This week at Striker's Point Lodge we had several groups come and go. The first part of the week, we had some wind and rain, forcing our anglers to stay put a bit. It's all part of the majestic beauty of the 21,000 acre Whitewater Lake.

The Davidson Brothers from Richmond Virginia, guided by Peter Nate had a nice trip down the first set of rapids, east of the lodge, where Whitewater Lake becomes the Ogoki River again. The boys from Virginia caught lots of fish and we are looking forward to seeing them when they return in the fall. Annette and Vince Eckman, from Minnesota also had a great trip fishing and cruising the lake checking out the wildlife. They were a great couple to have in camp.  

Surprisingly enough, after our run of bad weather, the last five days have been gorgeous. We've had highs in the high 70s and up into the mid to high 80s and no rain.  The Williams Group from Owatonna, Minnesota came up with their friends the Ackermans. As a graduation present, the Ackermans brought their grandson, Dan, who was always hurrying them along wanting more time out on the lake. This group caught and released three 23-inch Walleyes. We were also joined by the Hoffman/Morgan party. Scott and John enjoyed their days on the lake, as well as their rueben sandwiches.  

 

We saw average Walleye size in the 18-22 inch range and some Pike were caught that were in the mid thirties range. Some popular producing areas included the island to the south of the lodge and up the river- about 1.5 miles to the east of the lodge. Popular lure colours this week were golds, oranges, pinks and yellows.  

 

No trophies were caught and released this week, but an honourable mention was caught and released by Bruce Williams-congrats on your 35 ½ inch Pike!

Big Walleye trophy fishing continued this week at Makokibatan Lodge on the Albany River.  Daniel Shupah, of the Gildea Group, of Kalamazoo, Michigan snagged a 28-inch Walleye on a jig with a minnow. Derek Formsma of Mishawaka, Indiana got a 28.5 incher also on a jig with a minnow. We also had the Janis Group from Michigan who were a great bunch of guys and seemed to have no trouble finding the big fish. Charlie Janis from Traverse City, Michigan landed a 27.5-inch Walleye on a jig with Gulp Leach . Bob Polakovich of Grand Rapids reeled in a 26.5 inch Walleye on a jig with Gulp Leech . Jon Polakovich from Connecticut got a nice 26.5-inch Walleye on a jig with Gulp Silver Minnow. Justin Erickson of San Javan, Puerto Rico netted a 27-inch Walleye also with a jig and Gulp Minnow.

 

We also welcomed the Anderson's from the Chicago area. Tim Anderson landed a 26-inch Walleye on a jig with a leech. At our outpost we had the Tacia Group who got some extremely nice fish. Tom Tacia Jr. of Big Rapids nabbed a 27-inch Walleye on a Bomber. John Chaput from Traverse City, Michigan hooked a 27.5-inch Walleye, Gary Hegler of Harrison Township, Michigan netted a 26 and a 27.5-inch Walleye, Tom Tacia Sr. of Big Rapids, Michigan caught a nice 27-inch Walleye  all on a Bomber. Jeff Warner also from Big Rapids, Michigan nailed by a monster 29-inch Walleye on Bomber as well.  

 

The good fishing and solid supply of big fish is right where it needs to be here at Makok. And the weather is perfect.

The last week featured a weather see-saw between summer - spring and then summer in the most recent days. Some very cool days, including several frosty mornings in Armstrong, muted by bright sunshine through the day. The return to warmth on the weekend featured temperatures around 80 F (27 C) and a little warmer yesterday.

  
Forecast:

Southern areas that include Armstrong, Geraldton and Nakina can expect mainly sunny days in the coming week with temperatures of 72 to 80 F (22 to 27 C) Brief and scattered showers are likely today and Thursday.

Locations on the Albany River, including Miminiska Lodge and Makokibatan Lodge more cloud cover is likely with daytime temperatures of 70 to 77 F (21 to 25 C). Brief and scattered showers are likely today, Thursday and Friday.

The photos above prove the point. A picture IS worth a thousand words.

 

We love it when guests share their photos with us. You can send them in an e-mail. Click Here to start the e-mail.

 

There are a few rules. All trophy fish pictures should be of the fish in a horizontal format. Our belief in "catch and release," has taught us that the highest survival rate for fish is the result of  carefully landed fish and for fish that are always handled on a horizontal plane.

 

Take the photo with the sun over the shoulder of the photographer, shining on the angler and the fish. And leave plenty of space around the angler and the fish, making cropping for our use that much more successful.

 

Then carefully release the fish into the lake or stream, so that it can swim off. Keep the fish out of the water for a very short time...just enough time to get the photo.

 

If you plan to have a trophy for your den, take the photo to a taxidermist (we can send you a brochure on a company we really like) and they will create a beautiful replica for you, painting the details from your photo on your trophy mount.