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2012, what a year!
It flew by in what seemed like no time at all, but the 2012 season is now behind us! So many good times with great friends in an environment that just can't be explained in words. We are truly fortunate to be able to work in such a beautiful place.
The 2012 season started off incredibly early. We've had early ice out before, particularly in the last four or five years, but last spring was ridiculous. When we arrived to check on camp, April 2nd, the ice was completely gone. We were told that the ice left the lake on March 30th.
What did that do to the fishing? That was paramount on all of our minds at the time. How would the season play out with such an early spawn?
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It all came to tell on opening day, May 19th, more than a month and a half after ice out. With the camp about half full opening day, we were shocked to find that the walleye were in their normal spring time fishing holes and were hitting just as usual! The spawn was definitely done, but thanks to cooler weather after the early ice out, water temps were not what we had thought they would be. That kept things more on par with a normal year and that was welcome news.
The walleye fishing was second to none for almost all of the season with the exception of a few weeks in September. Never did we have a shortage of fish for shore lunch. Some really nice fish were caught and released by anglers of all fishing levels. Our Walleye and Pike boards began filling up quickly and to be honest, many of the big fish were never placed on the board due to so many being released!
 Our staff was full of both old and new faces for 2012. With the return of Jason and Jake our dock staff and guide service flowed smoothly from the onset of the season. Newcomers Jared Liddle and "English John" added to the dockhand lineup while Angela and Mel filled out the kitchen / cleaner positions. We also had a full time caretaker and professional bear hunt operator "Big Dave" at Camp Lochalsh and his son "Little Dave" working on maintenance throughout our entire operation. The staff of 2012 was one of the best we've ever had. We thank them all for their great service!
At this time we are booked in our five normal sport shows for the winter season. We have lots in store for 2013 and are anxiously awaiting spring! We'll be heading in a bit early to work on a number of projects. We'll keep everybody posted on them as we progress. If you haven't already joined our facebook group page, do so. We post updates there regularly and as a member of the group, you too can post! Thanks to all that visited us last year, we look forward to seeing you again in 2013! Have a great winter!
New for 2013, Isle of Jordan!
Another great outpost cabin is now available for rent! The Isle of Jordan cabin is located just south of the narrows on a large, heavily wooded island.
It's horizontal log design dates back to the early 50's and is large enough to handle 6 - 7 people with ease. Full of character, this cabin is in a prime fishing location and has all the amenities our guests have become accustomed to including a full kitchen, three piece bath and full log design.
Isle of Jordan is available for rent beginning in late May. Our normal rates will apply and if you don't mind commuting to Loch Island for dinner, Modified American Plan is an option. See our Isle of Jordan webpage for more details!
http://www.lochisland.com/IsleofJordan.html
Inside Isle of Jordan!
A stone fireplace, right in your cabin!
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More Mercs for 2012!
Once
again, in 2012, we purchased more 15 h.p. Mercury Electric
start Outboard motors to add to our fleet. These motors
have been phenomenal in both performance and reliability.
Our guests love the Mercs and we plan on getting more for the fleet in 2013! Also on order are three more 18' cedar strip boats!
A sad farewell to a good friend
It was with great sadness that we learned of our good friend and long time guest, Jim Pitcher of Connersville Indiana's passing on July 18th, 2012. Jim had played a big part in getting us up and on our way back in 1991 when we started Loch Island.
His group of guys, all from the Indianapolis area, started visiting Loch Island even before we took it over. They started visiting the lake back in the early 1980's. The Indiana boys were, and still are, some of the best fishermen that have ever visited us and Jim was a big part of that.
With his bubbly, outgoing personality, Jim always was the center of attention at the lodge. A decent pool player, his laugh could be heard all over the lake and especially in the lodge at night. Full of stories, sometimes it was difficult to tell when he was serious or just clowning around.
Our heart goes out to Jim's family. He will be missed by many.
Jim Pitcher: December 15, 1945 - July 18th, 2012
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One
of our daily Shore Lunches at Tee Pee Island, springtime location.
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Thanks
to being inside the largest game preserve in the world,
pictures like this are possible!!! |
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One of Amy's fine deck flowers
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A great close up Bald Eagle shot!
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Schaefer and Altes coming back from Shore
Lunch!!! |
Here
is a list of just some of the new items purchased in 2012!
