Summer greetings from Jim and Julie’s Wabaskang Camp. I’m a bit behind writing my weekly updates but it’s been a crazy few weeks with replacing utility poles here in camp, fine-tuning the leveling of the lodge, replacing siding on the lodge, building a deck, and currently in the process of redoing the lodge kitchen. We are still experiencing cooler than normal temperatures and damp conditions but not huge amounts of rain. The lake level is still very good and no issues at the dock or boat launch.
Walleye fishing was great for trophy fish the week of 6/13-6/20 which is the fifth week of our season. The walleyes are staying shallow and are eager to snap up a jig and minnow/crawler combination or soft plastics. Still very little weed growth so the fish are holding in the small patches that are finally starting to thicken up. Ann Peterson, Blake Lammers, Eli Gerber, Chris Hand, Dave Wollard, and crusty Ron Peterson all released a walleye of 27” or better, the biggest being Ron’s 29 1/2” beauty. Too bad so sad for Ron because his trophy wasn’t quite big enough to win the coveted free hat because fishing phenom Reid Lammers was in camp, he released walleyes of 27”, 27 1/2”, 2 x 27 3/4”, 2 x 28”, 29 3/4” and a monster 30 1/4” trophy walleye. His fish were caught mainly on plastics and or a jig and crawler combination.
Northern fishing took a backseat to the walleye fishing this week, but we did see a few giant pike being caught and released. Most of the monsters were in shallow water roaming the sparse weed edges looking to chump down on an unsuspecting walleye or perch. Dan and Bob Howard came all the way from Missouri to be our guest, and Bob makes his own casting baits, Bob released a 37” pike and Dan released a 38” beauty. Randy Narbatovics released his personal best this week, a chunky 36” fish he was so excited to tell us about. The big pike of the week was released by once again the fishing phenom Reid Lammers, his 40” brute was easily the biggest of the week and crushed the competition.
Bass fishing was superb this week with most fish being caught on plastics and crank baits. The bass are not on their beds but are roaming the shallows and gobbling up anything that comes their way. Once again Bob Howard impressed us with the number of big bass he released this week, his biggest being a an impressive 19” brute. The biggest bass of the week and a hat winner was caught and released by Les Jones, he came all the way from Texas to be our guest and even brought an electric blanket when he saw the forecast of mid 40’s for temperatures at night, he didn’t bother to turn the heat on in his sleeping cabin since his blankie kept him toasty warm but brother Michael didn’t have an electric blanket so he had to manage his best to stay warm. Les released his 19 1/4” bass and is took his winning hat back home to Texas.
Remember to try and bring me a copy of your fishing license that we can have on file if the MNR wants to see them, also make sure everyone in your group understands all walleyes 18” and over must be released and all northern over 27 1/2” have to be returned to the lake, no exceptions so take pictures and release the trophies and keep the smaller fish to have an enjoyable fish fry. The Whiskey Jack Restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday and have the best barbecue along with other great menu items to choose from so maybe let Laura and Graham cook dinner for you a few times, after all you are on vacation. You can get your fishing license at Clark’s in Vermilion Bay or at Dutchies General Store here in Perrault Falls, both places also sell food, beverages, and souvenirs.
That’s all for the week 5 report, this is Jim from Wabaskang.
