Hello again from Jim and Julie’s Wabaskang Camp. We had another exciting week of fishing here at camp, plenty of trophies being caught and released as well as a few being mounted. We continue to experience dry weather here but the temperatures have been cooler than normal. Water levels are slowly falling but our guests are still getting around every on the lake. My launch is getting shallow as well but so far so good.
The walleye fishing was very good again last week with many of our guests catching plenty if small walleyes and fine trophies as well. A spinner rig and minnow or worm worked best in 14’ to 22’ of water. A crank bait also caught nice walleye along with a drop shot rig or slip bobber. Bob Appelhons started things off when he skillfully landed and released a chunky 26” walleye. Craig Mericke has quite the reputation around camp as the man to beat and his 26” beauty that was released is proof he still can out fish both his boys Jon and especially Travis. The biggest walleye of the week was caught by Jen Mericle, she landed and released a monster 31 3/4” walleye to easily crush the competition, her walleye may well stand as the biggest of the season and is the biggest caught here since 2011, great job Jen, hope husband Jon was taking notes while your skills were in full view.
Northern fishing continues to be solid with once again many trophies bring caught and released or mounted. The best bait early in the week was the Big Fork Sand Cat, perch color was hot along with the gold and bronze color, spinner baits seemed to really work well later in the week with our guests from Missouri catch several giant northern. Brecken Vestal may only be a young teenager but he is taking a chunky 37” northern home to hang on the wall. Jason Comer caught more slot fish this week than in any of his other trips to camp, his biggest of the week was a fat 36” northern. Bob Appelhons released a 36” fish his first day in camp. Sue Mincks released a nice 37” fish, Larry Dorenkamp landed and released a gorgeous 38 3/4” fish, Jon Mericle released a 38” and 39” northern this week, still didn’t win a hat—-too bad so sad. Craig Mericle released a 38” brute. Dave Vestal is taking a 39 3/4” northern to hang on the wall, his fish was the biggest if the week in camp. Trace Comer has learned from the best—his brother Chase of course, Trace released a 38” monster. Don Yarger also has some good fish this week, his best was a 37 1/2” northern he released.
Bass fishing was really something this week with plenty of fish over 18” being caught and released. Soft bodied baits bring fast into the weed lines and shore line caught lots of the feisty fish. Travis Mericle returned to camp this season and his 18” “stinkin” bass made fatter Craig real proud—-not. Bob Comer survived heart surgery to return to camp and release a chunky 18 1/2” bass. Henry Howard caught and released his 18” bass while fishing from our paddle boat. Chance Comer is no stranger to big fish; he released a beautiful 18 1/2” bass. The biggest bass of the week was caught and released by Bill Mincks, his 19 1/2” bass easily was the hat winner for the week.
More dry weather in the forecast but some chances of rain as well. Remember to get your license before arriving at camp either online or you can stop at Dutchies General Store just up the road and get it there along with just about anything else you might need. The Whiskey Jack Restaurant is only a stone’s throw away and offers some of the best meals you can ask for, let Laura and Graham do the cooking a couple of times during the week. If you are bringing up your boat, make sure the live well and boat are clean and dry, the border agents are especially concerned about invasive species being introduced into Ontario waters. My road is a bit rough right now especially in the sandy stretches so watch for “speed bumps” on your way in. That’s all for this week, this is Jim from Wabaskang
