Whirlwind...

July?... what happened to May and June?...

To say that the start to our 2027 season has been a whirlwind would be an understatement.

A harsh winter and slow-to-warm spring led the ice to linger at camp far longer than normal, and far, far longer than myself and our first week guests would have liked.

Finally enough open water to land!

In a typical year, the ice gives way to open water in the first or second week of May. We usually plan to arrive on May 15 and that gives up a solid week or more before our first guests arrive.

Not this year.

Lots of back and forths with groups who were supposed to be our opening week guests finally led to forced cancellations for the whole week of 5/24 – 5/31.  

Maria was making daily flights over camp and we finally got a window on Wednesday, 5/27 when there was enough open water in front of camp to get ourselves in.

A Superior Airways Otter was only a few hours behind us. But, in the meantime, ice to the south had drifted into our “runway” and required me to deploy our ice breaker: the SS. 1986 Lund Garbage Boat.

The strategy worked, and Maria, myself, and new pilot, Paul, along with 2000 lbs of supplies were all in camp by late afternoon on 5/27.

Easy enough to tip them back up, the door 
repairs were another story...

The next week’s guests were all still green lit for a Sunday flight in. This left us with 4 camps to open in 3.5 days.

The openings, albeit rushed, were otherwise unremarkable. Things weathered the winter in good fashion. There was just one exception: Apparently a bear decided to forage in the cabin at Southwest for a final meal before his winter’s nap late last fall, or broke in in a fit of rage and hunger pangs early this spring, and got into arguments with several items in the cabin in his journey. He ripped out every screen in the building, knocked over and ripped the doors off the fridges and freezers, then chewed through aerosol cans of bug repellent and oven cleaner. Thankfully those must not have tasted great and he left what was remaining of the cabin alone.

Lake levels were incredibly high to start the season. Obviously water temps were COLD.

Everything fishing behavior-wise has seemed to be about 10-14 days behind "normal" . Guests through about June 12 were finding still milting / egg laden and then post-spawn walleyes. The action was a little slow as the fish had other things in mind, but those wrapped up with the spawn congregated near any moving water in great numbers, as the high water swept down all sorts of forage. Some big pike were found co-mingling with the walleye and some whitefish too. 

To be fair and descript: the Big Hook definition of "a little slow" was 2419 fish for a group of 6 June 7 - 14. But that is down from their recent trips here. 

Contrary to what one might expect, many early season guests were saying fish were most responsive to BIGGER presentations. Using 4-5” tails was secret for some.

A few notable lures that produced: last week’s group at West Lake caught a 44” pike on the trusty yellow and red “5 of Diamonds”. A group previous to them at West boated a 27” walleye on a slightly modified, and no longer produced lime green Erie Dearie. And a mid-June group at South boated 20walleyes over 26” all on 1/4oz jigs tailed with Powerbait Ripple Shads.

As of writing the fish seem to be finally catching up, grouping up, and moving to humps and submerged boulders.

Weeds and grasses are beginning to develop, but still fairly stunted for early July.

Mayflies are yet to make and appearance, but mosquitos sure have. Guests with an upcoming trip are urged to take any and all mosquito measures possible.

We’re so excited to be in the full swing of things up here and settle in a little (finally).

A happy Canada Day to all those north of the border and happy 4^th of July for all of those south!

Good times and good fishing to everyone, R.