|
|
Posts: 223
Location: Downers Grove, IL | Hi All:
Wifey gave the green light and I'm headed to Canada this summer! This year, my buddy really wants to try Lake of the Woods and although I'd love to go back to Herbie's place at Eagle, I'm game. Soooo....where to go?
Few basic needs/desires:
-- good rental boats; ie, adequate HP, trolling motor, locator, etc.
-- more fisherman than famiily oriented
-- caters to/welcomes musky fisherman
-- good guides (plan on being guided for couple days to start off then on our own rest of week).
-- at least a fair representation of an "American Plan" We don't mind cooking a couple meals here and there, but not every meal every day.
-- SURROUNDED BY GREAT MUSKY WATER
Our timing is likely late July/early August. I'm guessing that this is HIGH season and their will be plenty of folks on the water, but I'm worried of hitting a bloom if we went later in August when it may slow down. Is this concern well founded OR should I just get my a$$ up there, find clean water if the bloom is on and don't worry about others because "if it looks like it holds fish, it does".
So, for those of you lucky enough to have enjoyed Lake of the Woods one trip or a hundred, I'd appreciate your feedback!
Oh - and I'll be scouting camps at the Chicago show this weekend, so if you know of anyone there I can talk to that'd be great too.
Thanks!
Jeff
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 425
Location: Roseau | Baystore on Oak Island out of the NWAngle, top guides are always around, Dick Pearson, Doug Johnson, Frank Walsh. Operation Muskie was done out the that camp last year. Musky's right out the back door and caters to (mainly) Musky guys!! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | I would never disagree with a Baystore Camp recommendation....except this time. Frank doesn't offer a lot of what Jeff is looking for. Frank quit the rental business several years ago, and I think you could talk him into it, but he doesn't offer an American plan. It is the best Musky camp ever created, and the best guide in camp is with out doubt Frank Walsh himself (sorry Dick), but I am not completely sure this camp is what Jeff is looking for. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5874
| Sabaskong Bay Lodge on Cedar Island. Heart of the Muskie fishing in Sabaskong Bay. Great people operate it. Adequate boats, great acommodations and lodge. Jeanne, I think does the cooking, and she is a fantastic cook. So the American plan will be right up your alley.
MuskieFirst had several outings there. I was at the first, and it was a great time. 149 muskies were caught between 25 anglers. Mauser caught like 6 off the shore!
www.sabaskongbaylodge.com
Give them a call/e-mail and see if they are going to be at any of the All Canada Shows.
I agree with NW Angle/Baystore being great, but as Norm mentioned, no American Plan available.
Also, if you do end up going to Sabaskong Bay, at any camp there, I suggest trying to get Brian Major to guide you for a day. Great guide, great guy, and the second best story teller there is! Let me know if you need help getting in touch with him.
Edited by Shep 1/9/2009 8:51 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 743
| Bay Store Camp in the NorthWest Angle. Cannot go wrong there. awesome rental boats, awesome guides. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 134
Location: (South of the 218) | Sandy's BlackHawk Island.
Just around American Point from Oak Island...has what "FishHateMe" is looking for... good food, good people, and Muskie Oriented (see Billy)
p.s. Fish off the dock. Might find a stray Laker so I hear.
out |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2067
| You are looking for Flag Island Resort!.......Meals are great!!! and you choose how many meals daily as you want (3 a day, just supper, ect) You can rent boats with 115 Suzuki's, theres a BAR :), DISH TV, Internet access. and on and on any of the above mentioned guides would be happy to pick you up at Flag Island (Oak and Flag are about 1/2 mile from each other) Ask for Dan (camp manager) - he'll treat you right.
www.flagislandresort.com
Edited by IAJustin 1/9/2009 9:21 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 291
Location: Minneapolis | Witch Bay Camp may fit the bill. http://www.witchbaycamp.com/index.htm
- The upgrade boats are 17' Lunds with 50 HP, front and back locators, 24V bow mount trolling motor. I used one the first year I was there when my outboard took a dump.
- 100% fishing camp
- Welcomes musky fishermen; Mehsikomer films there. But mostly it's walleye fishermen. Not nearly as much muskie pressure as Sabaskong or the Angle. To be fair, the muskie numbers aren't as high, either.
- Guides are free. A muskie guide will take you out on the first day (or evening). When I went, Marv Kiley (of M&G spinnerbaits), was the resident muskie pro. I'm not sure who's doing that now.
- All American Plan, and the food is outstanding.
- I had the most muskie action within a mile of camp, but usually I couldn't resist running further...
- It's a drive-to camp, but it's the only one in Witch Bay, and if feels very remote.
- The 5 mile dirt road into camp can be a witch with a B.
It's the best run fishing camp I've been to, including Herbies. Herbie offers more stuff like fly-ins, and other lakes, and more muskie guides.
Edited by rpike 1/9/2009 10:11 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3910
| no matter where you choose, be prepared for swarms of mosquitos not unlike what Bogart and Hepburn experienced in that movie "African Queen". I was at LOTW only once, up by Kenora, and the skeeters were so think we had to wear boots, full rain gear tucked in tight, head nets, and playtex gloves. At one point I took off my gloves and sprayed my hands with Deet. Glanced down a moment later and there were about 10 skeeters sucking blood out from under my wedding ring. When they all come up in the early evening, it sounds like you hear distant trains in every direction.
enough |
|
| |
|
Posts: 147
Location: Milwaukee, WI | Duck Bay Lodge on Hay Island in Sabaskong Bay. Accessed via Morson, ON.
I have stayed there several times and they have everything on your list. They do a nice job catering to musky anglers. Good musky guide is on the island all season, ask for Rob. Other equally good guides are available on-call, ask for Thatcher or George.
http://www.duckbaylodge.com/
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 223
Location: Downers Grove, IL | Thanks for all of the great feedback guys. It's VERY helpful! Lots of choices and I've reached out to several camps as to availability in early August. Based on recommendations here and from people I talked with at the Chicago Show, we're targeting one of the following, based on availability:
Sandy's Blackhawk Island
Witch Bay Camp
Angle Outpost
Flag Island
I know a lot of places are booked solid in july/early august, so if you have any more opinions to share, please do...
Thanks for your help.
Jeff |
|
| |
|
| how do I get in touch with Brian Major?? Have a trip booked at Red Wing this coming summer.
Thanks |
|
| |
