Summer greetings from Jim and Julie’s Wabaskang Camp. Week number 10 has come and gone so let’s chat about what went on. The weather has warmed up considerably with highs reaching the mid-eighties many days. We are still seeing plenty of rain, almost two inches in the past few days. The fishing has been very slow for the eater sized walleyes, our guests are catching trophy sized fish in deeper water but the smaller fish that are buried down below the weeds are tough to fish for. I’m confident the hordes of the smaller “keeper” sized fish will start moving to weed edges and rock piles soon since the bug hatch, we have seen since early July is finally coming to an end and the walleyes will once again move into areas where the baitfish are plentiful and they will be easier to find and catch. Most of our guests used a jig and minnow combination all week and did catch some very nice fish but not the usual high numbers of smaller walleyes we usually see. Sue Mincks released a 26 1/2” walleye she caught while trolling over deep water using a Sandcat lure while she was northern fishing, Shelly Robison released a beautiful 27 1/2” walleye she caught up in Aerobus Bay. Jeff Brunscheon caught and released a chunky 28 1/2” walleye he caught while jig fishing some deep humps on Big Wabby. The biggest walleye and hat winner of the week was caught by fishing phenom Bently Behnke, his 29 3/4” trophy is still swimming around out there and maybe another fisherman will get to experience the catch of a lifetime, great job Bently I know it is hard to catch big fish when dad Ryan is driving the boat.
Our northern fishing has made up for the poor walleye angling right now. Big stick baits and large spinner baits worked well along with spoons and crank baits. Most of the big pike are roaming the deep edges of the thick weed lines but some of our trophies this week were also caught trolling large stick baits over deep open water in and around schools of baitfish. Bill Mincks loves trolling deep open water areas and caught two 36” northern, a 35” northern, and a beautiful 39” brute, he released all his fish after a quick picture. Tim Murphy loves to cast for big pike and his best this week was a modest 35 1/2” pike which he released. Larry Ellis came all the way from California to catch and release a chunky 37 1/2” trophy northern. Kurt Behnke released a chunky 35 1/2” and a beautiful 39” northern this week. The big winner this week was once again the fishing phenom Bently Behnke, he released a trophy 39” northern that he caught in the same stick bait that he caught his giant walleye on, it was a bait that i gave him last season and I’m sure it will be his “go to” bait for years to come. I should mention that Bently is only 11 years old and has already made his dad Ryan look like a real novice compared to his son, Ryan’s best this week was a pair of 33 1/2” northern that most people catch from the dock, keep trying Ryan and maybe Bently will let you wear one of the two hats he won this week.
Bass fishing was decent this week with some real giants being caught and released. Top water baits worked well in calm mornings but a simple jig and minnow or worm also caught plenty of fish. Many of our guests enjoyed a meal of smallmouth bass since they were struggling catching the walleyes. Jeff Brunscheon released a chunky 18” bass but the big winner of the week was Bill Mincks, be released a trophy 19” bass to take home a free hat.
Blueberry picking is starting now so if you are coming up maybe plan a day to pick. Remember to have your personal boats clean and dry, the live wells and bait wells should be rinsed with a mild bleach solution to eliminate any chance of importing invasive species to Ontario waters. Double check to be sure your boat plug is out as well. We don’t issue licenses here so if you don’t get them on line from home you can stop just up the road at Dutchies General Store for your license and any groceries, souvenirs, and your beverage needs. The Whiskey Jack Restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday so plan to enjoy a meal with Laura and Graham during the week, they have air conditioning and a full bar as well for you to enjoy on those lazy hot afternoons. I’m getting along better each day; I was up in the lodge roof yesterday patching a few leaky spots so I’m well on my way to a full recovery. That’s all for now this is Jim from Wabaskang.
