The maples are turning colors.  Some of the poplars are dropping their leaves. Ferns are slowly turning brown and lying down.  All the flowers are disappearing and the nights are a little chilly. This can only mean that fall is not far off.  The season is definitely winding down and it is bittersweet.   We are holding onto summer in this newsletter which features a terrific trip report!  

We are booking trips for the 2012 season.  All interested parties... please call us ASAP and to discuss your options.

Save the DATE!

After December 1st 2011, rates will rise across the board to accommodate our rising costs.  These rates are still the best around.  To accommodate different budgets, we will have a variety of packages.   Tow boat packages for those who have time constraints or a slight aversion to physical activities; Deluxe Package providing gourmet meals where each client will have their own personal guide. We really encourage anyone that is interested in a 2012 trip to please email or call ASAP.

Trip Report 2011

We had a very successful August: lots of great weather, lots of great fishing and many satisfied clients.

This month we are featuring the McCreedy trip. This was a great trip in the early part of August. It included Shawn McCreedy, his brother Casey and three lifelong friends, Bryan, James and Ryan. Their ages ranged from 21 to 28 years and these guys have much outdoor experience they are avid hunters and fishermen.

When Shawn booked the trip last year, he told me that they could only do a 4 day trip and they really wanted to get into the fish.  Under most circumstances, 4 days is just not enough time to get to the really great fishing areas.  After talking to Shawn he assured me that all in the group were willing and able to do the arduous trip to the fishing grounds in one day. Well, by the time we hit the 2nd portage I knew this was going to be a great trip!  These young men were more than capable of the long trek in and out. Sure, we would only be able to fish for 2 days but as it turned out, we had fantastic weather and the best walleye fishing of the year.

Day 1

Before the day started, I told the men that I would stay out in front of them and force them to paddle hard to keep up so we could reach our goal.  I think there were some doubts about this 49 year old man but soon they would know how serious I was. This day was great with overcast skies mild temps and we were flying across the water and portages.  We made it 22miles by 2pm which was a record.  These men did great!  We were all tired but they had to go out and try to catch some fish.  Their lines weren’t wet for more than a minute when I heard Bryan yell, “Got One!”  He pulled up a nice walleye. They caught a few walleyes, pike and bass.  While sitting around the campfire they all talked about the trek in and exclaimed it was a very tough day.  Ryan looked at me and said I was the Lance Armstrong of paddling…I proudly laughed. James says that I was right to stay out ahead of them because it did give them the push they needed to achieve their goal.  Being very tired we all slept early that night.

Day 2

We woke to an incredible boundary waters sunrise.  The winds were calm and the temps were in the 70’s.  The sky’s overcast grew which made for excellent conditions. Before the day was through we caught about 70 fish: respectable but to my surprise we caught many large walleyes most were almost too large to keep!  Most of the walleyes were over 22” including a 26incher. Shawn caught a 33” northern and Bryan caught a few Smallies between 18 – 19.5 inches. While we were fishing Bryan was my partner and I watched him shaking his head and smiling in the bow every time we caught fish.  I asked him if everything was alright but I already knew the answer he looked back at me and said this was the best fishing he had ever experienced. There is nothing I like better than knowing that the client is having an experience of a lifetime. When we hit the campsite in the evening everyone was very happy with the fishing.  Everyone could not wait for the next morning.

Day 3

 Just like the day before, it was another great day of weather and fishing. We caught many large walleyes and Ryan caught a huge Northern. This day the walleyes were even larger most were between 23 and 25 inches, and many northerns over 30 inches. It seemed we caught fish everywhere along the shoreline and in the middle of the lake it wasn’t fast and furious but every 10 minutes a fish was on. On one paddle across the lake, I had my fishing rod lying across the gunnels while I paddled with about 100 feet of line out.  I was day dreaming looking at the shoreline when all of a sudden my rod flew off the gunnels and smacked me in the chest, I was lucky I didn’t capsize the canoe or lose my rod.  I grabbed it just before it went into the lake. I had a hold of the rod when I knew I had a biggin on!  I brought the fish to the canoe and it was a 25 inch walleye.  We took some photos and let her go. How exciting!

While we sat around the campfire, talking over the days’ events, there was a lot of laughter and bragging.  All were satisfied.

Day 4

We were up early and on the water by 8am like a well oiled machine. We made it out in record time.

A few things about this trip: 
We saw Eagles, ospreys, beavers, otters and the incredible loon. We caught an average of 25 to 30 fish per canoe per day almost all were very nice fish. The total was over 150 fish in 2 days. We ate walleyes everyday.

These young men were in the adventurous frame of mind and hit the water like no others {which always makes my job easier!} They reminded me of my nephews. The same age, the same go-get’m attitude.  I really enjoyed this trip with this great bunch of guys.

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