The Ojibway
Pow Wow
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We know Derek Atlookan. He guides for us. He has a big smile and a big heart. He was chosen as emcee of the Fort Hope Pow Wow this past weekend, partly because of these traits and partly because of his knowledge of the Pow Wow itself.
You see it is the duty of the emcee to determine the order of drums, the call to dancers and drummers, and any special event.
So when he called us and asked us to bring our PHW vets to the Pow Wow because the First Nation Community wanted to honour and include them in this traditional cermony, we said, "Yes."
And now we say "Thanks Derek."
Our event was called Healing on Albany, and each soldier who attended the Pow Wow told us how meaningful it was to them.
And they told us of its healing effect as well.
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| Success at Whitewater Lake
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Chris Clemmons knows his Walleye fishing. He has lots of experience and a clear head about finding fishing patterns, i.e. that combination of weather, water temps, time of year, and the "lay of the land" under the water.
He and his group have been our guests for over a decade - and they keep records. This week Chris gives us the "skinny" on catching fat Walleye at our full service lodge on Whitewater Lake - Strikers Point Lodge.
From island hopping to choosing the right colours for the light conditions, this primer is the best help we can give anyone in finding success on the big 26,000 acre lake, in the Okoki River Watershed.
His article " No Need To Strike Out at Strikers" is ready to read or download by clicking here.
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| Mark Snyder's Journal and Photo Gallery
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Mark Snyder, whom we have to thank for the tremendous amount of time and effort that he put into making the Healing on the Albany event such a success has created a Healing on the Albany journal and photo gallery. There are also additional pictures and stories at Project Healing Waters. |
| "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 is 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 sample songs, click here.
Or call 1-888-465-3474 and order yours 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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PHW-Mission Accomplished
...by Alan Cheeseman
Last week we reviewed the beginning few days of Project Healing Waters - Healing on the Albany event at our Miminiska Lodge.
As the event progressed, things only got better. Better weather? Yes. More laughter and fun? Oh yeah! This band of brothers who came together from so many different places - united by the common thread of war injuries - became even more united by the common thread of friendship. Our staff marveled at the kindness they showed to all of us. Through their upbeat attitudes, they taught us all a lesson about bravery beyond the battlefield. And though there have been many who have thanked us for our gifts to these guys, - believe me - we received so much more in return.
In last week's photo montage, one young face stood out. His photo was framed by the flags of the U.S. and Canada. He is Sam Floberg of Fargo, North Dakota. Many of our readers wanted to know more about this remarkable young man who maintained his gunner position, although the vehicle beneath him and his right leg were torn away. His words and his story are on the podcast - listen now.
To further honour these brave veterans, the First Nation Community of Fort Hope, which is about 25 miles from our Miminiska Lodge, invited them to a Pow Wow last Saturday. Derek Atlookan, emcee of the event, and a guide for Wilderness North, arranged for Vietnam vet, Bill Johnston, from Pittsburg, to lead the Grand Entry. Later, members of the community - one by one - shook each soldier's hand and thanked them for their service.
The photo montage below captures the powerful spirit of the event, and we are deeply grateful to our native neighbours for enriching each soldier's "Healing On The Albany" experience.
Keep in touch. I welcome each suggestion and comment. You can send one now.
Alan
Alan@wildernessnorth.com 1-888-465-FISH (3474)
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Stable Summer Is Here to Stay - For Now !
...Dr. Graham Saunders 
The past week at the Ogoki watershed and Albany River watershed locations started
with sun and warmth followed by wet conditions on Wednesday and into
Thursday. This is a fairly normal weather pattern in the mid-latitudes - highs and lows move from west to east and bring sun followed by clouds every two or three days. Northwestern Ontario has had this pattern in recent
months but sunny and warm times have been briefer than usual and those cloudy and wet days more extended than typical.
Another pattern is common in the Northwest in summer. A more persistent ridge of high pressure established in the region on Thursday and Friday, July 17 and 18th. This "Omega block" (it is shaped like the Greek letter Ω) makes forecasting easier because lows and storm systems are channelled around these blocks of denser air. Areas within are dominated by sunshine, warm and dry weather for several days.
These blocking situations also happen in urban and industrial regions to the south, usually with haze and significant problems in air quality. The Northwest is far distant from pollution point sources, so air quality remains good but fish may choose to be in deep water because of the bright sunshine.
Most of the unsettled weather stayed south of Wilderness North lodges and camps early this week.
