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A little Whitewater Fun!

This past weekend was one for the books. I had the chance to hit the river with Grand Experiences, diving into some thrilling whitewater action while kicking off the first stages of my Paddle Canada certification. It was equal parts exhilarating and educational — and a big step in my paddling journey.

I was partnered up in a tandem canoe with a young paddler named Alex, who, like me, is working toward Paddle Canada certification. Right from the get-go, we found a good rhythm, working together to navigate the rapids with growing confidence. It was awesome to paddle with someone equally eager to learn and get soaked in the process (literally).

The rapids were so much fun — the kind that test your skills but also leave you grinning from ear to ear. We practiced ferrying, eddy turns, and bracing techniques, and by the end of the day, both of us had made huge strides in our comfort and control on moving water. I’ve paddled a lot over the years, but there’s nothing quite like whitewater to remind you of the river’s power — and your own progress.

Huge thanks to the team at Grand Experiences for organizing such an awesome day on the water. Their guidance, safety-first approach, and deep passion for paddling made all the difference. I’m stoked to continue the certification path and can’t wait to see where the next chapter of this whitewater journey leads.

If you’ve ever thought about leveling up your paddling skills or just want to experience the thrill of running rapids with great people — get in touch with Grand Experiences. This is just the beginning, and I’m already hooked.

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Spring Trade Show Season 2025 Recap

seydoggy misty banner

What a season! The 2025 spring trade show circuit was a whirlwind of handshakes, fish tales, and good vibes — and I couldn’t have asked for a better crew to share it with than the team at Great Canadian Fishing Store.

It was a real pleasure working alongside Matt and Adam this year at three incredible events:

  • The Toronto Sportsman Show
  • CanCast 2025 in Peterborough
  • The Made in Canada Tackle Show in Kitchener

Each stop brought a fresh wave of energy from passionate anglers, loyal readers, and the ever-growing community of Canadian bait creators who live and breathe the fishing lifestyle.

Talking Shop and Swapping Stories

One of my favourite parts of these events is getting the chance to talk fishing with fellow enthusiasts. Whether it was deep dives into seasonal tactics, comparing notes on soft plastics, or swapping smallmouth stories, the enthusiasm from everyone was infectious.

A special thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat and share their love for my book, Mighty Smallmouth: Catching Big Bass on Small Water. Hearing your stories and seeing the impact the book has made out on the water makes all the effort worth it.

Reconnecting and Planning Ahead

These shows are more than just product displays and gear hauls — they’re a chance to reconnect with old friends and forge new plans for the upcoming season. I’m already looking forward to some fishing trips and collaborations in 2025, and I know we’ll make some memories that are even better than the ones we shared this spring.

Canadian Craft and Community

It’s always inspiring to be surrounded by fellow small business owners pouring their passion into every jig, spoon, soft plastic bait, and hand-carved lure. The craftsmanship and dedication on display was nothing short of incredible.

What really stands out year after year is the camaraderie. The way we all support each other — from sharing booth space to spreading the word about each other’s work — is something truly special. It’s what makes this community more like a family than an industry.


Thanks again to everyone who made this trade show season such a success. If we met at one of the shows, thank you for the chat — and if we missed you this time around, I hope to see you on the road or on the water in the months ahead.

Until next time, keep your lines tight and your hearts full.

– Adam Merrifield

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Seydoggy Jersey: Limited Run

Seydoggy River Responsible Jersey

Seydoggy: River Responsible Jersey

I had lots of great feedback at the last three trade shows about the Seydoggy Jersey I was sporting. I am glad to announce that I am working with Awesome Inc. to bring a limited run of these jerseys to you. I need volume to get the costs down (currently set at $99.95). If we can hit the appropriate volume, I will refund the difference back to each customer. For example, If I get 20 orders, I can get the price down to $85. If I get 50 or more I can get the price down to $70. If either is the case, I will refund the difference back to you.

This jersey sports the cover art from my book, Mighty Smallmouth. The Seydoggy logo is displayed proudly on the front, back, and down each sleeve. There is the space for your name across the back to make this shirt your own.

Head over to the product page to start customizing yours today. This offer will close soon so don’t miss out.

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400th Copy Sold!

A big thanks to Average Ontario Anglers Podcast and SmallieTalk Podcast for their early support. The nods from these two accounts (Jessie, Andrew, Josh, Chris) are what really kickstarted books sales in Canada and the US respectively. Who’s winning? It’s close, but the 🇺🇲 is ahead by a small margin.

A special shoutout goes to Kayak Bass Canada team members who have shown amazing support. Also PaddleHeads and River Run Podcast for kicking off 2024 media coverage and helping raise the profile of Mighty Smallmouth even farther. Thanks to KWC Bassmasters and The Brantford Library for opportunities to speak to the public. Wam Baits Canada, William Larson, Leslie Ann, Stix n Stones, and Brad-Scott for all the support and the shares. And of course Kyle Carruthers from CanCast Fishing for his efforts to elevate small, local brands in the fishing industry.

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Brantford Public Library

The Brantford Public Library has asked me to speak as part of a fishing series in support of their new fishing tackle lending library. Since early childhood libraries have been a central part of my being; whether it was to research a school paper, read the latest fiction, get the latest copy of Ontario Out of Doors, picking up books for the kids… Over years libraries have adapted with the times, lending music, audio books, power tools, sporting equipment and more. So when I heard that The Brantford Library was lending fishing equipment, I was overjoyed at their initiative. I’m pleased that their research led them to my book, Mighty Smallmouth, and that they reached out to me for the speaking engagement.

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I’ve got the (SKS) goods

I was able to stop by SKS Custom Baits last night to pick up his product for the show. I’m super excited to give Steve’s baits a little booth space at CanCast 2024 to help get another local Ontario tackle crafter out there (or out there again in Steve’s case). So many of the small businesses out there have helped me along the way (you know who you are) and I’m happy to be able to pay it forward.

Look for Steve and his family at the show, they’ll all be wearing SKS branded hoodies. And stop by booth 71 and see a sample of the baits and colors he can whip up for you.

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500 Jigs!

Nothing like grinding it out right up to the wire. I’ve got 150 books and 500 jigs plus plastics from SKS Custom Baits all ready for you at CanCast 2024. I’m looking forward to seeing you all there!

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Introducing (again) SKS Custom Baits

I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be carrying a great line of products from SKS Baits at CanCast 2024. I met Steve at the KWS Bassmaster club on the night of my talk and realized the opportunity for a collaboration. Steve has recently got back into bait making after a decades-long hiatus. With renewed energy and passion, Steve is back with a vengeance and the timing couldn’t be better. Along with books, Seydoggy jigs, and branded apparel, I will proudly carry SKS Custom Baits to help get Steve’s name out there. Join me in welcoming Steve back to bait making, and give him a follow on Instagram.

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Unisex Hoodies now Available

My wife kept asking for hoodies, so I’ve got hoodies now. Choose from a wide variety of colors to suite your style. Everyone needs a cozy go-to hoodie to curl up in, so go for one that’s soft, smooth, and stylish. It’s the perfect choice for cooler evenings!