Rain is nature’s way of creating life throughout our region and is needed on a regular basis to keep vegetation lush and our lakes and rivers full. However, like anything else, too much of one thing can cause catastrophic results. A prime example is the devastating floods that have been taking place throughout the Midwest U.S. this year.

We here in Northwestern Ontario have been very lucky in the sense of devastating effects from extreme weather. Although we have had some heavy rains and violent storms, nothing can even compare to what is happening down in the Midwest.

We seem to be immune to hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes (although there have been very few reports of “true” tornadoes touching down). For the most part we are safe from the elements that demolish other parts of North America.

As we have seen, our rainfall this spring and early summer has been above normal and for most maybe a little too much. Or is it? This is a question I have asked many people and the 50 or so answers I received were very interesting to say the least.

I took it upon myself to do my own little survey and the results were very surprising. They were dependant on people’s own passions and interests.

The amounts of rain we receive affect everyone’s life in different ways. One fellow said he was doing the lottery happy dance as he informed me he has had to have truck loads of water delivered every summer for the last three years because of a dry well, so he has been ecstatic over the fact his well is half full and rising.

Another gentleman said he was a student and worked as a tree planter in the summer and hated all the rain. His comment was “try planting 3,000 seedlings in one day when it rains continually.” He said walking around the woods with a non-breathable rain suit for days is wearing him down. One of my buddy’s sons works on a sod farm and he said it’s the best thing that could happen as we all know how grass grows with lots of precipitation and a little bit of sunlight. I have mixed opinions myself. As an outdoorsman, it’s a toss up. Here’s why.

No doubt it’s good for the lakes and rivers to bring up the water levels to where they should be. It’s good for the extremely low great lakes and in turn good for our fisheries that are directly affected by this.

It’s also good for the halting of forest fires in the Northwest that cost tax payers millions should a drought occur and half the north starts burning up. On the other hand, it’s bad for the natural processes such as calving for the cow moose and fawning for the deer, and in particular the reproduction rate for such animals as grouse and woodcock, who nest on the forest floor.

Cold rainy springs are not good for these upland game birds and I’m sure we will see the effects of this in the fall time when small game season opens Sept. 15. Cold wet conditions are also not good for newborn calves and this past spring was a true testament of what I’m talking about.

For me as an angler, the high amounts of rain and high water levels also have had an effect on fishing conditions and success rates.

Some of the bodies of water I love to frequent are indeed a whole new sight upon arrival to launch my boat. Dirty, muddy and murky water and high levels have created not so good fishing conditions.

It’s amazing how powerful the force of water is; it has shaped our land for millions of years. Without it there would be nothing, so next time you get upset because rain cancelled your fishing trip or golf game, just remember that rain is why we can get fish and enjoy lush greens.