Good Fishing Right Up to a Premature Weather-Caused Ending

Must Fish in Difficult Weather to Eat

Hard to believe but today is the last day of this year's trip. We were interrupted by rain more this trip than in recent years. And weather, once again, is the topic of the day today. Overcast and cold (45 degrees) with light rain/mist. Needing fish to eat, the determined fishermen head out once again.

Joe and Andy (with Joe at the helm) start at The Narrows but catch only a few there. Then on to Rockface where success is realized - two nice walleyes - Joe's 18" (2.2#) walleye and Andy's 17.5" (2#) walleye. Several more fish caught, and then we move on to Matt's Cove and Joe brings in another 17.5" (2#) walleye. Further fishing at David's Den produces only a few fish and this crew heads in for dinner.

Bill and Mike fish The Rock at Rapala Reef and the creek entrance in Big Bay and find fish there once again.

New final day dinner menu - baked "fried" walleye; creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes. Outstanding! Needs to become the standard final meal - might even replace first fried fish dinner as well.

Fishing Done in by Weather

Cold enough again today to need a fire to stay warm. That is our second fire. Not what you would expect for a "summer" fishing trip.

Too cold and windy to fish, so we call it a trip at mid-day. Mike fishes off the dock and catches 8 walleyes, including two 17"-ers!

Good Fishing Continues, Chased By Weather

Fishing Continues to be Good

Beautiful, sunny, warm (but not hot) opening weather. Bill and Andy off to the big water. First stop yields some quick catches which bodes well. Then off to Rapala Reef where the fishing is great. Each land a 20" (3#) walleye and two 18" (2.2#) walleyes. Most of the action is around the rock up near shore. Great captaining by Bill. Three keepers are on the stringer. Mike and Joe fish The Island and Bill's Bay. Bring back one keeper.

Weather!!

Weather changes to mostly cloudy, and around 11:00, dark clouds are observed along the southern horizon. Being 15 minutes from camp, Bill and Andy decide that discretion is the better course and head back towards camp. Mike and Joe arrive 5 minutes later and a huge thunderstorm arrives 10 minutes after that - a real barn burner, with thunder and lightning, heavy wind and rain, and hail. One of the fiercest storms we have experienced on a fishing trip.

Turkey Chimis for lunch. Another outstanding dinner. Thanks Bill.

With an apparent break in the weather, we hit the water around 6:00 - and - we are back in the cabin by 6:30! Another squall passes through. One of the shortest fishing sessions on record.

The Trip North, Largest Walleye Caught, And a Perch!

R.I.P. Good and Faithful Gus

We awake to bad news. Patsy's faithful companion, Gus the collie, died yesterday. Patsy buried his body next to Tyler's.

To The North!

Decision was made yesterday that we would go North today. Weather is much improved - clear, sunny and in the 60's. Arrived at the outer bay about 9:30 - after the 45 minute boat ride. Unfortunately, the fish there this year does not come anywhere close to recent prior years in terms of number of fish caught. We assume because of the warm water and time of year. Maybe a dozen walleyes caught by lunch time - but enough 17" fish to meet our dining needs. Joe pan fries the walleyes that Mike filleted to perfection.

The Big One and The Small One

There were a few morning highlights - Mike's 19" walleye and then Andy's 27" (7.5#) walleye - caught in the left outlet to the outer bay. It is Andy's largest walleye – and the largest walleye caught by this group. Mike and Andy checked out the creek entrance, but nothing there. Although - - it was worth the trip for Andy because on the troll in, he hooked a "PERCH"! The bite was a tap-tap-tap and then nothing. The only way that it was found that a perch was on the line was Andy wanted to check his bait and brought the lure in and there it was - a beautiful 5" perch. This puts Andy in the lead for the coveted "species" award.

On the way back, we stopped at several spots to fish. Two winners were right of the island right of Chimney Rock and the right hand shore just short of the narrows on the trip back. Bill landed a 22" walleye at the Chimney Rock stop and a 21" walleye at the other stop. Done for the day by mid-afternoon.

"Summer" in Canada, Lost Day, Book Burning and Yoga!

43 Degrees - Seriously!

Well, welcome to Canada! Awoke to 43 degrees, overcast and wind out of the Northwest. Very cold sleeping night. Conditions deemed unworthy for fishing. So, stayed in the morning, played Wizard and caught up on reading. Needed a fire to keep warm.

