Hi again everyone. Week three brought us a little bit of everything weather wise, some rain, some sun, some cool temps and some heat… Overall, a very pleasant week in camp. We aren’t quite ready to put the “Tropical Tahiti” in the water yet, but I was tempted when weeks end temps were reaching near 90 here. Water temps rose several degrees from the mid to upper 50’s to the low to mid 60’s keeping the bite very active. This is especially true for the smallmouth bite which really picked up as more fish started showing up on the beds or in there vicinity, making for some great smallmouth fishing during the week. Easy take home limits for everyone and lots of released fish.
The walleye bite remains very good. Still best this week was a very slow presentation and minnows fished in shallow water less than 10 feet. The spots in Mean Lake that have been so productive the first two weeks, remained excellent and some of the spots south of camp on the big lake started to produce fish more consistently. Week four is off to a great start also. Despite about 4″ of rain starting late Saturday, overnight and continuing Sunday morning the walleye action has been excellent so far.
We had a couple of “second timers” in camp last week and both did well fishing Wabaskang and one of the groups on two trips fishing Lost Lake. Another veteran group of Canadian fishermen who hadn’t been to Wabaskang in 37 years made a return trip with 3 regulars and two “newbies” including Braden the 14 year old who was quickly named “Kingfisher” as he immediately started out fishing the “old timers”. Way to go Braden! These guys had a great time, and we thoroughly enjoyed having them in camp.
Chris Winkler was a new guest this year who told me: “I’ve wanted to do a bear hunt since I was 12 years old”. About 38 years later, he made it a reality. By weeks end, after spending MANY hours in his stand, Chris (a veteran deer hunter) concluded “that was the most intense hunt I’ve ever experienced”. This bear came in on his stand, spooked and bolted only to return soon thereafter. Heartbroken when it “spooked”, then elated when it returned and presented a shot. He got his bear and a big boar it was, measuring 7′ 2″ and estimated weight around 350 pounds, although carrying it out of the woods at 1 a.m it felt more like 1,350 pounds! His buddy Joe, and son Wyatt were there for all the action as well and despite not getting in as much fishing for Chris as they had hoped, it was still productive including Chris’s 24 1/2″ walleye.
Stan and Diane from Pella, Ia were back in camp this year and enjoyed an outstanding week of fishing. It’s always a pleasure to see them and catch up on things.
Bob, Sandy, Bonnie and Charlie were here too. 29 years now for Bob. For those of you who know Bob, I don’t have to tell you about his week of fishing. It’s a given, Bob catches a lot of fish. They have become such good friends, and have been so very supportive of me and the camp. I am grateful to spend the week in camp with them, their stories, our laughs and their friendship.
Finally, I have to mention another family that means so much to me. The Wise’s were here with their three beautiful daughters Audrey, Annie and Abby and of course Canadian fishing and Bear Claw Camp veteran Grandpa Bob. Both commercial airline pilots, Matt and Jennifer (Mom and Dad), thoroughly enjoy the slower pace of camp, the serenity, scenery and certainly the fishing. We enjoyed a great campfire night, roasting s’mores, telling stories and enjoying the evening. As far as those three girls… they have become my surrogate daughters when my own 3 can’t be in camp. They are the sweetest young ladies to be around and every moment in camp with them is special. Good luck to Audrey and congratulations after being accepted to med school at Oklahoma State during the week here! I miss the Christmas lights in Cabin 8 already which is a tradition of theirs…can’t wait to see them again next year and HOPEFULLY with a reunion with the Henry family, another favorite of mine!
Well that’s it for week 3, season 14 for me and our guests is shaping up to be a great one. More great times lie ahead! Follow along with pictures and more stories on our Facebook page.