Fishing this week has been great across the board, as many of our guests reported plentiful catches and big numbers for both walleye and pike. Several of our guests took advantage of our outpost camps, Dawn and Zig Zag, and braved a "few" mosquitos to enjoy the pristine boreal wilderness. Zachary Colvin was the best angler of the two groups, landing a 27in walleye (header picture) in the shallow waters at Zig Zag trolling a Lindy Rig with a live worm. For all of the groups out this week, casting with Rapalas seemed to be the most effective method for reeling in trophy fish.
Makokibatan Is Leading the Standings For Master Anglers
Despite the random weather, ranging from really hot to stormy and cool, the Nemec group from Wisconsin and Minnesota thought that the fishing at Makok was excellent. The group covered a lot of water as they fished the reefs and bays of "walleye ally", the river, "the cut", and the mouth of the "back lake". They worked water depths ranging from 20-24ft and kept their rods full of action all day; the average length of walleye was 22 to 23 inches. The group used their own combination of jigs, chartreuse and orange minnows, lazy eyes, spinner bait, and doctor spoons to catch their fish. All six anglers earned master angler pins, catching a combined total of 16 trophy sized walleye.......WOW! Congratulations to all! Nina caught a 29in, Doug caught 6 ranging from 26-28in, Rob got three ranging from 26-29 in, John caught three as well with one at 27in, and two at 26in, Tom caught a 26in and Ron caught two 26in.
The Gentile group from Montreal and Costa Rica, also had a great time fishing and managed to catch two trophy walleye in the shallower waters by the reef. Fishing with jigs; white, yellow, orange, and black spoons; and mepps lures in 10-15 ft of water our master anglers Danny and Oissan caught a 27 in and a 26.5 in walleye. Makok takes the trophy walleye record once again!
Beginner's Luck And Great Stories Out At Mojikit
Boyce and Alma have outdone themselves again as they hosted the Januszewski group. After struggling a short while at the usual honey holes near the channel and around moose crossing, the Januszewski group headed towards the coves along the Ogoki reservoir near the Waboose Dam and had a great time catching pike and walleye cast after cast. The largest walleye caught was 24 in. The group also spent a lot of time on the left shoreline from the channel to moose crossing. It was here that first time guest Del caught the largest Pike of the trip measuring 38 in (side bar picture),
-beginner's luck maybe?
Although there were no master anglers in this group, the friends had a great time at Mojikit as group leader Dan J recounts:
One of my more unusual fishing experiences occurred this time out: A pike broke my partner's line right at the boat and got away with his lure. A few casts later and that same pike went after my line. As I reeled it in and up into the boat, I realized I had actually got my lure tangled with the lure that was in the fish's mouth. Sure enough once the pike was in the boat, my partner, Mike K, asked for his lure back!!!!
McCabe & McConnell Land Again At Miminiska Lodge
For almost 20 years, Jim McCabe and Pat McConnell have been coming to Miminiska Lodge with several friends from their home town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Jim, Pat, and their friends Bob Wolf "Wolfie" & Ralph Schaetz landed their own twin engine Cessna 340 on our 2500 foot grass strip amidst the bright sunshine and clear skies. Shortly after unpacking, the group was off to enjoy the bounty of the natural walleye fishery carrying all the fixings for a daily shore lunch.
As the McCabe party soon discovered, fishing in July is a bit different as the walleye hide amongst the deeper reefs and shoals found in Miminiska Lake. However, the search for the perfect spot is well worth it. The average walleye at Miminiska has grown from 15-17" to 20-23" in just a few years making for some great fishing. Exploring their favourite spots, trolling with blue or yellow jointed Rapalas, and stopping to jig for a bit proved to be a very successful pattern for Jim and his friends.
Back at the lodge, we were all in for a treat when Ralph (a butcher) and Wolfie (a visiting chef ) took over filleting the fish and cooking up a feast for a dinner and brunch that was second to none. Though no master anglers were recorded on their trip, these fellows enjoyed themselves immensely and were truly "master guests". We look forward to seeing them again next year.