Dinner today is Asian - egg rolls and chicken with rice. Well done, Bill!

Book Burning

More reading and napping to begin the afternoon. Bill is (or should I saw, "was") reading a book about being a pilot. He recited some of the passages and we all reacted similarly - gag reflex!  Andy gives Bill his "Killing Kennedy" book.  Bill tosses his pilot book into the fire. Bill: Brought three, read two, burned one.

Weather has cleared - sunny - but with a hefty wind still out of the north and still cold. Group decides to stay in for the day. More Wizard games and snack eating. Had to keep the fire going to keep warm. Welcome to a Canada summer!

Yoga, Baby!

Also, to kill the additional time, some folks read or took a nap, but Joe and Bill decide to do Yoga! Under the tutelage of Yoga Master Joe, Bill learns Down Dog and other classic Yoga moves. Down Dog! No, seriously, Down Dog!!

Fish Being Caught Everywhere, But No Feeding Frenzy

After a wonderful full night's rest, we are off on day 2. Joe and Andy try The Shore and Bill's Bay, but no action. Next stop, the Narrows, and as has happened in the past, good fishing prevents any further move. In the end, estimated 30 fish caught, three keepers, an eater. Very windy and then rain squalls. Unhampered, the fisherman stuck to their trolling/drifting strategy. (Too bad that Joe forgot to bring his rain suit on the trip, although it was entertaining to watch him put his "emergency" poncho to work!)

The Mike and Bill boat, inexplicably, work Rapala Reef despite the high winds. But fishing is good. Then off to the creek in Big Bay and the fishing is magical. Another 30 boat catch, with Mike's 20" walleye being a highlight. Size of walleye's caught is in keeping with the past few years.

Fried fish for lunch. Never better.

Evening fishing is pretty good. Rained off and on all evening. Joe and Andy fish Dave's Island (nothing) and then move to Dave's Shore where Joe lands the leader walleye in the clubhouse - a 24" (5#) walleye. Picture and then released. Then off to the creek entrance in Big Bay - many fish caught, but no keepers (which is now set at 17-18").

Bill and Mike took a nostalgic Rockface Tour. They set a target of catching 20 walleye and made it right down to the end - including 2 keepers.

Not a Normal Start, Decent First Day Fishing

Traffic Issues at Start, Then Evaporate

Departed Joe's 12:50pm. Wisconsin line 2:10. Traffic jams began between Janesville and Madison. Lost 5 minutes first slowdown. Madison at 3:00. Intermittent jams until almost the 90/94 split. Heaviest traffic ever for this portion of the drive. Still arrived at Eau Claire, with standard dinner stop in Black River Falls, at 7:00 (6 hours out). Duluth at 10:00; border at 1:00am.

This is where the traffic pattern completely reverses. No one ahead of us at Canadian immigration. In spite of driving through an intense thunderstorm from Fort Frances to Dryden (power was out when we entered Dryden, but back on as we exited), our arrival is on time at 4:00; followed by Sioux Lookout at 5:00 and Rusty Myers at 6:30. Get this - we did not see a vehicle on the road the last 75 miles of the trip! That also has never happened before.

As we cruised in to the float plane base, we are greeted with the salutation "Hurry, hurry. Big storm coming. If we don't go now, you're not getting in for awhile." Fastest loading of the plane ever. In camp by 7:00, but with only half our gear. Had to make a rushed triage of what could fit (weight-wise) with us on the Beaver. Left behind food, clothing, etc., enough to make it tough to fish much beyond the close reach of camp. It did rain some, but no "big storm". So we are stuck, basically, until the second load is delivered. We are likely NOT a priority now.

First Day Fishing is Fine

Rain abates and boats head out. Hit usual spots. Some fish caught. Just enough to take off the edge. Mike and Andy catch fish at Matt's Gateway, David's Den and Dave's Shore.  Bill’s now famous meatloaf for lunch - delicious.

While the group was out fishing, the rest of the gear and food is delivered, with the exception of Bill's NA beer and iced tea. Separately delivered, with a direct handoff to Bill. Something new.

After a quick nap, back out on the water - overcast and windy. Mike and Andy have no luck at Bill's Bay and M&M Isle, but that changes when they head to the creek inlet at Big Bay. Four 17" walleye and several others caught. Similar result for Bill and Joe working the islands behind Piccolo Point, including an 18" walleye - also 4 on the stringer.

Considering the weather, not too bad a first day.