Fishing News from Viking Island

Each night at supper time, we hear about the day's fishing and there is always something different. Rueben and Steve were fishing on Hatchett Lake for northern yesterday. Reuben had a nice size northern on but it got away. An hour later, Steve caught a northern with Reuben's hook and line still attached ...... so the conversation turned to what knot to use with monofilament line. I have to admit I don't know one knot from another.

John and Jake were relaxing .... feet up .... in only 3 feet of water, thinking they ought to get back to some fishing, when bam. John's rod went way over and he had the biggest northern he has ever seen.

Jake Vidas brings a group from all across the country

These guys used to work together. Now they are retired and once a year they get together on Viking Island to fish and visit. This spring, they have found the fishing to be just excellent. This walleye from Douglas Lake was 31 inches and the biggest I've seen around here. Good to report that he is back swimming in the lake. I like to tell guests that a 25 inch walleye is big for this far north.
John Vidas caught the big one and Jake Vidas concentrated on getting lunch.

Herb and Joe report excellent fishing!

Herb and Joe have been out on Douglas for three days and they report that fishing has never been better. They should know as they have been fishing this lake for 40 years!

The "BIG" Cabin

What used to be called the "Big Cabin", a cabin built by Arthur Sr. in the late 1950s, is undergoing a makeover, courtesy of Tom and Agnes Robertson, Peter and Niall Reeves, Jori von Ballmoos, and the new face around camp, Patrick. The Big Cabin has been levelled, the windows replaced, and the inside and outside walls varnished. Before you know it, this will be the saught-after cabin again.

Moose on the Island

As we sat down for breakfast. Hugh suddenly called for silence. Just outside, looking in at us, was a cow moose! We were so flustered that no one got a clear picture, but you can see here in the red circle. No doubt she was looking for a quiet place to have her calf and I expect she found us a little noisy and moved on. Just in case, though, we stayed away from the west side of the island.

I will have my eyes open for little ones during the next couple weeks

Wild Fires

Harriet is happy to be on "EFF". She is an emergency fire fighter working for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Yesterday she was driving crews to the fire. Today she is in the radio room. Fun to be part of the action, but for us, we are hoping for rain. The lastest fire is 65 miles to the east of Red Lake at a size of 300 ha. (maybe more by now)

Our bush is dry and we are expecting the MNR to impose a fire ban meaning you will need to cook fish at the cabin. When you are on a lake, you are safe. The fire itself brings plenty of oxygen down from the skies above. The only issue may be if you have lung problems already. Then it is wise to filter the air through a wet cloth if the smoke is heavy.

When you smell smoke, see huge columns of smoke

or hear a fire (it can sound like a freight train coming),

then

Use common sense,

Stay close to home,

Return to camp if a plane or helicopter arrives

AND, of course,

DON'T PORTAGE

Dolphin Lake Vandal

Jean Keesic and Peter Paishk had the cabin cleaned. Craig had the boats and docks ready. Since then, the cabin was visited by a northern vandall!! He never got inside and didn't break a window. Craig discovered this yesterday and, already this morning, he has the lumber and is organizing flights and a work crew to get the job done.
The last time a bear took the siding off happened at Telescope Lake and we could see that he was after a winter mouse nest in the wall of the cabin. He could probably hear the mice and just went after them. This is the first time a bear turned up and did this type of damage so late in the spring after we had cleaned and prepared for guests.

Just demonstrating for the rights of bears to reek havac on the property of people invading his territory from the south.

Toll Booth just east of Fort Frances

On the trip up to Red Lake, most of you pass through Fort Frances and turn east. This year, you will encounter a Toll Booth. It will be set up around noon on Friday May 21 and will run indefinitely during this season while the Couchiching First Nation negotiates with the government. Last night they decided to go ahead and set the toll at $1 per passenger. The Band Manager, Smokey Bruyere, assured me that US $ are fine. Please be patient and have your money ready. I see no reason to drive the alternate route up to Kenora.

The Couchiching Toll Booth Initiative was enacted upon by Couchiching First Nation Chief and Council as a means to address many of the social and legal issues surrounding the community and band membership. The issues, and sole reasons for enacting the Toll Booth Initiative are threefold:

1) The land on which a portion of Highway 11 sits upon was stolen from Couchiching First Nation.
2) The Federal Government has failed to address the contaminated soil sites that have forced Couchiching residents from their homes.

3) All other outstanding claims and grievances with the Provincial and Federal government.

No Big Deal. Stop, Pay a dollar per person.

They do not plan to hold you up.

New Dock at Night Hawk

Hugh took Tim Kachur, our new pilot, and Patrick, our camp worker for Viking Island, out to Night Hawk. They went in the bush to cut down dock stringers, floated them home and built a new dock. According to Hugh, both Tim and Patrick worked hard learning the art of building in the bush.

Do with what you have.

(No Running to Town for Supplies)

Fire near Madsen

The local newspaper headline was

" Too Close for Comfort: forest fire nearly engulfs Madsen"

30 volunteer town fire fighters, 2 MNR fire crews and the Police were loosing ground and things did not look great. Just in the nick of time, a MNR water bomber arrived and dropped water from above. It was in the air and diverted from another fire to the south.

