Ontario Fishing Report
July 6, 2011
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Greetings From Thunder Bay:
It's summer in Ontario and the weather proves it. We are having very warm days with lots of sunshine.  We know many of our US friends are sweltering in the July heat wave, so 86 is not all that hot by comparison, however, it sure feels hot here. This "summer" weather pattern, has definitely affected the angling. It seems the fish the are deep, and the larger Walleye are all a "little lazy" even up at our trophy Walleye hottest destination - Makokibatan Lodge. While angling at our outposts is good, with lots of fish being caught, the very big Pike and Walleye are a little ellusive. In just two days, the US and Canadian soldiers elected to be this year's guests will arrive here in Thunder Bay, and move right up to the Albany River's Miminiska Lodge, for the fourth consecutive year. We are always excited to welcome them here to the cool boreal forest as part of Project Healing Waters our designated charity. Here is a special shout out to Ed Newby, a retired captain with American Airlines, who has faithfully coordinated the reception and second leg of flying to Thunder Bay from the Chicago area using his own planes and flying talent. He is a true patriot, and it will be good to see Ed again. Out hightlight destination this week is Musgrave Lake outpost cabin. This solar powered exceptionally clean cabin is every angler's dream come true, if it's a complete solitary experience they are seeking. To help you learn more, our PODCAST is a chat with Mel Mathews from Michigan, (photos on right), who explains how guests at Musgrave actually have the advantage of two lakes for the price of one. To listen CLICK HERE. Keep in touch...email is easiest...click here.
Alan Alan Cheeseman
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News from Striker's Point Lodge
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Oh My What a Pike !
This past Holiday week at Striker's Point Lodge. produced both good times and a great Master Angler Pike. Robert Glenn of Nixa, Missouri, caught and released a 47-inch trophy Northern Pike - and a fat one at that - off the southern point of the island just before Burnt Island. He and son Shane fished hard while they were here. It was caught on June 28th in the evening, (photo on right.) Robert was jigging for Walleye in 15-ft of water when he hooked into the lunker. He had a 3/8 oz white jig with a sucker minnow on. He only had 6lb test on his rod and it took 45 minutes to land. Congrats, Robert! We also welcomed the "the Unofficial Mayor of Striker's Point Lodge," Par Shiree from Michigan and his group for their first trip of the year. Par visits our lodge three times a year, and has done so for the past two decades. We also welcomed the Southard Party from Texas, the Gilman party from California and the Dombrowski's from Ripon, Wisconsin. Fishing was good, but the winds made it challenging some days. The Dombrowski's were collecting their Grand Prize as our guests, since they were the winners of the Angler Young Angler Championship in 2009. Congrats to this great family from Wisconsin. The weather continues to be hot and muggy. We had a couple of rain showers, but nothing significant for a long while. First Nation Guide, Peter Nate tells me that there is a fire in the area as he can see (and smell) the smoke. Over the last couple of days, I have seen signs of the mayfly hatch. We celebrated Canada Day (July 1st) with a staff fishing afternoon and shore lunch up river. (Photo on right.) Peter filleted and cooked the fish, Luke cooked potatoes and Krista (on the left) was on the Newfie portion of the meal, the toutons (fried newfie bread) . We ended the day with a firework celebration. |
News From Makokibatan Lodge
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Better Weather - Better Fishing
This past week was Holiday week up here on the Albany River at Makokibatan Lodge,
Our most recent weather, compared to last week's stormy, windy conditions, was very summery, including a mayfly hatch. And the fishing was good as well.
The Scherer group from Ohio, were definitely avid fisherman. They got out every day with one of our Native guides, Joe Misewace, who did not disappoint, helping them land lots of Walleye over 23 inches and plenty of nice sized Pike. Cody Griffin from Circleville, Ohio reeled in the only Master Angler of the week for the group, a nice 26-inch Walleye. Cody got the Walleye on a jig with Gulp Alive leech.
The Crum party from Perry, Ohio - a grandpa Dick - and grandsons - Andrew and Ryan - were aided by another one of our First Nation guides, Andrew Misewace, and were all over the Walleye - all week long. They seemed to have troubles landing a fish under 24 inches. Young Ryan Crum, (see photo on right) was a very excited 10 year old with the nice 27 ½-inch Walleye he caught on a trusty Erie Deery spinner. Congrats to Dick, for teaching those grand kids there is more to life than facebook and video games.
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Graham Saunders Weather Ahead
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The Summer Winds - Look out!
 The holiday weekend featured weather variety. Sunshine and warm temperatures in the 80s were tempered by moderate to strong afternoon winds and some showers. Forest fire danger continued to be high to extreme in the region. Forecast Today will be mainly sunny, then more cloud and scattered showers and thunderstorms associated with a weak cold front. Afternoon temperature will reach the mid 70s F (24 C), average for this time of the summer. In the following days, expect a mix of sun and more cloud as the week continues. Scattered showers are possible, especially on Friday and Saturday. Temperatures will be 70 to 78 F (21 to 26 C) most days, normal for this time of the summer. 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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PHW Countdown
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Tomorrow evening, soldiers who have been wounded in battle will arrive in Thunder Bay for a little peace and quiet as our guests for our annual "Salute to Soldiers" event.
Ten U.S. and Canadian military men who have been injured while defending our nations, will climb into our float planes with fly rods in hand, and enjoy the natural beauty of Ontario's Boreal Forest.
To learn more click here, and if you can make a financial contribution to the event, please click here.
Project Healing Waters- is our way of saying THANKS to those who serve.
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Striker's Point
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Makok Photo
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 | Ryan's Trophy Walleye |
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Worth 1000 Words |
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.
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