Assigning the jobs

Every group should have some kind of leader.  This applies to groups a small as 2 right on up to the size of a country.  Determining a group leader can be as simple as marrying one, enduring a drawn out election every four years or as may happen when no one is happy , instigating a revolt.  How a group is lead is up the the group, but I do suggest the leader of the pack looks back once in a while to see if anyone is still behind him.

In camp, assigning jobs is vital to the moral and happiness of the group.  Having everyone standing around wondering who is going to do what usually ends up in some things not getting done and more than a few pointing fingers and blame to spare.

One of the the jobs that needs “a volunteer assigned” is fish offal disposal.  In the event you haven’t heard that term before, offal is a nice way of saying fish guts.  Once fish are filleted, it is good camp practise as well as smart critter control (read bear avoidance) to empty the fish offal bucket across the bay or lake for the animals to consume away from camp.  Smelly fish remains can attract a host of undesirable visitors. 

Putting the offal up on shore ensure that nature’s garbage cleaners have a good chance at removing every trace.  Burying it or dumping it in the lake produces many unwanted consequences. 

A thank you note

Ignace Air and Ouposts

October 5, 2009

Hello Brad and Karen,

Just a note to say thank you.

Our trip into Metionga this year was again exceptional. Your hospitality and friendship are deeply appreciated by our annual fly in gang. This as you know was our 6^th annual visit to one of your outposts and we are looking forward to our 7^th annual trip to Metionga Lake next July. We have now visited 4 of your outpost lakes all of which are superb but we prefer Metionga because we feel it best serves our needs for excellent fishing, great boats and motors and fine accommodations. We also appreciate the hospitality of your caretaker, John and his sidekick (dog) Hercules. He is without a doubt a great storyteller, knowledgeable, and not afraid to divulge some of the fantastic fishing areas on Metionga. “We are sure that they are all secret spots”. He is always available if we have needs and makes sure he checks in regularly to ensure everything is OK.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Stan, Evan, Irwin, Doug, Rob and Alan

Summer over?

Last week, basically the last several weeks since the beginning of Sept, we've had beautiful weather. That ended yesterday. We had a large low pressure system go by which caused high winds and lots of rain.
A cold front has followed. The temperatures have dropped to freezing and at the moment we are waiting for the ice to melt off the wings and the snow to stop. Yes it is snowing!
The joys of life in the north. We love snow in the winter, as a matter of fact we love having 4 distinct seasons, but the transition of seasons is always interesting.

Something else to do

On an Ignace Outposts fly-in vacation, fishing is often the primary objective. 

There are other things to do too.

A little exploration adds some variety to just catching 100’s of fish.

Nature’s Vacuum Cleaners

It doesn't take long for a few seagulls to make short work of a pile of fish offal.  At all our camps we have a designated spot for dumping fish guts – and only fish guts.  Seagulls, eagles, martin, mink, turkey vultures, and who knows what else will feast until the remains no longer remain.

Letting the animals finish off the guts as opposed to dumping them off the dock into the water is a much more efficient and permanent fix. 

Gold at the end of the Rainbow?

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.

Father and Son on Flindt Lake

“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.

A few long time buddies

Nothing like a few old friends heading off to an outpost lake to reminisce, tell a few tall tales, solve world problems and create new memories.

Ignace Outposts

Extra Large Walleye Lake

My dad has a way of finding the big ones.

 

Big walleye seems to be the order of the day on Irene Lake.  It is a deep clear water lake so we don’t see as many walleye on Irene as we do on our north lakes, but they are well worth the effort. 

Even a few walleye like this will make your trip. If you want numbers of fish, try Seseganaga Lake, Metionga Lake or Hilltop Lake.  If size is your goal, along with bass, northern, lake trout and white fish, Irene Lake is the one.

Two trophies on one trip

Joey our dock hand (fishing fanatic) knows how to get the big ones.

It is nice to know there are still some great fish in the lakes.  Give Ignace Outposts a try.  Not everyone will catch a trophy like this but you will catch fish and have a great time doing it. Rest assured, the fish are HERE! 

