By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current
Oh, Canada
If you don’t want to read about my trip to the northern wilderness of God’s country, then read something of more quality.
There were four of us anglers, Dennis & David Schoening, David Jensen, and myself, that left Eldridge on Friday, June 7, to Bear Claw Wilderness, Ontario. The camp just turned new ownership a few days before we arrived. For several years we all went to Bluffy Lake Resort, but there was a mix-up so we ended up in a new location on Wabaskang Lake.
It was less than an hour’s drive north of Dryden. We stayed overnight at a motel in Dryden. My room was $375. Ugh! We arrived at the camp the next day about 11 a.m. We had excellent lodging and our cabin had running water, bathroom, etc. Very nice! The new owner, “Toby,” his son, Max, and two others, Brian, and a lady, were all super friendly. Of course, our main objective was to catch and eat “Walleyes!”
We compare everything to Bluffy Lake because it is an outstanding walleye lake. In that respect, this new location fell quite short. We did have 4 walleye meals which included the awesome “David Schoening’s Walleye Chowder.” To die for!!
One day the three guys portaged to Lost Lake (Catch & Release only) where they caught nearly 100 walleyes, northerns, yellow perch and I think a “smally.” If you take away that day, the fishing was slow for walleyes. Not horrible, but not even close to the catches of the past Bluffy Lake adventures.
We were not alone, as it was tough going for other boats, too! We saw eagles, ducks, ground hogs, and a cow moose. When Mrs. Moose picked up our scent, she quickly went back into the forest.
Ground Hogs
One day I kept hearing a noise from under our cabin. It turned out there were three ground hogs having a party under the cabin. Camp worker, Brian, set out live traps and caught three in a matter of minutes. One was actually in our bathroom and how he got there is a mystery.
White Fish
Dennis caught a 20” fish we had never seen before. It kind of looked like a sucker or carp. We let it go and found out it was a white fish. I guess it would have been okay to eat.
Eaters
The slot limit on walleye was anything up to 18.” We caught and released some 18 - 21 inchers, and sometimes it was hard to catch “eaters.”
We did catch some nice yellow perch. They had spots we found on them, but they were okay to eat. We’re still alive!
Bait
We used worms, minnows and jigs. In Dryden I bought a $100.00 worth of nightcrawlers at Clark’s Bait & Tackle.
Worms were the bait of choice. Remember, you cannot bring worms across the border. Speaking of the border, we lucked out both coming and leaving Canada. No lines. Of course, the border guards are not the friendliest folks, so skip any kidding with them.
Master Cooks
I don’t cook! I don’t know how to and at 82 I’m useless behind a range. Fortunately, the two Schoening guys and David Jensen are really into cooking. I must have gained 10 pounds. Great food!
Handicap
I won’t harp on this, but it was hard on me getting around with my cane. It was a steep place to get to and from the boats, but the camp guys, Brian and Max, hauled me to our cabin in an ATV cart. Sometimes I tried to make it by myself, and Dennis, and the two Davids helped me. Those guys were “soooo” helpful. I should also mention that Dennis did most of the driving “to and from” Canada. He said he likes to drive. We enjoy solving the world’s problems. He used to be my boss with the Postal Service so we hashed around the “good old days!”
In Two Years
We now go to Ontario every two years. I’m not too sure I will be around in 2026, but I guess that’s up to the Big Fisherman in the sky above. If not, I have great memories of the trips to Canada since 1966.
Quote of the week
“I know of no way of judging the future, but by the past!” – Patrick Henry