|
Harold tying flies
Marc's catch on tied fly
 | |
What we are fighting for: for flag and for country
| |
|
Krista's Recipe of the Week: |  | |
Wilderness North
Walleye au Gratin
Ingredients:
1 lb cubed walleye fillets
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/4 cup of milk
1 tsp salt
1 pinch of pepper
1 small onion finely chopped
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375*F and spread walleye over bottom of greased caserole dish.
2. In a heavy sauce pan or cast iron skillet melt butter, gradually stir in flour and mix until smooth. Remove from heat.
3. Gradually stir in half the milk and mix until smooth & shiny.
4.Return to heat and slowly add: the milk, salt & pepper, and onion. Cook while stirring occasionaly until smooth and thick
5. Pour sauce over walleye. Cover with breadcrumbs and grated cheese.
6. Bake in 375*F oven for 15-30 minutes or until sauce bubbles and fish is cooked.
|
|
|
|
"Healing on the Ogoki "... A huge success
After four years of providing "Healing on the Albany", we decided to do something different this year and bring the Project Healing Waters troops to Striker's Point for the large pike. As you will find out in the Striker's Report, changing things up proved to be quite successful. Two of the PHW boys brought home master angler pins to go along with their memorable experience of catching the biggest fish in 5 years of Project Healing Waters events at Wilderness North.
As many of our loyal guests and devoted readers know, catching a 35 - 40in+ northern out at Striker's is quite common. Landing that size fish on a fly rod is a great achievement for any angler, and a big morale booster for those who have given up so much to protect our freedom. If you're an avid fly fisher or new to the sport and want to give it a try, be sure to read Scott Earl-Smith's post this week as he shares some tricks of the trade and tips on how to land a big one like the PHW boys.
On top of some spectacular pike fishing, the PHW troops took full advantage of the surrounding pristine wilderness to connect with one another, regroup, and find the strength within to tackle both physical and psychological issues left over from their years of service. It is the therapeutic nature of the sport that draws many of us to it. Whether it's to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life or to find the peace to deal with more serious matters, fishing is something that can be enjoyed by all and Wilderness North is happy to provide these memorable experiences for years to come...
Our week of "Healing on the Ogoki" ended a great month of fishing throughout July and although we said goodbye to some new friends, we also welcomed the start of the August fly fishing season. The cooler temperatures of August provide a great summer escape for families and anglers looking to get outdoors while the warm waters provide the perfect excuse to try your hand at fly fishing for either northern pike or brook/speckled trout.
August marks the beginning of the transition from summer to fall, and with that comes a slight change in fishing patterns as most of the fish are in their lazy summer state. Northerns are lazily camped out in the weed beds looking for a quick bite or a tasty fly and Walleyes are hunkered down deep in their cold dark holes, rarely venturing out except for food. Brookies or specks, on the other hand, are taking advantage of the quieter waters to fatten up as they move for cooler waters and get ready for their fall spawn. Getting ready for spawning also means that brook trout are in full colour, making for a beautiful catch either on a fly rod or traditional rod & reel combinations.
Congrats to a fresh class of master anglers, thanks to all those who helped make this years Project Healing Waters event so successful and, as always, its nice to hear from you!
Keep in touch, | |
 Alan Cheeseman, President Wilderness North Ontario, Canada
1-888-465-3474 (F-I-S-H)
|
| __________________________________________________________________ |
| __________________________________________________________________ |
|
Reports From the Wilderness
"Healing on the Ogoki" at Striker's Point Lodge
To say that fishing is something to be enjoyed by all is an understatement until you can witness firsthand the magic of a common thread. Not sure if it was meant to shake things up or just a coincidence but there were several boat groups of very diverse people who managed to become fast friends. Mark Snyder's boat for instance matched him up with Marc a French Canadian and Afghanistan vet from Ottawa, and Harold a rancher and Vietnam vet from rural Texas. The most unusual pairing was probably Terry from Newfoundland, Jonathan from Texas, and the two pilots/right wing conservatives. Despite their differences, age gaps, and diverse backgrounds all 15 of the PHW participants formed a close-knit band of brothers out in the wilderness.
Striker's proved to be the perfect setting to enjoy some down time and great fishing which the PHW boys took full advantage of. Although he wasn't able to reel in the big one, Marc caught a 28in pike on his first ever tied fly chalking up a big victory for the novice fly fisher. Team USA rocked the boat in the fishing Olympics. Seamus landed the biggest catch of the week with a 40in pike on a fly rod, but left the photo op to his better looking Pennsylvania brother, Dale, who came close with a 39.5in pike of his own (see header).
