Another week has passed us by here at Jim and Julie’s Wabaskang Camp. The ninth week of our season was a week filled with hot temperatures, windy days, thunder storms, and decent fishing. The walleye fishing has continued to be solid with great catches of average sized fish and a few trophies as well. Most of our guests were trolling spinner rigs tipped with a minnow, the best depth to fish was 10’ to 14’ along the weed lines. Craig Mericle was in camp again this week and as usual he set the bar on day one when he released a 23” walleye, Matt Howard found time between watching movies to release a 23 1/2” walleye Craig’s son little Johnny jumped into the lead on day three when he released a chunky 24” walleye, hold on their sonny boy, Craig once again impressed the masses here at camp when he caught and released a gigantic 29” walleye, hat goes to Craig, to bad so sad for Johnny. Northern fishing remains steady but still not to the level we should be seeing by now. The weeds are not as thick or lush as they are on normal years and it is making the task of finding the decent sized northern tough. The best lure was spinner baits in a white or green color, stick baits like Sandcats or Reef Hogs, and of course tube baits and spoons. Jace Mericle comes from a family of “forever trying “fishermen, he caught a chunky 22” northern to take an early lead in camp but papa Jon Mericle came along and crushed his sons dreams of winning a hat when he proudly announced he had released a 29” northern, Luke Howard didn’t get to spend more than a few days in camp this season but he made the most of his time when he released a 29” northern. Phil Turnquist is slowly but steadily getting the hang of Canadian fishing, this week he caught and released a nice 32” northern, keep your chin up Phil, bigger and better things are just around the corner. Old Timer Larry Dorenkamp almost always is the man to beat in camp and this week was no exception, he caught and released a 36 1/2” northern while trolling a crank bait in 24’ of water on the big lake, great job Larry! Bass fishing was slower this week but we did see some nice fish caught. Veronica Wolfe caught a chunky 15 1/2” bass, Matt Howard released a 17” brute as did Phil Turnquist, Phil’s fish was good enough to win him a free hat and bragging rights all the way home. Next week my brother returns to camp so I’m sure there will be plenty of news to report. We still are waiting for our licensing equipment to arrive so we won’t be able to issue any licenses again this week, please get them on-line before you leave home or stop and get them on your way to camp, Dutchies General Store is only 2 miles up the road from my driveway, Rikki can fix you up with a license and she also has everything you might need in the way of groceries, beverages, souvenirs, tackle and bait, gas and diesel. Give her a call and she can have everything ready and waiting for you if you are looking to save time shopping. Her number is 807-529-6556. The Whiskey Jack Restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, the restaurant is less than a half mile north of my driveway and they serve great meals and numerous cold beverages, give them a call if fresh homemade pizza is in your plans, they make the best. Well next week looks cooler and maybe finally some wet weather is also on the way, for now this is Jim from Wabaskang.
