Healing Event For Soldiers - less than two weeks away
It is PHW countdown time up at - Miminiska Lodge on the Albany River. Our event is called "Healing On The Albany" and opens the door to the Boreal Forests of Northwestern Ontario to both US and Canadian soldiers recovering from battlefield injuries.
Ten Canadian and US soldiers have confirmed their attendance at our event.
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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Oh Canada !
The origin of the name "Canada" comes from the expedition of explorer Jacques Cartier up the St. Lawrence River in 1535. (That's him on his cell phone in the painting above.) The Iroquois pointing out the route to the village of Stadacona, the future site of Quebec City, used the word "kanata," the Huron-Iroquois word for village. Jacques Cartier used the word Canada to refer to both the settlement of Stadacona and the land surrounding it subject to Chief Donnacona.
By 1547, maps were showing the name Canada applied to everything north of the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence River was called the "rivière du Canada" by Cartier, and the name stuck until the 1600s.
In the 1600s, the name Canada was often used loosely to refer to New France, and as land opened up to the west and south in the 1700s, the name Canada was applied to what is now the American midwest and as far south as present day Louisiana. But it was not official.
In 1791, the Constitutional Act or Canada Act divided the Province of Quebec into two - the colonies of Upper Canada and Lower Canada. In 1841, the two colonies were united again, this time as the Province of Canada. |
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Two Anglers - One Trophy Pike - Now What?
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When Gerald Klein and Shawn Leffelman (right) both from the state of Illinois were fishing together up at Mojikit-Moose Crossing, they thought they had simultaneous strikes - and big ones. Both fish fought hard bending rods to near breaking. Then they discovered it was the same 40.5 inch pike. And yup, it had two lures in its jaw. So now the dilemma for us. Who gets the Master Angler Pin?Photo above is the beginning of the "sorting out" project for Gerald and Shawn, but before we called 911 - we decided to give them each a pin. Whew. That was a close one.
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Say Cheese !
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We are in the early planning stages of our 2010 wall calendar and we need your help. If you have been a guest of Wilderness North, at any of our remote cabins or American Plan Lodges, we would love to consider your photos for inclusion in the project. It's simple to help. Click here to open an e-mail, on to which you can attach up to three digital images. The bigger and higher the quality - the better. If we select your photo to be included, we'll call you and chat about the place and date you captured the image. Your scenery, your fishing, your general beauty shots - - - are more than welcome. Make sure to include your phone number and name when you submit the photos.
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Relief is on the way
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If you
have wondered what the exact bottom of your precise location on a lake looks like - and you have only a GPS in your hand. Dr. Depth claims to have the answer.
The North American Fishing Club featured the software program in its most recent weekly newsletter and included a link to see samples.
Here's that link.
The article goes on to say that if you have a depth finder, that a "relief map" of the precise bottom of the lake over which you are fishing can be displayed.
The claim goes on to say that no one else ever sees your maps since they are loaded only on your GPS or Sonar, and never stored on the Dr. Depth computers.
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Dads & Lads Land Lunkers at Makok!
...by Meryl and Bernard Carroll
We have had another great week of fishing on the Albany River.
We had the Overbeck group of 22 from Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, Michigan and Downers Grove, Illinois and they had a wonderful time here at Makok - the temperatures were in the 30's (high 80's f) most of the week. And the fishing had been great -  another 15 master anglers this week. Most of these big walleye were caught trolling with Rapalas or walleye minnows, and all were released alive. That big frontal wind storm came across our big lake this week, and for about an hour white caps were in the three foot range. (See Graham's article below.) However, our big Lund boats with 25 horsepower motors returned anglers safe and sound, but quite wet from the adventure.
With the big numbers of trophy fish we stopped to ask the questions:
Is it the moving water?
Is it Eli Baxter the senior guide?
Is it the lack of fishing pressure?
Is it the health of the fishery in general?
And our guests seem to think - yes to all of the above.
Just ask Dan Bilthouse with his 28 ¾ trophy in the  photo on the right.
The first challenge anglers face is the size of big Makokibatan Lake. This is where our guides come in, and there is none better that Eli. Now in his 80+ years of life, he knows this land and fishery like no other. So he can point you in the right direction and he does.
For example, the Lovells from Sarnia, Ontario were led down river by Eli and reported numerous amounts of fish caught up to 5 lb. They were caught on little Cleo's and Rapala minnows.
Talk to you next week.
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Trophies and Storm Roll Into Striker's Point Lodge
...by Tyler Lancaster
The big pike just keep- showing up. Chalk up five more Master Angler pike for our guests last week. Jason Barger of New York City and his father Bill of Indiana were here for their second season in a row. Bill fell just short of master status last year with a 39" pike. He got himself two pins this past week with respective 40" and 42" northerns both caught while trolling Williams Whitefish spoons at the Caribou Bay rock wall. Son Jason would not be outdone by his dad and managed a beautiful 41" "waterwolf" at the same location, also on a Williams. They noticed a measurable increase in the aggression levels of both walleye and pike as the week went on. Hear Jason's Master Angler Story by clicking here.
Also visiting Striker's Point Lodge was Wilderness North Outdoor Specialist, Joe Pichey with his college pal Mark, both coming out of Dallas, Texas. Their two friends and friendly competitors were Mitch Kennedy and friend Michael, both out of Toronto, Ontario. The Canada vs USA battle was on. Mitch and Michael were sure they had the derby wrapped up but Pichey and company popped a 42.5" on the last day. (See Joe's report below.) The late breaking information was kept under tight lip until the late evening. Team Texas walked away with the trophy this year.