Harriet visited the site after the drama was over

and these are her pictures.

News from Ed Kowalski, fishing on Red Lake

Ed Kowalski commented...
"Enid, We are staying at Howey Bay Resort and have been out the last couple of days. We hit Post Narrows and Gold Seeker's Monday and caught a number of eatin' size walleye in about 12-15 ft. the few hours we were out. This is summer action. Water temps. were upper 50s to low 60s F. This is 180 degrees from last year when air temps were upper 30s to low 40s F and water temps were upper 30s to upper 40s and it was hard not to catch an 18 in. + walleye.

Tuesday we tried Monday's spots again with little success and then went out to the East Bay and were sucking wind until we went to an undisclosed spot and just slayed 'em in about 5 ft. of water. The catch included some nice 18+ inch fish - not summer action! We plan on trying McNeely today.

PS.We met your daughter Harriet at the Lakeview restaurant Saturday and she is a class act, just like you are, i'm sure! Ed "

Water temperatures are in the 50's.

Walleye were found at 12-15 feet.

This is summer action.

Thank you very much, Ed, for this news

Water levels and fishing News

Walleye season opened on Saturday. The water around here is very low for spring. All of our docks are out of the water, rocks, long hidden, are now touching the surface again. At Viking Island, I can see beaches hidden for 8 years!
Although walleye season just opened, last week, staff were out looking for lake trout. They saw them on the surface, inhaling the flying ants struggling on the water in the evening.
I haven't got any reports of walleye fishing yet and am wondering where they will be. I don't know when they spawned or if they are back on their usual haunts. Earlier on April 18, Hugh and I checked out a spawning bed just after the ice had gone and found no walleyes. This means break-up was so early that even the fish weren't ready for spring.

(Just for honesty sake....the lake trout Hugh is holding was caught by Tom Robertson, who has fished Douglas Lake since 1951)

Always good to get Visitors

Bill Ivaniski has a little Supercub. When I see him fly over and come in for a perfect landing, I yearn to fly again. This type of flying, with a stick instead of a steering wheel, with a view from 3 sides and above, and just the bare necessity's of instruments, is the ultimate of man and the sky (well my idea anyways).

A little bit of fire wood is a good thing

Weather is warm, sun is out and working weather is perfect. This gang at Viking Island has got me a great big pile of fire wood.....stacked so neatly you'd think we were in Switzerland. All the left over lumber from the old kitchen is cut and stacked. The trees cut down by the beaver are now firewood. My brothers stacked cords are now split stove wood.

If I were superstitious, I would be expecting a very hot summer.

But nothing is perfect

Everything is going just fine. Hoses all connected, water tanks ready. Time to start the water pump. Hmmm, no pump!!! Someone stole the pump?? Oh no, that doesn't happen around here. The ice dragged the pump out into the water and Hugh found it 10 feet from shore.

He and Patrick rigged up an electric pump, new hoses and check valve and we had water.

Out at Viking Island

.There is so much to get ready, so much paper work to finish up, so many things to order......I am never ready for spring!!

But when I am finally out here, it all makes sense. This is the place for me. Fresh air, real honest to goodness work, great company and all the sounds of the bush.

I have been here since May 8 with the best work crew a girl could have. Bill and Erik are working on the Hunter's Cabin (formerly known as the Big Cabin). Tom is replacing the windows of that cabin. Lisa and Agnes are working away cleaning the lodge, washing all the dishes, pots and bowls. Hugh and Patrick are tackling the dock. Mary Jane, Jean and Joe are cleaning the cabins. Peter Paishk is scrubbing out the his fish cleaning house. I am cooking up workman's meals.

.

All will be ready!!

I am looking forward to a great summer.

Mother's Day

Craig and Roseanne had Florence over for supper on Mother's day.
She is looking forward to another summer and hoping to see many of you when you blow into town.

The Rugged Dude at Viking Island

Back in 2007, the Rugged Dude came to Viking Island. He is a TV host from Thunder Bay who has a humourous bent to his shows. Gwyneth and Hugh took him fishing and he tangled with Gramma Florence. I have just found a link to this show so that we can watch it online.

Russ Stephenson and Tim Kachur, our new pilots

It's great to have 2 new, energetic pilots on staff. Russ has been working for Superior Airways, a local airline company. He has lots of flight time and is already flying the Cessna 180. Hugh tells me that he is an excellent sheet metal worker!
Tim will gain hours as the summer goes by. Tim took Hugh flying yesterday and I hear that all went very well. Tim's grandfather and father were both pilots so we suspect he already knows this life style.

Time to Party

May 1 was the annual Sportsmans Dinner. This fund raiser in support of our local Publicity Board is a big dinner and dance held in the curling rink (no ice left). Florence has been to every one (31 years). At age 95, she still enjoys a night out where she catches up with all the tourist operators returning for another season and people from around town. In this picture is Craig, my daughter, Harriet, and her Gramma, Florence.

April 29 is my birthday and my daughter, Gwyenth, arranged a spa night for my very best friends and me. I had no clue......just a wonderful surprise!!!!

My nails are now red and very lovely.