This picture was taken at Metionga Lake and there is no better lake in my opinion for walleye unless you include Flindt Lake, Seseganaga Lake, Kawaweogamama Lake, Tri Lake and Hilltop Lake.
Legend has it that there is gold at the end of the rainbow. I guess in a way it is true.
For those who don’t speak French, the French word for walleye is “doré” and “doré” also happens to be the French word for golden.
Simple logic dictates then that there certainly is gold at the end of the rainbow.
Loons are most likely seen out in the water fishing. Sometimes they are spotted in the air and rarely on land. This guy is hiding near the waters edge.
It really pays to have your camera ready and your eyes peeled for these types of interesting shots.
I have mentioned about how moose re-grow their antlers each summer. Moose will drop or loose their antlers during the winter. Sometimes a sharp eye will spot the cast-off antlers on the shore or inland from the lake. These make interesting souvenirs.
These ones where likely dropped last winter and as is often the case, both sides fell off near the same time. Sometime a moose will wander for a while with just one antler.
You will notice in the picture that the antlers look a little chewed up. Many small creatures from porcupines to mice will chew these cast-offs for a great source of calcium. Nature has it own methods of recycling. Nothing goes to waste.
I don’t know why some guys sit in the cabin when the lake is calm and the sun is high. In fact many don’t even consider a summer trip because there is misconception that walleye don’t bite in the summer.
How wrong can you be. Our waters stay cold the the walleye like to eat. What more can I say.
Book your Ignace Outposts trip for 2010 soon. July and August are great months!
We are not sure of his name. He answers to Ralph, Pete, Woody, and “here Boy”. What ever his handle he greets many guests at Flindt Lake.
The wildlife viewing and photo ops are amazing at our remote lakes. Fishing is always great; catching is an added bonus and seeing animals in their own environment is priceless.
Walleye by the light of the moon.
Some people go a little crazy with a full moon. Some walleye do too!
“Once again I can not express in words what a great time we had and how great of an operation you run. Makes one feel like we are part of the family when we come up for a visit!! Fishing being as great as it is does not hurt either. Just wanted to share some of the pictures. The Walleye(23") was caught not 50 yds from the cabin and released. Thanks again for the wonderful "Father and Son Vacation."
Eric R. Meek
Eric and his son Connor spent a week on Flindt Lake in early August. I have mentioned many times before, don’t miss the chance to take your son (or daughter) fishing. Ten, 15 or 20 years down the road, these are the memories that will mean something. You will not even think about that extra day you worked nor the few dollars it cost. Ignace Outposts is the premier Canadian destination for this type of trip. Now is a great time to start thinking about 2010.
Everybody has to live somewhere. If your address is Metionga Lake Northwestern Ontario, your home may look like this.
Eagles take a lot of pride in their abodes. Nothing like a penthouse suite with a view.
A couple of days ago I wrote about a walleye pigging out on a burbot and then taking a jig as well. This northern decided he wanted lunch more than the fisherman. Northern don’t fish for sport so we see this type of action often. It is a thrill to be bringing up a nice walleye and then all of a sudden have it pulled back the other way with more than a little vigor.
Even with a small walleye on the line it is best to hang on to your rod… you never know!
Fresh fish makes one of the best meals possible at the lake. Everybody is a chef at an outpost camp. Invent your own breading, or try a prepared breading. Any way you cook it, no one will complain and accolades will flow your way.
Many days this summer even the birds preferred to walk. Yesterday was just that type of weather.
At least it wasn’t snowing.
This walleye took a temping jig, while he still had not finished his last meal. The walleye at Ignace Outposts are voracious. It is hard to believe that having a partly digested burbot (ling) still hanging out of his mouth is not enough for lunch.
We often see Northern Pike with suckers or walleye from their last meal still present and often have northern take a walleye when it hooked and being reeled in.
Metionga Lake keeps offering up these whopper walleye. The numbers of walleye are nothing to ignore either. Of course big fish like these are put back and smaller ones are kept to eat.
Adrian Brusky will attest to the walleye fishing on Metionga Lake. Try it yourself.
Today is my mother’s birthday. I guess I shouldn’t say how old.
She may not swing a hammer like she used to but even I must admit she is rather active and spry for three quarters of a century… oops.
Happy Birthday Ma!