We have a full camp this week with the Shiree group from Michigan, the Clemmons group (17) from Chicago, and Tim and Loni Meininger from Minnesota. I had the pleasure of accompanying Tim and Loni out yesterday. Let me tell you this, the fishing was incredible with double header after double header at every location. Main lake points were stuffed with wally's as were shallow, windblown flats. Tim knocked one off the "bucket list" first thing in the morning while trolling the infamous "rock wall". He caught his largest northern to date, a hefty 42". Congratulations Tim.
The wind last Wednesday and Thursday was relentless as the big dome of high pressure was blown out here by the emerging cold front, with gusts to 50MPG. Anglers have been forced off the lake early as the rollers are enormous. (See Graham's article below.)
We look forward to some calmer days and some more great action in the next few days. Happy Canada Day - Happy Fourth of July everyone.
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G'Day G'Day From Miminiska Mates
...by Tristan Yuswak
Well, this week at Miminiska Lodge has been a real beauty, plenty of great fishing and old fashioned good times had by all. The weather has been a bit hay-wire, (see Graham's report) but some nice fish have been taking the opportunity to get themselves dolled up for the camera.
Mike Rowell from Bristol Tennessee, led his group to all the best spots on the lake only to have his son Austin catch the biggest fish of the trip, a 40 inch Master Angler northern that was so fat they could barely hold it with their hands. Austin brought that baby up on his ultra-light walleye rod with 6 pound line on it, which "earnt" him a "bloody ripper, mate" from me. Austin then repeated the performance with a 24 inch walleye just out of Wattam Bay. Mike, trying not to be outdone came up with a 36 inch northern, just falling short of his son's prize. They also made a fly-in trip to Grace Lake to fish for the day catching over 60 large, fat, juicy northerns. Austin is thinking of coming up to do some guide work here at Miminiska when he finishes his schooling, and with a track record like he has had over the years, he's going to be run ragged by requests for his secret spots.
Ray Boreham had a great six day trip catching almost everything available in the lake area, brook trout, walleye and northern. His favorite catch being a 21 inch brook trout, which he brought up on a "little cleo," something that seems to be proving itself as a popular bit of tackle for nailing these brookies. We had the chance to "chat on tape" with Ray as he was waiting to board his flight back to Atlanta. Hear his trip recap by clicking here.
Jeff, Dennis and Elliot Mock from Toronto found one of my secret hot spots, shore lunch island, which is where I like to do a spot of fishing just before the guests arrive for some of that good old walleye fried up to a nice crisp delicious finish (haha just starting to tease you). It's a cracker of a spot and Jeff nailed a 22 inch walleye on his first cast into the water. The fishing is so good that the guests have been getting sick of reeling in a walleye on almost every cast that they give up! Well, it leaves them all in there for me to catch! Dennis caught himself a lovely 20 inch brook trout, which was a real treat. They continued to make the trip up to Fergusson each evening, not really telling me much about what they were catching, which makes me think they have a nice secret spot going up that way that may have to be explored - hmmmmmm I'm on to you guys.
Dan Wegner from Wisconsin landed himself a 28 inch Master Angler walleye on his second day out, Dan braved the elements to bring in this monster which I have decided to call as my "bloody good effort" award for this week.
I have brought in a new test of strength for the anglers up here, the Vegemite test, if an angler can handle a piece of Vegemite on toast (Vegemite being the great Australian sandwich spread) then I will sit them down and let them in on the Australian secret of "Drop Bears", something one must learn about, and be thankful they don't have them here in Canada.
Well, hoo-roo for this week.
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Common Bond
...by Joe Pichey
For the past six weeks I have been here at base camp welcoming guest after guest to board the De Havilland Otter, and last week it was finally my turn!
I got to enjoy being a guest again. And upon arrival at our Striker's Point Lodge it was my colleague Tyler who carried my bags into Cabin #3. My college buddies and I were back in the bush and loving every minute of it. Each year, we compete for the "Wilderness Fishing Trophy" that is awarded to the angler that hauls in the largest fish. This year had a twist. We divid ed the foursome into 2 teams. Team Texas vs. Team Canada. It went down to the wire as usual, with Team Texas prevailing on the last day with a grumpy 42.5 inch pike taking the bait.
However, the thing that I kept thinking about on this trip was how many groups I have met in the last 42 days, and the common bond we all share. Whether it be a group of co-workers from a GM plant in Michigan or 3 generations of family members, one thing always holds true: we all have a great passion for the wilderness and searching for the elusive "Master Angler."
And I have come to appreciate one other key fact: conservation angling allows fisheries - like Whitewater Lake - to continue to produce excellent fishing, season after season.
We have our trip already booked for next year!
See you soon,
Joe
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 Storms Give Way to Sun
...by Graham Saunders
Last week we were talking about hot weather with a caution in last week's forecast of, "Eventually it will break down and a typical ending often features thunderstorms." Daytime temperatures were in the high 80s F last week but abruptly changed over the weekend.
Waterspouts and strong wind events were reported from several lakes.
Waterspouts resemble tornadoes, however they are smaller (20 to 70 ft diameter), much weaker (50 to 90 mph in the vortex) and the processes for formation are different. They usually develop in later summer. Last week's waterspouts were likely related to rapid buildup of cumulus cloud.
Waterspouts are a serious marine hazard and can threaten boats, planes and swimmers. The best practice is to travel at a right angle to the apparent path, not to attempt to "out-run" them.
This week's weather begins with very cool and unsettled conditions today. Clouds and showers are likely until the weekend with a return to mainly sun and near-average temperatures (75 high 55 low F) on Saturday and Sunday.
Graham Saunders is professor of climatology and meteorology at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.
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Families and friends are getting together to honour our nation's history, and our side bar story - 
American friends - two great nations. Two great neighbours. 