doack

I was up there for the first time last year with my two young sons. It was the last week of July. Stayed at the main camp so we didn't make it all the way out to the outpost. As for the bass, we caught plenty of them using worms on bottom and under a bobber. Usually dropped anchor close to any good looking rocky shorelines and it was as simple as that - 5-15 feet of water. Only had limited luck with walleye but I am sure it was more my inexperience versus the lake. Also only boated a few pike but the owners were very upfront to let us know it was not a numbers lake for pike so that was fine with me. Overall we landed more than enough fish to keep a 8 and 11 year old entertained for 8-10 hours on the water each day. I intend on going back but this year we are trying our first fly in.

Thanks for taking time Hoosier, received a pm from another guy with some great info also, now the clock is REALLY going slow! Can't wait. Take care, Doug

Headed up to Happy Day Lodge in a month, never been there, but many say its a great fishing lake for a drive in. I am staying at the outpost camp with one veteran of many trips with me, two teenagers, and two first timers, and would love to keep them interested lol. Any tips, looking for walleye, pike and smallies. Pretty good with first two, but not much on the small mouth. Baits, where to target, times of day, anything along those lines would be great. Are the portage lakes worth the trip? Any reports from those that have been there this year?

Thanks in advance

Doug

www.bwmarineproducts.com

 

Sportspal is made in Canada. (north bay)

Radisson is made in Canada, and sold in US.

 

Not sure about any US knockoffs or manufacturers, but the ones built in North Bay are good quality...not the best paddling canoe as has been discussed (i still raise my nose and say its good ) but a well built and easily repaired canoe.

 

Thanks Rodcaster, is the Radisson made in same plant in North Bay, or is it a sister company somewhere else? And is it the same exact canoe, or is there a difference between Radisson and Sportspal?

The Sportspal is and always was made in North Bay Ontario.

 

The American version is a knockoff.

http://www.meyersboat.com/sportspal/

It shows here that sportspal is made in US, and I believe the Radisson is made in Canada. Not a pissing match, was just wondering if you guys are talking the sportspal from US or Radisson from Canada.

Anyways, I could care less where its made, whats your thoughts on Radisson canoes, are they junk, or same thing with lighter gauge aluminum? Lots of conflicting information on google when you type in sportspal and radisson.

When you are talking Sportspal, are you talking the Radisson canoe, or the American made Sportspal. Aren't they the same thing?

I don't have a clue what you're implying and if I did I wouldn't hesitate to elaborate believe me.

 

I get countless inquiries from people on both sides of the border about Eddie's camp and otherwise.

 

I always try and help everyone.

 

Did you ask for help and I didn't come through? If so it was an oversight and I'm sorry.

Well, I can certaily start posting the pm's between us the last couple of years, just say the word. I put it behind me,and even quit coming to the board, but I will tell you this, he is not a very truthful fella all the time...

Not sure what he is implying. I'm from Ohio and Solo sent me a very complete and detailed summary of his previous fishing trip to Beteau. It was certainly more than I expected. Maybe it was meant in a joking manner?

He Knows what I am implying...

I'm more than happy to help anyone who's headed up there.

 

PM me with any questions you might have.

unless you are American right Solo....

Anyone else getting red "X" for pics? I am at work, but can get photobucket pictures, not sure why I am not seeing them. I am sure they are great though TDunn knows his fishing..

Nice fish and report Doack.

I'm glad you finally made it up to Chapleau.

 

 

TDunn

Thanks TDunn, your lakes you suggested were next in line if we couldn't make it to where we wanted! I am targeting those lakes next year for a trip with my sons, need something with a little less portaging to get too.

Take care.

Never caught a blue walleye, for that matter, never seen one in real life and you say you guys caught about 15...lucky! Thanks for taking the time to write it up and share. Looks like a fabulous area to spend some time, might have to put it on the list.

Definetly give it a shot if you have the chance, well worth and just a great great get away, just wish I lived closer! Only advise would be pack light, no unnessasary things, we learned alot lugging stuff we didn't need all over the bush.

Thanks for sharing........the Chapleau area is one FINE FISHING area....but I have to ask.....why are the photos marked Oct 7th 2005 ? ? ?

I knew that one would come up, lol. Batteries popped out of camera on the portages, didn't think to reset everything. I am sure you would agree though that we wouldn't have been in shorts and t-shirts in October up there!

Thanks all on the comments...

To post pics, highlight the img box on the pop down box in photobucket, copy and paste

I gave it a shot editing the message HTHM, and I am either an idiot, or, well, yeah, probably just an idiot. But all it did was show the img box address in between some {IMG} things, no pics.

Oh well, hope all enjoyed the pics, great trip!

Looks like an awesome trip!

 

 

Speaking of Blue Walleye...what does everyone think of that first pic!?

We caught probably 15 of those, we took the side by side to show the difference.

Well, finally made it up on the long anticipated trip north of Chapleau. We drove for 9 hours to get to Chapleau, another 1 1/2 hours on the logging roads to get to the point of our first portage. We scouted a bit for our entry point, and exit, and then it started raining pretty good, and we chose to not push it into the woods and try to beat sun down. Great move come morning as we found that we had one extra portage, and the 3 portages all tolled about 4 hours of back breaking work, all worth it though.

