IT'S ALIVE!

Finally, Internet has returned to Big Hook.   After three weeks of living in the stone ages, i.e. flying to Sandy Lake in order to send an email, we again have service.  Three weeks of begging and pleading service technicians to make the long trip into the bush fell on deaf ears only with the technicians deciding to cancel at the last minute.  Fed up, Dad and I took matters into our own hands and remounted the satellite dish that was knocked awry from the snow.  After inching the dish left/right and north/south for what seemed like days, we painstakingly found a lock on the satellite.

What's happening with camp you ask? The massive snowfall from the winter skyrocketed the lake levels across the whole Opasquia Park.  We arrived to record high water levels at Central.  Water was up past the fish shed and had removed our main dock from the cribbing. Since our arrival the water has dropped considerably and current lake levels are slightly higher than normal. However, Cocos Lake remains high, as all the water in the park is still exiting through the double rapids.  The guests still have not been able to shoot the rapids into the Sagawitchewan river at Cocos. However, as the water returns to normal, the flow should become more navigable very shortly.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous over the past 6 days, almost too nice.  Sunny 70 degree days have dominated the forecast and even peaked at 84 today.  A little rain would be appreciated just to keep the boreal forest saturated.

Central Lake 41" 

Now, it is time to talk about the important topics, like fishing of course.  Without too much backstory, the late ice out has altered fishing patterns slightly.  Just late last week we were experiencing post spawn activity from walleye, they are now getting hungry.  The pike fishing has been lights out amazing (to be discussed later). As a whole, fish are chasing bait fish on shallow mud flats and in current.  Weed beds are nonexistent, but we may see some green beginning over the next week as water temperatures rise.  With a little searching you can find 63 degrees in shallow bays.

Walleye

As mentioned before, the walleye have spawned and have regained their appetites. Lots of fish can be found in sunny wind swept bays with mud bottoms.  The mud bays are heating so much faster than the rest of the lakes and hoards of minnows are clogging the warm waters.  Hot lures in mud are small jigs (1/4 oz) with twisters, along with floating shallow diving crankbaits.  A personal favorite is the Rapala F18 (firetiger) and slow twitch it for the bigger fish. Apart from the mudflats, plenty of fish are returning to the rapids since spawning.  There hasn't been much success yet on rock piles.  As the lakes heat over the next couple of days fish will begin to move out into the main lakes.

Pike

Pike have been on a feeding frenzy over the last ten days.  Every spot guests at Central fished were overrun with pike.  Fish have been tagging just about every bait thrown.  Popular lures have been smaller Daredevil spoons along with spinner baits.  Anything you can move slower and keep relatively shallow.  Since there are no developed weed beds this time of year the walleye and pike go hand in hand. Where you find one you will generally find the other species nearby.

Good luck on the water everyone!
It is great to be blogging again,
-Nathan
www.bighookcamps.com