Is The Fat Lady Singing?
...by Alan & Krista Cheeseman
If our adventure season was an opera - this would be the
week the "Fat Lady Sings." With our final group still to come back from
ZigZag we are beginning the process of concluding the season and getting ready
for another Ontario winter. Before
that happens and we board up cabins and lodges, we have some docks to build,
and repairs to complete so that in May 2010 we will be ready for you and your
group.
Our summer was cooler - in fact record breaking cool - but
our fisheries produced catch to cast ratios that Ontario's remote lakes are
known for. In fact we now have 85
pike over 40 inches and 80 walleye in our Master Angler record books. Joe
Pichey posted a 48-inch beauty last week, (see upper right hand photo of Katie
Cowan holding the fish for Joe) probably the largest of the big pike of 2009
and his report will confirm the power of the late summer fishing we have had
these past 20 days.
As we reflect on the 2009 season, we are grateful for both
the groups of guests we were given the privilege to serve, and to our faithful
and hard working staff. We know the economic conditions prevented many folks
from having an adventure this year, however, we think the recent good news
about the economic upturn and the fact that we will NOT be raising prices from
their 2008 levels opens the door to 2010 for many who wanted to - but just could not make the 2009
trip.
We are thankful for those of you who have all ready booked
for next year and remind others of the Reel Deal, a chance to save 10% by
booking and paying early. The volatile exchange rate - the power of US dollars to buy goods and services in Canada - may also be in your favor right now.
We love to hear from you...and we will be keeping in touch by sending out newsletters
every 20 days or so during the "off" season.
We always
value your comments and questions. Send them to us by clicking here or call at 888-465-3474.
Alan |
|
These Trophies Are Heavy !
...by Joe Pichey
If you
weren't convinced about September being a "time for trophies", let me once
again try and convince you. It's been two of the nicest weeks we have
experienced all season. The sun is high, the skies are clear (sorta) and the moon
is bigger than fisherman's tale about the one that got away.
Summer is
finally here and the walleye have decided to hit their summer patterns. Better
late than never I guess, ehh? Most of our guests are finding these beauties on
deep humps and reefs in cooler waters. They are attacking schools of baitfish
with a vengeance and anything else that swims. Just ask Jason Zielinski of
Liverpool, California about his 26-inch golden eye that he landed on the trusty
"Mepps Syclops" (my favorite lure) on ZigZag. The ol' fire tiger color scheme
fooled em' again.
Not to be
outdone was Eric Lindquist of San Jose, California fishing with the "Doctor"
lure that produced a 41-inch hog from the depths of Zig Zag. These big pike are
going on the prowl trying to fatten up before the season ends.
Jim
Bertetto found this out while trolling a Daredevle right around the corner from
Striker's Point Lodge on Whitewater Lake. He landed a lengthy 43-inch toothy
critter with guide Ryan Lacey. Not only are these pike big, but they are in great numbers once you locate the baitfish.
As I
mentioned in last week's newsletter, I was looking forward to getting out to
Striker's Point and visiting with a few guests and see if I could land a lunker
myself. With the help of my boat mate, Katie Cowan of Columbia, Missouri,
(upper right header photo) we were able to land this 48-inch monster on a jig and minnow while
hunting for large walleye. After a 30-minute battle, we were able to get her
tangled in the net and brought on board. Notice I said "tangled". She thrashed
so hard that the net broke and chaos ensued. When all was said and done, we had
her in the boat for a few pics and back in the water to fight another day.
This is
the reason that I love late season fishing. Not only can you land large numbers
of fish but the chances for monsters are always there.
This has been a great
season for trophy fish at almost every camp we have and a very enjoyable first
season for me. I want to thank everyone that I had the pleasure of meeting this
year and look forward to seeing everyone next season.
Cheers,
Joe |
