Hello to all! It’s time to start blogging again as the 2016 opener is now under 10 days away. I left Indiana on Monday morning May 9th and made it into camp about 4 pm on Tuesday May 10th. Driving through NW Ontario, you could see that while lake levels looked pretty decent, the landscape itself was very dry. I had heard before leaving home that there were a number of fires in NW Ontario already and after assessing the conditions here I can see why. In fact, the day before I left home, the MNR called to inform us that the area is under a fire restriction and there are to be no open fires until notified otherwise. Shore lunches are permitted provided you use a portable stove, so if you are in an early week of the season before the ban is lifted, please be aware if you intend to shore lunch it must be done with no open flame. Rain and cooler temps are in the forecast so that should help (in fact its raining here now).

The lake level is in excellent shape, with average to slightly above, water levels. No issues there to start the year! Another thing to consider for the trip this year, is that as of right now, Indiana remains the only state still on the banned list for importing poultry, including raw eggs into Canada. You can check the latest on the Avian related ban here: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/travellers/restriction-on-imports/eng/1421341696172/1421341727507

Now for some more positive news! Camp looks to have wintered very well overall. Even the permanent dock, including the mooring area for the big Crestliners, seems to have fared the winter very well. Despite the relatively warm spring and early ice out (about May 1), there is still a lot of frost in the ground under some of the cabins and buildings so the “settling” process will still continue for a number of weeks. No damage from the beavers taking trees down this year! Always a plus…

Gas prices are still looking pretty good both in the US and here in Canada, with gas just a little over $1.00 per litre here. The US dollar remains as strong as we have seen for a few years and continues to hover around $1.30 Canadian.

No major issues in camp so far, water is in the lodge and I will probably finish with water to all the cabins tomorrow. Sure felt good to take a hot shower today after the first night in camp without water! Mel and Karen are supposed to arrive in the area on Friday and Milissa will make it up shortly after school is out for the kids around June 1.

Won’t be long till the fishing reports and photos are rolling in…