The past week was unusually windy with winds ranging from 20-30 plus km/h throughout each day. When this happens, attention has to be paid to the boats and floating docks and the cables securing the docks have to be tensioned accordingly. One day when the wind was particularly strong from the northwest, some of the wooden boats had to be moved to the lee shore across the bay so that they would not be damaged by the constant rubbing against the tire bumpers secured to the dock. Under such conditions, it is a constant matter of monitoring wind and marine conditions.
Despite the windy conditions, anglers were still able to get out fishing although they did encounter some rough water. Fishing was, however, still very good. Between helping boaters coming and going and cleaning fish, we dock hands were kept busy in addition to our regular maintenance duties. Late Friday afternoon, I spent two hours cleaning fish for guests to take home -- all this after a full day renovating the new outpost camp.
Apart from a bear in camp the past two nights, both yesterday and today went without any major surprises. These have been the two most relaxing days in the five weeks that I have been here -- no 14 hour days for a change! Consequently, I took advantage of the opportunity to go fishing, the first time since last Sunday. Yesterday, at midday, I headed to a large, shallow bay located to the north and east of the lodge. With no sonar but under calm conditions and bluebird skies, I was able to locate a pocket that I had heard about just off a small island. In the space of about two hours, I caught ten walleye ranging in size from 14"-18 1/2" using a Rapala jerkbait and a Bait Rigs tandem worm harness.
Then, late this morning, five of us decided to go out for a shore lunch. Under partly cloudy skies and a good walleye chop, we caught nine keepers using our standard minnow-tipped jigs just off the tip of one of the mid-lake islands. We went to another nearby island where, in a lovely protected cove, we dined on fresh bannock and walleye fillets baked in foil with onions, butter, and lemon pepper. What better way to spend Father's Day!
Meta Lake, June 21
