Forrest Lodge,we're all about Outdoor Adventure

Hello everyone, it’s MaryJo, Scott’s wife, remember me? Scott had to make a trip to Thunder Bay for some much needed supplies. So I’m filling in for the day. Not much for updates. The weather has been overcast, cooler, windy and raining on & off since Friday night. It’s a bit of a slow down around the area, not much traffic anywhere. I saw one boat yesterday fighting the winds trying to Lake Trout fish. Hopefully Scott will get out tomorrow to find out whats going on with the fishing. Our guests are holding tight til the weather settles down. Some are doing road trips to avoid cabin fever. Please stay tuned for upcoming updates. As Scott always say’s” Think Walleye!”

The last few days have been a challenge for me. I like to fish the odd places and hunt around using different methods. I guided a few guests the other day and hit some of the usual places. The bite was off for me,so I stayed very mobile. If I don’t pick up a fish in 10 or 15 minutes I move. I like to use a spinner rig and 1oz chain sinker  tipped with live bait. The rubble piles were not producing in the big lake so I hit the narrows. I was watching walleye in 6 feet of water swim around my bait. So I knew the bite was about to turn on. When the bite heats up it boils. Live bait and trolling shad raps or other suspended baits has been producing some nice catches of walleye. The narrows has a mix of cold water from the south and warmer nutrient rich water from the north with a mix of shallow waters and rock piles and deeper channels. This is mixed by a steady current. Calmer back water pocketshold northern ready to hit anything that comes their way. With the longer warmer days the lakers are starting to run deep. Hit these guys early in the day long line method, or get rigged up with the downriggers. I like to wait until evening after supper, I look for the loons and seagulls feeding on the surface. Thats were the bait fish are and just under these massive schools are the lakers. You can see the water boil as they come up from below and grab a mouthful. The smoker has been quiet for a few days with the focus being on walleye. Today is fish fry so MaryJo is maker her famous blue cheese coleslaw and baked beans. I’m doing the jalapeno corn bread. If you were here around supper time then you could get a taste. The rest of today is grass cutting day for me. If I stay on it steady I should be able to knock it off in about 3 days. Remember, THINK WALLEYE!

Ouch, what a burn. And MaryJo told me just as I pulled away from the dock to put on the sunscreen. So this morning with sunburned arms and face I am making an attempt not to show my pain. The temps yesterday topped out around 80f with flat water for most of the day. I started fishing up in the Boot without much luck. This was the 3rd time for me into the Boot this season. We fished it for about 45 minutes with no results. Then we moved out to the big water off of Cove. The water was flat with bright sunshine and warm temps. I rigged up with a spinner and 1oz chain sinker tipped with a minnow. With these conditions I worked it at varying depths figuring the fish would be hiding in the dark cold water. I hooked up with heavy meat in about 30 feet of water. This thing on the end of my line was chasing us so I kept up the tension with a back troll and a zig zag pattern. I figured it was a laker because it was staying down and I wasn’t feeling any head shakes. A big northern would have been doing some runs and head shaking and running away from the boat. This thing was hugging the bottom and running for the boat. I used the motor and made a big circle and got a flash of white about 25 feet out from the boat. The guys up front grabbed the net as I reeled in a heavy, heavy 31 inch walleye. No scale, just a tape measure. The picture will be posted on the web sight later on. He’s still out there waiting for the next lucky angler to catch and release. I threw the same rig back in and pulled up a respectable 19 inch and released it as well. A few more passes and up comes a northern in the upper 30′s. Of course he didn’t even make it in the boat, I released him right at the side still in the water. The less a fish is handled the better, especially the northern as the slime coat provides protection. The bite shut down so we moved to the Beav and fished deep also. Then we jumped over to Bald rock and finally to secret spot #7. The bite was not fast by any means but it was there. With the sun beating down on us and the water warming the fish stayed low. I got a report from the guys in cabin 5 that the bite didn’t really start until about 7 o’clock last night after the sun dropped a little. They said Campbell was fast with steady hook ups in shallow water using leaches, average fish in the 16-19 zone. Jeff said that most of the time every one had a fish on at the same time and his son had a big gator come up and grab his walleye. From that point on they started using the landing net. Today the water is still flat and the mercury is edging up with bright sunshine, so think deeper during the peak of the day and switch it up. Mix it up out there and remember THINK like a WALLEYE!

