Moose on Douglas

Jeff and Doug came upon this moose this afternoon while fishing for northern. The moose stayed eating the water lilies for a long time, but finally wandered back into the bush. She then grunted at them asking them to leave and even came back out into the water to try get them to move.

The old Kitchen comes down: thank goodness for Family

July 13-15, we tore down the porch on the old lodge. When the old lodge was the main lodge, the porch served as the kitchen. When the new lodge was built in the 1980s, the old kitchen turned into the workshop. When the ice house was taken down about five years ago, and a new motorshed and workshop was built, we didn't need the messy old porch any longer. So...it was taken down by hardworking friends and family. The old lodge is now improved, and will soon have new shingles! It is used as storage.

Viking Outposts' Celebrity Packers 2009

Not Green Bay Packers, but fishing holiday packers. Hugh doesn't often admit he's impressed by something, but this time was different. Our group flying to Rheaume Lake a few weeks ago did everything right. The four guys had less than 400 pounds in luggage and groceries. They brought no huge hockey bags, and their tackle boxes were not the size of deep freezers. Their best tip? Bring blue plastic jugs and fill them up with drinking water at the office before flying out. The waterhose down at the dock has water from the town's water treatment plant, so it is guaranteed safe to drink. Good job, guys!

We wish you were here, LeRoy!

It's family week here at Viking Island, and some key people close to our hearts, are missing. One of those is LeRoy Stevens III. He is a Viking Island alumni. You can see his impact on the island...from the painted cabins, trim and doors, to the yardwork, to the clean dishes and boats! We miss his humour, personality, smile, and of course hard work this year. He was here last summer and the summer before. This summer he is a little too far away from Red Lake to make the trip, but he's here in spirit. He is in New York City working for an art gallery, as well as doing his own projects. We are proud of you, LeRoy!

Not Impressed by Viking Island Progress

"I can't believe it - a DISHWASHER! So no more of that delicious cutlery soup of the good old days. Serious power and even internet, this is all incredible. Do people still get bushed at all or does that prevent them from getting as weird as we used to before we got into town and to the "Howey" after two months on the island?? I have also talked to Walter about all this (so called...) progress and we as proud members of the United Island Dishwashers (UID) who's jobs are in great danger are we thinking about the next steps. (This could go as far as dumping this d*%# dishwasher in the deepest spot of Douglas Lake if it's not being removed before our arrival...) By the way: do you still clean the fish by hand or is there also a fully automatic fishwasher out there? It wouldn't surprise me after all these heartbreaking news..."
- Jori Von Ballmoos, former Viking Island employee

We got this e-mail back from Jori & Walter, after we told our two Swiss friends that we had replaced them with two electric dishwashers. To settle the dispute, Hugh says the guys are welcome to do dishes by hand next time they visit. Meanwhile, we'll be out fishing. We miss you, Walter & Jori! We wish you were here!

Rhian

Hugh & Enid's granddaughter, Rhian, played pioneer yesterday posing for some photos with Peter's dog, Smudge.

Micah likes to fish off the Dock at Crossland

Noel Westrum brings a big group to Crossland.....lots of kids, lots of family, lots of fun. In 2006, Micah Westrum caught this northern right off the dock, surprising everyone who like to travel as far from camp as possible.
Thank you to Troy Westrum for the picture.
Anyone else have some "off the dock" fishing pictures?

Fishing at South McInnes

These guys have their own tradition
....a week of fishing on South McInnes.

Wally and Eric Sattler, Erwin and Al Dass, and Allan Schieve have come fishing together for many years. They can find the fish no matter the weather. Their pictures show that they enjoy the fishing, the quiet and the scenery.

Erwin, Thanks for the pictures. Also, thank you for setting up an email newsletter that I hope to be sending when I get time later this month.

Lady Slipper Orchids

My favourite spot to explore on Douglas Lake is up on the hill behind our cliff jumping spot. It is mossy and picturesque, and easy to navigate through since there isn't any underbrush or shrubs, just trees. This is also the ideal spot to witness a ladyslipper orchid! I forgot about this possibility until we arrived, and I spotted one! I got excited and took photos of it. Then, I walked another five feet, and, there was another one! Then I looked up, and there were five together in a bunch. These flowers are very beautiful and exotic, as well, they only grow in certain terrain and soil. They are delicate, and they are often spotted solo, blooming out of a clear, mossy area on top of rock. So, remember, if you are roaming around this area in mid-June and early July, keep your eyes peeled for these special flowers. Watch where you step, and of course, make sure you don't pick any! Try the Blueberry Portage to Peterson Lake, as well as other mossy rocky areas! You'll also see blueberries in these areas if you go in the fall! (Harriet)

A trip to Onnie from Viking Island

Mike, Scott, Sue and Joe head out for Onnie early. On a nice day, with good company, a trip up the creek is an adventure and the fishing makes it well worth it. Mike caught a couple of good size walleyes. Can some of you guys figure out where they are fishing?

Joe caught another good sized northern.

Here's a video of what the creek is like on the way home.

Justin Knoelk brings his Dad fishing

I like a kid who loves to fish. Justin gets along with everyone in camp and tells a good fish story at supper time. Yesterday a northern tried to steal the walleye he was reeling in. The northern let go of Justin's walleye and went for the stringer tied to the side of the boat.

Awesome Moose Sighting

Joe and Sue spotted this beautiful moose swimming near Indian Island on Douglas Lake two days ago. The fuzzy antlers are an amazing sight to see!

Trout fishing on Douglas Lake

Our friends from Chicago, Mike & Scott, both brought nice lake trout into the boat yesterday on Douglas Lake. Beautiful!

Another giant northern!

Mike caught this monster 40" northern pike on Sunday evening on Douglas Lake, Viking Island. Good thing he threw it back before the northern ate him and Scott!
Joe Pleskac took the video below of Mike catching the northern, but
BEWARE..........language warning

Foley Lake

John & Justin braved the portage to Foley Lake yesterday for some perch fishing. They had an adventurous time getting there on the rugged portage, but John did fine after having back surgery not long ago and a bad knee! While they were there, they caught between 75-100 fish! Perch are great eating, too! They are having a shorelunch today.

Joe's 37" Northern!!!

Joe & Sue caught this giant monster of a Northern at his secret fishing spot on Hatchet Lake. Their son, Jeff, as a teenager came fishing with Joe and Sue to Viking Island. A following summer, Jeff asked us if he could come to work at Viking Island for the summer, without pay, but in exchange for some time fishing. He came for the summer and helped us out big time! Now, he is married with kids, and was too busy to make it this summer. So, Jeff, we miss you!!! And we hope this photo might make you hop in your car and drive here for Tuesday night dinner...but, we do know you'd be here if you could!