.. and they’re off!

Seseganaga Joe and Metionga Joey headed off to their respective summer abodes yesterday. 

Joe has been at Seseganaga Lake as a camp attendant for several years now.  He looks forward to returning to the lake some time around Sept when he is pulled out for the winter.  We know it is spring in Ignace when Joe starts rounding up his summer supplies.

For 20 summers our camp attendant at Metionga Lake has been John.  This summer we have a change of personnel  with Joey filling John’s big shoes.  Joey has worked for us for several years here in Ignace and we have no doubt he will fit well into the role as Master of Metionga Lake.

Any one remember?

I was looking in a cupboard this afternoon for something totally unrelated to work, and found an unmarked CD – remember those?  I had no idea what might be on it, but I know from looking at the photos and seeing some of the people involved, where it came from.  Thanks Ted. 

Anyone recognize this outpost location? circa 1989

Hint:  It is still one of the best walleye and northern lakes in NW Ontario.  The newer looking building in the top picture is now called Joe’s phone booth.

Here is a more current look at the location:

Seseganaga Lake main camp

Keep your eyes open

This “perfect” beaver hut is in the bay just north of the camp, where the large bull moose was also hanging around.  Bob

Many guests at Seseganaga Lake saw the bull hanging around near this beaver dam.  Caribou were seen near the spot too.  Now you know approximately where to look.  Get up to Ses and keep your eyes open.

Joe’s office

Even at Seseganaga Lake our camp manager Joe has a little office.  We call it the phone booth and I know for a fact he spends very little time there.  Everyday about 7 AM, I get a “Everything’s OK” check in call and unless Joe has a list if things needed at camp, the conversation is over quickly.  Joe is a man of few words and lots to do.  I think he’d rather talk fishing with our guests than weather with me. 

It is handy having phone communication from two of our camps (Seseganaga Lake and Metionga Lake) for emergency, camp servicing, guest requests and piece of mind.

Once again…

Brad & Karen,
Once again, the fishing on SES was spectacular!  We didn't catch any real monsters, but the quantity of fish we caught more than made up for that.  Our group of 12 caught somewhere between 1,400 and 1,800 walleye in the 4.5 days we fished (and didn't kill ourselves doing it)!  I'd estimate the average size to be around 19 inches.  Attached is a picture of the northern I caught while jigging with my ultralight.  As you know, I'd rather catch fish than waste time taking picture.  Luckily Rod had an "old" disposable camera in his tackle box, it was the only evidence we had for our fishing contest as the fish was released.
Take care,
Todd     

Thanks for the note Todd.  It is always great to see you guys.  See you in 2012!

I’ve said it before…

When you go fishing with your kids, or grandkids, don’t look at the fish, look at their faces.

Thanks guys!

Our life is one big adventure. There are some adventures that we can do without but when they turn out great like yesterday, we’ll take them as part of the job.

Monday morning at his regular morning check in, Joe at Seseganaga Lake had already spoken with our 11 man group at main camp and was about to head to our West Bay camp to check up on a 3 generation family of 4 staying there. When he arrived at the cabin, Joe’s “trapper sense” (similar to a “Spidey sense” but better) started to stir. Something didn’t seem right. It appeared no one had been in the cabin overnight. Joe let me know and he began what ultimately was a 6 hour boat search of all the lake’s known and best hiding spots. Our other guests pitched in and began looking too – we hated to give up our best hiding spots but given our concern...

Normally this type of situation is quickly resolved. (Yes it’s happened before.)

By mid afternoon, with no luck searching by the guys on the water, Randy (on his day off) took our Beaver and flew to Ses to begin an aerial search. Joe and some of our other guests joined him as spotters and they covered the lake more than once. They found no sign of the missing family. It was as if they had picked up the boats and moved on.

When Randy returned before dark, I called our Provincial Police. An officer attended and put some amazing wheels in motion. Early on Tues morning, less than 8 hours after the police where notified, we had 10 specially trained officers from the OPP Emergency Rescue Team in our yard. We loaded the Otter and Beaver with 8 officers since with max fuel we couldn’t take them all, and flew to Seseganaga for another search.

Within an hour after arriving at Ses, with the officers as spotters and two aircraft flying, a weary, hungry and cold but otherwise well preserved family were spotted sitting on a rock at the very wrong end of the lake. We will make note of this new hiding spot.

Turns out the lake really is bigger than the gas tank.

All is well as ended well. We thank the OPP for their quick and competent action. And I thank Joe and Randy for their extra effort in making sure our guests were safe. Our other guests at camp also deserve thanks for the time they put in searching.

A successful search.

Diesel the OPP K9 searcher was probably the only one disappointed in the success of the search. This was his first official call out but he never got to fly in since his talents are best on the ground.

After two nights stranded in the Canadian wilderness the found fishermen had only one request… more minnows on the Wednesday check flight… they have lots of fishing to make up for.

