Ice-out 2012: Agimak Lake, Ignace Ontario

The effect of an unusually warm and early spring was captured in a series of photos taken (with an iPhone) of Ignace Airways seaplane base around 9 am each morning between March 14 and April 4, 2012.
Official ice-out was March 27th. The earliest on record was April 6th!

Not a bad double header

Joey, our dock hand this summer, found a few moments to fish with his wife this past week. Without revealing his “super secret spot” (locals are like that), here is a glimpse of a double header they caught. Our pilot Rob took the picture and verifies the awesome fish.

All I can say is that Ignace is the place to fish.

A step back in Time

I’ve been asked several times to post about some of the history of Ignace Airways and Ignace Outposts.  Here is one of hopefully many trips down memory lane. 

When we arrived in Ignace 24 years ago, we were not only welcomed by some the best fishing in the country but we also inherited an unique piece of history.  This little vehicle was affectionately called “doc buggy”.  It’s life mission was to transport gear from the parking lot to the aircraft.  It was a cut off 1965 Ford Econoline Pickup truck.  It was not a van - never was. 

According to local lore, it was purchased new by a previous owner of Ignace Airways and met up with a moose on the highway shortly after being purchased.  Of course it did not fair well in the collision.  Rather than scrap the buggy, the cab was cut off and it became a great convenience to move gear up and down the dock.  The back end could carry as much as an Otter and it was low enough to fit under the wing of a Cessna. 

We kept the little buggy going for about 10 years (til the mid 90s) when after about a 30 year career it was retired.

Many of our long time guests fondly remember loading their gear into “Doc Buggy” before and after their trip to one of our fine fishing lakes. 

“Doc Buggy” may be retired but it's role in providing assistance to our fisher and hunter guests is still almost legendary.

Winter is upon us

This morning my call is "the lake is frozen." Winter is here. Nov 12 is about a week late for our ice in, but we have also seen ice coming and going in the fall up to late Nov. There are little patches of water still open but not enough this morning to find a path across the lake.



Things are quiet this time of year in the yard but we still have lots to do.



This is the first year we've not done our own winter aircraft maintenance.






Not ready for the sleds yet but we'll soon be in that inevitable winter deep freeze.

We drove from Kenora yesterday and many of the little lakes on the side of the highway were frozen so I knew Agimak Lake was not far off.

Life in the bush

About a week ago while pruning my Mock Orange bush, I discovered a nest right under my bedroom window. A quick peak inside the nest revealed at least two tiny fuzzy chicks. I set about capturing the development of the chicks from my bedroom window. Here are some of the images caught in the past few days.

Mamma on the nest July 13

Hungry little guys July 14th

growing fast! July 17th

Mayfly for lunch July 18th

Karen

Why not Ignace Outposts?

Walleye and northern are featured in each of our lakes except Gamble Lake where the smallmouth fishing is world class. Some other lakes boast lake trout and smallmouth bass too! Essentially we have some of the best remote fishing in Canada suited to walleye, northern, lake trout or smallmouth fishermen. Our camps feature deluxe accommodations with running hot and cold water, showers, and solar lighting. Each location is unique. Our carefully chosen lakes range from large (Seseganaga) to small (Tri). Some lakes offer great portaging and exploring opportunities, while others are well protected and solitary. Flindt (in the Wabikimi Park) and Tri lakes each have only one cabin.

Fifteen cabins on nine lakes ensure Ignace Outposts can offer something for everyone. Our company is owner-operated and our staff has been chosen to best exemplify the friendliness and courtesy, which is known as our Canadian tradition of hospitality. Safety concerning your fly-in trip is a top priority with us and you can rest assured our pilots are skilled professionals. Our own maintenance staff keeps our aircraft in top-notch condition, exceeding Transport Canada regulations. Boats and motors are kept in top shape with spare motors available at each camp in the event of unforeseen break down.

Seseganaga and Metionga Lakes each have a full time camp attendant on site. The other cabins offer more solitude. As well, we do make regular check fights. You can be remote and alone yet not completely cut off from the outside world. Each cabin is equipped with all dishes, pots, pans, fridge, stove, BBQ, etc . . . , all you need to bring is your food and personal gear, bedding, towels and fishing gear.

Over the years, we've realized that fishing is fishing and weather is weather. We can do little to control these. However, service, facilities, and equipment we can control. You'll find this is where we differentiate ourselves from other fly-ins. Breathtaking views, great accommodations, good equipment, and, of course, quality wilderness fishing await your visit.

Please check our web site for current news and rates. www.ignaceoutposts.com

New Trueisms

I would like to thank one of our guests and readers for sending me these new trueisms of modern life.

Enjoy!

1. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak.

2. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

3. He, who laughs last, thinks slowest.

4. A day without sunshine is like ... night.

5. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day long drinking beer.

6. It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world from end-to-end, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them.

7. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool

8. The new 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% chance you'll get it wrong.

9. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.

10.The Ignace Ontario area has some of the finest fishing in Canada. If you want a fly in trip which will give memories that will last a life time, Ignace Outposts will provide that trip.

To catch trophies as well as great quantity, or to just relax and enjoy nature give Brad or Karen at Ignace Outposts a call at 807-934-2273. Visit our site at www.ignaceoutposts.com

What happened to Spring?

Just when we thought spring was well on the way we woke up today (Sat April 26) to a major winter storm. Some areas in Northwestern Ontario have received over 30 cm (1 foot) of snow over the last 24 hours. In Ignace we ended up with mostly freezing rain and now it is snowing and drifting. With temps forecast to be lower than normal, we may be looking at ice out being delayed.

I guess we can only grin and bear it while we wait for break up...

In spite of the snow happening at the moment, we know open water and great fishing is just around the corner. If you are thinking about a Canadian Fishing trip this summer, give me a call at 807-934-2273 and we will get you set up at Ignace Outposts. See our web site for more details.