| Can Lightning Fry Fish ?
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Don MacGorman, a physicist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma says that as long as the fish are underwater, they're probably okay.
"Basically lightning stays more on the surface of the water rather than penetrating it. That's because water is a reasonably good conductor, and a good conductor keeps most of the current on the surface."
So, when lightning hits the water, the current zips across the surface in all directions. And if you're swimming anywhere in the vicinity, it'll probably zap you. But below the surface, most of the electricity is instantly neutralized. So the fish, unless they are surfacing at the exact moment of the strike, are generally spared.
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We Named Her "Sandy"
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Elisabeth Melnychuk spotted the big torso near Ferguson Creek on Miminiska Lake.
As she and her husband cautiously approaced the big bird, Michael, got this and a few other great photos of the Sand Crane, one of many birds that claim the boreal forest as breeding ground.
Liz is a bit of birder herself, and dropped us an e-mail on July 8th:
"I have been reading through my bird books about this crane. No wonder Joe (our guide) hadn't seen one before! They are rare in that part of the breeding range. The rusty colour is because of the northern waters iron content (the redish colour in the water). It colours their plumage. It is usually a grey colour."
Here is an interesting website for you to view Sand Cranes in action.
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Where's Leo?
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For many of our guests who have returned year after year, a few things are certain in Northwestern Ontario. You'll probably see a bear along the way. Maybe a moose. You'll welcome the site of those big orange deHavilland float-planes at base camp, and you will always see Leo Bernard around when you arrive.
But not this year.
The many friends he has made over the years know he is waging a battle with MS, and this year, for the first time, he's not at the Armstrong base. So, upon arrival, his many friends ask, "Where's Leo?"
Well, we talk to him every few days in Bracebridge, ON, where he is staying with his sister while receiving care. He misses being here as much as our guests miss him. But he still gives us plenty of help - this year over the phone - about our generators, outboards, and a host of mechanical and electrical devices that keep us running. He still plays a vital role in our operation, it's just that he's just not here to remind us to put every tool back where we got it.
Okay, we still try to.
You may drop him a note if you wish - (he's not quite sure this internet thing is here to stay) - so a postal address is the best way to reach him: Leo Bernard
1100 Lambert Road
RR 3
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1X1
We know he would love to hear from you.
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| Music from the Wilderness
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It's called "Music From The Wilderness" and has 15 cuts of relaxing piano, guitar and string music that captures the tranquility of the Canadian Wilderness. It is the music you hear as backdrop on our podcasts and it's available now for just $15 USD delivered to your door.
To learn more about "Music From The Wilderness" and to meet the composer and hear song samples, just click here.
Or call 1 888 465 3474 and order your copy today.
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| Back "issues" of the Fishing Reports and Newsletters
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If you would like to go back to check a story in one of our past e-mails of either a Fishing Report or a Wilderness North Newsletter you can do so in our archive file.
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Moj - Mach - Rescue - Healing
...by Alan Cheeseman
It was about six years ago that Krista and I met this great couple from Newfoundland. Randall and Alma Boyce - (upper left hand header photo). They agreed to head out to Mojikit Lake and manage our facility there.
"Boycee" brings a host of mechanical skills to the camp located on the channel between Mojikit Lake and the Ogoki Reservoir. Alma is a detailed housekeeper, so the cabins there are spotlessly clean every day. Most of all they are a charming and caring couple. Our guests love them, and tell us they return as much for their service and friendship as for the fishing. This week we invite you to listen in on a brief podcast so that you too can get to know them a bit, and perhaps plan your next fly in adventure up at "Moj." Hear the podcast now.
Much farther north is big Machawaian Lake - our most northern remote cabin adventure destination. Machawaian Lake offers two cabins - with up to 16 beds - and a screened cooking and eating area. The lake is 9 miles in length and 2 to 5 miles wide. At Machawaian, not only do you catch lots of fish, you also catch big fish. Walleyes 2 to 5 pounds are common with 10 pounders possible. The Northern Pike action is fast and furious with many fish topping 20 pounds. This week you can hear a chat with Tom Post, (upper right header photo) who just got back from "Mach." Tom, along with his two nephews and father-in-law, won the trip and could not have been more grateful winners. Listen Now.
Last week's story on the Isaac Nate rescue of Mike Snider below Miminiska Falls drew more podcast hits than any story we have ever run. In fact, the CBC, the Canadian version of NPR in America, picked up the story to share with their audience. If you did NOT get a chance to hear the podcast, you may listen now.
In just two days, the soldiers from Project Healing Waters will arrive here in Thunder Bay. The event is called "Healing On The Albany." We have a reception - news conference planned for their arrival, and on July 12th we fly them up to Miminiska Lodge for a week of R&R. We'll have the mid-trip report in our newsletter next week.
