Pollen Skies

Central Lake afternoon

There is an old fisherman's adage "When the pollen falls from the skies, fishing gets good."  Over the past several days the pollen has been thick.  A yellow veil has coated the lakes here in the Opasquia Park lately.  While flying throughout the park gusty winds lift the pollen into the skies so cloudy that you'd swear a forest fire has started.  Oh and yes, the fishing has been pretty good.

The weather is finally on the warming trend.  Warmer weather means warming water, which means the fishing is warming up.  After a cool start to the season, the future forecasts are favorably showing temperatures holding above 70 degrees for the first time this summer.

Hopefully the summer remains warm, so we don't need to chop
any more wood. 

A cool damp spring had kept a specific winged species at bay. However, the recent warmth has invigorated them.  I think you all know what I am referencing....bugs.  Yes, the black flies and mosquitoes have popped.  Don't forget your bug spray or coils for the next couple weeks. Let us hope the next couple weeks stay dry and then bugs should dissipate quickly.

Fishing 

The weeds in most lakes are finally beginning to grow.  Some Lilly pads have even been spotted in back bays.  Fish will begin to traverse away from the open mud flats towards the weedy bays over the next couple weeks.  

Water temperatures were on the rise today with plenty of sunshine booming down from the sky.  Most areas around Central are holding above 62 degrees and rising.  It's still early and there is no evidence of Mayflies.  

Walleye 

The weather hasn't seemed to affect the walleye, huge numbers are still holding in shallow waters.  Plan on hunting in 4-8 ft of water, around areas of current or on windblown mud flats.  I like to pitch small jigs (1/8 oz) and short twister tails (2-3") this time of year, pick your color.  Trolling shallow diving cranks along the muddy flats is a great way to locate the schools.  Walleye will continue to hold in these areas until the may fly hatch. 

Northern

The cool spring has altered the pike much more than the walleye.  The lack of sunshine baked warm bays are holding the majority of big fish out of the shallows.  The majority of trophies have been found hanging on the deeper edges of the mud flats alongside the walleye schools.  Silver spoons, smaller buck tails, and single hooked rubber shad baits have seemed to trick the big boys into biting.  Areas of deeper immature weed beds have also been effective.  The warm days will bring the big ole females into the shallows quickly as the bait fish will flock to the muddy flats.  After chatting with several groups today, the warm sun this morning has the trophies already moving back into the shallows.  

Welcome our new pilot Fred from Belgium 

Big Hook has a new employee joining us all the way from Belgium.  Fred, a pilot, arrived last week and will be assisting us this summer.  So please give Fred a big North American welcome.   

Good luck on the water everyone!
_Nathan
www.bighookcamps.com

Chilling Out

A day of moving freight 

On May 9th, I arrived to Big Hook Camps under sunny skies and temperatures of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  Immediately it was looking like a blazing hot, dry summer. I mentioned in my previous blog that the area was suffering from low water and dry conditions. However, since then Mother Nature has unleashed a roller coaster of weather our way.  Around a foot of snow fell May 12th following a day where we received over an inch of rain.

A skinny 37" Central pike 

A persistent east wind has camped over NW Ontario for the past week now bringing plenty of moisture.  Since last Wednesday, we have had rain five days and temperatures have not cracked 60 degrees.  The plus side to all the rain and moisture is the lake levels are now back to normal.  The bad side to all the rain and cold weather is water temperatures are far below average.  The past six nights have dipped just above freezing, rapidly cooling the surface of the lakes.  Water temperatures currently are hovering around 50 degrees in most spots.

You are probably asking yourself, "How has this weather affected the fishing?" The fish have moved out of the shallow muddy bays and into areas that have current such as rapids or creeks.  Deeper mud flats where dead weed beds are also holding fish. A common depth most guests are finding fish are 8-10 ft.  There are minimal signs of any weed growth.

