2012 Canadian Plans

I thought I would start a new thread to discuss our respective plans for 2012. Please include destination lake, cost/person, when you are going, number in your group, other interesting facts, and what you expect to catch. We leave May 25 for Keeper Lake, one of many outpost camps run by Chimo Lodge out of Red Lake. We fly about 50 miles. We will be in camp for the entire week. Chain of lakes is about 10 miles long and wide. Mostly walleyes and northerns, with a few perch. We are too far north for anything else. There will be 8 of us. About $880/person, plus travel costs to get there. We get a room and "party" on the way up and on the way back. Some of us go again in July. Always interesting to compare the two trips. In May, if ice has been out for 3-4 weeks, twisters work great. If water is cold, cranks work good. In July, twisters work, and cranks don't. Harder to locate northerns in May, without weeds. Mouths of creeks and rivers work. Wishing everyone a great 2012 trip!

Tried CVS kabobs(see below) on recent Canadian trip. They were great! Everyone liked.

Just got back from a week @ Lake Wabagoon, Bonnie Bay Camp in S Ontario, wow is that a great lake. Our target was pike. We caught many pike, biggest being 37 1/2" (our goal was 40"), 2 muskies (lost 2), biggest being 53", a few smallies and rockbass, double digit length perch and lots of eater eyes. The lake is in a clay basin, it's rather cloudy water, so light penetration doesn't really affect the eyes too much. We were catching eyes @ noon in 3 fow on clear days; and we're not at all seasoned eye fishermen, basically newbies to jigging. I'd highly recommend this lake and this specific camp.

Just got back from a week of fishing a flyin 52 miles NW of Red Lake. Weather was great and never had to put on rainsuit. Warm days and cool nites. Walleye fishing was average. Northern fishing was off. Where have all the weedbeds gone? Water levels slightly low. Detour still there in Superior.

We use to have a route that swung us around (bypass) the Twin Cities. Would not need to go thru Superior. PS-when I drove up last month, there was a detour in Superior that you may wish to avoid.

Anyone travel through Duluth lately? I'm heading from WI. to Ontario Friday and was wondering how the roads were since the flood. I usually take 61 up the north shore but I can go through International Falls if needed. Thanks

Will be heading up to Kashabowie Lake this saturday for 5 weeks of fishing. Should hit some nice weather in there someplace. Kashabowie is the lake just south of LDML.

I too just returned from a trip with Gawleys Little Beaver Lodge. We fished the Grace lake outpost for 7 days. We caught 3392 fish of which 250 were Norts. This was my 13th trip to this outfitter. 38.5 was our biggest Nort and 26" was the best eye with about 15 over 25' and literally THOUSANDS of walleyes. pm me if you have some questions. SPLIT

Returned yesterday from Antenna Lake offered as Fly - In outpost through Gawleys Little Beaver Lodge out of Ear Falls. Fished for 4.5 perfect, almost too good weather days. After slow start 1st day walleyes really picked up and we could find them about anywhere. Took and used some leeches but switched to minnow look cranks and that was even better. Too many bite offs on jigs. Not huge but real healthy 15 - 19 inch fish. 21 was biggest. Northern overall slow but managed 6 over 36 inches with a 44 going to a new college grad as his FIRST ever pike. Action was picking up as we left and was best on the solunar bite. Gawley's are great. If anyone wants more info they can e - mail me for details. Oh Canada

I concur with the kabobs. We do the same thing with Albacore Tuna only instead of BBQ sauce, we use Teryiaki sauce. mmmmmmmm As for 2012 plans, I'm going with a new group to the Indian Chain/Vermillion first part of September. Never been to Canada in Sept, always June or early July. Picture is from last years trip ;)

Had those walleye wraps up in canada and have made them at home several times. They are awesome!!!

Thanks again CVS for the recipe. They look as good as they sounded! They'll definitely be on the meal plan. Be glad you did get some time up there with your Dad, I never got the chance, we would have loved it together! Good luck this year! BB

We just call them walleye wraps, but sometimes we add a water chestnut to each wrap "i'm the one not wrapped in bacon".......... to funny Mike Tbay

Walleye Kabobs Filet out Walleye. Cube filets into pieces about 1 inch. Take some thin cut and lean bacon and stretch out. Cut in ½ and roll around piece of filet one time and skewer with a flat bamboo chute that has been soaked in water for ½ hour. Start your grill and when fire is hot place a layer of tin foil over the grill. Poke some small holes in it to drain bacon grease. Spray with Pam or similar product to prevent sticking. Cook till bacon is crisp, about 10 minutes. When near done mop the bacon with a good quality BBQ sauce. Picture is on the side. I’m the big stupid looking one not wrapped in bacon.

CVS, Would like to hear how you do those walleye bacon kabobs, they sound incredible! We're heading to Atikokan area at the end of July for some smallies, & wallys. Do all our own cooking, always looking for soemthing different to do with those wallys. Appreciate the info! Tight lines, BB

Headed to the English River (Kettle Falls) on Sunday. 6/3-6/8. Can't wait!!!