Hi again everyone. Sorry for the delay in getting some updates out here… Both weeks 4 & 5 were partially interrupted (for me) by a 5 day trip to Chicago to attend Megan’s graduation from Depaul University and then on home for about 36 hours to visit with more family. In case you missed it on Facebook (and I promise this will be the last time I beat my proud papa chest), Megan was named the 2019 DePaul University neuroscience Student of the Year and graduated Summa cum Laude in her field of neuroscience. Obviously we are very proud of her for this incredible achievement and look forward to her continuing to excel as she enrolls in med school. Beyond the commencement and other graduation related festivities, it was good to be home for a few days in the summer and refresh my memory as to what “home” looks like with everything green, in addition to being able to spend a little quality time with Emily, Ben, Allison and Cody. 

Outside of that, it’s been busy here in camp and the fishing has remained outstanding. Daytime temps have been, for the most part, staying in the 60’s and 70’s which has maintained water temps around 65-72 degrees, which in turn has kept the fishing great. No major fluctuations in water levels and temps is always a good recipe for consistently excellent fishing here on Wabaskang. We haven’t had a lot of rain lately, in fact before some showers today, we were at the point where we needed a little. I’m not sure how much we got today in several passing “squalls” but I would guess maybe 3/4″. Lake water levels remain close to what I would call “normal”, which is also nice.

The 2019 season, coming on the heels of an excellent 2018 season, is starting off as one of the very best I can remember in recent history. Plentiful fish of all species (albeit not too many putting much pressure on the perch), outstanding size to many fish being caught this year, and just a general sense of an incredibly healthy fishery overall. Abundant forage, a wide variety of structure and a continued commitment by our guests to release trophy fish continue to make a difference in improving on what has long been regarded as a great fishing lake. 

Mostly repeat guests during the past three weeks but a handful of new bookings mixed in with the overall consensus being quite pleased with the camp, equipment and certainly the great fishing we have been having. 
Always a great feeling sending folks home at weeks end, knowing they thoroughly enjoyed their experience here. As we got into the second half of the month, we also started to see our family groups trickling in with Mom, Dad and kiddos mixing right in with the other die-hard fishermen and women. When families leave and tell you “it was the kids favorite vacation ever”, it sure brings a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart. 

Due to satellite bandwidth restrictions here in camp, I am not posting pictures to the blog anymore, but you can always follow both our Facebook Page and/or join our Bear Claw Wilderness Camp Facebook group to get more daily or weekly updates. While this is starting to get a little long, I won’t go through a detailed recap of the past three weeks (although we are just mid-way thru week 6 now), I will give you a few highlights.

Besides excellent numbers of fish caught during the past few weeks, here are some notable releases:

WALLEYE

Chris Yeager- 24 1/2″,23, 21×3, 20 1/2, 20, 19 1/2×3, 19×2, 18 1/2×2, 18″

David Yeager- 20,19, 18 1/2″x4

Kevin Shephard- 21 1/2″

Ron Bergfeld- 21, 20×2, 19×5, 18 1/2, 18″x2

Neil Yeager- 24 1/2, 21 1/2, 21, 20 1/2×2, 19 1/2, 19×3, 18 1/2″

Dave Shride- 22 1/2″

Bill Weaver- 29 1/2″

Andy Weaver- 23 3/4″

Cody Weaver- 26″

Dave Leas- 22″

Warren Tester- 25, 24, 23″

Stan Tikkanen- 25, 25, 24″

Brent Tikkanen- 23, 23, 22″

Ben- 23, 23, 22″

Brett Tester- 23, 23, 22″

Matt Tester- 24, 24, 23″

Don Schmidt- 25, 23″

Mike Mancl- 23 1/2, 23″

John Kaufert- 181/2″

Dan Young- 18″

Brenda M.- 24, 21, 20″

Steve Stauter- 24, 21×3, 20″

Sam G.- 19 1/2,19″

Karen Stauter- 19″

NORTHERN

Ron Bergfeld- 38 1/2″

Larry Kepler 38, 38″

Don Schmidt- 31″

Chris Pickler- 30″

Looking forward to week 7 of the season as the second “third” of 2019 gets underway!