hey folks this is my first post in what I hope to be a weekly blog.  As  the snow begins to melt, I start to  think of the upcoming fishing seasons.  I am not one to go ice fishing, so I have a long dull winter to deal with, but   as soon as January 1st comes around I start to check through all my tackle, restring my rods, and plan my first few trips out.  This season I'll be starting with the Orillia Perch Festival which begins April 20th each year.  I usually sign up so I can take the kids fishing, possibly win prizes and have a great kids day as the festival closes.  We usually just fish from the dock, but this year if the ice is gone we'll be  taking out my Intex Seahawk 4 inflatable. I purchased it last summer and rowed around a local lake called Bass Lake.  A nice closed lake with a max depth of 30 feet.  Even in a closed lake rowing soon became a pain, this year I'll be buying the motor mount and adding a 30lb trolling motor.  With the mount I can go up to 3hp, but I'll start with the 30 pounder.  If I need more I can always upgrade.  I know what you're thinking, an inflatable???  But hey, I don't have room for an aluminum boat and the Seahawk 4 will do everything I need.  It'll hold up to 4 adults to a max weight of 880 pounds.  When not in use it goes into storage under my  stairs and it's there next time I need it.  It is made of thick rubber that is pretty much hook proof, I hooked  it a few times  last year and didn't come close   to puncturing it.  The price was great too, at just $100 it didn't break the bank, and allowed me  to  get  my fishing in for the summer.  I plan on getting out on the lake at least twice a week, I might even give Lake Simcoe a try, on a  calm day of course.  Living in Orillia I have access to 3 lakes within a 10 minute drive.  Lake Simcoe, Lake Couchiching and Bass lake.  I can hit Bass Lake for some bass and trout, but if I want bigger game I can go  to Couchiching or Simcoe for some Muskie or northern Pike.  For the kids there are plenty of areas to fish from bridges, docks or go wading.  The perch fishing is the area  is great for all ages and no matter if you're a seasoned angler or just a beginner out for the first time you're sure to catch something.  If you're looking for a friendly community with plenty of lake access, Orillia is the spot for  you, don't just take my word for it, come out and have a go, you'll love it.