Sour Gummy bait?

Brad,
Here are some pictures from our trip last week on Seseganaga Lake.  The northern was 39", caught by my brother Jack.  The big walleye was 29".  Look carefully at the picture of the smaller walleye--caught it on a pink-and-blue sour gummy worm on a jighead.  Those Canadian walleyes will eat just about anything!
Mike

Not bad

It seems that Seseganaga Lake just keeps on giving up lunker northern pike. 

Hang on to your rod when fishing this lake.  These fish fight like they would rather not visit with you.  They will attack most anything that looks like a meal. And that seems to be anything smaller than themselves. 

Reel them in, carefully remove them from the water, quickly photograph and release.

Great Seseganaga Trip

From Indiana, the trip to Ignace Outposts may seem like a lengthy drive.  To Leigh and the crew, the annual trip flies by as fishing stories are rehashed and anticipation grows. 

Leigh had a great trip on Seseganaga Lake with more than one fish that would make a trip.  Great to see the pictures and even better knowing that the fish were live released to fish another day.

…Barbie…????

Takes a real man to hold this rod and then have it published on a fishing blog.

I guess spending $100s on gear isn’t really that necessary.  I understand next year he will break in his “Spiderman” gear.

Out of the park home run

Bill sent some photos of his brother's activities on Seseganaga Lake last week. 

Catching 3 species in a week is pretty much a grand slam but 4 is “out of the park”

Looks like the Lake Trout made it for supper and the Walleye, Northern and Whitefish are back in the lake waiting for another invite.

I’d say you were rather “busy” on vacation Ed.  Kept your brother busy too with the camera.

August on Seseganaga Lake

The Wagner crew from Wisc have been going to Seseganaga Lake in August for almost 20 years. 

Here are two of the reasons why.

Not bad!

“Hi Brad and Karen,
Just wanted to thank you for a great week and attach a picture of the northern I caught.  Thank you for your hospitality!!!!”
Mike Wilcox

See you on Seseganaga Lake again next year Mike!

Seseganaga Northern Action

Tom and his buddies – retired Chicago cops – make an annual trip to Seseganaga in mid July.  They love to eat walleye but fighting northern pike are high on the list of things to do. 

Bringing in a large northern must remind them of bringing in the bad guys when they were working. 

How do you spell success - Seseganaga

I suppose the prime measure of a fishing trip is catching fish. All our lakes produce numbers as well quality.

Seseganaga Lake is a primary choice for having the experience of a lifetime – not that you would want to do it only once.

Catchin’ them and lettin’ them go for another day.

How can we not like our job?

“Hello Brad and Karen.

I would just like to thank you and your wife for the wonderful trip and opportunity to spend time at Seseganaga Lake.

This was my first trip to Seseganaga and what an experience.  My son will never forget this trip and the fun he had there.  Hundreds of Walleye were caught and glad to say released back into the lake.  Caught my share of Northern Pike as well which were also released back into the lake.  I would like to also thank Joe for the wonderful company and guidance while out there, I would recommend taking all the great advice he has to offer - what a guy!  I look forward to booking another trip to this wonderful lake and cannot wait to see you all again.”

Brian

It is quality time spent with people that matter that makes a great trip.  We feel privileged that we can be part of that.

See you again soon Brian.

Catch photo and release

Andy Filer had  boat partners on Seseganaga Lake last week during a family trip that kept him busy with the net and camera.

“Brad,

Not sure if Dad or Phil sent these yet, so here’s a few …the big walleye was 27 ½” and the northern was 37” (caught on a jig)…both were released back, obviously!

Thanks again for a great trip….

Looking forward to next year already!

Sincerely,

Andy”

Memories of summer

Nov 2/2009  via email

Hi, Brad & Karen,

I just thought I would drop a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our fishing trip this summer. The cabin was in good shape as always & Joe stopped in for coffee about every morning to tell us any news. The fishing was a little slow for the first couple of days, but picked up pretty quick. The 4 of us caught and released almost 400 walleye that ranged in size from 16 to 24 inches  and 40 pike that was 24 to 43 inches  in the week that we were there. …

Thanks,

R George

 

Thanks guys, we look forward to seeing you soon.

That is a nice fish.  I think having fishing like that with some great buddies is an awesome vacation.  Give us a call or send an email and we’ll help you set up your 2010 Ignace Outposts trip.

Mid Sept double header

Last weekend, Sept 18 to 20 saw some of the best weather of the summer.  The fishing was absolutely amazing.  I was at Seseganaga Lake to paint some floors and do some other odd jobs (digging outhouse holes) but couldn’t help myself from getting out on the lake too.  Literally, the jig couldn’t hit the bottom before a walleye was “on”!

Double headers were regular.  The camaraderie was excellent and the food beyond compare.  Nothing beats fresh walleye, good friends and a little hard work.