Keep in touch. I welcome your e-mails to guide us in creating a report that works for you...you can send one now.
Alan
Alan@wildernessnorth.com 1-888-465-FISH (3474)
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Rain Rain Go Away
And take your friend wind with you !
Dr. Graham Saunders 
That's what most people throughout the area keep telling me. And with good reason.
June 2008 weather records are complete, and with just under 10 inches of rain in Thunder Bay, it was officially the rainiest June ever - that is since records have been kept back to 1877.
My forecast for next week shows showers and cool - and a bit breezy for today, Thursday and Friday, with considerably improved weather for Saturday, and lots of sun on Sunday and into next week. Over all, July promises to have a general warming trend so we can say summer is really here. Our temps for the next few days will be cooler than normal with daytime highs struggling to reach 60, and lows in the upper 40's. Saturday shows promise of daytime highs in the 70's, moderate winds, and seasonable lows about 55.
A guest recently asked: "What happens to fish when lightning hits the lake?" I have the answer in the podcast - listen now - or in the story - Can Lightning Fry Fish? - on the left.
Graham Saunders, is professor of meteorology at Lakehead University here in Thunder Bay, and weather commentator for the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal and for Wilderness North.
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They Fly In - I Fly Down the Albany River !
Katelyn Johnson - Miminiska Lodge
Summer is finally here at Miminiska Lodge! The days have been warm and sunny, with temperatures cooling off in the evening and overnight. And boy was it ever windy. One afternoon, we had blistering winds averaging 25 miles per hour, and gusts of up to 34 miles per hour!
This past week, some of the staff members at Miminiska Lodge - myself included - explored the Albany river between  Miminiska Lake and Makokibatan Lake. The nine-hour trip split over two days was a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness nature's absolute beauty and unequivocal force. Traveling with experienced guides, I was in good hands - but the sections of rough white water - the Petawanga Rapids, the Spilt Rapids, and the Frenchman Rapids - were certainly enough to get my heart racing. Traveling down the rough and wild north channel of the 'split rapids' brought on bouts of both intense fear and adventurous excitement. The riverbanks, for the most part, were untouched and pristine, stretching on endless green farther than the eye could see. The history of our country was vividly brought to life as I sat in silence and imagined the fur traders traveling down the same stretch of the Albany many, many years ago. We did not pass another band of travelers as we made our journey - we were completely alone in the wilderness.
Mike and Liz Melnychuk who flew their own plane in from Niagra-On-The-Lake in Southern Ontario share with us a few memories from their trip to Miminiska Lake this past week, including fishing with Joe Boyce one of our First Nation Guides - Hear the podcast now.
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Forty Five Inches ?
...Tyler Lancaster - Striker's Point Lodge
The Beringers from the Cleveland, Ohio joined us for some good fishing this week at Striker's Point Lodge in the heart of the Wabakimi Provincial Park. John Beringer Sr., his wife Nancy, John Jr., his sons Johnny, and Danny, Suzie Beringer and her husband Chuck, and nephew Ollie made up the group. It was their first experience on Whitewater Lake and they could not believe the size of it. (26,000 acres)
They split into two teams, Chuck, Suzie, John Sr., and Nancy on one, the remaining four on the other. With an expensive steak dinner tab on the line for the losers, it was neck and neck until the last day. John Sr.'s squad came out on top. Enjoy those steaks guys.
Along with numerous Walleye, two trophy Pike were taken during their trip. Ollie caught a 42 inch monster on his first day while jigging for Walleye at "water bottle point." John Sr. caught the biggest Pike of his long fishing career on his last day of fishing. He has been coming to Canada for 68 years and this time he boated a 45 inch big girl, a true trophy. The fish was caught in 16 ft of water while slow trolling a silver William's Wabler. "We were drifting out in the
current in about 13-24 ft of water, just dragging white and chartreuse
tails on ¼ oz and 3/8 oz heads."
Fishing was excellent at the Ogoki inflow right next to Whitewater Lodge.
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Windy Warriors Wrestle Walleye !
...MacArthur Hobson - Makokibatan Lodge on the Albany
 This past week's weather has been a little crazy at Makokibatan Lodge with many days of intense winds averaging 40 mph. Even with the strong winds, fishing has been decent this week with all the fish coming from the summer spots in the main lake. Rogers reef was the hot spot with many fish in the 24 inch range being caught. Fish are being caught in 18 ft of water on jigs tipped with worm or leeches. Berkley's GULP -white-has also been a great bait. Some fish have also been caught while trolling "Hot-n Tots" in the area of underwater rock piles around Sand Point. Not much to report on Pike this week as we didn't have anyone fishing for them, but once in a while the odd Pike was still caught by Walleye anglers.
Happy Fishing Everybody.
(Pray for less wind.)
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