- 2 new Giesler 18' cedar strip boats
- 2 new 2.5 h.p. four stroke Mercury Outboards for portage lakes
- Extensive renovations throughout Camp Lochalsh
- New log wall on lodge - Loch Island
- 5 New Mercury 15 h.p. electric start outboards
- Isle of Jordan!!!!
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Here's
a look at two of our portage lakes as seen from the air:
Glasgow
Lake Just
south of Wabatongushi Lake, below the spillway and a short
quarter-mile portage, is Glasgow Lake. At first, the lake
seems pretty small, but when you venture out in our aluminum
boat and traverse through the narrows, it opens up into
a larger body of water. The narrows, with their swirling
eddies and turbulent water flow, offer a perfect environment
for Smallmouth Bass. The lake is filled with monster Pike,
feisty Walleye, and hyperactive Smallmouth Bass.
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Clear Lake
Known for non stop Pike action, this smaller lake (roughly the size of Tie Bay) is crammed full of Pike in the 26" - 30" range. Our 12' aluminum boat is accessed by a short drive from Camp Lochalsh. The lake has high ground on the north side and low swampy areas to the West where a river drains it south to another larger body of water. Rarely fished, we hope to entice people to give it a try in 2013. For those whole love the fight of feisty Northern Pike, it's a must!
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With
up to 10 different lakes to fish in addition to Wabatongushi,
the angling and exploring opportunities are limitless! These lakes
and streams are all in close proximity to Wabatongushi Lake, require
no flying to get to, and have no accommodations on them. Each
lake has a small aluminum boat or canoe, equipped with either
an outboard motor or—in the case of Andy lake—oars.
All
of our portage lakes are strictly catch and release!
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No
new changes in fishing regulations for 2012
For
2012, the possession limits in our area have remained
unchanged and are as listed below:
| Species |
Regular
License |
Conservation
License |
| Walleye |
4
fish, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm. (18.1 in.) |
2
fish, not more than 1 greater than 46 cm. (18.1 in.) |
| Northern
Pike |
6
fish, not more than 2 greater than 61 cm. (24 in.),
of which not more than 1 greater than 86 cm. (33.9
in.) |
2
fish, not more than 1 greater than 61 cm. (24 in.),
and none greater than 86 cm. (33.9 in.) |
| Perch |
50
fish |
25
fish |
| Brook
Trout |
5
fish, not more than 2 greater than 30 cm. (11.8 in.),
of which not more than 1 greater than 40 cm. (15.8
in.) |
2
fish, not more than 1 greater than 30 cm. (11.8 in.),
none greater than 40 cm. (15.8 in.) |
Please
note that the Brook Trout (Speckled Trout) season now
ends on Labor Day instead of September 15.
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A nice Pike, caught and released!
Jared Liddle with a Glasgow Smallmouth (Catch and Release)
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Many
of these fish were caught and released. Congratulations
to all who made the board in 2012!
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ATTENTION!
The
US Department of Homeland Security is requiring
all US citizens re-entering the US from Canada
at land crossings to present a passport or passport
card as of June 1, 2009. To get a passport card,
click
here to visit the Department of Homeland
Security's passport card website.
Also,
for those of you flying your own aircraft into
Canada, be aware that the Department of Homeland
Security (US) is requiring all private flights
to notify DHS 2 hours prior to departure from
the US via eAPIS for permission to leave the country.
You will still need to contact CanPass for clearing
Canadian Customs.
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Now that's a face only a mother could love!
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Sport Show Lineup - 2013!
Suburban Collection Showplace (formerly
Rock Financial Showplace) - Novi, MI - February 21 - 24
-
Ultimate Sport Show
Grand Rapids
Devos Place - Grand Rapids, MI - March 21 - 24
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Traverse City Outdoor Show
Howe Arena - Traverse City, MI - March 15 - 17
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A good place for a Bear to be!
Just off the Water!
A Mother Loon on her nest
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2012
Hawk Air Rates
Cessna
180 (2 people) $542.40
Beaver
(3-4 people) $813.60
Otter
(5-8 people) $1356.00
Please
note that these rates are round-trip, for the entire airplane,
including HST in Canadian funds.
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Name
the Spot!
Can
you name this spot on Wabatongushi Lake?
If
you think you know where this is, e-mail us at NorPike22@aol.com
and let us know. The first three correct answers get a
free T-shirt or coffee mug!
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