Hello to everyone out there in tv land, this is Jim from Wabaskang. Week number eight if our season has come to an end so let’s catch up on the latest camp news. We had some rain last week but not nearly enough to lessen the fire danger or raise the lake. The MNR is encouraging extreme caution to everyone considering a shore lunch or even using a charcoal grill. Rain that was forecasted to fall in the area seems to go around our area but we are hopeful the upcoming weeks will bring some much-needed moisture. The lake is low but our guests are still getting around everywhere with no issues.
The walleye fishing was very good last week especially for trophy sized fish. Many of our guests were successful early in the week using jigs and minnows or spinner rigs and a minnow or crawler. Like the previous week most fish were caught in 15’ to 20’ of water along rocky reefs and deep weed lines. Melissa Willenborg made her first trip to camp a memorable one, she caught a chunky 24″ walleye her first day out. Char Heim caught her 26″ beauty within sight of camp with the expert guide service provided by husband Don. Dave Marshall managed to catch and release his 26″ walleye while son Blake looked on in utter amazement. Rob Lerum released his 26 1/4″ walleye but his brother Kyle did him one better by catching and releasing a nice 26 1/2″ beauty. The big walleye of the week was caught and released by “Camp Antique” Don Heim, he released a chunky 28″ walleye caught off a hump out in the big lake, where your winning hat with pride fella.
Northern fishing had good days and slow days last week. Many of the trophy sized fish were caught by our guests while they were using minnows angling for walleyes. Another good bait was the Sandcat, a Suick, or a large Rapala. Morgan Willenborg once again made news in camp when she released a 34″ beauty, Kyle Lerum caught and released a chunky 36″ northern, Chad Heim found enough time between mechanically maintaining three boats to catch and release a nice 38″ northern, maybe owning three boats is not such a good idea Chad. The biggest northern of the week was caught by Sonya Lerum, she made both brothers Kyle and Rob green with envy when she released her beautiful 38 1/4″ northern, she was happy to be wearing a winning hat at the end of the week.
Bass fishing was as good from the dock as it was out on the lake last week. A bobber and crawler or minnow caught plenty of the “football” sized fish. Morgan Willenborg released a giant 18″ bass only to see her big fish get crushed by her aunt Deb Waterman, I think Deb took special satisfaction in crushing Morgan’s fish when she landed and released a massive 19″ brute, Brian Mauer also caught and released a 19″ bass, his fish was caught off the dock but first 19″ bass wins so too bad so sad Brian.
Eugene Thomas was the latest of our guests to catch and release a musky this season, he caught a 23 1/2″ musky that was good enough to win him a free hat, great job Eugene.
To all our guests heading up this season make sure your boats and live wells are clean and dry, the Canadian Border Agents are especially concerned about invasive species entering Ontario waters so be sure to properly clean your boat before you bring it north. Also, if you want to leave your boat in Canada until your next trip this season be sure to get the proper paperwork done at the border and leave it with me. We are not issuing fishing licenses this season so get yours on line or at a tackle shop on the way here. Dutchies General Store can fix you up with a license as well as any of your grocery, souvenirs, and beverage needs. The Whiskey Jack Restaurant is ready and willing to serve you the best pizza, wings, and sandwiches in town along with mouthwatering barbecue, let Laura and Graham do the cooking while you enjoy your vacation. Cooler and hopefully wetter weather is in the forecast for our guests next week.
That’s all for now, this is Jim from Wabaskang.
