September in Muskoka

September is almost upon us with its return to school and work routines, but it’s still technically summer and it’s also one of the best times to visit Muskoka. The weather (and the lake!) is still warm enough for swimming, summer crowds are starting to dwindle, and the trees are starting to show their brilliant colors. And if you get bored of sitting by the water (we’re not sure how that’s possible, but just in case…), there are still plenty of events around to entertain you. Here’s what’s happening in Muskoka in September:

• Sunday, September 11, Pen Lake & Lake of Bays, Subaru IRONMAN 70.3 - Swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles…or just come out and cheer on the athletes in this gruelling competition.


• Saturday, September 17, 9:00am – 5:00pm, Shades of Autumn Antique, Classic and Custom Car Show, Downtown Huntsville - If four wheels are your passion, the 9th annual car show is an adventure that will accelerate your heart rate with 300 auto exhibits up and down the main drag.


• September 22-24 Film North Huntsville International Film Festival, Algonquin Theatre - Three days, 25+ movies, world premieres, old classics, and multiple chances to rub shoulders with film industry professionals - what more could a movie buff want!? Tickets available at Algonquin Theatre


• September 23-25, Huntsville Fall Fair, Huntsville Fair Grounds off Ravenscliffe Road - midway, great food, contests and more!


• September 24-25, 10am-6pm, 33rd Annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour – Visit 25 studios across Muskoka and see the beautiful context in which the artists work at this spectacular time of year.


• September 30-October 2, North Words Muskoka Literary Festival - Join the likes of Margaret Atwood to learn the “Stories Behind the Books”. Tickets available at Algonquin Theatre.

Will we see you at Colonial Bay this fall? Check out our new website for the availability of our Muskoka cottages and online reservations.

We look forward to seeing you!
The Howell Family

Good Reads

August is a time for relaxation. The days are long and warm and the busyness of September is far enough away to be ignored for a little bit. And what better way to relax than to settle into a Muskoka chair with a beverage in one hand and a book in the other?


Muskoka is home to many authors, both seasonal and year-round residents, and some have set their works in our beautiful region. Here are a selection of nonfiction and fiction Muskoka-based tomes from local authors. Check them out online or at one of our local bookstores. And if you have a favourite that we haven’t mentioned, make a note in the comments to tell us about it.

• Trails and Tribulations: Confessions of a Wilderness Pathfinder - Canoeist and naturalist Hap Wilson shares stories of his adventures in the Canadian Shield.
  


• PenLake: Reflections on Peninsula Lake - The Peninsula Lake Historical Committee presents a look back at pioneering and cottaging on our very own Pen Lake!
  


• The Law of Three: A Sarah Martin Mystery - Caroline Rennie-Pattison’s second novel in the Sarah Marin Mystery series.
  


• Getting Rid of Rosie - Lynda Simmons’ fun tale of a ghost that won’t go away. Partially set in Muskoka.
  


• The Drowned Violin - An Alan Nearing Mystery by Mel Malton for kids 9-12.


• Murder in Muskoka series - 4 books by 88-year-old author Liam Dwyer featuring Inspector Murdoch: Murder in Muskoka, Gold & Greed, Muskoka Cross & Double Cross, Muskoka Death & Diamonds.


• The Muskoka Novels (The Summer Before the Storm and Elusive Dawn) - Historical novels set in Muskoka by Gabriele Wills.

If you’ve always wondered what inspires authors to write, consider attending the 2nd annual North Words Muskoka Literary Festival in Huntsville from Sept 30-Oct 2.

The theme is “Stories Behind the Books” and features authors Margaret Atwood, Vincent Lam, Charles Foran, Cathy Buchanan, Gill Deacon, Tish Cohen, Claudia Dey, Richard B. Wright, Camilla Gibb, Terry Fallis, Ed Lawrence and Cynthia Lord. And if you come, you just might catch the first wave of fall colors while you’re at it. Yet another great reason to visit Colonial Bay!

You can see the availability of our Muskoka cottages here.

We hope to see you soon!

The Howell Family
Colonial Bay Cottage Resort

Heeere fishy fishy...

Did you know that Muskoka has more than 1600 lakes, rivers and streams? And in those waterways are an abundance of aquatic animals, from tiny water insects to turtles, birds that love the water and, of course, fish. It’s the fish we’re going to talk about today.

In our own Peninsula Lake, fish species include both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Lake Trout and Yellow Perch. Here’s what they look like plus some tips for catching them if you’re so inclined:

Largemouth Bass

Usually weighing 2-6 pounds, these guys have a bone-jarring strike! They prefer warm water with abundant aquatic vegetation and are often found in thick weeds, near sunken wood, below overhanging trees or near docks. They take shelter during the day, so early morning and evening are the best time to catch them.

