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Record Pike - A Sure Sign of Fall
....by Alan Cheeseman
As I have watched our seasons unfold over the years, there
is one pattern that you can take to the bank. Big fish trigger autumn. Or is it the other way? Fish biologists tell us that it is the
combination of shorter days and cooler water temps. Sometimes I think it is the
opening up of schools in US. Anyway, it seems to happen about or just after
August 20 every year. And this past week was no exception. Jeff Allen from
Minocqua, Wisconsin was this year's lucky angler. His 50.5 inch pike caught on
a Eppingers red and white Daredevle  up on big Whitewater Lake, proves the point. Our
podcast with Jeff unveils not one, but two Master Angler Pike stories from Jeff's
first ever fly in trip to Canada. In the chat, he tells us that he was "geared
up" for a big fish being a Muskie angler...but oh what a fight. His second
fish - the 41 inch northern - was caught on 6# test line, no leader, and a jig
and minnow for bait. Listen in to learn from this Master Angler. Oh, did I tell you, his big pike was the first catch of
his trip, with less that 30 minutes in the boat? So, is it luck or skill? I
think the answer is - both. I have always believed that good luck happens when
opportunity meets preparation, and Jeff was prepared. Plus we all have a tendency
to slow down when fishing in strange fishing water and he did just that. The
slow deep pattern proved the winning strategy.  Like most good sportsman, Jeff quickly got his picture,
and returned both big girls to the water - thus earning his Master Angler
Trophy pins. Plus we will register his catches with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters...and who knows - come January 1, Jeff could be named Big
Pike Master Angler of Year. Keep in touch Click Here for e-mail. Thanks Malcom Yarnan - Jasper MO for the header photo this week.
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This Week - A New Pike Record at Whitewater Lake
...by Ryan Lacey
Hello from Striker's Point Lodge.
We've had another great week here on Whitewater Lake. The
Allen group of five from Oconomowoc, Verona, Greendale, and Minocqua Wisconsin, and Chesterfield, Missouri joined us
for their first time fly in fishing trip.
On his first day, and first fish of the
day, skilled angler Jeff Allen hooked into a big fish. Trolling down river near
the "grassy island" across from the Bay Of Pigs with a 3-inch Daredevle
spoon. The big northern pike had a lot of fight, running multiple times, the
drag screaming until Jeff raised the monster pike from the depths and could not
believe his eyes. Once netted  the pike measured in at a whopping
50.5 inches. This is our season's best - so far - and is in the lead for
biggest northern in Ontario. But Fall is the time for our big, summer fed Northerns to get into their pre-winter feeding frenzy - and look out. As if that wasn't enough, two days later
I had the pleasure of taking the guys up to the narrows and while jigging for
walleye, Jeff Allen again hooked into a big pike - on 6 lb test line, and a
straight jig - he pulled in a 41-inch northern. These anglers had quite a week,
and this fly in trip was above and beyond their highest expectations.
We had a great time with Steve Kandrac from Wayland, Massachusetts and friend Russ De Donno from Willoughby Hill, Ohio who arrived for their first time trip to
Striker's Point. These pike fishermen ventured into all areas of the lake,
fishing back bays, rocky shorelines and around islands. They managed to find
some pike, a lot of "hammer handles" - and few nice 30-inch size pikes. They
enjoyed the boreal forest's scenery of northern Ontario. They fished hard during the days and
kicked back at night. Hope to see you again guys!
Rod Oilschlager and five friends from Oshkosh, Wisconsin flew in direct from Thunder
Bay for a return trip to big Whitewater Lake. These guys got numerous walleye,
mostly in the 18-22-inch size and few fat 24-inch walleye as well. Fishing around
the main lake islands as well as the "narrows" worked out very well
for them. They had great fishing at "The Newfie Hole" and some awesome
wildlife viewing including two friendly eagles.
Again, we all enjoyed our week with all our guests, and hope to see them all
here once again at Strike'rs Point Lodge.
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 Strong Winds Can't Stop Master Angler Results
...by Meryl and Bernard Carroll
Hello from the the Albany River's Makokibatan Lodge and outpost cabin.
We had a very windy start to our past week, in fact the
first two days our guests stayed in camp for safety reasons. Four foot swells -
well - are not that swell.
The Dufford Party of four from Karns City, Pennsylvania wasted no time
in catching up for lost time once back on the lake. Jeremy Finchum, of McMinniville, Tennessee
of the group, visited Makok with his two uncles and grandpa and was the Master
Walleye Angler of the group with two trophy walleyes: 27 1/4 and 27-inches caught while trolling a worm harness.
James Ratliff from West Milton, Ohio, and Matt Bailey from Sand
Lake, Michigan had a wonderful trip. Native guide Issac Nate gave them a memory they
will never forget down river, where everyone caught brookies and enjoyed the
wonderful shore lunch prepared by Issac.
Now that school has started
guest parties are fewer in number but we're here through mid September. With
fewer guests in camp, we are concentrating on projects. For example, low water
and big ice took its toll on our dock last winter so we are in the process of getting
it all level again. It looks good and with more stable rock bunkers should hold
off Ole Man Winter. (Fingers crossed.) We are also thinning out the ever invasive
brush around the camp perimeters, and we are painting the outpost cabin.