This Metionga Lake moose has growing antlers that are still covered in velvet. In a matter of weeks, the moose will rub the velvet off and prepare for the mating season.
Moose are great swimmers so it is not uncommon to see them in the water.
Every year we see many groups in the 10 to 12 man range. The Healy/Loftus group from Minnesota numbered 13 making them our largest group for 2009. They go to Seseganaga Lake yearly and have more fun than should be allowed.
This year’s trip was a little unusual in that weather delays kept 3 of the 13 in Ignace for 2 extra nights. Not to worry however, the delayed fishermen made up for the delay with awesome fishing while in camp.
See you next year guys.
“Good afternoon Brad.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed this past week at your Sesaganaga outpost. As always this lake produces big numbers and big fish. One goal I have for every trip is to catch a 20+lb Northern and I am happy to report again this year I achieved my goal (although in the best interest of the fish, I did not take an exact measurement this year but believe it was ~45”). Year after year there is this one particular bay that continues to produce big fish. Two years ago I caught a 45” on my first cast into this bay but this year it was the last cast produced the results. Over the past few years we have caught and released 5 fish all 44” or larger out of this same bay. I hope that our catch and release tactics have something to do with this. Of course the Walleye fishing was very strong with numerous fish in the 22” to 25.5” range.
I also want to extend my appreciation for how accommodating, knowledgeable and helpful Joe was throughout the trip. Many times he went above and beyond to help us out. He certainly adds to the experience! Please pass along our gratitude to Joe.
Oh and the blood on the fish is mine not his.
You guys run a top notch camp and I hope to see you again next year.”
-Tom
No need to dress for dinner at Metionga Lake or any of our other outposts.
Formal cocktail hour aside, many groups do have some semblance of a dress code.
If you do choose no dress, we don’t really need any photos to prove your daring.
Many year ago, in the late 80’s we began a program of “Catch and Consume” in regard to our fisheries. Our goal then was to preserve the fisheries under our stewardship for generations to come. We were one of the first outfitters to implement such a program of only killing fish we would eat and returning all trophies to the water unharmed.
Beginning in 1990 and for several years afterward, we rewarded our guests with a patch for their part in helping our conservation efforts.
A long time guest sent this photo and a note indicating how he has seen the fisheries improve on our outpost lakes over the years. We appreciate the efforts of our guests and are pleased to do our part in conservation of our precious natural resources.
Conservation is the future of our industry.
The jobs at an outpost camp are always best shared. Working together is better than having one person do all the work.
While Karen is cleaning up some dishes, Bill is preparing his world famous Ceasar salad.
Once the prep and work part is done, everyone can sit down and enjoy the meal and evening with good conversation and a few laughs.
Last fall I wrote about Ed Pierce from Wisc who completed his 30th fishing adventure with us since we arrived in 1985. Last month his brother Jim completed his 30th too!
Jim writes:
“This was my 30th trip to Metionga lake and each year the fish get healthier and consistently bigger by weight. It was great to see you guys and I am already looking forward to next year.” jim
Great to see you too Jim. See you next season.
Phil and Andy sent the following note.
“We caught several 25” walleyes this year. Not extreme monsters but always a nice tussle on the end of your line.”
Having the odd large northern latch on to your line makes a good fight too. I think their smiles say it all. They spent a week on Seseganaga Lake in June.
On Thurs evening Karen and I managed to escape to Flindt Lake with my cousin Bill and his wife Dawn from Las Vegas. Bill and Dawn were in the area to visit Bill’s dad and to attend Bill Sr.’s 80th birthday party.
Of course, a walleye fish fry was in order and in short order a few walleye were made to order in the frying pan.
Getting a camp ready for guests is always a pleasure when a few extra minutes are available for product development.
Atlanta is a long way from Seseganaga Lake but as Phil reports from his annual trip, these lakers are worth the travel.
“Here is the second Laker I caught. It is a twin of the first…about a half inch difference. ~ 33” each. I caught them both inside of 10 minutes of each other on our last day on the lake. Fish on steroids! Wow what a fight. I was shaking like a leaf after these two guys were in the boat. The water was very high this year in June but our party still managed to catch lots of fish and among them we boated a very large northern 40s, several very nice 25” walleye and these two 33” Lakers. Another great trip. Thanks.” Phil