Greetings!
Well, before getting to the
Canada fishing trip, just to let you know, the July-August issue of Pond Boss has been written and is at the layout studio of guru Jim Stroud. By golly, we might even be early this time.
Got finished two hours before heading to the airport to fly to Minnesota.
Landed in Minneapolis last Monday, drove to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Met up with Bob Robinson Tuesday morning and we drove toward Crane Lake, Minnesota. Along the way, we spent a couple of hours at the Seven Falls Trout Farm in central Wisconsin where Bob interviewed the owners for a story for Fish Farming News.
Then, we made Crane Lake at 4 pm, where we were picked up by a float plane. We took off and headed to Canadian customs where passports were checked and we were officially allowed into a foreign country.
After another short hop, we were at Campbell's Cabins on Lac La Croix. The weather was cold and rainy, quite unlike the hot, windy home fires of north Texas.
We arose around 5:30 or 6 a.m., enjoyed coffee and each other's company and headed to breakfast around 7. Then, we met our guides on the dock at 8 a.m. and headed out to fish (except one morning when the wind was gusting beyond 30 mph and a driving rain). After a morning catching smallmouth, walleye and pike, several boatload met up on an island for a fantastic shorelunch.
Then, back on the lake for an afternoon of fishing on the most beautiful lake on the planet (probably). We were back at the dock each day by 5, headed to the cabins to clean up and have a summit meeting at our cabin. Oh yeah...there was usually a little bit of wine or cocktails for those who partake. Then, off to supper at 7 and most of us collected at the cabin for an energetic evening's discussion.
Okay, that's enough words. Here's some photos, thanks to Jim Liner and Wilson Scott (Ray's son) and yours truly.
This is the plane Bob Robinson and I flew in to the camp.
This Otter carries up to ten people and all their baggages and tackle.
Eric West and I fished the fast current and eddies immediately below Twin Falls. Gary Whitefish is our guide.
Wilson Scott's father-n-law, David Hicks, with Twin Falls in the background.
Yes, we caught a few fish. This is one of the better pike, caught by Wilson Scott.
Ray and son Wilson share a moment on the water.
Another shot of one of the falls.
Ray Scott with one of many smallmouth bass caught over four days of fishing.
One of the highlights of this trip is shore lunch on one of the many islands. The Indian guides fillet fish and cook it over an open fire. Huge fun.
If you happen to land on the same shore as Ray Scott, he cooks home made hush puppies. Here, he is watching the treats cook to just the right color and texture.
After cooking and serving, the guides take time for lunch. Then, they clean up and we head back out to fish.
When the guides finish filleting fish, the carcasses are fed to the birds. They know when to show up and it's amazing. They are they at the right time, every day. Probably been doing it all their lives.
This country is absolutely beautiful.
There's amazing wildlife all around. We saw this bird of prey along with several bald eagles. Spotted during this trip were, a wolf, moose, deer, loons, mergansers and a bear.
At the end of the day, guides drop us off, they clean up the boats, relax for a minute and drive home to their nearby village at a reservation.
Our entire party of 19 folks ate together at breakfast and supper. From left to right, Dr. Bill Saliski, David Hicks, Bob Lusk, Eric West, Wilson Scott and Billy Saliski.
Eric shoots a photo of the photographer
What the heck, let's get everybody in the cafe in the shot...people we didn't even know. Ray Scott meets no strangers.
Then, back to the cabin for a "summit" meeting. This is the view from our porch.
Believe it or not, we had some energizing conversations. These are highly intelligent people, pros at what they do. One of the guys, the man in the right foreground, is Mike Norton, from New Orleans. He owns a highly successful restaurant, Bull's Corner. He also had a career in the oil business as geologist. He also worked for several years to develop and build the space shuttle.
Other folks were a physician, attorney, Xerox executive, physical therapy consultant, dentist, entreprenuers and businessmen.
Pond Boss moderator and dear friend, Eric West listens intently. He doesn't say much, but when he does, people shut up and listen.
Eric, a generous man, passed out a few Pond Boss shirts. Ray wore his several times.
As day turned to night, we always shot a group photo or two. From left to right, Bob Lusk, Eric West, Bill Saliski, Ray Scott, Bob Robinson and Jim Liner.
Ray's long time guide, Arthur Ottertail, with Ray Scott Outdoors Executive Director, Jim Kientz. Arthur has been Ray's guide for 35 years, but wasn't able to take him out this trip. Arthur was diagnosed with colon cancer last winter and is spending time in treatment for the disease.
Ray wanted to serenade Arthur with Ray's favorite song..."Winnipeg (uh, I don't remember the rest of the title, wink, wink)." From left to right, David Hicks, Wilson Scott, Ray Scott, guide Gary Whitefish, Lusk and Arthur Ottertail.
So, there you have it....
Canada fishing trip 2008. When I get more time, I'll tell you some of the ideas that were shared and some of the opportunities, as they come about.
Fish on!
