While the springtime fishing on Wabaskang is almost always strong and steady, there just seems to always be something about week 2 that really stands out about just how great the fishing is. Despite being battered the second half of the week with rain, hail and high winds our guests persevered and were rewarded mightily with some fantastic catches. I mean you know it’s good when you’re out fishing and you find a stringer of 3 walleyes floating on top of the water still alive and realize that the fourth walleye on the stringer has been swallowed by a 40″ northern! I can’t make this stuff up and it’s just another reminder that even though I think I’ve heard it all here that I haven’t!
It didn’t seem to matter what species our guests most wanted to catch, they were all on fire and provided both great numbers of fish and some BIG fish also. Rick Pitchford caught and released a 46″ northern and a 43″ northern within three casts of each other. He had another 43″ northern later in the week. In total the four of them had 30+ pike over 34″ for the week. It wasn’t just the pike however that felt their wrath, the big smallies were also pounded on as they roamed the flats waiting for the water to warm to spawning temps, and although not “walleye” guys they easily caught enough for shore lunch every day.
How about Pete and Orion? The normal party of six they are with that in most years will catch 1000-1400 walleyes during the week, was whittled this year to just the two of them for various reasons. Despite this just being their 2nd year as part of the “group”, they managed to catch 614 fish for the week, including 437 walleyes. Not bad for rookies, eh? Just ask these guys if minnows produce fish here!
The veteran Pete’s group was also in camp as usual and his party with one “newbie” also slayed the walleyes, smallies and northern. Proving that the non-bait guys can boat a heck of a lot of fish too, these guys always put fish in the boat with plastic and this year was no exception.
We had one new group in this week and they got it figured out pretty quickly too with many reports of really good fishing and some pictures with lots of smiles and big fish too.
The second pizza night of the season was another huge success and a great change of pace from camp fish fry’s since everyone is already eating a lot of fish in camp anyway. Chris’s banana bread desert has been a pretty popular treat after a heap of pizza. Great camaraderie, plenty of fish stories (aka lies lol) and just a great time pulling the camp together for some fun off the water. We hope to be able to continue this going forward.
As far as water levels, we are still at flood stage. The good news (for now) is the lake has stopped rising and has actually gone down 2-3″ in the last week! HOOOORAYYYY! We won’t know the full extent of damage until the water fully recedes, but for now we are happy that the “work arounds” we have in place are holding up and we are able to continue operating.
In case you don’t follow us on Facebook, please try to . It is our easiest and most expeditious way of communicating in mass with our guests about pertinent information about matters that WILL impact your trip. Poultry bans, live bait bans, detours etc. Things you need to know.
Week 3 is underway, weather is beautiful and life is good. Fish coming to the net and smiles all around.
Until next time, fish on!