Len Thompson, a returned WWI veteran, believed in the benefits of being outside. In fact, his doctor prescribed it. In papers dated 1956, Len wrote; "It is fortunate for me that I lived within a few miles of Katepwa Lake, where fishing was always good. In my Boyhood days we fished as often as we could get to the lake with horses, but didn’t take it seriously until after the First World War. During that scrap I collected a variety of wounds, gas, and malaria that left me in poor shape.  Doctors’ orders were to keep in the open as much as possible so I wasn’t loath to spend a lot of time travelling the shores of the lakes in the famed Qu’Appelle chain, just fishing and forgetting." ​

​These days, significant research has gone into the topic of mental health.

According to an article researched by the Canadian Mental Health Association, "It has been proven that being in green spaces (like forests, gardens and parks) can significantly reduce cortisol (stress hormone), and raise endorphin levels and dopamine production (both of which may promote “happiness”)... In other words, getting outside and being in nature are a winning combination for your psychological and physical well-being." (Source: CMHA.ca)

In 2022, Angling Direct (UK) partnered  with Anglia Ruskin University and the charity, Tackling Minds, to conduct an online study on fishing and mental health  "The survey found that those who go fishing are less likely to self-harm, attempt suicide or report anxiety." (Source: Angling International).

There's no arguing that being outside is good for you. Time to go fishing...

This was going to be a fishing blog but ultimately turned into a mental health blog

Written by Al Benoit, Len Thompson & Northern King Brand Ambassador

I truly believe that fishing, hunting and the outdoors was part of the solution. My love for fishing was second to none. When I did not want to do that, there was a problem. In the beginning, my friends dragged me out fishing and my family pushed me out the door. I began to realize getting back to my roots was the key but I had to return slowly. It was like starting a workout regime. One day out and I was exhausted. Slowly but surely I was able to regain that strength to the point I am now competing in fishing tournaments again, fishing multiple days and loving life. I’m still not fishing as much as I would like but it is a progression and  I'm hoping this year will be another step forward.

The complications of PTSD rear their ugly head now and again but I use the tools I have learned to combat the issues when they arise… one of those tools includes a Len Thompson 5 of diamonds and a day on the lake.
 
Mental health issues can happen to anyone at any time so please take it seriously, respect others having issues and to take care of your own mental health.
 
Hope to see you on the water.

Guiding, Making Memories & Mental Health

On Episode 5 of the Made for Memories Podcast, Brad & Jess chat with Adam Gamble (Adam’s Angling Adventures). Adam talks about his career as a firefighter, the adventure of opening his guiding business and dives into the important conversation of mental health and the healing aspect of angling and disconnecting in the great outdoors. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or in the player below.

Canadian Mental Health Resources

The Government of Canada
A list of Canadian mental health resources including support targeted towards Youth as well as First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Learn more: canada.ca

The Canadian Mental Health Association
With 330 community locations, CMHA is a nationwide organization that promotes mental health and supports people recovering from mental illness. Learn more: https://cmha.ca/

Wounded Warriors 
Provides a range of clinically facilitated programs specifically developed to support the unique needs of Veterans, First Responders and their families. Learn more: https://woundedwarriors.ca/

Buddy Up
In Canada, men have a suicide rate three times higher than women. This i=men’s suicide prevention campaign is a call to action for men, by men, to drive authentic conversation. Learn more: www.buddyup.ca/learn/

Last year, we put together “The Best of 2020” to look back at a few of the great things that happened in 2020 (despite the turmoil). 

We have had some major disruptions the last few weeks, so have decided February is the new January. We wanted to take a moment to appreciate a few of the positives in 2021. It was a quiet year on the public eye front, but very busy in the factory. Here are 10 cool things that happened in the Len Thompson world last year...

1. We grew our team and keep pumping out your favourite Canadian made lures each day.

​We now employ 33 staff at our factory in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. Check out this special moment when we hit over 100,000 lures made in the month of April.

7. Speaking of ponds… the Lacombe Fish & Game Association's Kids Can Catch Day was a success! This event, hosted at the Len Thompson Pond in Lacombe, is  our favourite family activity each year. It had been cancelled in 2020 so it felt extra amazing seeing so many people out stocking fish with the help of Smoky Trout Farm.

