Prologue, The Sprinter, Shoot the Rapids, Culvert Fishing, The Magic Kingdom, Walleye on Pike Violence

Prologue and The Sprinter

There are several items that deserve mention this year under the banner of "prologue".  One certainly is the addition of Andy's neighbor John P to the group.  Always adds an element of fun to the trip when a newbie joins us - what will his reaction be to the fishing trip.  Two is the new vehicle, including how it came about that we rented a Mercedes Sprinter passenger van this year.  Matt had expressed the thought of looking into this van several times during the year since he learned that Ace Rental added it to their offering.  No action was taken until the last week before the trip after Matt (politely) bugged his retired father to make some inquiries.  Keeping this short, our rental was ultimately switched from the 15 passenger Van to the Sprinter.  Although roughly twice as expensive to rent, the Sprinter has equal or better passenger space, with a raised roof allowing passengers to stand, and with more luggage space.  Powered by a Diesel engine, it gets twice the fuel mileage compared to the Chevy van.  And, once we got it out on the road, the ride is superior.  All around a better vehicle, and a great upgrade to the trip.  It will be most interesting to see if the group vote is to continue with the Sprinter in future trips, in spite of its additional cost.

The Drive and Flight

Needing to arrive timely at the Rusty Myers float plane base at 7:30 in order to get out early, the group leaves Joe's close to 1:00 - with a stop for ice and Subway sandwiches, we put the departure time at 1:30.  The drive goes smoothly, but with several close encounters with moose - above average number of encounters.  One trip event deserves mention - breakfast in Dryden.  Recognizing that the van (which requires roughly 14 feet of clearance) will not make it through the McDonald's drive-thru, we drive on to Tim Horton's where we are told, similarly to last year, that except for coffee and cookies, food is not served until 5:00.  So, back to Mickey D's where we execute a "walk-thru".  Nonetheless, we are early to the float plane - arriving at 7:15 - making the driving time just shy of 18 hours.

Two trips on the Beaver are necessary to transport the group and the gear to Flindt. Water is extremely high - way over the dock - so, we are treated to a rickshaw-like experience as we are taken to the plane aboard the luggage cart.  Upon arrival at camp, we find the water high but not over the dock.  No one else in camp at this point.  Once settled in, all are off to test the fishing.  Patsy tells us that it has been quite cold, and that the prior week's fishing was difficult and mostly confined to the culvert and water near the camp.

Culvert Fishing and Shoot the Rapids

A good start - with several good sized fish caught at the culvert.  Mike's first fish of the trip is a sucker - putting him in position for an early lead for the Species Award.  First fish!  Have not seen a sucker in some time.  Usually the Species Award is won with a perch catch.  Newbie John and Andy head off to Big Bay and begin catching fish - with John catching an 18" (2.2#) walleye and 22" pike - outdistancing his "instructor" Andy.  Bill and Joe shoot the rapids at All Fours and catch a mess of fish on the other side of the falls.

The Magic Kingdom

After dinner and a nap, the still-overtired group heads out for more good fishing.  Bill and Joe head back toward All Fours, stopping just short of the rapids, and find a true hot spot - bringing back a full stringer of 17"-plus walleye.  This hot spot is dubbed "the Magic Kingdom".  Could have brought in a lot more keepers, did the exchange thing until they had the best 8 fish.  Matt and Mike end the day at the culvert, and between 8-9pm, the place lit up with fish.  They brought in a nice haul of large walleye.  John and Andy toured the classics with limited success, and were the first home.

Walleye on Pike Violence

Before we close for today, there is a story that falls under the heading "No matter how many fishing trips, there is always the potential for something new!" So here is this year's surprise.  Bill and Joe are fishing their newly discovered hot spot at All Fours when Bill hooks a fish - a modest fish that he has well under control, but as he is bringing it to the boat, all of a sudden, it becomes very difficult to move.  When he is finally able to bring the fish to the surface near the boat, he sees the golden underside of what can only be a large walleye, and then it is revealed that Bill has hooked a small pike and a quite large walleye has latched onto the pike.  A first time observed "reverse" of the not uncommon hooked walleye in the jaws on a large pike.  Unlike the walleye's less intelligent cousin, which will not let go and is usually netted along with the hooked walleye, this walleye let go and swan safely away.

Footnote:  John claims to have caught a 43" walleye!  There are several dubious aspects to this assertion.  One, 43" would be a world record walleye, in other words, 43" walleye do not exist, at least on this planet.  Two, there is no documentary evidence, e.g., a photo, of the beast.  and three, the assertion is based on statements made by John, an individual known for prolific exaggeration, i.e., "bullshit" - with Bill standing moot.