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GREAT USE FOR CICADIAS All you folks that are enduring this year's hatch of Cicadas I have some good news. Cicadas DEAD or ALIVE make outstanding bait for large mouth bass and bluegills. I went fishing with my son and Grandson to a small pond. I took about a dozen Cicadas with us to see if they would work as bait. My son caught a nice large mouth on his first cast with cicada. The bluegills also pecked them to pieces if they got there first. The cicadas are not very solid, so fish rip them off hook a lot. You get fish or he gets bait free and clear.

Before we knew it my son and grandson were spending more time rounding up cicadas for bait than actual time fishing. When they got around another dozen cicadas for bait they would then start fishing again. The fish hit bait either way dead or alive. The action of wings fluttering on water just caused fish to bite just a little quicker. If you only have dead bait then a jerky retrieve will speed up fish's attack on cicada.

Backcountry skiing offers vast expanses of soft, consistent powder snow in remote and spectacular high-mountain settings. Often considered domain of hardy and self-reliant ski touring enthusiasts, or of proficient and deep-pocketed helicopter skiers, backcountry skiing is now easily accessible to snowcat skiers.

Snowcat skiing is typically much more affordable than helicopter skiing and can be more adaptable to skier ability. Also, it requires no special equipment or backcountry experience. However, good physical fitness is desirable, especially in skiers with little powder snow experience.

Cat skiing operators offer full-service tours into remote, high alpine areas. Guests stay in comfortable lodges with double-occupancy bedrooms and private baths, excellent food, and outdoor hot tubs, complete with bar service. Guests’ needs and comfort and safety comes first, both inside lodge and on hill. Everyone has a good time. Refer to Cat Skiing Articles photo gallery (http://cat-skiing-articles.blogspot.com) for a pictorial description of snowcat skiing.

Western Canada boasts many backcountry lodges, where intermediate and expert skiers alike use snowcats to access very best of backcountry skiing. One such lodge is Chatter Creek's rustic 9300 sq.ft. Vertebrae Lodge which can be viewed at www.backcountrywintervacations.com/vertebrae-lodge.html

Guests ski in groups of 12. Each group has a dedicated snowcat, two highly qualified guides and a driver. Groups can be assembled according to ability, and because snowcat and guides move at pleasure of group, whole party enjoys terrain and a pace of skiing that best suits them. There is never pressure to maximize utilization of equipment. Snowcat skiing is equally enjoyable for experts and strong intermediates alike and for both skiers and snowboarders.

On hill, lead guide sets track and guests follow, with everyone skiing in fresh, untracked snow. The guide stops occasionally to regroup and to give people a chance to rest, to take pictures and to share their experiences. The frequency of stops depends on ability and strength of group. Strong groups may ski non-stop to bottom; 1800 to 2000 ft. of pure joy! Other groups may have a few stops along way. The guests determine pace, not guide.

The lead guide keeps his flock together and sees that no one falls too far behind. The second guide, called “tailgunner”, is always last person down hill. If a guest falls or has difficulty, tailgunner will be at their side to assist.

Cat skiing offers a special experience for family groups (children aged 19 & older)*, ladies groups, groups of business associates or groups of friends. In a diverse social group, everyone can feel relaxed and “part of a team”. Companions can be enjoyed, not only in lodge in evenings, but also on ski hill. Groups keep together and interact while skiing and, on ride back up hill, share jokes and conversation. The snowcat rides allow guests to unbutton, warm up, dry out, enjoy some lunch and to take more pictures.