Caught Our Limit

Fall is a busy time of year for us. Even though our cabins are pretty empty now, this is the time of year when we do lots of painting on the inside of the cabins, renovation projects and excavating improvements on the premises. We hurry to accomplish all these tasks in a few short weeks before freezing weather sets in and it brings everything to a screeching halt.

But the weather has been SOOOOO nice that Joanna and I just had to get out on the lake to do a little fishing. Our kind and generous guests often give us their leftover live bait (minnows, leeches and worms) as they are departing for which we are so grateful. In fact, I still have quite a few worm and leech containers taking up room in my refrigerator, still hoping to get out fishing.

We went to our favorite spot where we can generally catch quite a few walleye in a very short amount of time. Sure enough, just as the sun is setting over the horizon and the moon is rising on the other side, those walleyes start jumping on our lines.

I have to say that Joanna usually beats me every time in the number of walleyes pulled in. I don't know what it is. We have the same bait, the same lure, do the same thing (just sit there motionless without even jigging the rod) and her pole invariably pulls over with the weight of a fish on it much more often than mine.

We both so enjoy the tug of a fish on the line and always get excited to reel one in. I get a kick out of watching those veteran fishermen who remain sober faced and calm while pulling in a big one as if it's no big deal. But they've probably caught a lot more fish than we ever will. Each time our pole bends, Joanna and I can't help exclaiming with vibrant enthusiasm, " I'VE GOT ONE".

On this particular evening, there was a bit of cloud cover, the wind must have been blowing in the right direction, the water temperature must have been just right, the atmospheric pressure in the correct range and all the other things that pro fishermen are knowledgeable about. We don't pretend to know all those things, but we sure were pulling in the walleyes this night and had a ball doing it. In just an hour and a half we had both caught our limit and threw a whole bunch more back.

Joanna and I had one hilariously funny moment on our outing. We had anchored ourselves where we thought there was the greatest concentration of fish. But after a few minutes of sitting there, I wasn't seeing many fish on my fish finder. We decided we should move a few more feet in another direction. So Joanna went to the front of the boat to lift up the anchor while I started the motor. I revved up the engine and nothing seemed to be happening. It didn't appear that we were moving at all. Joanna kept looking my way, wondering why the boat wasn't going anywhere. I thought that possibly the anchor was somehow still dragging. I called out to her, "Have you got the anchor up?" She hollered back over the sound of the motor that yes, she had it pulled up. She said something else but I couldn't hear her over the roar of the motor. Still, we didn't seem to be making any progress in movement. So I turned up the power on the motor again. Joanna looked back at me and hollered, "Mom, we're not moving." In utter frustration, exasperation and bewilderment, I hollered back to her, "WELL WHY NOT????" Finally, I heard her reply. "YOU DON'T HAVE THE MOTOR IN GEAR!!!" I said, "Oh". And Joanna collapsed on the front seat in laughter. We relived that one all evening, giggling all over again.

The next night we even convinced John to stop working and go out fishing with us. He is always in the middle of some project that he wants to conquer. I begged and pleaded and he consented. He enjoyed it so much that he came out with us the next two nights. There's nothing like being out on a calm, beautiful lake watching the sun go down, the moon come up, listening to the lonely loon call and bringing in some fish.

P.S. You'll have to ask Joanna about how her fish came off the line as she was lifting it in the boat and her line flew back, hooking her minnow in my hair.:(

The Quad Chariot

Some dear friends of ours in Ignace, Elaine and Francis Roy, were camping near us on Indian Lake this past month. They have both been a tremendous help to us from the very beginning since we acquired Agimac River Outfitters in May 2008. Francis is quite gifted in being able to fix about anything, find about anything we need, and make all kinds of things with his creative mind.

One of his inventions is what we call a quad (or four wheeler) chariot. Using two pickup seats complete with seat belts, he put together a type of trailer to pull behind a quad so more people could go together exploring the numerous logging roads and lakes in our area.

Francis let us use his new invention while our daughter Cherish was up for a visit in August. Cherish and Joanna sat in the chariot while I commandeered the quad. Off we went into the bush, checking out blueberries and just having fun.
The girls had a grand time riding in the chariot and said it was a stable and comfortable ride. Good job Francis!!

What a Surprise!

On Sunday, September 4th I had invited my friend Linda Micks from Ignace to come out for a visit and to stay overnight. We wanted to join her in celebrating her birthday which was September 4th, just two days before mine. She and I have both just joined the ranks of those in their 60's. Quite a milestone. She got here about 11:30 a.m and we sat around for awhile visiting and catching up on what was happening in each others lives.

After about an hour, Joanna asked Linda if she wanted to go up to see the dogs in the dog yard. She asked if I wanted to go too. I declined as it was rather cool out and I didn't want to put my outdoor shoes back on. While they were gone, I went downstairs to take care of something I noticed needed fixing in the basement. Then I heard John come in from outside. He called down to me and asked if I wanted to come see something cute in the dog yard. I said okay and started up the stairs.

