Where the Anchor Drops

So this blog was ready to put out a couple times only to get busy helping guests, and then another round of photos would come in, so here we finally go with lots to share! Well the weather shifted- from one extreme to the other. As cold as opener week was, weeks 2-4 were that much warmer than "normal" a couple days in the high 80s. Water temps climbed quickly from the 40's to 60's; weeds are starting to develop; the crappies were hot for a short stretch; the perch bite picked up for week 3; didn't have much walleye chop as far as winds go for week 4, so keeper walleye weren't schooling up but fishermen were finding some here and there. Lots of walleye in the 20's - overall still shallow.

We get so many inquiries about where to drop that anchor. "What depth are the fish biting at? Are they shallow? Are they deep? Have the weeds come in yet? Are they in the north or south part of the system or somewhere in between?" The underlying essential question is "Where should I drop my anchor?" (or in some boaters' cases, "where should I spot lock?") It is an important part of the equation, and unfortunately for those wanting easy answers, the fish are constantly changing other variables of the equation. Is it like a mathematical formula that stands the test of time? Are they following predibictable patterns or changing things up just when we think we finally figured it out? If only there was an AI algorithm to tell us where to drop that anchor. If only the same spots that we anchored 20 years ago still held offspring of those fish from long ago. So, for weeks two through four our fishermen and women played around with that equation and dropped their anchors all over the Wabaskang in search of all types of species. Here are some of the results:

The Work to Hunt Work to Fish guys crushed the smallmouth bass:

We lost long time guest Gary Simons last November, but wife June wanted to come back one last time, and Eric and Crystal made that request happen and they trooped the cold and heat to get some quality fishing time on the water:

Craig, Ryan, Jeff, and Jeff were methodical in working the program and found multiple species for shore lunch as well as some catch and release:

Long time guest Ron and first timer Wayne found some crappie, smallies and pike:

Skip was back and had fun getting some big pike and smallies in addition to walleye; he even caught a two-fer: a pike bit into the walleye he hooked and he reeled them both in!

Bob and Sandy had a ball catching smallies that were almost as big as Sandy:

Melon and brother Ryan were up again- this time without the fam, so they enjoyed some bro-time on the water creating some amazing memories on the boat as well as at camp:

The Beeks were back! Tom, Andrew, and Carol's brother Daniel landed some dandy walleye and smallmouth:

And the Beeks neighbors/friends were back too- the double trouble twins Carol and Karen with their hubbies. They each topped the leaderboard their week with Karen's 36" pike and Carol's 25.5" walleye:

Jerry and Anne were back too! They have been coming for about10 years, Jerry was the cover of the 2023 Big Fish Page, they have introduced many of their friends to Tall Pines over the years, and this year brought Jerry's brother Rich and his wife Shannon up. They are especially kind and these trips mean a lot- so it was special to witness their time up here and be a small part of it. Look at Jerry's face while Anne holds this extra fat 35" northern!

Ryan and Gerry have been known to disappear from camp from time to time already. Some evidence:

Lots of daily changes, with anglers catching some really nice fish these past three weeks! The recent leaderboards:

Some camp happenings from our first potlucks of the season to fishhouse action and annual group photos:

Week 4 potluck brought the first big rain after a brief fire-ban- forcing us to switch gears from our normal location. We turned it into a garage party and it was so much fun! With Spencer and Zach giving us some great live entertainment for the third year in a row, Gerry and Shiann were inspired to break out their "Ugly Stick" that they hauled all the way here, and acts as a homemade tambourine:

The peddleboats got out a little early this year, with our first kids in camp early June, while campers share their views from their cabin in the evening:

With this one from cabin 2 capturing a simply picture-perfect silhouette moment- I don't even know who that was in the boat and I think that's the point here- it could be any of us:

Lots of guests spotting moose on the water. Craig captured this moment with a moose and calf one morning:

While Mark and Sandy got a taste of the Canadian wilderness: "Eagles and moose and bears- oh my!"

And fishing/nature enthusiast Jim captured some great images of loons, blue herons, and the many types of ducks all taking to the water just after ice-out:

Long time guest Ken Geurts is proud new Great Grandpa to little Kenny, and is already grooming him for fishing at Tall Pines:

Bears Den bar top that we made in the fall now sits perfectly under the gazebo:

Gerry and Shiann, our new dockhand staff, took a leap of faith in picking up their anchor in Newfoundland and dropping it here in Perrault Falls. Shiann used to fish for salmon with her Dad on the Gander River, but had never fished in Ontario, so she and Gerry have are already enjoying spending free time on the water fishing and exploring. They took no time in settling in their cabin last month, are re-decorating, and hung this sign:

We took that as a sign this was meant to be, and the inspiration for this blog.

We love that so many of you choose the Wabaskang and Tall Pines to drop your anchor for a week or two. We understand that these waters and this beautiful place becomes your home- if even for a short time- which is why we take extra time and care into creating a space you look forward to returning to after each day's fishing excursion. We hear guests inadvertently refer to their cabin as home time and time again and we love that. Til next time, anchors away...lets see where the anchor drops.