Healing Event For Soldiers - Three Weeks Away
We are counting down to July 11th and are very excited that our plans are taking shape for our second Healing On The Albany Event at our own Miminiska Lodge. At this time ten Canadian and US soldiers have confirmed their presence at our event.
This week Ray Nadeau, General Manager of the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Center in Thunder Bay stepped up with complimentary rooms for arriving soldiers on July 10th. Plus they will host the official welcome and press conference breakfast on July 11, before the soldiers fly up to Miminiska Lodge.
We are very grateful for this gift. In addition they have extended a VIP discount to Wilderness North Guests who wish to stay in Thunder Bay. You may call 1-800-387 - 3331 and make your reservation using the code; "Wilderness North" to get the discount. Single or double rooms are just $99.99 plus tax.
The hotel is just one mile from the airport. More information is available at their website.
We continue to welcome monetary gifts that will enable us to transport these worthy men and women of the US and Canadian military service to our Albany River Lodge. There is more information here at the website:
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Healing on the Albany
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Sunday Was The Summer Solstice
The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, is the first official day of summer and the longest day (and shortest night) of the year.
The term solstice comes from the Latin words for "sun" (sol) and "standing still" or "stoppage" (stice). On this longest day of the year, the sun appears as if it were standing still in the sky. There were big celebrations in Northern Europe, many of which go back to ancient pagan times and incorporate bonfires, dancing, feasting, and staying up all night to welcome the dawn. One of the biggest destinations for the summer solstice is Stonehenge in England; it is the place for New Agers such as neo-druids, neo-pagans, and Wiccans to gather, along with college-age revelers, wholesome families, romantic couples, and shoestring backpackers. And it's the only day of the year the park service offers free parking, free admission, and the opportunity to stay at the monument overnight.
The day is also celebrated in China by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light.
It was celebrated here in the boreal forest by fishing - in daylight -until almost 11pm - with the 10:10 sunset - and very long dusk. And no one had to tell us it was summer with very high - summer like- temperatures (88) through out the day.
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Good-2-Go
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Before we load you and your gear on our DeHavilland Otter, two things happen.
First we mark up a map of your destination's lake. We have the information from groups that were there most recently and the historic lake features that give you a great start to successful angling.
Then, someone from your group is chosen to be "official" co-pilot. They ride right next to the pilot and can even listen in on the aircraft radio transmissions and get information from the pilot about features of the landscape unfolding before them.
Fly in Adventures in legendary aircraft, to remarkable wilderness lakes.
We promise to take care of you every step of the way.
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Eight Trophy Pike From Ogoki Party?
Twenty Eight Big Walleye at Makok?
- - - Yeh, What a Week It Was !
...by Alan Cheeseman
For 15 years the Lewar family (upper right hand header photo-sporting their master angler pins) have been coming up from the U.S. to Ontario to chase down trophy pike. And they have had their share of good luck. Except for Henry Sr. of Minnesota - he's the one with this year's Mr. Toothy, in the left hand header photo - His son Henry II and grandson Henry III - of Charlotte, North Carolina, also had lunkers this trip. And what a trip to Ogoki Lake it turned out to be. Eight 40 inch plus pike in their four days. So we put our Wilderness North microphone in front of Henry II to learn his secrets of success. You can hear the remarkable success story by clicking here.
Merle and Bernard out at Makokabatan Lodge - on the Albany River - have a success story in their report as well- with the Ferris Group netting 24 Master Angler walleye in a five days.
And Tyler Lancaster checks in with another walleye WOW story from two professional walleye tournament anglers who hit it big while on Whitewater Lake, while celebrating a 50th birthday, with their gift trip to Striker's Point Lodge.
All in all the 2009 season is smokin' and so is the weather with temperatures in the near 90 degree (f) category - grass and weed beds are bursting to life and fish are feeding like NFL linebackers at Luby's.
Sunday was the longest day of the year (see sidebar to the left on the Solstice) with sunup at 5:48 am and setting at 10:15 pm. This week is the New Moon.
Master Anglers:
We now have 53 walleye over 26 inches caught and released in both the Ogoki and Albany River watershed. As for the pike we now have 44- forty inches or longer - in the 2009 record books.
Talk to you next week - and as always feel free to drop me an e-mail by clicking here or by phone at 888-465-3474.
Alan
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 Heat Wave? Read On!
...by Graham Saunders
After Tuesday's very warm temps all I can say is: "expect this to continue for most days in the coming week. Mainly sunny, with a few widely scattered showers on the weekend."
Lack of rain, although great for outdoor recreation, will create very dry forests and greater potential for forest fires. Be very careful with campfires.
The recent warmer weather is a break from those cool weeks in May and early June. But is this a "heat wave"? The last week has been warmer than average, but not anywhere near record highs. So, let's call it a "warm wave".
The warm weather is due to a large ridge of high pressure that is stationary and forecast to remain so. Eventually it will break down and a typical ending often features thunderstorms. Hot and sunny days with little or no wind also result in rapid warming of the surface layer in our lakes. However, if one puts an arm deeper into the water, it is likely to be pretty chilly. Wind and resulting waves mix the warmer water downward and, typically, northern lakes have water temperatures in the 70s later in the summer.
Water temps are now in the low 60s, except in smaller shallow lakes that have all ready reached the mid 70's.
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Makok's Historic Week !
...by Meryl and Bernard Carroll
Temperatures are rising on the Albany and our Master Angler count is too!
These past days in the boat have been hot and the fishing even hotter. Last week, Makok saw a whopping 28 master angler walleye registered.
