Another busy week of 10-14 hours days. With the unusually cool temperatures up until mid-week, we have been running through our supply of firewood very quickly. The two other dockhands, Evan and Keenan, and I spent two full days felling standing deadwood, sectioning, and splitting spruce and poplar logs. With sections weighing anywhere from 30-90 plus pounds, I was grateful to have an electric log splitter. Even still, it was hard work getting the wood out of the bush and onto the splitter!
We had a pleasant break from our usual maintenance chores Thursday mid-day as we prepared a shore lunch on Ara Lake for one of the cabins. We loaded the boat with firewood, deep fryer and propane, cast iron skillets, and a shore lunch kit comprising utensils, plates, beans and potatoes, spices, and cookies. We headed out from the lodge at about 11:30 AM to get things set up. We arrived at the lunch spot after a thirty minute boat ride to clean up the site and get things organized for the lunch. While I tended the cooking fire and deep fryer, Evan and Keenan cleaned the walleye that the five guests brought in. Not long afterward, we had the beans simmering on the fire, fish frying in the pan, and potatoes cooking in the deep fryer. A short time later, the rest of the staff came by to eat and socialize with the guests. It was a delightful afternoon! Of course, after that, we three dockhands had to clean up, put things away once we had returned to camp, and then do our usual late afternoon cleaning and refuelling boats, and meeting anglers at the docks as they returned to camp.
Friday, we had our usual morning chores beginning at 6:30 AM then it was getting a plane in, unloading supplies and another new boat, packing out garbage, and getting five guests on board. When a plane is coming in, it takes priority over everything else. Consequently, we didn’t have breakfast until 11:00 AM-- that’s just the way things are up here.
On Friday, the last full day in camp for most guests, we got a few hours off until late afternoon when anglers started to return from fishing, then we went all out power washing the boats and refuelling so that they would ready for the next week.
Saturday was the usual hectic day with guests flying in and out. The first two planes came and went before 6:00 AM. While one more plane was due at the lodge later in the morning, I left for the outpost camp to do the guest exchange, clean the cabins, and check the fuel and propane. I was back at the lodge by mid-morning and continued on with chores until mid-afternoon. While the rest of the day was a little more slower paced, I was exhausted and, by 9:30 PM or so was in bed too tired to watch the Stanley Cup game with the others.
Rain started late Saturday evening and continued through the night and well into the day. By 7:00 Sunday morning, we were out the door to refuel, clean, and run the boats to drain the accumulated rainwater. Although temperatures were warmer, it was still cold, wet work and I was glad to get back into the lodge to dry off and warm up. We were expecting a flight in at 10 AM but, due to poor weather conditions, the plane did not arrive until 2:15 PM with eight guests. I was hoping to get out fishing for a few hours in the afternoon but the delay put an end to that -- so much for our day off! However, shortly after 8:00 PM, after we had cleaned up in the kitchen, I decided to head out. I needed a break and I wanted to explore some new water. On the opposite side of the bay from camp, I lucked out and caught a 17” walleye and, a short while later, in tight to shore, I caught a 20” and 24” pike on two consecutive casts using a Rapala jerkbait. Nothing special in these waters, but a positive way to end my day nonetheless!
Meta Lake, June 7
