Testimonials
Thanks for a great adventure!
Joe provided us with a fishing trip we will always remember. His expertise and knowledge about fishing helped us pull in more fish than we've ever caught before. We caught enough to eat the next night and fill our freezer at home. The grilled salmon tasted great! We will definitely do this again and we wouldn't go with anyone but Joe. Thanks, Joe and Dan, for a great time we won't forget!
- Jack, Jason, and Dakota
Thank you for a great trip!
I am writing in response to my trip with Joe from Natural Wonders Angling Adventures. My family and I went for father's day as well as my dad's birthday which happened to fall on the same day this year. We decided to go on a fishing charter because my family loves to fish and we love to catch things that we have not caught before, salmon being one of those things. When we first met Joe he was very pleasant and he introduced us to his wife and his dog, and then we set off straight away so that we could get as much fishing in as possible. Joe was very calm and relaxed the whole time which is great with my family because I have 3 male siblings and we can get a tad rowdy at times. Joe laid down the rules early and then it was fishing time. Within 30 min of casting out the lines we had our first big one, my dad got to reel it in and it ended up being an 18.5 pounder. He had a huge smile on his face the whole time. All told we all ended up getting to reel in a fish (Joe made sure that we didn't leave till that happened) and we caught two more big ones (one was 20.8 and the other was 21.13 pounds). While there was down times we weren't just sitting there Joe would tell us stories about his life and how he got into the business, and he let my brothers go out to the front of the boat and lounge in the sun. When I conceptualized the trip at first I was thinking that my family would have a lot of fun, as we usually do when we are together, but that the person who was taking us out would just be there to supervise. Joe exceeded my expectations by not only being amazing at fishing and letting us know what he was doing and why he was doing it, but also making some of the most memorable moments of the trip being just talking to him. He enhanced the quality of the trip by involving us in every little decision, weather it was which lure to use, or which direction we thought was lucky to travel. He showed us little blips on the fish radar and explained what their significance was, and most of all he just let us do what we wanted to do which really enhanced the trip. I am already considering going out again with Joe with a group of friends because I had so much fun. Thank you for allowing my family and I to have a great time on Lake Ontario on a very special day. Thank you.
- Matt VanderHelm
This Captain is an animal!
BIG Fish + Triple Headers + Great Fights + Sore Arms = Priceless!! It was beyond our expectations with a great and knowledgeable Captain. Guaranteed great time and lots of fish (Biggest Fish was over 25 pounds). Thanks Again Captain Joe!!!
- Ned, Rich and Joe
Dear Joe,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you both very much for the spectacular weekend we had for our 1 year anniversary. We can't stop talking about what a great time we had. From your beautiful home and welcoming company, amazing breakfasts, and the privacy we felt while we were there, we would recommend this adventure to anyone looking for something different and fun to do. The fishing was definitely the highlight, and it totally exceeded all expectations! I had no idea that we would be fishing 8 lines at a time, all at different depths, and in minutes they were all going off with fish on ready to be reeled in! From calm to chaos in seconds… what a rush! We will definitely be back soon to experience this adventure again. And of course a special thanks to your deck hand Dan, he did a great job at helping us on the excursion! Thanks again so much for everything, and we hope to see you again real soon!
- Mark & Jodi
Dear Joe,
I just had to send a short note thanking both of you for such a wonderful experience. When my wife and I booked our holiday we did not realize it would turn out to be an adventure. It was a fantastic time with great people and an absolute bargain.
When it comes to angling, the set up on your craft is perfect, I felt totally confident with all the mod cons on your boat and you as our skipper. I landed the biggest salmon of my fishing career with the first cast of the day and things just got better. With the cries of "fish on" ringing in my ears the time passed so quickly. As we returned to harbour my arms were quite frankly glad of the rest, maybe you should warn your guests on just how hard these salmon fight. It is clear to me that your local knowledge & experience not to mention the professional fishing gear led to an exhilarating day. Thanks again for making us feel so welcome.
- Bridget & Brian Stevenson
Joe,
My friend Frank sponsored my first guided fishing trip with you. We booked last minute, it was mid-summer, an off time for fish action, but you still put us on enough to make the trip memorable to say the least, and I came home with a freezer full of Rainbow Trout and King Salmon.
Later Frank, the most experienced fisherman I know, who has fished up and down the Americas, said you were the hardest working guide he had ever seen. Constantly changing lures and tactics to get us on fish. No small praise from Frank.
To me, a novice angler, you were patient (except when fish were on!) in your explanations and in letting me get involved in the experience. The most remarkable thing was there was no discernable difference in your approach to amateur or veteran fishermen. You were professional all the way. My next booking will involve a stay at your B&B for sure. See you soon.
- Scott, NY
Tons of Fun!
If you desire to have a fun and productive fishing trip, then Natural Wonders Angling and Joe O'Donnell is your perfect fishing charter. Joe went to great lengths to make sure we caught fish. We were on the water for several hours and Joe continued to try every trick in the book so that my husband could land the big one. It finally paid off! He caught a 21.6 lb King Salmon.
Thank you Joe for your diligence and determination! We will recommend you to our friends and will definitely be back for another wonderful fishing adventure!
- Michael and Kristy Pinion, Tulsa, OK
Highly Recommended,
Whether fishing the Great lakes, the oceans off BC, Alaska, or Mexico, my guides must be personable and safety conscious, have a seaworthy vessel and quality fishing equipment, and be knowledgeable of the area being fished.
