Fishing Fun at Agimac River Outfitters

Pete Oettinger, his Dad and some of his brothers and close friends joined us for a stay at Agimac River Outfitters last week.  They did very well bringing in the fish, traveling to different lakes and out on Indian Lake.  His brother Mark brought his sons Kadin (11) and Keegan (9) along as well who are pictured here with Grandpa Tom.  Kadin actually caught the fish he is holding.  Pete's group and others from camp enjoyed a memorable time around our new campfire ring one night.  We have found it is a great way to spend time with our guests and get to know each other better. 

The Grandbaby is Here

Our son Jonathan, his wife Reseth and their 14 month old son Aaron came for a visit in August along with our daughter Cherish.  Our greatest treat is to have all our children and grandchild home.  It seems I live in a state of always longing to see them more.  Aaron, our only grandchild, is growing by leaps and bounds.  I want to be involved with every stage of his growth and maturity.  Children are absolutely precious and he was our entertainment for almost two weeks.  How he loves music.  Every time someone starts to sing or play a song, he wiggles his body, claps his hands and hums along.  Music is in his little heart.  He is game for anything.  He has only been walking a few months and never on the uneven ground of the forest floor.  We took him on a hike to the falls and he began walking that trail all by himself, lifting his feet over large roots and stabilizing himself when he would encounter rocks sticking up.  He actually got into a run.  Then he would stop and clap and laugh, so pleased with his new accomplishment.  Jonathan and Reseth also took him on his first boat ride and on a four wheeler ride.  I think he fell asleep on that one.  Can you tell I'm a new grandma???

About the middle of our visit, my mother passed away, so Jonathan and Cherish accompanied me as we drove to Winnipeg to fly down to Atlanta, GA  then drove up to Franklin, NC for the funeral.  It was a whirlwind three day trip.  Cherish officiated at the funeral and did a superb job.  It was a beautiful celebration of Mom's life, bringing glory to God and a very special time with family and friends. 

Goodbye For Now, Mom

 


My mother passed from this life into her Savior Jesus' arms early yesterday morning.  Though I miss having her here with us, I celebrate knowing she is totally free and more alive than she's ever been, experiencing all the glory of heaven. 

I've realized through the years how blessed I have been to have the parents I have had.  Mom's whole life was devoted mostly to her five children.  She so encouraged us, supported us, trained us, challenged us and loved us.  I will always be most grateful to her for encouraging me to attend some meetings by Campus Crusade for Christ when I was a senior in high school.  In my own heart, I was feeling such a strong urge to really know God, to get close to Him, to feel loved by Him.  Even though I went to church every Sunday, I did not have a personal relationship with God.  It was more a religious ritual.

I finally did attend those meetings where they spoke the truth from God's Word telling me that Christ, who is God and was perfect in every way, humbled Himself, came to earth in human form, shed His blood on the cross paying the price for my sin and every human being ever created. 

With a childlike heart, I received His forgiveness for every wrong thing I have said and done and asked Him to come into my life to be my Savior and my Lord.  Jesus is my life now.  I am experiencing a love that is from heaven, far beyond anything this world has to offer.  My heart is full and free and satisfied with Jesus as my best friend. 

Mom, I am eternally grateful to you for all the ways you have impacted my life and I am so thankful for the hope I have to see you again someday when I enter my eternal home in heaven. 

It's a Walleye Day

Jerry Williquette caught this nice Walleye on Indian Lake this spring.   A lot of our guests are telling me that they are catching mostly larger Walleyes and having a harder time finding the smaller eating sizes.  I wish I had that problem.  Maybe I need to get out more.

Visit from Grandma

While I was gone to visit my parents in North Carolina, John's mother, Nona Baker, came to stay with us at Agimac River Outfitters.  But she did extend her stay after I got home so I could spend some time with her too.  She is quite the adventurous pioneer woman.  She raised three children in the northern woods of Minnesota and faced many challenges much greater than we ever have.  She's lots of fun too. 

We have several duck families that grow up on our river here.  They enjoy sunbathing on our docks from time to time.  Very friendly chaps they are.

Some Mighty Fine Catches

Just yesterday morning Steven Allick was out fishing with his family and wishing he could fish for Lake Trout.  The Allicks know Indian Lake very well and have no trouble getting all the walleye they want.  But most Lake Trout fishermen have a special set up for Lake Trout, like outriggers.  The Allicks come every year and camp right on the waterfront for over a week.  Another family staying here at camp, the Randy Frokjer family, was also out fishing that particular morning.  They are good friends with the Allick family.  Randy motored over to the Allick's boat and asked Steven if he would like to try Lake Trout fishing with them.  He jumped right into their boat with great excitement.  Shortly thereafter, I heard a commotion on the dock by the fish house.  Randy came zooming up to the dock and Steven jumped out holding this nice 12 pound 32 inch Lake Trout.  I think he was very happy about his mighty fine catch.  Steven is pictured alone and with his family.  (Dad Brian, Mother Laura and brother Christopher)

Dustin Borgen from Stevens Point, Wisconsin snagged a 42 inch Northern Pike just a couple of weeks ago here on Indian Lake.  We've been seeing quite a few large Pike come out of this lake.  I like to see the excitement on the faces of these young people when they come in with these monsters.

Bear in Camp

Earlier this spring we had a visit by a young bear.  One of our campers really got surprised.  He was using the outhouse when he heard a scratching noise on the side of building.  He thought it was one of his fellow campers playing a trick on him.  But when he peeked out the door to see what was happening, he came face to face with a real bear.  Joanna captured some nice shots of  Mr. Bear walking around the outhouse and then standing up.  I think he wanted to give our camper a bear hug.