Just wanted to share my experiences using Lee. I've used his services to Rice Lake (95% pike 5% walleye), Cree (95% walleye 5% pike), Winebegan (walleye, pike, perch, whitefish). Took the wife, kids & dog to Cree and had the time of our life on our own island. That was 15 or so years ago. Unfortunately, people found their way by land to Cree and I hear that the fishing is not as good as it once was. Have been to Rondo Bay on Winebegan at least 5 times and always had a good time.
On all of my trips we were flown at least one direction by a pilot named Dave. We once watched him hold the plane in strong winds by a rope with one hand, while he rolled a cigarette with the other. Always a sore point with my wife.....we used our gas cans as seats during some flights and the pilots would smoke during the flight.
Anyway, the last time that we went with Lee I was looking around for Dave while we were waiting to be flown out from the base camp but I didn't see him. I did notice a different color plane tied up at the dock but didn't think much of it. When it came my turn at the desk, I asked if Dave was still working with them. The lady waiting on me (might have been Mrs. Cole) had tears well up in her eyes and she said "Dave is no longer with us" before she disappeared behind a wall. Uh, oh...new plane, and Dave is no longer with us. We put 2 and 2 together as best we could and assumed that he had gone down, but did not get the story until Lee flew us back out a week later.
Dave had only been buried a week or two before I inquired about him. He crash landed at the base camp lake with 3 men from Fraser, Michigan. Dave hit his head and drowned. The others survived. It was then that I decided risking my wife and children's lives was not worth the 20 or so walleye that we brought home each trip. We have one of the best fisheries in the world right in our back yard. So, I bought an 18 foot Starcraft and we have actually caught larger fish from that boat in Huron, St. Clair and Erie than any fish caught on one of Lee's trips. I DO miss the week-long trips with Lee, but not the risk, expense, etc.