With great confidence I highly recommend Joe O’Donnell and Natural Wonders Angling Adventures as my first choice of guides for Lake Ontario and the surrounding area.
My visitors from British Columbia wanted action, and action it was with double and triple headers of King and Coho Salmon. We actually asked to stop fishing as we felt guilty in landing 16 King Salmon (out of 18 strikes). My 11 year-old grandson summed it all up nicely: “Papa, that was great! Let’s do it again next year”
- Trevor Field, Guelph, ON
Great Experience,
"My wife and I have been chartering boats for past 5 years all over North America - Lake Michigan, Cabo San Lucas, Atlantic Ocean, and this was the first time on Ontario; I must say, Joe's charter has been the most fun and comfortable charter we've ever been to! Not to mention how inexpenisve it was; One major thing that sets Joe apart from others is that he actually gets you involved in fishing as opposed to just have you reel the fish in; The size of fish we caught speaks of his mastery of finding the good fish! British humor makes the fishing more fun than you could ever imagine! We highly recommend Joe!"
- George and Lucie, Baltimore, USA
Exceeded Expectations,
Our day of fishing exceeded our expectations in every way. As novice fishermen, we immediately felt at ease with Joe. His knowledge of the lake and extensive experience took us right to the fish. We spent all day reeling in enormous rainbow trout and salmon - a truly unique experience that we hope to enjoy again.
- John Heeringa, Toronto, ON
Experience of a Lifetime!
It was an experience of a lifetime for us all and we couldn't have done it without you. Your tireless effort in making our stay most enjoyable was very much appreciated by all. From the planning stages of the trip you helped arrange vehicle hire, re-sheduled due to flight problems, helped with directions, kept us updated on the fishing etc etc.
Whilst we were there, there was nothing more you could have done to make it more pleasureable. Your recommendations for resturants, directions for sightsee, super breakfasts and great fishing. You have wonderful accomodation which you allowed us to treat as our own home for our time there but it also has a holiday feel there as we could chill by the pool and have a beer or three and a BBQ.
- Keri Watts
Experience of a Lifetime!
There is an old saying among fishermen. “When the fish are biting everyone catches fish. When the fish are not biting, only fishermen catch fish.” Joe O’Donnell is a fisherman. He catches fish when no one else is catching. No wonder, with his top notch boats, fishing equipment and lures. Most of all the man knows fish. If you want to learn how, where and what to use to catch fish, just go out one day with Joe O’Donnell. Depending on number of fishermen in the boat, Joe will put out 8 to 10 lines. The lines in the water will cover different distances, depth, and thermal layers to give one the best chance of catching fish on Lake Ontario. We also fished The Niagara River for Small Mouth Bass. We caught so many Bass. I got tired of standing in the boat and releasing fish. I highly recommend this fishing experience with a master fisherman.
- Dominick R. Libonati, Law Offices of Mallette & Libonati
Experience of a Lifetime!
Thank you for making my 60th birthday and holiday so wonderful. You made us feel part of the family in your beautiful home and garden with its wildlife and birds. Your dedication to finding fish for guests like ourselves on lake and river was terrific. When I expressed an interest in the huge carp that abound in those waters (a quarry you don't usually target} there was no hesitation and within a few minutes of you baiting a swim I was fighting a 23 pounder - A fish of a lifetime back home in England.
My wife and I have to mention the sumptuous breakfasts topped by your signature home smoked ham - Yummy!.
The days flew by and with your local knowledge they were filled with wonderful memories of Salmon, carp, sheepheads (a hard fighting fish!), etc. We shall certainly recommend your B&B to all our friends and fishing buddies. We must return even if it's to see how your lovely Labrador 'Fisher' has grown. Thanks again and regards.
- Colin and Marion Yapp
Dear Joe:
Thank you for a great trip adventure and fun.
I am a fisherman from North Queensland Australia. Recently I visited Canada and Alaska and wanted to experience a different form of fishing and experience fishing on the opposite side of the world. I was lucky enough to fit four fishing excursions in while I was on tour. Joe provided the most excitement and value for money of all my Canadian and Alaskan fishing excursions. I found Joe the best fishing guide I had while on tour. Joe is constantly searching for fish having several lines with different lure configuration, depth, width and even thermal equipment to find the correct conditions for fish. Even though the fishing season was not quite on, Joe's hard work lead me to catch and land fish including a 20 pounder. Joe never stopped and kept looking for more and larger fish. Joe is patient never gives up and good company.
Once again I recommend a fishing tour with Joe as he is the best guide and value for money I had on my Canadian and Alaskan holiday.
- Paul Sgarbossa
Dear Joe:
I would just like to thank yourself, your wife Jules, and your friends for providing myself and my dad the fishing trip of a lifetime. Coming from Scotland in the U.K. we were expecting big things and this trip exceeded our expectations. Great accommodation, breakfasts, lunches provided, great fishing equipment and guiding are what to expect when fishing with Joe.
But for us it was the great people we met who did their utmost to help us enjoy our time there. An absolute pleasure and an experience I would strongly recommend anyone to try. Joe provides the perfect fishing package, knows his stuff and pulls out all the stops all the time to get you into fish. Just Superb. I can't wait to get back!
- Steve Mc Court. Glasgow, Scotland
