Satisfying Overall Walleye Fishing, But No Large Fish

After yesterday's great fishing, everyone expected the catch rate to drop off some, and it did. Weather started out overcast but fishing was spotty. Seemed as if the fish had moved as well as become less active. Places that yielded good action yesterday produced nothing today, but points and bays near those locations produced a few. Even though slow, everyone commented that we continue to be able to catch fish during the day at this camp. Weather cleared around mid-day and got quite warm. Needing two keepers per boat to complete our limit, the three boats went to to bring a close to another great trip. Six keepers were brought in, including another money fish by Harry (4#). Dinner = linguine with clam sauce, walleye (poached).

No big pike this year - in fact, none over 5#. Tons of walleye caught at all times during the day - many in the 2-4# range but. like the last trip to Flindt, no larger walleye in spite of the large number caught.

Fishing Really Picks Up

Today was one of those rare days when the fishing lived up to its reputation in Canada. The weather broke - day started quite a bit cooler and overcast. For the 3 man boat that went to the north end, it was the "Mother of all fishing day". The one hour trip ups was very worthwhile for Nick, Mark and Andy. The raw stats were 50-60 fish caught; 2 stringer of keepers (averaging 2.5#). The rain that started late morning could not dampen spirits although it did wash out the planned shore lunch. Trying to keep the catch alive, it took nearly 2 hours for the return trip - raining all the way. Exhausted from their piscatorial exploits, our three brave north end fishermen slept through their alarm and did not get out that night. The other boats also had great fishing. The weather made for good fishing everywhere. Gene caught a money walleye (just beating Nick's largest from the morning) - just under 4#. No big pike in the boat yet, but Mark had one that broke the line and looked to be 7-10#. Dinner = pan fried walleye.

The Portage Temptation is Just Too Much; Weather is Great; "The Boat That Got Away"

Nick and Andy convince Mike and Gene to portage past the outlet falls at the north end of the lake. This crew gets an early start and is full of anticipation - but their hopes will be dashed! Turns out to be a poor fishing experience. Fished directly below both falls but only caught a few small ones. Exploration of the rest of the area results in finding that most of the water is very shallow and the next impassable falls is just about a half mile downstream. Stayed only about two hours with little to show for the effort.

The weather has been the real story of the trip so far. It's been too good. The spring came fairly early this year. Temperatures in the 70's yesterday and today, with few clouds. Has made fishing difficult. By the end of the day, fish count is 10 in freezer (keeper size = 2#+) and about 6 in the live well. May have to lower expectations for the last two days in order to make our limit.

Harry reverts to form by casting into Mike and Andy's boat. Oh yes, almost forgot about "the boat that got away"! Mike and Andy's boat somehow got loose during dinner time and floated out into the lake. The group, of course, handled the incident in a mature manner - i.e., gave Mike and Andy about an hour's worth of crap about it!). Food has been great!!! Today was Mexican Fiesta Day!

Early Trip to The North

Everyone out early (6:30 am) going to the north end. Caught a couple of 3# (20") walleyes in "the hole" and near the rapids. Gene, Mike and Mark had a "triple header" mid-day in the bay near the rapids (center channel). Andy and Nick checked out the area where the river flows out of the main body of water. There are two rapids on either side of an island. Nick caught a 3#+ (20"+) walleye casting into the base of the right-hand rapids. Looks like a couple of guys could portage a boat into the water below the falls. Harry caught the first "money" fish of the trip (in the channel at the entrance to the arm leading up to the narrows) - a 4# (22") walleye. All three boats were in the area catching small fish when Harry hooked his. Dinner = pan fried walleye.

Easy Trip to Camp

Transportation committee did a great job this year - a brand new Shasta motor home with only about 1500 miles on it. Travel went smoothly - only "incidents" were Nick's adventure in the Illinois oasis trying to get the motor home to the gas pump; the many calculations that had to be made to determine if the gas tank held enough fuel for the distance between Fort Francis and Dryden (turned out to be no problem); and a slight detour in trying to go from Sioux Lookout to Savant Lake.

On the lake by 9:00 am to fish. Reasonably good first day. Stayed close to camp. Checked out all the favorite spots. Mostly "eaters". Weather changed several times during the day. Some rain. Dinner = lasagne.