The season that wasn't...

Greetings to all; 

    Unfortunately, this finds me writing the "wilderness" blog in markedly less wild Minnesota (although the downtown area seems to be trending the other direction when current events are taken into account). The change of locales has come about because the final nail is in the coffin for our 2020 season with the most recent extension of the U.S. / Canada border closure, continuing the ban on pleasure travel until at least late September. 

    With that news breaking and running out of materials for improvements and AVGAS to keep the plane in the air, it was time to button up the camps for the season. 

    While it is always a little bit of a somber affair, it was a particular downer to be winterizing everything when the season is still in its prime and so many of you were holding out hope to join us. This situation is obviously out of everyone's hands, but my sincere thanks to all our guests that tried so hard to make Big Hook a reality this year. It'll be even better next!  

FISH FRY! Can taste it now...

     Pat, Maria, and I made the best of it, however, and got lots and lots done with what we had on hand at the camps. I made a few flights down to Red Lake too, racking up some credit card miles in addition to the air miles at the hardware stores and marinas. Everything should be in tip top shape for next year's opening.  

    COVID kept employee party more subdued than normal too. The pilots, nurses, and teachers from Sandy Lake, generations of whom have all been regular participants going back to Tom's freewheeling era and then Nathan's college years, are not allowed out of Sandy Lake right now. Most reservations up north are totally closed to outsiders currently. I was allowed to land at Sandy once to get fuel, but had to remain on the dock. This was doubly frustrating since I could see the stacks of lumber, siding, flooring, etc... we brought up the winter road. It's also understandable, however - it would be very bad if COVID got into any of these small, remote communities. 

A new window and kitchen updates at SW

   We got in a little fishing too! We found lots and lots of walleye grouped up around the 15' mark all around Central. The entrance to the narrows north of the asteroid field provided particularly fast action on a mission to clear / check out the north portage. Maria and I were throwing jigs and twister tails - and having the most luck with 3/8 oz in white and pink. Pat deployed a size 6 hammered gold Panther Martin with good success too. 

Dock repairs and a new boat ramp at Burnt Lake

    

    

    Pat also pulled out his fly rod in search of some northern. He never tied into any oversized models, but did have great success with numbers using streamer and mouse patterns. I was lucky to catch the big northern of the party day (and the season) while walleye fishing with the aforementioned white and pink jig setup. 

 

Gunner for scale.

    

We had lots of pool parties (dock swims) to cool off after some long days working and a handful of fish fries that were as good as ever. We also got to try out the newly crafted log benches around the fire ring outside the big cabin at Main Camp. They should act as excellent pulpits for spinning fish tales for many seasons to come. 

Employee Pool Party

   

 Other exciting happenings since my last update include a lynx sighting while clearing out the South Portage and a fire scare for the town of Red Lake (the town had to be evacuated, but thankfully everything is now under control). 

  While this season (or the lack thereof) was obviously a let down, it has been incredibly heartening to be in regular contact with so many of you that hold Big Hook near and dear. I've gotten to hear all sorts of great stories from years past and we've made lots of plans for trips and memories to come. The countdown to the 2021 season has certainly begun.

    To celebrate all the good times (and round out this year's holiday card since 2020 photos will be lacking) I'd like to invite you to share a picture or memory from a trip to Big Hook. You can post pics to our Facebook page, tag us on instagram (@bighookcamps), or email them to me (ryan@bighookcamps.com). Stories to the same or in the comments below. I can't wait to see and hear what you've got. 

    Thanks so much to all of you, Ryan 

Thanks Maria and Pat for all your help. 
Looking forward to next year!