Maybe we should…

After our update email the other day we received several opinions regarding the way things are going with all the new regulations and requirements.  Welcome to our brave new world where too many politicians have jerking knees and too many bureaucrats in windowless offices try to justify their existence.  And I suppose it doesn’t matter in which country you live, this phenomenon has become an international problem.  (my rant for the day)

The new  Boat Operator competency requirement has spawned quite a few comments.  The best however was from one of our long time May fishermen.  He writes: 

“Thankfully a fishing competency certificate is not required ;)

Looking forward to seeing you and the crew in late May.

Best,  JH”

Well Jeff, I look forward to seeing you and the guys in a few weeks, and now you have me thinking…  this is an interesting concept... 

a fishing competency certificate...   

The Beaver is back!

A sure sign that we are beginning our season is having aircraft at the dock.  The other day we launched the 206 (it was in Ignace for the winter) and today Randy and I flew to Nestor Falls to fetch the Beaver.  I pulled rank on Randy and flew the Beaver back to Ignace.  It is great to be back in the saddle.  Next week we will do our annual training and then  start to get camps ready.  We’ll also go to Nestor Falls to bring the Otter home for the summer.  The Otter is getting a rebuilt engine installed and it will be ready early next week.

Karen was camera ready at the point for the first landing of the year.  Sorry but there was no bounce.

Early Spring

It is only April 22 and it feels like it should be late May.  We’ve had ice out for over 2 weeks, it is comfortable to work outside in a t-shirt and the first mosquitoes have made their presence known.  There is something about the first batch of mosquitoes that doesn’t seem right.  They are almost as big as our Cessna but don’t make quite as much noise.  If it wasn’t for acute peripheral vision they could easily sneak up on me.  Of course even as large as they are it still takes more than one to knock me over.

Getting to the business at hand, I encourage you to get your reels oiled and line changed in anticipation of some great fishing this summer.  We still have a few openings for June and some great later summer dates available if you feel the need for a second trip or  if you’ve been putting off booking your annual Ignace Outposts trip.

Karen is quilting this weekend so I will be holding the fort and answering the phone.

I plan to send out a spring newsletter next week so if you are not on our mailing list and wish to receive the update – it will have some good info about planning your 2010 trip – please visit our web site at www.ignaceoutposts.com and sign up for the newsletter.  It is free and easy.  And there is no spam.

10 Commandments

I sure you’ve seen them before, tho’ not likely in a public place. 

Here are Ignace Outposts’ 10 commandments:

 

There’s just one God and He comes before fishing.

Don’t worship that trophy hanging on the wall. It’s dead.

Watch what you say when that 25 lb Seseganaga northern breaks your line, brand new rod and net - even if it is not your fault.

Take a day every week to rest and perhaps a week or so every year to fish at Ignace Outposts.

Take your Mom and/or Dad fishing – you know where.

No killing; practice catch and release, except for a few small ones to eat.

No fooling around with your buddy’s wife even if he is fishing at Metionga or other great Ignace lake without you.

No taking another man’s fillet knife when he’s not looking.

No telling fish tales or exaggerating about what you or anybody else caught on an Ignace Outpost fly-in. There is no need.

No wishing your boat mate’s tackle box was your own. There are lots of lures in his box that don’t work either.

Ice Out 2010

Last night April 6, 2010 ice went out on Agimak Lake.  This is as early as I’ve seen and according to area oldtimers as early as it has ever been.  Maybe I can get in a little open water fishing before walleye closes.  Check out my post from April 8 last year on what I was doing a year ago today.  Click here

It is amazing how things are different from year to year.  We take nothing for granted around here.

Amazing Spring

As I type this post, the ice is going out on our lake.  This is the earliest ice out since we’ve been in Ignace.  Normal ice out is early May so we are about a month ahead of schedule.  Walleye season opens on May 15 this year.  If you haven’t booked a May fishing trip for a while because of late ice, give us a call and we can get you set up for opener or the week after.  We still have some openings for this time frame.  Why not beat the rush and get onto some of that awesome spring northern, trout and walleye fishing you used to brag about. 

Time flies

29 years ago today, I was teaching flying in Thunder Bay.  I was with a student in the practice area working on spins or other fun stuff when the Thunder Bay tower radioed and informed me that Karen was in labour and perhaps I should tend to family duties.  I did.  A few hours later Krista was making her presence in this world known with a few cries and lots of smiles.  We are still smiling and wish our eldest a happy birthday.  Time flies when you are having fun.