When we feel like summer has just started, already signs of the season changing appear. Grasshoppers jumping out of nowhere, the calls of the crows, the sun setting a bit earlier each evening, the nights cooling off a bit, and even a few leaves already falling. Fortunately the air temps are still quite comfortable mostly in the 70's this past week, and water temps are also in the 70's. Fishing has still been good but walleye numbers have slowed down a bit. The pike bite is still hot and so are the perch. The quality of fish being caught remains high and there's been plenty of campers having their fill on fish fries, fish chowder, and baking/grilling fish.
In case you're wondering who still has the biggest fish caught so far this season, here's an update. With only 5 weeks left of the season, we'll see if they hold:
Fred and Bonnie spent quite a bit of time on the water, being they were here for three weeks. Some days were hotter than others both in temps as well as fishing action, and they overall did quite well:
It was really special to see Fred with brothers Tom and Bob as well as their spouses. Tom was the first Haan to fish the Wabaskang back in 1965, camping on an island with some buddies. He liked it and brought back his Dad and brothers the following year, and the rest is history. A lot of memories with their Dad and families over the years have been made on this water, and we're so happy for them as they got to create a few more this year:
Mark and Cindy returned this year catching some dandy walleye and pike. While last year son Jim caught the biggest walleye of the week (and season), this year Mark got bragging rights with his 25.5" walleye;
He also landed a nice 32" northern and Cindy got a nice 20" walleye:
Bruce and Debbie enjoyed a two week stay again this year and enjoyed potluck and blueberry picking, captured a moose sighting, and of course some great fishing:
A familiar face returned to Tall Pines, this time to fish and relax, not to work. Andrea got in lots of berry picking, visits with friends up here, her walks, and fishing with Steve as well:
Tom and Debbie were back this year as well. They really enjoyed some couple time seeing all the views and finding those walleye among all the northerns:
I caught some of my personal biggest walleye of the season this past week, including a 20" and 21".5":
Steve and Suzie had such a good time last year that they had to get brother Michael and his wife Kathy up to join them. They had a perch contest going the whole week and it was a joy to see them reunited as they live in separate states:
Jim and Mary got their son Nick up here this year. Nick, a serious angler, got them on an early morning routine that was a bit of a shock for two retired parents.
Mary Vandevender loves to take nature pics each year. This one is taken right off the docks:
Eagleman watching over camp:
Blueberry picking has been quite successful this year! Mary and I found blueberry heaven last week:
The last couple Wednesdays have proven the perfect weather evenings for Potluck and campfires:
While everyone else slept through it, Ryan awoke recently to see a stunning Northern Lights appearance:
Fred and Bonnie snuck this pic in after Earl and Ryan had some boat troubles. Refusing Fred's help, Earl paddled his way back to the docks, and I tried to help landing them. Ryan realized that you should probably have some fuel in the tank before leaving camp :)
A few guests from this blog have been sharing their potluck recipes. They've all been a hit, and gave permission to share. Yum!!!
Tom and Debbie's walleye chowder:
Jackie Lehman's (with the Haans) pistachio cake:
and Debbie David's ceviche:
Here's to Saving Tonight. Each guest brings with them a new story, a unique history, and to see how each person absorbs the environment up here is mesmerizing. Each day he or she wakes up a bit more relaxed and rejuvenated, and the week slips by so quickly that I see melancholy and wistfulness in those eyes as they wind down on Friday. That last cast can be full of sadness to an angler up here. Guests want to savor that last night. For some its taking their time packing up their fishing gear on the boat, or one last walk on the docks and sitting on a bench or chair with her spouse. And for others its the last nightcap on the porch, not wanting the sun to set. Its fighting the break of dawn, cause they know come tomorrow they'll have to be gone.