A chunky gator from Central

The cool weather has the fish somewhat lethargic.  Many fish are being found however, the bite is lighter than usual and they are not grouped in huge schools.  For both walleye and northern, smaller baits have been out producing larger fare.  1/8 to 1/4 oz jigs with 2-3" tails have been the favorite for walleye.  For pike,  silver or copper spoons and 4-5" Rapala crank baits have been effective.  Slow presentation is key.

However, all of these fishing tactics are going to change rapidly as soon as the sun comes out.  A day or two of sunny skies will send the bait fish hording into the shallow muddy bays in search of warmer water and forage.  Quickly on their heels will be the predator species of pike and walleye.  Future forecasts show our cooling trend is going to break and warm weather is on the way.

With that warmer weather, fishing is going to get really exciting.

Good luck on the water everyone,
-Nathan
www.bighookcamps.com  

2016 Season Begins

Launching the plane at Riverside Air

The 2016 season is underway for Big Hook Camps.  I (Nathan) arrived at Central Lake main camp with my trusted flying partner Shadow on Tuesday afternoon (May 9th).  This is the second earliest recorded ice out for Big Hook, the earliest is May 7th.  The sun was shining with temperatures hoovering around 74 degrees, a perfect day to begin opening camp.

Upon arrival, the first thing I noticed was the dry conditions.  The water is very very low for this time of year.  A mild winter with below average snowfall coupled with an early ice out is the cause.  Water levels are about a foot low, and are at stages typically scene in late July.  Dipping my hand in the lake I also noted how warm the water temperatures were.  Most likely the pike have spawned, however the walleye are to be determined.  

After a quick scan of the main camp, it seemed everything had weathered the winter OK.  No trees fallen on cabins or the windmills, the docks were in place and frost heaves were normal.  A busy day of running diagnostics on the power system, firing up the water lines, establishing communications, emptying out several cabins, and so forth, I found only a couple malfunctions.  Thus far, one malfunctioning charge controller on the solar system and a split water line near the pressure tank have been the primary reparable ailments.  

Wednesday morning I made a flight into South Lake and dropped of a load of supplies.  The camp also looks to be in good condition after a long winter.  I spent a couple hours at South Lake readying camp, and it was off to meet Mom and Dad arriving in Sandy Lake that afternoon.  After unloading several airplanes of freight and several trips back and forth from Sandy to main camp our day was over at 8 pm.

Weather takes a turn

We will be able to make a snowman today. 

Wednesday night into Thursday a massive potent low pressure settled over Big Hook, bringing driving rains and howling north winds.  Today (Friday the 13th), we awoke to roughly 5-6" of snow with temperatures hovering in the mid 20's, the high is supposed to climb to 32 degrees.  It is not the first winter storm we have endured, weather is always a risk mid May this far north.  Unfortunately, the rotten weather has grounded me for the past two days.  I am hoping to get to West or Cocos once the weather break.  

I'll keep everyone updated as the camp opening progresses.  As of for now, it is time to perk another pot of coffee and throw another log on the fire. 

-Nathan

www.bighookcamps.com

Ice Update

The warm temperatures have crept their way into NW Ontario.  Nights are finally beginning to hold at or above freezing while days have been creeping towards 60 degrees recently.  Sunny skies and warmer temperatures have been pummeling the ice over the lakes in northern Ontario the past several days.

Eagle Lake, located 300 miles south of Big Hook Camps, is where we stage before heading north and is just about clear of ice.  Reports from the north country around Sandy Lake are suggesting rapid ice degradation.  Future temperatures in the Opasquia Provincial Park are looking very positive with possible temperatures inching towards 70 around Monday (May 2nd).

This week I am planning on picking up the plane from Winnipeg and if all the weather forecasts hold true, am hoping to be northbound to Big Hook on or before the 10th of May.  Dad and I are also planning a trip up to Red Lake next week with thousands of pounds of food items to drop at Wasaya Air.  These two trips will also provide us with plenty of information on the ice progress up north.

I'll have more information as the week progresses. If anyone has drink or food orders and/or special requests, now is a great time to submit them.  Fingers crossed for warm weather and sunny skies.  We are looking forward to at great 2016 season.

Take care,
_Nathan
www.bighookcamps.com