8. We created special edition Silver Salmon Challenge Lures which helped raise $2000 for the Metro East Anglers. The MEA operates the Ringwood Fish Culture Station where the main focus is the rearing and marking of the entire Ontario production of Chinook Salmon for Lake Ontario.

We often get asked if we can identify when a "vintage" Len Thompson was made. The best we can do is  provide a ballpark by having a look at the packaging.

Carded Len Thompson lures were the norm until 1983. Cards printed "Made in Abernethy" indicate lures made in Saskatchewan before the factory was moved to Alberta in 1958. Cards printed "Made in Lacombe" indicates lures made after 1958.

In 1983, foil packaging was introduced. In historical documents, former President Richard Pallister, admits that the change to Multivac packaging machine caused a fair share of frustration. I love this story of how family friend Tolson Russell came to the rescue... 

"Tolson showed up one day.  I’d known him as a carpenter and a printer.  I didn’t know of his millwright skills.  He asked me to explain what was happening.  I flushed, raised my voice a half octave and proceeded to tell him this bloody machine will never work!  He relied confidently, “Sure it will, it’s just a f&%ing machine.” Tolson was known to spread the hockey word around liberally.  

He suggested we start at the beginning.  I told him the problem was in the sealing area, not the plastic feeding area. He calmly suggested it’s best to start at the beginning.  He watched the machine run paying particular attention to the pick-up chain, hit the emergency stop button, fiddled with the pick-up for a few minutes, re-set emergency and asked Ron to run the machine.  Voila, the plastic went smoothly and obediently into the Multivac for the first time in months. " 

The foil packaging wasn't the prettiest package, but it was functional. Universal Product Codes (UPC barcodes) were the next challenge as more retailers were requiring this. After receiving our Manufacturer’s number, we soon began stapling header cards on top of the plastic package to identify items.

In the 90s, plans to launch the Platinum Series were on the horizon and the Multivac machine was retired in favour for blister/card packaging. By 1998, all packaging had switched over to the new style.

​Although the card designs have seen a few tweaks over the years, this is still how Len Thompson Lures are branded on store shelves today.

Len Thompson is best known as a casting and trolling spoon that's effective for many species.
 
However, many anglers also use spoons on the ice. We threw out a poll on social media and 81.2% claimed using our spoons while ice fishing.
 
Why jig a spoon?
 
The benefit to using a spoon instead of a jig is that a spoon will give off an attractive flash to grab the attention of fish. The profile of the spoon is also easier to see versus a jig. A heavy spoon (like a Len Thompson) will get down to where the fish are much like a jig.

Richard Pallister (former LT President) describes using a spoon ice fishing as a "more aggressive presentation" which can be useful in the right circumstance. 

"A jigged LT doesn't have an opportunity to swing its butt, to thump through the water, which I think is the key to the spoon working so well [while casting/trolling].
 
Sure, they work while jigging, in some cases better than most anything else.  For example, when the newly stocked Lake Whitefish spawned over the gravel at Wilson's Beach in the 1990's, a danced LT would catch far more fish than a maggot on a wire worm.  I took a lifetime tackle industry friend to Wilson's late in November.  We walked out from shore, Terry Korth in his tasselled leather city shoes, drilled a hole in six feet of water, popped up a tent, attached a No. 6 FW on a short ice fishing rod, sat back and watched as Terry caught the "most fish he has ever caught at one sitting". Ask him about it today and he's still giggling."

Okay... So let's just say that maybe it's a good idea to pack a few spoons for those days where they work "better than anything else." We asked a few or our Brand Ambassadors (who fish WAY more than we do) on their top spoon choices during the Winter months.  

Fishing the Wild West TV host Wes David likes to tie on our smallest spoons while targeting a variety of species, including Rainbow Trout.
 
"My favorite colours are solid gold (brass) or silver spoons or lures that have gold, silver, orange, and yellows blended within the lure. These lures give off a great deal of flash and vibration in the deeper water. The colours also resemble baitfish such as minnows, perch, walleye, and whitefish which are a common meal for predator fish."
 
