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| Has any one ever done one of these trips are they worth the money or am I better off staying at a lodge | |
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| Never done it but I have a story.
The one time I was at LOTW, way northwest, we ran across some pitiful houseboat renters floating lost among the islands. They had a couple big problems early in their trip. First, they booked off into the lake without a map or a clue. Anchored in a cove for the first night and in the morning two of the 6 or so guys went fishing in the 14'er they dragged behind the houseboat. The 14'ers became lost, too. The houseboat guys went looking and dragged the motor across some rocks, bending the prop. The wind comes up, the houseboat limps to a cove, a few small rain storms blow through, etc. Typical LOTW day, right? We can only hope the 14' fishing guys have the sense to get to shelter. But now night is coming on, and so are the unbelievable hoards of hungry 'skeeters. The 14'ers are in shorts and tee shirts.
We learned this tale of woe when the houseboat guys flagged us down to ask if we had seen their missing friends. By this time the 14'ers were about 8 hours overdue. We also learned that another fishing boat had recently stopped and called the OPP on the radio, giving the authorities the location of the houseboat. OPP told the houseboat to stay put, someone was on the way. Seemed there was nothing we could do to help, so we continued on back to camp.
These guys, all novices, were so very careless, and that big lake spanked 'em. | |
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| If you do it, get the insurance, no matter what they charge. Several reefs which in previous years had buoy's on them, no longer do.
I continue the theme of funny houseboat stories started in the previous thread...
I was fishing a large reef which had not one but 4 buoy markers on it in a line at the end of which were a green and red channel marker buoys. As I was fishing the structure I learned by watching other boats speed through that apparently you could go between markers 2-3 but not 1-2 or 3-4. The houseboat approached and began to slow down, headed for the space between markers 3-4. I assumed he knew what he was doing and was going to stop and alter course. However he never stopped, just as he moved near the reef he gunned it and landed himself right on top of it between markers 3-4. The sound of this wreck was like right out of a movie with a train sliding down the pavement on its side. If I had to guess I'd say he ripped open one of the pontoons like a pop can.
As soon as he hit it the yelling and screaming began...at the wife, who was apparently the navigator of this incident. She was yelling rebuttals that she didn't see the buoy's or the channel markers (HUH?) He tried to pull it off with the 16ft rental boat which had plowed right into the back of the houseboat upon impact with the reef but that was futal, this thing was practically in dry dock. 2hrs later as we were returning home we saw him under power not far from the reef headed in the direction of the rental facility. | |
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| I did a trip with 8 guys last fall, 1st week of October. Had a 65' boat out of Morson. The first 2 nights were spent in a bay on the northeast end of Rabbit Island. We fished the Sabaskong mostly, and were getting a pattern to the fish. They moved the barge the 3rd night to the top of Miles Bay, quite a ride for us that evening in high wind, rain, and sleet. We fished that area the next 2 days, with a cold front, and din't do too well. The moved the next day to Burrow Bay. Much closer to where we wanted to fish. Stayed there for the next 3 nights.
The positives: Had a great time. The houseboat was large enough for us all. We ate great. Had plenty of food, snacks, and beverages. Pretty good bunch of guys, as everybody got along for the most part. Everybody pitched in with the work, ie. doing dishes. I cooked alot of the breakfasts, a venison backstrap dinner, and Friday fish fry. The fishing was ok, but no piggies were caught. A few were seen and/or lost. 2 by yours truly.
The negatives: Make sure the group understands what costs are to be shared, and what meals are to be who's responsibility. We had 2 guys that didn't expect to have to put in towards the substantial grocery bill in Baudette. They were a little surprised when it came time to put in their share, but there was no real hassle. Do not count on using the mandatory tag-along boat as a fishing boat. One of the guys has a beautiful Ranger that he decided not to bring. He regretted it after the first day of fishing out of the 16' aluminum which had no decks. Make sure the propane tanks are full at the start, and that all systems work. We had less than full tanks, and ended up paying for severl more that were brought out less than full. The hot water heater did not work, luke warm at best. Love them 50 degree showers! Get a consensus where you want to put the boat. don't move just for the sake of moving. If you do, make sure it near an area you all want to fish. Get everything in writing from the rental. We were supposed to have a 21' guide boat. It got wrecked the week before, and we didn't get a refund on it. Not in writing.
In hindsight? I'm glad I did it. Always wanted to. Was lucky that we had a group that everybody got along fairly well. Would I do it again? Maybe, with the family, in warmer weather. If I was to go up with a big group of guys again, I think I'd just a soon stay at a resort near where I wanted to fish. The trip ended great. It snowed Friday night. Got up to clear skies, and about 6" of wet snow covering everything. BEAUTIFUL!
Hope this helped.
Tight Lines,
Shep[:sun:] | |
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| Here is the last morning.
Tight lines,
Shep[:sun:] | |
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| My wife and I rented a houseboat for a week out of Kenora once. We went with some friends and had a very good time. If you can read a map and buoys you will have a great time exploring LOTW. We would fish mornings and evenings and then cruise to new locations every other day. You have to love a boat that has a blender and a slide out the back. I highly recommend it.
Shep, beautiful picture, I could almost smell the air.
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| ooops | |
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| Shep- Beautiful picture. The only thing missing is that big fall hog tail-walking w/ your bait in her jaws.
Al Warner
www.icantplayfindmyfoot.com | |
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| Daggone Shepdude! Looks like Cave Run this past March![;)] | |
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| Sponger,
Does kinda look like the Cave, but it wasn't as cold, the water wasn't brown like chocolate milk, and I don't see any propane tanks in this picture![:bigsmile:]
I have one of a Dave Doazio look-a-like in the snow. I will try to find it and post it.[:devil:]
Tight Lines,
Shep[:sun:] | |
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| I have done it many times and I highly recommend it, we used Ontario wilderness houseboats out of Morrson and they have top notch boats plus it is the same one used by Bob Mehsikomer, need I say more! | |
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| Thank everyone for your imput! Is there a webstie for onterio wilderness houseboat if not a phone number would be fine.again thank you for your thoughts.
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LOTW houseboat trips