The Ferris group from Ohio and the
Foster group from Michigan all caught and released these award winning wallies bringing our count for the year to 44!
The Ferris party alone, had 24 of the 28, with Matt catching eight of them on his own. This is the Ferris party's 15th year at Makok, and what a year!!
Curt Moore and Marty Lang have five each. Ed Yackey had three, party leader Tom had a pair and last but not least, Ron Westhafer saved the best for last and tied into a 30 ¼ inch beauty his last day with us. The guys reported an unbelievable 1500+ fish in their stay with us. By the way, most of the fish were reeled in with bottom bouncers, hot n tots, and the ole reliable, jigs with tails.
The Fosters team each caught 4 master angler walleyes.
We think the fishing can even improve with the week of the new moon upon us.
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Whitewater Lake Report
...by Tyler Lancaster
With the rapid heat wave that moved in on us last week at Striker's Point, (highs near 90) came tougher fishing conditions. The water temperatures climbed. Then came the calm conditions allowing sunlight to penetrate deep beneath the lake's surface. If your a walleye guy you know this means hard work. Despite the tough conditions, six more names were posted to the Master Angler board.
Sean Deneen of Pennsylvania caught a beautiful 41.5" northern while trolling the "narrows" area. Ken Rader of Michigan plugged hard and was rewarded with a 44" pike that salvaged his day of otherwise slow fishing. Ken also got his fish near the "narrows" while casting a Mepps bucktail. Also in the Rader group was Kevin Spitzer of Michigan. Kevin ventured out solo one day and began trolling islands. He ran into a 46" brute and thanks to his friends who were close by, was able to land, document and release his toothy trophy. A 43" pike was caught Saturday by J.D. of the Miller group out of Corpus Christi, Texas. It was caught down in the river in 20 feet of water.
I had the pleasure of fishing with two great guys and two great walleye fishermen last week. Dan Steffens (right)  and Bob Trutschell, both of Wisconsin, were here on their first Canadian fishing adventure. Dan recieved the trip as a surprise gift from his wife in honour of his 50th birthday. These two fish professionally on the walleye circuit in the United States. They incorporated some of their southern tactics and were able to manipulate Whitewater Lake even under the toughest of circumstances. They hauled in and released 150 walleye on their second day including a hefty 27.5" oversized lawndart. During some walleye fishing with Dan and Bob, I managed a 44" northern on very light walleye gear. Best of luck to these two fine gentlemen in their tournament on Green Bay next week. We had chance to hear their story before they loaded up and headed for home and you can hear it too, but clicking here.
There is big rain moving across the area that started yesterday, my fellow outdoor planner -Joe Pichey- is in camp, so I am keeping a eye on him to see if he can match that 44 incher.
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G'Day -From Miminiska Mates
...by Tristan Yuswak
Well, it's been a cranking week up here at Miminiska Lodge, with plenty of action on and off the lake. The new Barbie (Bbq) is up and running on the sunset deck with all kinds of goodies being brought off it, while guests quench their hard-earned thirst with a big cold beer. And the best cold beer is an Aussie beer, but this Canuck beer ain't bad.
The Perona group from all over USA, spent their trip harvesting fresh walleye in between a two day fly-in canoe trip, fishing for brook trout. They had a magic time paddling down the rivers and fishing all the great little spots that are off the beaten track. The untouched landscape and the expert knowledge of our First Nation guides Robert and John George helped to immers e them into this amazing Canadian wilderness. This world class fishery is something to be nurtured and enjoyed by all anglers and through Wilderness North's catch and release program, these brookies aren't going anywhere except into the memory bank.
The Nord group from Bloomington, Illinois enjoyed a four day trip, summed up by Larry Nord's own words: "The best fishing in the 14 years that I have been making the trip to this lake." Well, blow me down, he was right, they all individually averaged 50 walleye a day mostly in the 19-20 inch range. They even had a couple of great moments when reeling in walleye with a big northern attached in such a way that even the Good Dr. Nord would find difficult removing in surgery! Haha, Larry then topped his trip with a 34 inch northern, which earned my "bloody good effort" award for the week. Joe, dead-set had a walleye jump out of the water and grab the lure on his rod as he was shifting it around on the boat, which brings me to warn you male anglers coming up here, that maybe it would be a good idea to drop ashore to use nature's washroom instead of hanging it over the side! Haha.
Tom and Jared from Lincolnton, North Carolina, also weighed in with an average of 50 walleye a day, with the biggest being 21 inches. Jared landed himself a 28 inch northern to round off the trip. Jared loved watching his Dad slave over the hot fire to make him his shore lunch on the last day, making the walleye so much tastier! Come back cobbers*, we miss ya already!
The Stover group rounded up their trip with a tally of over 700 fish for four days hard work. It really goes to show that the walleye are up here in great numbers and that they are ready to bite. The "honey hole" is turning out to be quite a feature as anglers head there after supper and fish for a few hours in the amazing evening twilight. Fishing is always great and its only a 3 minute boat ride from the dock.
Just thought I would take the time to mention that the Sheila's (Miminiska chicky-babes) in the kitchen are cooking up a storm and waiting for your arrival! The food here is so good, it takes a lot of wood-splitting after supper to not feel guilty about throwing it down the hatch, guests are welcome to join me there or there are some great jogging trails around the island to burn off those great meals.
The weather has been great up here again this week, with nice warm days and cool breezes coming in for the relief in the arvo*. Perfect weather for a coldie or two.
*cobbers - Australian slang for pal or friend
*arvo - Australian slang for afternoon
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