The weather changed to summer on Saturday with temps in the 70′s. Brilliant sunshine and low winds. And the BUGS! Not to bad this morning as we serviced the boats, just a few black flies. With the grass cut short they dont have a place to hide, so the lawn mower has been going. The fox is becoming more friendly and followed MaryJo around yesterday, it was waiting to raidher laundry cart. MaryJo had bread scraps and carrots on her cart to feed the groundhog. Now the fox has them. It even went into the garage and tried to steal a partial bag of fertilizer. No bears in sight around the property, and thats just the way I want it. Fishing patterns are all over the board. I went out to the narrows last night and started at the south end doing a slow troll with a chartruese and a minnow in about 8 feet. BANG! A laker inhaled it. O.K., but I’m not lake trout fishing. So I changed up to a black jig and tail and tipped it with a minnow. BANG! 2 lake trout in 10 minutes in 8 feet of water. Whats up? So I’m thinking this is still some cold water to hold lakers at the entrance to the narrows in this shallow area that usually holds walleye. I moved about half way up the narrows to the 2nd point and threw out the jig. Nothing in the wood, so I moved into the rocks at about 4 feet and there they were. Average fish was about 14 inches but I did hookup with a couple of meatier ones. So a dozen walleye in about 1/2 hour or so. The bite is HOT, HOT, HOT up in Cactus bay. This back water bay averages about 6 feet and is a mud bottom with a few rocky holes. The bait fish are in there and that will hold the walleye post spawn as they begin to feed and recover in the warmer waters. I haven’t travelled that far yet, but it gives a lot of action for the journey. I’m going to try secret spot # 4 later today if I get my chores done. The lakers are coming in for those fisherman that are targeting them. The northerns are starting to pick up also. The warmer weather is good for everything and the bite should follow the warmer water. Trolling some of the rocky points with artificials at a slow speed is bringing in big meat, but not fast action. Live bait presentation is always the most productive. I toss my bait out and let it free fall to the bottom. Just as I close the bail and the line goes tight is generally when the bite hits. A SLOW retrieve along the bottom with a few little twitches entices the bite. The walleye need to look at it for a minute. Slip bobbers are great for getting lethargic fish to bite. Remember, THINK WALLEYE!

Most folks that have fished Ontario at any particular lodge know that Saturdays, or change over as we call them, are very busy days at fishing lodges. We had cabins to clean and boats to wash and squeeze in a run to the dump and I fired up the lawn mower. The weather turned finally and we reached 68f today with mostly sunny skies and a light nor-wester. The black flies are murderous and we are taking our vitamins to avoid anemia from the little blood suckers. The Minnesota gang landed this afternoon with a few cheeseheads tagging along,blackflies really like skinny white legs in shorts. I fished yesterday up at the entrance to Cactus/Tractor bays with mixed results. I think everyone was fishing the mud flats and shallows in the two bays, so I stayed out. I look for quality and not so much the numbers. We pulled up to favorite spot number 23 and got a hook up within 30 seconds,average fish. Then the wind said it was time to go, so I fought the rollers for about 20 minutes and moved to favorite spot number 17. Then I said ,”let’s get out of the white caps and go get some fish”. The fronts moved through every 45 minutes, but we managed to beat the rain showers. We pulled a few from the narrows and somebody was getting a dry throat. On the way back through the sisters the boat I was riding in ran out of gas. Now, mind you, I asked Matt before we left the dock if he had gas, to which he said ” Oh yea, the gauge reads 3/4′s.”  I never asked if that meant 3/4′s full or 3/4′s empty. There was another boat following us so I got back just before the down burst. Did I mention the black flies? , I cut the grass this afternoon and that made them mad. Now with the warmer temps and sunshine they are really hungry. The next ten days to two weeks will be a test of wills. If your willing to go outside,  they are willing to bite. The cologne of choice is DEET. We are planning on fishing tomorrow in the Outlet so I will have a new post on Monday. Right now the sky is spotless and we are looking forward to a brilliant Northwestern Ontario sunset. Look back on Monday and remember, THINK WALLEYE!

