It remains brutally dry here in NW Ontario, with another 20 fires reported just the other day alone, bringing the active fire total to 140 in the Northwest Region. Most of the activity is well north of us, so when the winds shift from the N or any variation thereof, we are seeing lots of smoke. We continue to be in desperate need of rain and hope we start getting some soon.

Smoke on the water the evening of August 2

On a brighter note, perhaps the smoke has made it easier for guests to “sneek up” on the fish, as fishing continues to be excellent for all species. First timers, veterans, pro’s, novice it really hasn’t mattered. Even the perch, which some guests have struggled to find, were no match for Norm’s crew as they got about 130 of them in two days when they weren’t limiting out on walleye that is. Here is a picture of the smaller days catch.

Persistence pays off!

August and September, if at all like the norm, should continue to provide some excellent multi species fishing with bigger walleye becoming more common again too. That trend seems on the rise also, as many guests have released walleyes 20-25″ in the past couple of weeks.

We will begin our bear baiting soon for our first hunters this year that will be arriving September 3rd. With all the heat this year I realize more than ever why we don’t start our hunts until September. With it being so warm and dry this year the blueberry crop is very thin and that should lead to a very productive bear hunting season for us this year.

I can also tell that July is over as the big smallmouth that were hanging under the docks all month have now seemed to move on. It sure is fun catching and releasing these hogs while it lasts. I will leave you with a picture of Allison with one of the last one’s caught before they moved on.

Allison Peffley with one of many smallmouth she caught this summer from the docks

Until next time, good fishing!