends on what type of spring we get and past weather. Some years the bugs are not at all a problem, while other years they are a bit worse, especially as the sun goes down. If you are concerned, we suggest bringing a good bug spray and perhaps a long sleeve shirt and pants to wear in the boat or in the evening.
How do I get to The Outpost Company If I am flying on a commercial airline?
- If arriving on an international flight, flight arrangements into Winnipeg International Airport can be made through Prelude Travel at 1-800-561-8907. Our guests receive discounted rates with this travel agency, just mention you are going to Halley's Camps.
- Once you arrive at the International Airport in Winnipeg, Manitoba, you have several choices as to transportation into the outposts:
- 1. Rent a car and drive to River Air, approximately 3 hours to Minaki from Winnipeg. You can leave the rental car in our parking lot during your stay.
2. Have River Air meet you at the nearest float plane base in Winnipeg, in the town of Selkirk, approximately a half an hour to 45 minutes via taxi or via chartered car (we can set this up for you). Our planes will then deliver you directly to your outpost location. Pick up of guests at Selkirk is subject to additional ground transportation and flight fees.
3. Quick and convenient fly in option: Guests who plan to fly into Winnipeg International Airport, Fort Frances, or Kenora Airport can now get met right at their arrival point and flown directly into their outpost on our amphibious seaplane. This eliminates the need for taxis and rental cars to get you to the sea plane base. Rates for amphibious flights into your outpost location are posted on the rates page.
4. Ground transportation from Winnipeg, Kenora, or Fort Frances can be arranged.
I am arrivng on a commercial airline. What time should I book my flight for?
Guests flying into the area on an international / commercial flight are asked to book their arrival flights to land between the hours of 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. We have found that this time frame seems to work best. Please do not book arrivals past 3:00. As always, please be sure that your departure flight is not too early. Leave ample time for travel from your lodge or outpost to the airport as there are many factors to consider, such as morning fog! This is especially true for spring and fall trips. We would rather have plenty of leeway to get you to your destination than be pressed for time.
NOTE: CELLULAR TELEPHONES DO NOT WORK AT OUR OUTPOST CABINS. We have a limited supply of satellite telephones available to rent while staying with the Outpost Company. Please let us know as soon as possible if your group would like a satellite phone.
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