Fishing Report 2007
The early ice out again and the wet summer meant good fishing with lots of big fish being caught and large numbers being caught and released. Over all numbers were very good this summer. Brownstone continues to produce some nice catches. Although the water level jumped almost 4 feet on this lake in June and meant the fish weren’t in there normal spots and tended to be spread out more than normal on the main lake, the portage lakes still produced those lunkers especially below the falls. Hailstone did well also this summer. Lake levels being high meant it was easier to get down into Lower Hailstone and opened up more readily accessible areas to fish. Headwaters lake was it’s usual great producer with a number of northern over 40 inches and those huge walleye being caught on the main lake all summer. This lake continues to amaze our guests and us each year. It is good testimony that if you “catch and consume only” it can continue to be a premier trophy lake for years to come. Higher water up on Headwaters meant the 2 portage lakes were easier to access for those who wanted that adventure of walking into a lake only fished a few times a season. Sumac and Conifer Lakes fished well this summer. I think the draw to these lakes remains the fact that you can go out in one day and catch trout, walleye, northern pike, bass and perch. A great variety for a lake that is only 4 miles long. 
We are often asked what the peak time for fishing with us is. It is always hard to predict as it was this year because of water levels, changing weather and early ice out. There are just so many variables but with our long time, on going lake policies of “releasing the trophies” for the next generation and 90% of guest’s now voluntarily taking only a conservation license as well as the trend for fewer people to take fish home with them has all helped to make these fisheries some of the best fly in lakes available. These lakes are sure to remain top quality fisheries for years to come.
Border Crossings
The U.S. congress has passed a bill which will delay the requirement for U.S. citizens to have passports to enter back into their country by land until as late as June 2009. I’m sure this will give people much more time to get passports organized for future trips to Canada. Although customs is more focussed on security and citizenship now you will need to have 2 pieces of I.D. One must be proof of citizenship, birth certificate or passport and the other preferably with your picture on it. A driver's licence will work fine. Children must have there birth certificates and if you are travelling as a single parent it is recommended that you have a letter from your spouse regarding your travel. Although customs is usually very helpful with your entry it is a good idea to check ahead of time if there is any questions about your to admissibility to Canada.
Our Cat Island Lodge on Trout Lake
We are proud and pleased with all the compliments that we received this past year on our Cat Island Lodge on Trout Lake. Our return guests who liked the fly-in fishing wilderness adventure but wanted the finer amenities that only a full service lodge could provide them found Cat Island to be the ideal place for them. Those who wanted to give their wife or family a true fly in experience and all the creature comforts that a resort could offer loved it also. For more info on this checkout our new and updated website for the lodge, www.cat-island-lodge.com
Don Uzendowski, Omaha, Neb. August 2007
What's New for 2008
Walleye season opens on Saturday, May 17 th this year and we are offering our "Spring Special" again till May 26th. Guests coming from ice out till then can enjoy a substantial savings on their trip. We are also still offering over night accommodations at the float base for those people who would like to stay with us on the lake before flying out to there destination.
As usual we will be continuing with up-scaling our facilities at all our lakes. We continue to carefully manage our outpost lakes to provide great fishing opportunities and provide the best in modern outpost accommodations. We are continually replacing walkways, docks, re-siding and painting cabins, updating our equipment including boats and motors, fridges, stoves, mattresses and this year finally putting generators at all the camps to charge camera and depth finders batteries etc. that our guests bring along. Also we have noticed an increase of customers who are using C-pap machines for sleeping at night and this will mean that they will no longer have to bring there own generators. Having the satellite phone at all our facilities for emergencies is also a comforting thought for those guest who although might not need a phone but want the ability to contact us or call home should the need arise.
We have also finished the wider walkway at Sumac Lake for those guests who are looking for an outpost to bring a family member or friend who is handi-capped or older. We have added a ramp to the cabin and are in the process of putting in an inside toilet. This outpost is our most user friendly with its level ground and the ability to go right from the cabin to the dock without any step ups. We also got to try out this neat invention that one of our guests brought up that we used to get one of our favourite customers out to Sumac Lake. Joe Feltz figured out how to get his favorite father in law Jim Johnson, who loves to fish but was finding it harder and harder to get on and off the floatplane with his handicap. It worked great and it shows if you want to fly in and fish there’s no excuses. Check out the smile on Jim's face.
Rates and package changes
We’ve added a New Package this year for those guests that are tired of doing all the organizing and arrangements for there whole group. We take care of it all, with Our "4 DAY SPOILERS PACKAGE".
A complete package for the busy fisherman with nothing forgotten and a good time guaranteed for everyone. Be sure and check it out on our website and brochure.
We have had to make some minor adjustments to our packages pricing to ensure that we supply you with the same high quality trips. This was needed due to the lowering U.S. dollar and higher costs for fuel, insurance, wages etc. that we have been burdened with. When comparing packages we only hope that you will take into account exactly what we are providing with ours in comparison to other outfitters and the level of quality of aircraft, cabins, equipment, the ample staple foods, satellite phones, weight allowances and professional service staff that comes with it.
On a Personal Note
We would like to start by thanking everyone that visited us last summer and the past seasons and mention that we greatly appreciate your continued patronage. Our on going success in this business can only happen with the great support and referrals we get from our many guests and we certainly appreciate the calls, emails and photo’s that many take the time to give us. If you have never been with us we would like take this opportunity to invite you to join us for a fly-in trip to one of our fully modern outpost cabins on one of our several remote lakes.
We realize that there are many choices when planning your vacation but be sure that “the spoils of a trip are remembered long after the savings of that same trip are long forgotten”. We only hope that in planning your vacation that you will compare all that we have to offer in relation to what is truly being offered in less costly trips.
We invite you to make your fly in vacation to Canada one that you will cherish with fond memories for years to come and what ever trip you choose we hope that it is an “Excellent Adventure.
Faron & Joyce Buckler