Once I reached the top of the stairs, all of a sudden there was a loud yelling of the word "SURPRISE!!!!" from a large group of people behind me. I jumped and opened my mouth wide as my heart leaped within me. I turned to see about 12 people standing by the door and realized it was a surprise birthday party for me! I was so stunned, my legs would barely hold me up. John said he will never forget the look on my face and my bodily reaction. Linda had her camera in hand and captured my startled look. It was pretty funny. They got me good. I don't know how that many people drove into our place and walked into our house without me hearing them. It was amazing. Needless to say, I was very touched. It was John's idea and between Joanna and my friend Beth Drake, they planned a super fun party. We barbequed hamburgers, went for a hike to the falls and played some games.

It is an experience I will never forget. Thank you John and Joanna.

The Grand Baby is Here

On August 19th a wonderful event took place at Agimac River Outfitters. Our first grandbaby, Aaron Joseph Oberg arrived on the scene. He is now almost three months old and weighs in at about 15 pounds. He is getting to be quite a big armload for his tiny mother, Reseth who flew up to see her parents at Knife Lake, MN along the north shore of Lake Superior. She left behind her husband, (our son) Jonathan to study for his challenging tests in process to be a navigator in the Air Force.

Reseth only stayed one night with her folks before our daughter, Cherish, swung by from Ely to pick her and Aaron up to come north to Agimac River Outfitters. Cherish also had in tow, Joanna who had made a quick trip south to Ely. They stayed with us for about a week, then Reseth returned to her parent's place where she enjoyed about a week with her relatives and friends.

That little Aaron was not lacking for any attention here with two aunts, two grandparents and his mommy waiting upon his every need. We snatched up that precious bundle the minute he woke from a nap and he entertained us the whole time with his coos and smiles. He is very alert and really seems to understand more than he can express. It will be such fun to watch him grow and enjoy each stage of his life. I wonder what plans the Lord has in mind for him. We shall see.

Great Fishing - Great Scenery - Great Fun

Agimac River Outfitters in Northwestern Ontario is not only a terrific place to stay for fishing because of all the fantastic surrounding lake choices, but it is also a relaxing, refreshing and fun place to be. It does something for the soul to come upon a cow moose with her little calf, or hear loons echoing their lonely call across the lake. It's thrilling to hook a large fish and play with it till it's landed in the boat. The rapids under the bridge offer another form of fun and excitement as you slide over the rocks on a tube, waves splashing all around you. The interaction with God's creation is stimulating to people in different ways, but all beneficial to our health and well being. These are some pictures of our guests, wildlife in the area and some fun activities here at camp. Come be our guest!

Fishing Hot Spot

We belong to several Regional Travel Associations which promote our camp to people in the United States and Canada. When I receive email inquiries from these organizations, I always put as the subject, "Fishing Hot Spot". More and more we realize this phrase truly identifies our area.

We have really enjoyed this year with our wonderful guests who continually encourage us with their kind comments about all the renovations and new projects we are doing to improve the camp and make their stay more enjoyable and exciting. It really does give us such inner satisfaction to make Agimac River Outfitters a peaceful, relaxing vacation destination. To be able to live in such a beautiful area surrounded by multiple lakes to explore is quite a blessing for our family.

The following is a quote from Loren Lamphear whose group stayed here this summer along with some pictures of their catches.

"Here is a summary of what we caught that week.
There were 8 fisherman and we fished 7 days and we caught the following:

Walleye 795, Largest 27"
Northern 95, Largest 38"
Smallmouth Bass 34, Largest 19"

We averaged 132 fish per day and caught many walleyes in the 20-27" range. We fished primarily Big Indian and Middle. We had the best week of fishing since we started coming to Canada in 1973."

Our best advertising is YOU, our guests who spread the word to your friends about Agimac River Outfitters. A big THANK YOU to each of you!

Outstanding Wildlife

Not long ago on of our guests, Tony Kornfeind, emailed me a picture of a wolf that was swimming across a lake. He was able to get quite close to the wolf and get a fabulous shot. I don't think I've ever seen a swimming wolf, but of course most dogs swim, so I guess wolves can too. We also got a picture of a young bull moose from another guest.
A couple of weeks ago Joanna and I were going up the river to the lake to do a little fishing and we saw a Mama Moose and a little calf swimming by the shore. I immediately stopped the motor hoping to watch them for a bit. The calf's head was barely above water as he splashed about. The Cow soon caught a whiff of our scent and climbed up the riverbank hurrying into the woods. The little one followed. What a joy it is to see wildlife like that!

The last two shots are Bill Phillipsen with a nice Lake Trout and a Smallmouth Bass.
Fishing has been super on all the lakes. I can't wait to get out there myself.