Smallmouth Bass

Ontario has some of the best smallmouth fishing in the world. They often hang out in schools and, despite their average 2-3 pound size, they’re strong so expect a fight. They like lakes and rivers that are clear and rocky and are typically found around shoreline rocks and points or in deep-water offshore shoals. Like their largemouth cousins, fishing is best in the early morning and late evening.

Northern Pike

These are the big guys in Pen Lake. Pike average 3-6 pounds but fish as big as 15 pounds can be caught. They like bays and shoals with lots of vegetation where they can ambush smaller fish. The eat aggressively and can usually be caught any time of day, but morning and evening are still best.

Rock Bass

These cute little guys are a good choice when fishing with kids. They like to eat and will bite all day long. They are often found hanging out near docks and sunken wood, so they’re easy to fish from dock or shore.

Yellow Perch

A yummy panfish, perch weigh just a few pounds and average 6-8 inches long. They like open water and are usually found near the bottom.

Lake Trout

Lake Trout like deep water and as the water warms up they go deep and special deep-water tackle is often required. In the summer, it’s best to fish in the morning when surface waters are calm. 3-6 pound trout are common, but fish 20 pounds or more can be had.

If you're interested in fishing the next time you're at Colonial Bay, let us know! And don't forget that anyone over 18 needs a license to fish.

The September long weekend is approaching. We still have a few units left...why not join us?

The Howell Family

An Artist’s Life

Muskoka’s pristine beauty has long been a haven for artists, retreating here to fuel their creative souls. The most well-known of these were Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven who extensively painted scenes from both Algonquin Park and the surrounding region. For the past 14 years, reproductions of their works have been displayed in The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery throughout Huntsville and Lake of Bays so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of their art. There are 33 murals displayed throughout downtown Huntsville, with others at the Canada Summit Centre, Muskoka Heritage Place and Huntsville High School. The gallery has expanded with satellite displays in Dwight, Dorset, Baysville and Algonquin Park. You can find a map of all locations here http://www.thegroupofsevenoutdoorgallery.ca. Why not check it out the next time you visit?

To see the work of some of Muskoka’s contemporary artists, there are open studio tours throughout the summer that showcase the variety of art forms practiced in Muskoka. The next one is this coming weekend, August 13 & 14. The Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Tour (http://www.arti​stsofthelimberl​ost.ca/open-stu​dio-weekend.htm​l) runs from 10am-6pm both days and starts just across the street from Colonial Bay (how convenient!). If you’re planning to be here, visit with these artists to find out what inspires them.

We still have some availability for the rest of the summer and into the fall. We look forward to visiting with you!

The Howell Family

Lazy Days of August

We had another fantastic long weekend here at Colonial Bay. Our guests took full advantage of the amazing weather to spend some time on the water.

If you missed it, there’s still the whole month of August, some would argue the best month of the summer, to enjoy. And if fabulous weather and the chance to relax lakeside (or in the lake like this…

)

aren’t enough to entice you, there’s a whole raft of events happening this month in Muskoka. Here are just a few of them:

Concerts in the Park, Huntsville Town Dock, Wednesday nights until Aug 24 from 7-9 pm
Bring a lawn chair and a toonie for some tunes!
• August 10 – Cameron of Lochiel Pipes & Drums
• August 17 – Mahon Family
• August 24 – Northern Lights Steele Orchestra

 

Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Tour, Aug 13 & 14, 10am-6pm
The Artists of the Limberlost open their doors for visitors to explore their work, techniques and working environments. Enjoy an extensive variety of art and craft by a total of 20 talented creators, all within a compact and pleasurable 20 km route. There is no charge for the tour and it starts right from Colonial Bay’s doorstep!

Huntsville Water Fest, River Mill Park, Aug 13, 1-5pm
A celebration of water and its life-giving qualities with a full day of fun, family-friendly, water-themed events and performances.

Field to Fork Tasting, Brooklands Farm, Milford Bay, Aug 14, 1-4pm (tickets are $65)
Sample a variety of tantalizing locally-inspired food dishes and beverages from Muskoka’s premiere Chefs and Restaurants, while learning about the vast amount of culinary and agricultural resources that Muskoka has to offer.

 

Summer Sidewalk Adventure, Downtown Huntsville, August 20. 9:30am-5pm
The kids will love the activities. Everyone will love the live music. The downtown shops will be bursting out onto the street with bargains during this day-long event.

We hope you’ll join us this month!
The Howell family