Wes suggests that when it comes to jigging it's all in the technique.

"Make sure you snap your rod up quickly when ice fishing a Len Thompson lure. The vibration that's created in the aggressive movement of the spoon will attract fish by sending a vibration through the water reaching the fish's lateral line from farther away."

Scott Bulat has one go-to technique where he uses the largest size of Len Thompson on the ice to trigger more aggression. Here he's sporting the No. 4 LF Lemon Flame. UV stands for Ultra Violet. These colours are often fluorescent Lemon Yellows, Pinks, Oranges and Greens. These UV bright colours hold their colour at deeper levels. Glow Series spoons can also be used for maximum visibility.

Scott recording a really cool video while diving a few years back on how colours change underwater. The video posted below was taken in tropical waters, but it still gives you an idea on colour and its relationship with depth.

Lisa Roper's favourite Dimpled Series spoon is the Grey Ghost. The Dimpled spoon is a great and under appreciated choice as it causes more vibration in the water and the dimples create extra light reflection/flash.

Lisa also has a great tip on keeping fish wet and safe by drilling a live well. Check out this video.

Of course, there's always the trusted Five of Diamonds. Terry Allington, who is the man behind the camera for the former fishing show, Fishing Saskachewan likes to stick to his favourite No. 00 YR. He caught his PB walleye on the spoon. 

Fun fact: Terry is also the guy with the Five of Diamonds tattooed on his leg.

Our Northern King spoon is designed for trolling. The spoons are light but also very shiney. The silver plating reflect light in even the darkest conditions. Here's how Al Benoit sets his NK spoon up as a flasher during the hard water season. He  swears by this technique for targeting Lake Trout.

Top Three Ice Fishing Tips
 

1. They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.  If the fishing is slow, change your presentation. Most of the time, people think about colour, but one of the other things to consider is size. 
   
   Our advice remains the same as choosing a spoon during the summer months; Match the size of spoon to your targeted species. Jigging for perch or trout? Try a smaller size No. 6 or 7. Targeting large Pike or Lakers? A larger spoon (No. 1 or 2) might be a better choice. Don't know where to start? Stick to a No. 00. Modify from there.
   
   
2. Bait (where allowed). Bait, especially with tips ups, can be key on the ice. Throw an LT with a minnow. The scent will attract the more cautious fish.  
   
   Walleye: Medium to large minnows
   Pike: Large minnows to anchovie size
   Perch: Maggots and fresh water shrimp
   
   
3. A  safety reminder to dress appropriately and be aware of your ice conditions.

PC: Alberta Conservation Association 

Now get out there. Relax. Have fun!

Worried about your shopping list? Don't panic! Here are our top favourite gift ideas for your favourite angler(s). ​Thank you for supporting our Canadian family business!

​Cost: $8.00 each ($4 from each sale is donated)
Holiday Promo: Buy 5 get the 6th lure FREE!

We have relaunched our Fishing for Food Banks lures just in time for the holidays… 50% of each limited edition lure purchased supports Canadian food banks. Proudly Made in Canada. Learn more.

Season's Greetings & Merry Christmas Gift Lures make the perfect stocking stuffer. Only available online. Proudly Made in Canada. ​ Cost: $5.69 each

Fishing with Grandpa by Jessica Pallister-Dew
Cost (Reg): $19.99 
Holiday Promo: $15.99
​
Featuring bright photography and colourful illustration, this story is about a Grandpa teaching his two grandchildren — Ellie and Max — to fish. Grandpa must exercise patience while encouraging the kids to do the same.

Fishing with Grandpa will speak to each and every angler who has ever taught a child how to fish (and the kids will love it too!)

​Proudly written, illustrated and printed in Canada!

We have a great selection of t-shirts, hat designs and even Five of Diamonds SOCKS! Some quantities are limited. View our full SWAG assortment here!

An angler can never have too many lures. Our lures are well stocked in many outdoor retailers across Canada. Please visit your local tackle retailer to check out their in-stock Len Thompson, Northern King and True North products.

​If you can't find what you are looking in store, find our full assortment here.