The bite is still hot in the narrows with some big meat hooking up on the live bait presentation. A slow approach is getting the most action as these fish are lazy after the spawn. Walleye are coming from 3 feet of water all the way to 20 feet. Work the shallows right now for fast action, work the deeper water for quality. The northern bite is still sluggish as these guys will wait in the shadows and when the time is right strike like a shark. Some average pike are coming in but nothing to brag about. I was talking with a group that fished some artificials at a slow troll and had some good hookups working deeper water around the rock structure.  There are a few lakers on the smoker with a little cajunspice but nothing over average size. Wednesdays fish fry saw a break in the clouds just as I fired up the deep fryer.MaryJo made her famous blu cheese coleslaw and I went with the jalapeno corn bread. We celebrated Dick W’s 64th. Man can those Hoosiers eat. It was the usual spread, fresh walleye, a pike or two, potatoes, beans, coleslaw, cornbread and Dicks 64th birthday cake. The chef had a few walleye cheeks, that keeps him cooking. Remember that lower unit I just got back from Thunder Bay on Tuesday? Well…… I have another one now for a ride back to Thunder Bay for repair. And I just got the other one back on this morning! CAUTION, DRIVE WITH EYES OPEN EVEN WHEN BACK TROLLING DAVID V!!!! Needless to say, if you don’t know your way into Cactus Bay, you are goingto pay. I hope I never get caught speeding through Indiana, the fine will be a a prop and skag. The fox showed up this morning and made his rounds through the lodge looking from cabin to cabin for breakfast leftovers. He’s still looking. We had a sow with 3 cubs out at the end of the driveway this afternoon when I made my cabin rounds. She is about a 250# give or take and the cubs are little puff balls. She stood her ground while the little ones ran across the driveway into the bush. They were eating the new dandelions that are sprouting everywhere. At least we have some color finally. Today the weather broke with sunshine and warmer temps in the 60′s. The bugs thought this was great and had a party.  Tomorrow I will be on the water so check back for current fishing report, and remember…. THINK WALLEYE!

Whats with this global warming? Snow on Friday, frost on Monday and its well into June. Fishing remains hot in the shallow waters in and around the narrows with Whitefish Bay holding big concentrated numbers of walleye. I went back up to Boot Bay on Tuesday without a fish to be caught. So I thought I would try Finger Bay all the way up to the creek. Still not a fish to be caught. Whats going on here? These are traditional hot spots for this time of the year. It appears that the walleye have not moved in yet. So why are there so many in the Narrows? Everything from Whitefish to Lake Trout are on in the Narrows. The big walleye we caught there on Tuesday were coming from 3 feet of water. We had a solid bite with some meaty fish taking a jig tipped with a minnow. The walleye were warm to the touch. So, it seems that the bait fish are holding in the shallow waters and the current that moves through the Narrows are keeping the fish there. The Hoosiers reported a catch of over 100 walleyes up in Cactus. I have heard that some big meat was coming from 15-20 feet of water. Very unusual bite and pattern. I will be on the water for Thursday so I’m going to try some of my secret holes. Look for that report on Friday. Today is Wednesday so that means fish fry. The Hoosiers read the last report and brought some blue cheese for Mary Jo to make her coleslaw. I can’t decide if I should make bannock or jalapeno cornbread. O.K. so the title says bears. Yesterday I went to Thunder Bay for supplies and to pick up the lower unit. I don’t care for the drive down or the hectic pace of driving around the city and trying to get everything done on my list. The 3 hours of driving gives me time to reflect and dodge wildlife. I don’t really count but I passed at least a dozen bears and a stubborn bull moose that was on a mineral lick by the side of the highway. The drive back home is the highlight of my day. Its hard to keep the speed in check but I did manage to get home before 10:30pm. Its always a welcome sight to come down the hill and see the lights reflecting across the bay. Please feel free to add a comment or a fishing story, especially if you just returned from a trip. Share your fishing report with others and remember, think WALLEYE!

