What To Bring
Due to the unique location of Garden Island, it is necessary for your equipment to be handled several times during the trip to the island from Mowatt Landing. In order to help keep your gear to a minimum we supply landing nets, bait containers, anchors, life jackets, cooking equipment for shore lunches, bedding, swivel seats in the boats, fish finders, and many other items. We also have a number of deep cycle batteries for use if you bring your own trolling motors or other equipment at $15.00 per week (we don't rent trolling motors). We recommend you reserve one of our batteries rather than lugging yours all the way up here.
Please pack your gear so that it can be easily handled. Most repeat guests have learned to use sturdy boxes, suit cases and gunny sacks for their gear. Please pack small items in containers. PLEASE USE ROD CASES (cardboard tubes from a carpet store work). If you bring your own beverages, do not bring beer in glass bottles (cans ONLY please). Avoid bringing glass bottles (cans or plastic bottles ONLY please).
Cash, bank drafts or Traveler's Checks only for payment upon arrival at camp please.
Please note: Tell us before hand if any member of your party is on a special diet (low cholesterol, salt free, no eggs or dairy, no pork, etc.) Please let us know well in advance of your arrival. We can usually cater to your special needs if we know well in advance.
List of Thing To Bring
The cabins are equipped to run small 110 volt appliances, coffee makers are already provided.
We also have a Printable packing List
Useful Travel Tips for Garden Island Guests
Repeat guests of Garden Island have helped us make a list of useful tips that can help you prepare and plan for your trip!
Transporting Medication Tips
Bring your own over-the-counter drugs. Different countries can have different regulations and their own unique formulations. You should consider bringing along your own OTC drugs that you know and trust. Like Antacids, Anti-Diarrhea, Sunscreen, Cough & Cold, Hydrocortisone cream, Motion Sickness, Antihistamine, Insect Repellents. Bring medicine for traveler's diarrhea such as Imodium AD or Pepto Bismol. Be sure to check and make sure that whatever medications you plan to bring are allowed in Canada.
Tips for prescription medications
- Always take extra of your prescription meds than you expect to need. Its best to take along an extra week's worth just in case you run into a delay getting home. Pack your meds in one piece of baggage and your extra meds in another so that you are less likely to lose them both at the same time.
- Ask your doctor for duplicate prescriptions in case your pills are lost or stolen. Some travel plans will arrange to have duplicate prescriptions rushed to you in such a situation.
- If you take nitroglycerine for your heart, always make sure they are fresh. These products lose potency over time.
- If you take insulin, always carry a prescription for your syringes. Many stores in both countries will not sell syringes over-the-counter.
- If your medication's time is critical don't forget to adjust for different time zones. If that will be an issue you might want to use an alarm clock or cell phone alarm set for your "home" time zone.
U.S. Travel Information
What can i bring back to the U.S.
What to Expect When Returning to the U.S
emergency Information
Create a simple "medical information form" to carry in your wallet or with your passport in case of an emergency. Its also a good idea to keep a copy of of your passport and any other important information in a separate location.
- your name address and phone number
- relatives/friends to contact in an emergency
- personal physician contact info
- dentist info
- prescription drugs and dosage
- known allergies
- name of medical insurance company
- List of medical conditions such as diabetes
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance that can save you from some pretty expensive bills if the unexpected strikes. Keep in mind that even in the US, Medicare and most insurance plans will only pay to get you to the nearest medical facility .... no matter how inadequate that facility is in your situation. If you need to be airlifted or ambulance to another facility for a more appropriate treatment it will be at your expense. That's where an inexpensive travel insurance plan can save you a lot of money and scrambling.
Sun Safety
If you expect to be out fishing on sunny days, you should double check with your doctor if any of your prescription drugs that you will be bringing along can cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Many do.
Sunscreen little known secret.... always shake the sunscreen well before applying because the active ingredient is suspended in a neutral lotion by the manufacturer. Some of the best sunscreens are made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen is a great option. Please avoid using sunscreen containing oxybenzone as it has been found to be harmful to marine life.
A good alternative to sunscreen is UPF clothing. Especially if you tend to forget about reapplying. It’s definitely worth investing in if you spend hours baking in the sun on the lake.
Help your body avoid heat strokes by staying hydrated. If the weather is hot, consider bringing Electrolyte Drink Mixes or tablets. Eating bananas and oranges which are rich in electrolytes can also help avoid dangerous dehydration.
Bug Bites
For bug bites and bee stings apply meat tenderizer to reduce pain and swelling. Rub the area of the bite with a cotton ball soaked in meat tenderizer solution for 20 minutes. This will help relieve the pain. If you don’t have any meat tenderizer, use a baking soda solution.
Here is a little known trick for mosquito bites. Use a warm compress to help relieve the itching and swelling. The sooner you can do this after being bitten the better it works.