Our Ontario Walleye Opener was absolutely fantastic at Woman River Camp! We have had an abnormally warm spring up here in Northwestern, Ontario Canada. No snow on the opener like last year. Instead temperatures were above 20C/ 70F all week long with a few days breaking 30C / 80F!
I made it out for a couple hours on opening day. Caught enough for a great shorelunch! But definitely didn’t get into them like the guests. With such an early spring, I figure our season is about 3 weeks ahead of schedule. All week long all you had to do was cast to the edge of the old pencil reeds with a crankbait and give it a rip. Oh yeah the windy side of the lake was the best. Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and some Lake Trout were all whacking the crank. Mainly Rapala Husky Jerks but most floating or suspending baits worked. At the end of the week, a group of four anglers, 2 kept count and two didn’t. Figured they had boated over 600 Walleye with 65% of them larger than 18 inches. In fact Donna had enough gumption to complain about the Walleye because she loves catching Northern Pike.
The largest fish of the week were 26″ Walleye, 42″ Northern Pike, a monster 21 1/2 inch Smallmouth and a 28″ Lake Trout.
Tom the guide was out this afternoon and boated 50 Walleye in about 3 hours. On a windy little bay some other anglers had fished earlier. 6 ft of water and surface temperature was busting 68 F. Mud flats are the place to be!
Travel Info
The local Natives in Fort Frances have erected a toll booth on Hwy 11. East of the causeway. I have been informed they are charging a toll of $1.00 to support their cause?? There was also some culverts being replaced on Hwy 502. Not sure if that is slowing traffic down. Two bridges have traffic lights on them for single lane use. One is on Hwy 17 between Dryden and Vermillion Bay and the other not far north on Hwy 105.
In Camp
I cut the lawn on friday for the first time. Trees all have leaves. Nice big Black Bear at the dump tonight. Cabin 7 received new beds and a new propane stove. Cabin 6’s bathroom is being renovated this week. Hope I am finished by Saturday!
My parents and Uncle George are up visiting. The have put some fresh paint on tables, Cabin 4, the moose sign by the road and rebuilt the cart for the dock. Gotta love -em!
Speaking of roads. Watch out for the odd heave on the South Bay Road. Especially between Snakeweed and camp.
The Boater Checklist has been taking me about 10 minutes a person so we may try something new this upcoming week.
Hoping for some rain so I can get caught up on some paperwork! We are also under a fire restriction for those of you who like an open fire for shorelunch. You will have to use the propane cookers on the lake.
Tight Lines!
Moss
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