The weather week to come: Fair weather should persist until Friday, then a major frontal system in the afternoon is likely to bring potential for intense lightning and strong winds during thunderstorms. This system will probably pass through relatively
quickly with fair conditions over the weekend.
Another omega block presently establishing on the Canadian Prairies is likely to edge slowly eastward and dominate our weather in the following week (July 28 to August 1).
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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Master Angler Count Goes Up
...Krista Cheeseman
Bright colours, shallow water, and warmer temps for the early week angling seemed to be the combination that opened the door to Master Angler size fish (26"+ Walleye - 40"+ Pike) this past week. The Darnell Brothers, from Oklahoma (photo on right) fished the flooded Ogoki Lake to grab their Master Angler pins.
Reports from Whitewater, Zig Zag and Mojikit followed suit. Oh, did I mention that Brad Robinson had both a Master Angler Pike and Walleye, and the only wrinkle in his Zig Zag trip was a friendly bear who invited himself to dinner. I'll tell more about tackle selection and other details in my podcast.
Listen Now.
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Despite Mayfly Hatch- They're Biting !
...Katelyn Johnson
This past week at Miminiska Lodge, we saw a nice mix of sunshine and rainy days, with temperatures reaching highs in the 70s. Warm layers and rain gear were heavily used on those rainy days - which proved to be the best days for fishing.
The mayflies are out in full force, and many anglers have witnessed both Walleye and Pike leaping from the water. Surface lures, such as poppers, and dry fly-fishing proved to be the most successful. Currently we are experiencing extremely high water on the Albany River which is affecting fishing conditions. The fish are not schooling as much as you might expect and tend to be more spread out - meaning that anglers are having to work harder to get that big catch. Pike are still roaming the grassy flats, but are likely deep on clear sunny days. After all that's where the Walleye can be found!
This past week we had the honour of welcoming the Project Healing Waters event at our lodge. We had nine veterans and a handful of special guests come out to enjoy eight days of fly-fishing - and what an adventure they had! The Project Healing Waters team managed to turn fly-fishing into an extreme sport, rigging up everything from feminine products to Barbie dolls, even a shell casing to try on their lines. In the end, it was Jake Keesler from Bethesda, MD who had the largest catch of the week - a 37 inch Pike. Congratulations Jake!
Everyday, the smiling faces of the nine veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam stood as a reminder of the freedoms we are so blessed to have, and the brave men and woman that risk everything to defend those freedoms. We are so grateful for all they have done to make the world a better place, and we hope that their experience on the Albany was truly healing.
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Weather Warms Up -
Whitewater Lake Heats Up
...Tyler Lancaster
Another week has come and gone and it seems as if this season is just flying by. Strikers Point Lodge has entertained many Master Anglers so far this season, and that didn't change this week.
Two groups that were with us, the Schramm party from Illinois, and the Lashbrook's from Michigan had remarkable fishing trips.
The first day on the water for the Schramm party, found Bruce Osborne putting on a show by landing four Northerns: two 38 inch, a 41 inch, and a 44 inch. Stuart Schramm needs to be credited with putting Bruce on a couple of those fish.
Lou Gretch Cumbo, of Michigan caught a beautiful 30 inch Walleye while jigging with a white swim shad just around the corner from the lodge in 20 ft of water. Kim Gary, while jigging the same location netted himself a nice 26 inch Walleye.
The rest of the week was up and down, due in part to weather changes, and also a big mayfly hatch. I believe the Walleye have been gorging themselves on these mayflies.
The staff even had a chance to get in on the action this week. Myself, my girlfriend Katie Howe, Nick Tomberg, and managers Bill and Marg Carroll decided to hit the lake for a morning of fishing and a shore lunch. While trying to get some lunch fish, Katie nailed a healthy 42 inch Northern, under my guidance, of course!
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Rapid Recovery with Better Weather
...MacArthur Hobson
Hey everyone,
After a tough week of fishing at Makokibatan Lodge due to weather and a long mayfly hatch, the fishing has started to pick up again.
Last week saw much nicer fishing conditions with many days of sun, and little wind. Guests were picking fish up at either end of the lake around the rivers, with a few fish being caught on Rogers Reef and Sand Point.
Last week's hot baits were jig tipped with either a worm or the new Berkley Gulp Alive leech. Pike have been slow lately as no one has really been fishing for them, but they were still being caught while fishing for Walleye.
We had four people take a river trip for brookies. Five brookies were caught with the largest being 19 inches. All were caught dragging a jig along the bottom of the holes in the river.
Weather for the next week looks nice; sunny and hot with temperatures reaching 30C. No rain until Friday.
Happy fishing everyone!
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