What Do You Miss!

After trying to immerse myself in Northern Wisconsin trying to put the void that I miss as an outfitter in northern Ontario, I wanted to start a thread with what you miss!  

For me as an outfitter, it starts with the solitude and wilderness.  From the gravel under your feet, smells, sights and sounds, there is no comparison to the far north.  A couple of morning ago I was awoke by one of our dogs to a bear at the Bird feeder as dawn came up!  I watched her and it brought a smile and tear to my eye as the Bear baiting is truly what I miss the most.  Not the bugs, hours, sweat and struggles, but searching and setting baits, all the creatures that I encounter, the thrill of a true hunter and the success!  As I write I can see Tim's face as he walked up to Henry and I sweating like a bastard from the mile walk in 100 degree heat!  To hear the story of the hunt, then as we tracked, found and dragged him out, simply priceless that in my heart and mind can never be duplicated!  I could go on and on with Moose, Grouse, Ducks, people and so much more, but as I miss so much of the far north, I wonder what does anyone else miss!  

Not being able to find schools of walleyes small enough to keep to round out the take-home limit. Happened twice last year. Wouldn't trade it for a full limit! I’m pretty much giving up hope for our fall trip but get it. If I were Canadian, I wouldn’t want me there either with the lack of our pandemic seriousness. Hope to return in 2021.

I only been to canada to fish once, last year. We didnt go this year because of the corona but I didnt miss it. I miss the camaradiery with the guys but I dont miss canada and all the stupid rules. Next year I would rather go to northern Minnasota or just stay in our own state and check out some places that northern wisconsin can offer.

I'm glad someone started this Post. We usually go the same week so we meet and become friends with the people in the cabins close to us. We know a few of the workers also that have become good friends. I really miss it all. Some friends of ours stay at the camp next door and we go visit them as well. My fishing partner is 74 and is hopeful he has a couple trips left in him. Good luck to you all and better luck next year.

Fantastic to read others miss it like we do, and spectacular to also read that it is not all about the fish. 

Over the years we have hunted with quite a few hunters and the messages and phone calls are coming in with how they will miss the hunt.  Once you develop friendships and outside families, it is really tough as outfitters not to see everyone with their excitement, smiles, laughs and adventures we go on.  

Thank you to all who have shared, we too can not wait to get back to the true north!  Even the Black Flies and Mosquitos would be welcome, for a while(lol)!

I was really bummed out, missing this years trip. I'm 76 don't know how many more chances I'll get. A week fishing with my son and his friends would have been priceless. Had been planning since Febuary but knew by June it wasn't going to happen. Just something about being in the Canadian wilderness.

I miss spending a week with family and friends. I love that feeling that once you unload the boat you don't have to load it again for a week. The sights the smells of being on the lake for a week is great. The fishing is good, but just being away for a week with no schedule and no TV, internet, phone,ect. We went to northern Michigan for a couple days fishing and it was okay but definitely not the same. Hopefully next year we all can get back at it instead of just thinking about it. 

what do I miss?

All of it,Twice a year!

1) no internet

2) no cell phone service

3) the fishing for walleye,smallies,lake trout,& pike

4) hardly a boat in sight

5) million dollar 360° view

6) camaraderie with friends

7) our Canadian outfitter friends

8) evening campfire beers/stories

9)  meals fit for kings

10)  it’s good to be the king!

Rock.  I miss the huge rocks.  Islands of rock. Cliffs of rock. Trees growing out of tiny cracks in huge rocks.

I miss everything about my week on a Canadian shield lake.. Of course the unbelievable fishing is what draws me to Canada but then you add in the fact we are the only folks on a lake. The chance to see bear, moose, caribou etc.. Sitting on a dock at night sipping a bourbon while catching walleyes with family and friends is priceless. We eat like kings on our weekly trip ( fish taco's, shore lunches, bacon wrapped walleye ribeye's etc).. Last year we fished a new lake that had a long portage.. Outfitter mentioned few guys do the portage due to the length (90 minutes) . Just getting to the portage lake was an adventure thru a narrow winding creek but it was so remote and the scenery was just spectacular. Plus the fishing was unreal.. Caught more nice 18"-24" walleye's in the first hour than what we do on a great whole day on Green Bay