Even tho’ Joey may disagree, much of this kind of success is just plain luck.  Being on a great lake and putting time on the water really changes the luck into your favor however.  Talk to him while waiting for the plane, maybe Joey will share some of his “local” knowledge.  A couple of hours after work can produce wonders for him and I am sure a few days away from work can do the same for you.

But our cabins do have showers...

Over the years we’ve added a few luxuries to our cabins. Hot and cold running water allow for a nice hot shower. Some guys however prefer the grin and bare it method of bathing.

Even if I lost a bet, I wouldn’t voluntarily get into the waters around here early in the season.

Hilltop Success

Last week the fishing at Hilltop Lake was nothing short of awesome! 

 

A 44 inch northern and a 29 inch walleye on the same trip is worth the drive from Wisconsin. 

What a crew!

Dar Mor and his crew from Wisc make the trek every year to Metionga Lake. It is nice to see is a new generation of fishermen being developed. The memories these kids will have fishing with their buddies and their dads will be forever engrained in their minds. Besides, what better way to gather wedding speech material than to spend time in the Canadian wilderness. I could write a book about the adventure of this gang and I only know a smidgen of their exploits.

Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers. And think about bringing your kids fishing. You’ll both find it well worth it. Just ask these guys.

ps. Happy Father’s Day dad.

Table of Wisdom

One of the best parts of an Ignace Outpost vacation is the group you are part of.  I am sure that a bug on the wall couldn’t appreciate the wisdom and problem solving that goes on at an outpost camp.  Having been part of some evening table talk myself over the years, I now don’t forget to bring my boots. 

If only our government leaders could or would spend some time at an outpost.  I think the world would be a better place. A day on the lake, great food,  a few fish stories, a little lubrication, and the wisdom begins to flow.

WOW!

Even tho’ I see this type of view almost daily, I am still impressed. The Northwestern part of Ontario is magnificent to say the least.

If you haven’t seen this type of wilderness yourself, give us a call or send an email. We’d love to help you plan your Ignace Outpost vacation.

We not only fly you over this awesome area, but we’ll set you up to stay in it and experience the wilderness that only Ontario’s northwestern region can provide.

You don’t have to be a fisher to enjoy this area. Come relax, read, write, photograph, paint, create. The options are endless.

Booked for another year

When the much anticipated fishing trip is over, parting seems such a sweet sorrow.  These fellas from Wisc have made well over a dozen years in a row, but even before they load the vehicle to drive home, they are booked in for another year. 

One the greatest satisfactions of almost a quarter century running one of the finest fly in fishing businesses in the country is the satisfaction of our guests. 

Dewey, we’ll see you next spring.

Spring walleye

Mike and Darla arrived at Irene Lake last week right after a late snow storm.  They bundled up and got off to doing what they came to do.  A couple of nice walleye like these get the heart pumping and the cold is almost unnoticeable.

Catch the Fun

Our son Mike and his wife Caralyn caught a little fun last week on Hilltop Lake. 

Don’t  miss out on this type of fun.  Check out our web site and get you 2009 trip booked today.

Take a break

According to the dictionary a "vacation" is "a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel". Take note of the suspension of work part.

We live in world of connectivity. We some how feel we must be in touch. With what? Stress is built upon feeling important enough that we can't be missed. Without a doubt there are folks who have important positions, I may even be one of them. I am probably as guilty as anyone in finding excuses not to take a break.

Here is an article about how to manage work while on vacation.

A Vacation Challenge...

Read this article and take special note of her suggestion #5. We offer not only some of the best fishing in Canada, a wilderness experience, natural wildlife and a little"piece and quite", but also a destination where connectivity is not even an option.

Why not suspend work a little and manage a great fishing trip at the same time. When you sit and day dream, do you really think about more work to do or do you escape into a world of doing what you want to do... like catching and releasing that lunker northern, frying up some feisty walleye, battling a football sized smallie?

I know what I dream about and it isn't more work.

Contact us today about you 2009 Ignace Outposts adventure.

Give us a try

If you are looking for your first experience at a flyin fishing outpost camp, give us, Ignace Outposts, a call at 807-934-2273

Visit our site at www.ignaceoutposts.com/

Darryl Choronzey from Going Fishing TV reported we have "some of the finest fishing for walleye, that I’ve come across in more than 50 years of fishing"


Hope to see you in Ignace, Ontario