Once we got to lake we intended to get to, we set up camp, and hydrated until gills started sprouting in our necks, can't tell you how crucial water and gatoraide is on one of these.

Now to the fishing, couldn't have had a better time, in 2 1/2 days we caught over a 100 walleye, and about 30 pike, the pike were almost all deep, very few in the weed bed areas which kind of surprised us. We didn't hit a monster for either walleye or pike, but the walleye were up to 24" and fat and healthy, and the biggest pike was 32", again fat and healthy. Only saw one bear on trip, cruising a beach on the lake, took off as soon as we tried to get closer in the canoe for a pic though, no problems with them at camp or on portages. Keep it clean, keep them away!

I for the life of me can't figure out how to get the pics posted in multiples, so here is a link to the photobucket site with them. Tons of fun, can't wait to do it again, and after this trip, will be packing much lighter and smarter! Enjoy the pics.

http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff272/doack/

If anyone has a pointer on adding multiples, please let me know.

In fairness to Billy Bob I've seen a ridiculous number of bears in that area the last couple of summers.

 

Since the spring hunt was cancelled the population has exploded.

 

Still, it would never disuade me from planning a trip up there.

 

Heck you're talking to someone who was stalked and chased by 3 polar bears up near Hudsons Bay years ago and I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Stalked by 3 polar bears Thats a story I would love to hear, and how the heck did you get away???

Having fished that area, I wouldn't tent up there unless my trusty Savage rifle came along for the ride.....think Bears and I'm not talking Poo Bear but rather hungry Black Bears.

Been there many times, seen bears, rarely, and never had a problem in camp. Not saying it doesn't happen, but that does not worry me too much, I do like the baseball bat suggestion though, lol.

Thanks for the replys, sent pm to tdunn and solo, look forward to giving it a shot.

Wondering if anyone has taken the canoe or light boat, and gone back on the logging roads through out the Chapleau game preserve? Wondering on the experience, any vandal problems with leaving a car for a few days, any suggestions as to what to take, what to avoid, those types of things. Not talking the paved roads like 101 or anything, but heading back on the vast logging roads for a few days of camping and fishing.

Any and all replys welcome!

Awesome stuff, I love the old WW2 planes, and that lancaster is in great shape, would love to see that. I have seen my share during air shows in US, but never a Lancaster, that would be fun to see.

Thanks for posting.

OK, here we go

Cigars are now at Romes Independant Grocery Store. They have a nice little smoke shop at the front of the store. I kinda forgot about it as I don't go there much, or smoke.

 

Go your regular route off the bridge, but follow the signs to Hwy 17 north. You will turn left off Wellington to Pim St. Up past Canadian Tire on the right, turn right into the mall parking. The top end of the mall is the grocery store.

To get out of town east again. Go out of the mall the way you came in, left at the Canadian Tire corner (McNabb st), all the way down there and down the big hill. Right at the bottom and left out to 17 east.

 

Catch some fish

You da man! I know right where you are talking. I will have a full report when we get back!

How has the cooler weather been for the fishing up there? Any patterns messed up good or bad by it? We will be fishing mostly Pike and Walleye, but two of the lakes we can portage too have Lakers and white fish. Can't wait.

I gotta check a bit closer here. I looked in the phone book and don't see them listed any more.

 

We also have some major road closures here.

 

When you get off the bridge, turn right, thru the lights, and follow Bay st along past the Casino and mall.

It curves left at the end, then right. Normally you would turn left at the next lights, Pim St. Don't. Go straight down for 2 more sets of lights. Big apartment building on the right. Turn left at them lights, then right at the next set. That will put you on your way out of town going east.

Thanks!

I don't know where you are coming from, but when you say UP, I think from the US. If so, they have cigars at the duty free store as you cross the border.

Otherwise there are a couple smoke shops downtown on Queen street.

You really should cruise down that way to get a look at the waterfront as you pass through anyway.

Where ya going...and coming from?

Hey Dara, I have talked to you in past about drive to lakes up there in chapleau area for the kids and me. We are coming over from Michigan, and the cigars in the duty free are usually junk and only a couple of types. We are headed to Chapleau, and flying out on Sunday morning.

I will look for Queen Street when we get there, any suggestions on the store, or are they pretty much the same? Is Queen Street on the route to 128, or 17 north?

Regardless, it sounds like we should be in business to get him his fix! And for the guy that asked why cubans? Who knows, probably because we can't get them in US is why, I don't know, you always want what you can't have right? LOL...

I don't think I've ever seen them at the beer store....but there's lots of independent stores that sell them. I'm not sure where your journey begins, but there's a great little shop in Oakville on Cross Ave....all kinds of stuff in there and they'll help you pick out good ones

Is Oakville on Cross Ave in the soo? I have no idea where to buy them, sounds like there are cigar stores though which is good news. Thanks for reply, and if you can let me know if that is in the soo, that would be great.

One of the guys heading up with us on the 8th is a cigar smoker. Trying to figure out where to buy them, he is looking for decent cigars, maybe a cuban or two. Do they sell them at stores like the beer store, or are they sold at independent shops around the area? Going through Saulte ste marie, so ideas there would be appreciated.