Other highlights of the trip included a stoic flag raising ceremony, in which the Americans presented the Canadian group with a brand new flag to replace their old ripped one. Terry's constant comical commentary and the camaraderie shared between fellow brothers in arms helped ensure that fun times were had by all.
| |
| __________________________________________________________________ |
|
Krista's Corner
This week we had the wonderful opportunity of hosting our fifth Project Healing Waters event at Striker's point, and enjoyed spending some time with the Canadian boys on their way back home. Unfortunately we were unable to meet the US crew, but would have loved to. In honour of the Newfoundland boys, I decided this week I would feature a slight twist on a traditional Newfoundland dish. We serve walleye au gratin at our American Plan Lodges as a starter and everyone loves it... Now you will too.
To top off a great meal, chase the fish with a shot of fine Newfoundland screech. Or, if you're looking for something more classy, I suggest pairing it with a lovely Riesling from the Alsace region of France...called Willm. I found its crispness cut through the richness of the au gratin and complemented the fish quite nicely -A definite must when feasting on such a culinary delight.
Stay tuned for next week when Deborah reveals the secrets behind the classic Striker's walleye chowder. | |
Happy Cooking!
Krista |
| __________________________________________________________________ |
|
Scott's Words of Wisdom
Project Healing Waters was again a great success with a number of veterans landing and releasing large pike in the 40in class on a fly rod. For those who don't know a lot about fly fishing, you might think a pike of that size would take forever to land on a fly rod...Not so. Fly rods, reels, and the accompanying gear can be selected to suit whatever size of fish you desire, from minnows to mako's!
Fly fishing for pike is one of the most exciting highlights of the season. Monster pike hide in fully bloomed weed beds waiting for an easy meal. Often these "leg-long" fish will take a small popper fly fished on the surface, and when they do the "takes" are reminiscent of an alligator. Remember to respect the formidable teeth on a gator pike by using a steel bite leader, and a jaw-spreader and long-nose pliers for removing the hook. Like any fish that is being released, don't touch the gills or keep them out of the water longer than you can hold your own breath.
Fly fishing for walleye is in a league of its own, presenting a formidable challenge for anglers wishing to test their skills. In the early spring surface flies work best. As the weather warms up, walleye can also be duped on streamers fished on a sink-tip line, particularly in current where sufficient oxygen exists during the warm summer months.
Brook trout are perhaps the "pièce de résistance" for the fly angler. Both because of their splendid colors and the spectacular places in which they live. I generally use a heavy sink-tip line and a large colorful streamer when pursuing brook trout in the streams and rivers where they are found. When brookies are rising to hatching insects at dawn and dusk I pull out my dry fly box and cast a size 10 Royal Trude or Stimulator. A big brook trout on a dry is as near to heaven as you can get on this earth. As August progresses brook trout display their brilliant spawning colors with orange bellies and bright spots. Handle these trophies with care and limit their time out of the water as you briefly admire these gorgeous fish. Remember that Northern Ontario is one of the few places on this planet where an 18-inch brook trout is considered small. At Wilderness North, we want to keep it that way for our customers and their families - and some day their kid's families.
Tight Lines!
Scott Earl-Smith |
| __________________________________________________________________ |
Ontario Weather - Graham Saunders
August...a transition period
The last two weeks of July are on average the warmest of the summer in the Northwest region. Temperatures were above average this year but were not as hot as they were earlier in July.
Most days last week featured benign weather conditions which made for some great fishing - comfortable temperatures, light winds and the occasional brief showers. Last Sunday proved to be the exception with some moderate to strong winds and some heavy showers. Fortunately, the nasty winds and reported hail on Sunday stayed mainly to the southwest of the Wilderness North sites.
As we move into August, the next seven days look like an opposite of the fair weather last week. Today to early Saturday are likely to have unsettled conditions with occasional showers and temperatures between 20-25ºC (mid 70s). Expect the weather to brake later on Saturday, giving way to mainly sunny skies with warmer temperatures on Sunday and Monday.
Wilderness North Weatherman Graham Saunders teaches weather at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, and writes a weather column for the Thunder Bay Chronicle. |
|
|
|
|