June 5th and it snowed! Cold and windy with snow showers throughout the day. Nobody fished and most of our guests checked out due to the ugly weather. One guest from the Platteville WI. area pouted so bad he left with an extra lip! Saturday was clear and cool with a light northwest breeze and by afternoon the temp was hoovering around 50f. The Hoosiers checked in around 3 and were on the water by 5. After 2-3 hours they returned with reports of about 30 walleye per boat, all catch and release. The bite remains hot in the warm back water bays and some fish are transitioning to the early season patterns. After speaking with some well seasoned repeat guests, we all determined that we are about 10 days to 2 weeks behind. The trees are just beginning to bud and the grass is growing. Frost is still moving out of the ground in a few places, especially were there is clay. Around the fish house , garage and laundry shed the buildings are shifting by inches everyday. The water remains above average height. Not all the shallow reefs are marked and with the high water some reefs are just barely under water. Caution is the word when navigating around Caribou Lake. We had one lower unit sent to Thunder Bay already. Not a good way to end a fishing trip! Sunday morning brought us cool temps at 40f and a fair sky. Everyone left the dock by 9 so I finely got a minute to update all our readers, and have a relaxing cup. Check back often, and think WALLEYE!

O.K., so its human nature to complain. But complain because the fish are too big? Yes, its true, the bite is on in the usual places, but the walleyes are running well over the 20 inch mark and mostly all really hungry females post spawn. The surface temp has reached 49/50f throughout most of the lake and yesterdays sunshine and warmer temps are helping to move the fish around. I tried some of the spawn areas and shallow creeks without much luck. That can only mean that the spawn is over and the fish have moved out.  We did hit the northern in the shallows as they will hang out in the grass for a few days after spawn. If I can get my chores done then I will hit them with the fly rod. Today so far it is somewhat overcast and fairly calm, I couldn’t ask for better conditions. Last nights fish fry saw 28 hungry mouths feast on fresh caught fish with all the fixins, the only thing missing was MaryJo’s blue cheese coleslaw. Its kind of difficult to get blue cheese in town. We celebrated 3 birthdays so even at 9am there is not much activety on the dock yet. Think WALLEYE!

And how man. Freezing temps at night and then just sloooowly creaping up during the day. Right now during lunch break the temp is about 46f with spotty sunshine and a light nor’west breeze. Its June, check out the weather report on the link at the home page. Yup, its says snow.  The bite remains sluggish as the water continues to warm at a snails pace. Reports of about 30-40 fish per boat are coming in, one group reported catches of well over 100 fish. The back water bays and shallows are the target waters now. Slow troll with artificials and live bait presentations at 3 feet or less are getting the best hook ups. Some northern are coming in and a few lakers to round out the catch. The lakers are still fairly shallow as the water is at 41f surface temp. Northerns are still hanging up shallow with the walleye and a few are even in the grass in just inches of water. MaryJo has the smoker going with a few fillets almost ready to come off. Everyone keeps asking about fish fry, so weather permitting Wednesday evening will be busy on the deck. We will also be celebrating a few birthdays, so Thursday morning will be a 2 pots of coffee morning. Check back soon for further updates. Think WALLEYE!