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Fly Guys Land Planes and Lunkers
...by Tristan Yuswak
Hello from the 51st Parallel and Miminiska Lodge.
The
smell of high octane aviation gas filled the air, repeated calls of prop-clear
and the growl of aircraft engines was to be heard loud and clear. It felt like
the flight deck of the USS Kittyhawk, but it was our own airstrip as the Midwest
Squadron took flight. Their mission was to make it back to the US of A, with
their bellies full of delicious shore lunch walleye and their minds full of
great memories; this was a trip they all knew would not be their last.
The Midwest Flyers Magazine Squadron made their annual Canadian fishing fly out this past week. Led by squadron leader, Dave Weiman, of Oregon, Wisconsin, the nine aircraft made their way into Canada from all over the Midwest USA.
They arrived to a warm welcome from our staff. It was great to see familiar faces once again. Upon arrival, they hit the lodge dining hall for some food and then hit the water for some fishing. The cold weather caused a little bump with a small catch in the afternoon, but the next few days brought on a fishing bonanza. Fish and stories were flying everywhere as, once again the bar rang with the sound of bloody good people having a bloody good time. (A phrase to be annually reserved for when the squadron is in town.) Some of the quotes flying around were "best ever Canadian fishing trip." Cannot wait for their arrival next year.
The Sarick family of seven from Toronto was back again for their annual trip. The boys were here to fish and with the three Nate brothers as their First Nation expert guides, they really cracked into them early on. Their winning streak continued and they fishing themselves to exhaustion every day. On the final night, Micah Zionce, 14, brought in a 41-inch pike with a top water orange frog lure to take the Sarick Annual Trophy, which has become a new fixture here at Miminiska Lodge.
Hoo-roo.
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Autumn = Big Lures - Big Fish
by Joe Pichey - Outdoor Specialist
We are starting to gear up for our final big push of the
season as we usually do in late August. As I have told many
guests, this is my favorite time of the season to pursue giant trophy
fish. The weather is typically a little more stable and the bugs begin to
disappear. (Don't hold me to this statement if it turns out to be 100%
false when you arrive!) Among many things I have noticed in recent years regarding
late season fishing in Canada is that the fish get bigger and go deeper. While we don't typically see the huge daily numbers that are present in
June, we do see more big fish. I'll never forget a conversation that
I had with Alan about 5 years ago while I was still a guest and looking for a
new outpost to try. He told me that we will see a larger percentage of
trophy fish come from the end of August thru the middle of September than any
other time of the season. This does not mean that we will have more
trophy fish than in June. However
it does mean that a greater percentage of guests will record Master Angler fish.
We see about 50% of our guests come thru in June (we are very impatient as
fisherman), but the guys that can wait a little longer (or just come up for a
second visit) are often rewarded with 45-inch plus northern or a 30-inch
walleye. In short our odds are better Don't be afraid to bring some big baits with you. The 5-inch hollow
bell  ied swim baits are big this time of the season. The walleye really do
gobble them up as well as ol' Ms.Toothy. The Mepps Syclops -top photo- is also a
great spoon to throw. It has some weight to it and can get down
deep. (Electric Blue is my favorite color.) Another lure that I am
starting to see more and more of is the Michigan Special. The Storm Lure company's Hot - N -
Tot - bottom photo. This deep diving walleye killer has the wobble that
they can't resist. Make sure and pick up a few before you hit the road
north. The Vozza group from Sparta, New Jersey came equipped with
the standard jigs and spoons and ventured into Arril for the first time. The guys had a great time, but had to battle the dreaded cold front. As
we all know, this can slow the action down a bit. They still had a great
time and made some new friends and are already looking forward to coming
back. See you soon guys. As I write this report, from the comforts of Miminiska Lodge, I look at the
"Friends" board located behind the Mim bar and count the pictures of smiling
faces that have come through this season. It reminds me of all the new
friends we have made in 2010 and the many old friends with whom we have renewed
fond memories. This truly is
a special place! As always, I look forward to hearing from you. Send me an email.
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 Cool Down...Cloud Up...Maybe Some Rain. Here Comes Autumn.
...by Graham Saunders
A high-pressure ridge
defined weather conditions late last week and over the weekend. Record-breaking
temperatures in the mid-90s F were recorded on Monday in the Albany watershed.
Oddly enough, cooler conditions (about 80) were common in more "southerly"
locations such as Armstrong, Nakina and Thunder Bay.
A pair of cold fronts yesterday brought brisk winds and
temperatures of around 70; about average for this time of the year. Today will
feature showers and then clearing. Seasonal temperatures and occasional
afternoon showers are likely in the next days.
Over the coming weekend
southerly wind flow and temperatures in the mid-70s F and considerable sunshine
are expected. This high is unlikely to persist, with a return to seasonal
temperatures following early next week.
Wilderness North Weatherman Graham Saunders teaches weather at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, and writes a weather column for the Thunder Bay Chronicle.
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