Daniel's First Fishing Trip

Getting on Our Way

Another year with a first-timer in the group.  Last year it was Andy's neighbor John.  This year it is Bill's son Daniel who graduated from high school this year.  There will not be another first time son to go on the trip until (if it happens at all) Mark's son Brennan (who is 2 years old this year!).

Renting a Sprinter again this year. Last year spoiled us. Andy picked up the van at 9:15. With the rainy weather, traffic, and having to go back to Oak Park to get Mike and Great Gramma Claire, and then to Joe's, the van did not arrive at Joe's until nearly 11:45. Arrival time at the float plane base is particularly important this year because we will go out first and as soon as we arrive if we arrive before 7:00.  Everyone is well prepared at Joe's, and he does his usual excellent packing job, including, this year, incorporating a sleeping area in the luggage section!

Departed Joe's just shy of 12:45.  Cleared immigration at 12:15, about an hour earlier than anticipated.  Weather and traffic very cooperative.   Arrived at Dryden too early to get breakfast, so pressed on, arriving at Sioux Lookout around 4:15.  Got to float plane base at 6:15 - total driving time of 17.5 hours (typically the drive is more like 18 hours). 

As promised, we were first out - two Beaver float planes at the dock.  First plane took Bill, Joe, Daniel and most of the food.  Second plane took Rob, Matt, Mike, Andy and the rest of the stuff.  Earliest we have ever been to the camp.  Out on the water by 8:30 which is a typical time midway during the trip.

Weather and Early Fishing Success

Warm - approaching 80 degrees - with some cloud cover.  The group is rewarded by a really great first day of fishing.

Bill takes the 3-man boat with Joe at the helm and Daniel taking the middle seat.  First stop the Narrows and was captured there by the good fishing.  Whether it is first time luck or not, Daniel lands both a 29" (7#) pike and a 22" (4#) walleye.  Pike is kept for later filleting (more like slaughtering) to take home.  Walleye is released.

Rob and Andy are in boat no. 2 - start at the creek entrance in Big Bay.  First fish caught is Rob's 21" (3.5#) walleye. After catching a few more fish, they move across to island and catch a fish, then on to the shoal outside of Splashing Fish - Andy catches a 21" walleye.  By lunch time, they add a 22" walleye (Andy) and a 26" (5#) pike (Andy).

Matt T and Mike comprise boat no. 3.  Fishing tough, but, wait for it, check out the evening's results.

"Fresh Poultry" Not Welcome in Canada This Year

Lunch is pasta with turkey meat sauce and garlic bread.  Delicious as usual.  accompanied by a fine wine - a $5.99 1.5L bottle of Chianti.  Note:  All poultry brought into Canada had to be in cooked form due to a ban on raw poultry and eggs from the USA.  Thanks Patsy, for calling Joe ahead of time to warn us or it would have been a huge dinner problem if our turkey and chicken was confiscated.

New Hot Spot - M&M Isle

After a well-needed nap, back out on the lake. Boats 1 and 2 do OK in the evening, but boat 3 hit them big time.  Mike and Matt pick a new spot in Splashing Fish, back in the corner and catch 30+ walleye, bringing a full stringer back to camp - all good keepers. Named M&M Isle.