Fond Memories

I was recently looking at some pictures our guests have given us of their vacation here at Agimac River Outfitters. One reason we like what we are doing is that we enjoy watching our guests enjoy themselves. To feel the excitement in their voices as they share their experiences hooking different species of fish in the lakes around us is wonderfully fulfilling. To hear the wonder in their hearts from capturing an awesome sunset scene or the rare opportunity of seeing a moose swim across the lake in front of their boats, gives us great pleasure.

Most of our guests come from busy, noisy,crowded cities to this atmosphere where the silence is almost deafening, and they so appreciate it. We all need to be able to go some place where we can hear ourselves think.... where we can just be quiet and enjoy the serenity of God's beautiful creation. We are happy to be able to provide such a place and we want each of our guests to know just how special they are to us.

Moose Hunting Season Is Here

We've been enjoying a mighty fine Indian summer these last couple of weeks. The temperatures have been nice and warm with beautiful clear blue skies. It presses us to get as much outdoor work done as possible because we know cool weather is sure to come soon.

Our camp is full of moose hunters now who are also finding a good grouse population. One group from Toronto came across a Cow Moose on their way up here that had been hit and killed by a vehicle. They were able to save the meat and use one of their tags on it. A few days later, Remo Stirpe of their group shot a cow. The group is pictured above with Remo holding the rifle. The warm weather has the moose hunters a bit concerned, not only because the moose don't move around as much with the warm weather, but also because they do not want the meat to spoil if they do shoot one.
Thankfully, the Shoprite grocery store in Ignace offers cooler space for a nominal fee to help out the hunters.

New Family Member

Joanna has worked with the Beauceron breed for quite a few years and we have really enjoyed both Shekinah, who is now deceased and Sabre, who is still with us at eight years old. They are very handsome,intelligent,faithful,protective,loving dogs and great companions to have way out here in the bush.

But Joanna has found that Sabre is slowing down a bit in his senior years and can't quite keep up to her on her frequent walks in the area. She has always had a fascination with Irish Setters ever since she read the story Big Red when she was young. The fun loving, playful, personality of the breed was attractive to her in addition to their form and rich, deep red color.

For over two years Joanna has been looking online for just the right breeder with blood lines from Germany and Norway which exhibited the original traits of the breed and not so much hair. The American Iris Setters seemed to be bred for more long hair for the show ring. She was astonished at how difficult it was to find what she was looking for. But she patiently waited till the right one came along.

She found a breeder in Germany that had a six month old female puppy whose name was
Saga. She seemed to fit the bill and Joanna and the breeder made arrangements to fly Saga all the way from Germany to Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was a long trip for a little dog to make, but Saga traveled well and we brought her home with excitement.

She has proven to be just what Joanna wanted- a loving, playful, happy puppy with lots of energy. Now Joanna is the one who is worn out from the walks.

More September Catches

I wish I could follow our guests around on Indian Lake and other lakes to see exactly how and where they fish. What excellent fishermen they are! It's fun to see the big fish they catch. And it pleases me that though they enjoy landing the monsters, they usually throw them back in the lake to produce more fish.

I'm just a novice, but I've learned so much from the different folks that stay here with us at camp. They kindly offer their advice and share their favorite baits and spots with us to help us do well when we fish. Joanna and I try to get out on the lake every now and then, but John hardly ever fishes. He sticks with his responsibilities in running and keeping up the camp and more often prefers to let Joanna and I go out to play.

Pictured here are some trophy walleye caught by Bill Phillipsen and Jim Drinkwater. Also, a nice string of walleyes displayed by Bill and Steve Hummel.
Can anyone figure out to which lake the road in the picture leads?
Clue- It is close to our camp.

September Fishing is Outasight

Fall is a great time to fish and we had some good fishermen in camp last week to bear out this truth. Steve Mickelson, Jack and Renee Anderson and Donny Tucker all landed some trophy size Northern Pike as well as plenty of walleye. Renee actually caught one of these fish but her husband held the fish for her.

Some Mighty Fine Catches

Jerry Henrich and his great group of guys recently stayed with us at camp. They really hit the jackpot with the large numbers of fish caught in addition to some nice trohpy size fish. One lively member of the group,Skip,accidentally hooked a huge northern pike just playing around with a rattling bass lure. He got it near the boat and it broke his line. He hurriedly rigged another lure, cast in the same direction and caught the monster again. He was determined to land it this time. Tightening the drag a bit to get it to the boat faster, he was getting it closer when the pike suddenly pulled in the opposite direction, straightened out the hooks on the lure and broke free. It was disappointing to lose the fish, but what an exciting experience to have had. The pictures show the whole group together and some of their catches during their stay.
On one particular day at a smaller lake in the area, they came upon a cow and a calf swimming across the lake. They had hoped to see some moose while they were here, but never dreamed it would be on a lake. It amazes me how a moose can swim being as heavy as they are and only hooves to paddle with. Both mama and calf made it across safely.

Our Chilluns Came Home

It's always the highlight of our summer when our children are all home together with us. We are privileged to have Joanna live with us at camp year round and join in the work and fun of our life here. Cherish, lives in Ely,MN and tries to make a trip up here three to four times a year. Jonathan and Reseth live in Oklahoma City,OK where Jonathan is serving in the Air Force. They only make it up here once or twice a year. This year, Reseth brought along one of her nephews, Nolan, for his first visit to Canada. So, to get all three siblings together is a rare and wonderful experience. Our children are our richest treasures on earth and we immensely enjoy being with them and watching them interact with each other.
Thankfully, the weather cooperated so that we could partake in outdoor activities like tubing down the "Lazy River" near Mamieguess Lake, swim in the lakes, tube down the rapids at camp, fish in different lakes and do some four wheeling on the many logging roads.
In the following posts you will see pictures that captured some memories of our times together, beginning with the fishing.