TJQ

Yup.. I got the Canon T3i, which we used for most of the pictures.. im still figuring most of it out lol. Unfortunately between me and the wife, we had him in stitches all day... Hes a pretty happy dude when he gets to go guiding... even said he may try his hand a pickerel fishing when he gets home!

LOL.. I'm the new Chronzy!!! Ill have to fast for a week now...

Day 4 We woke up to an unbelievable beautiful day, the wind had switched around to the south, and a nice warm breeze was rolling in so we decided to check out some of the spots we had heard about on the north end of the lake!! It took us a while to get up there, its quite a big lake, i was very impressed with the boats, all had new 9.9 Yamahas, and we basically toured the lake for the entire day and didn't even use 2 gallons of gas. With shore lunch coming on we had bagged alot of smaller pike, but the pickeral bit had eased off, so we decided to take Mikes advice and we went to his "where to go when ya don't have your lunch spot" We fished for a few mins with no success until, on my light pickeral rod, I finally got the monster pike we've been waiting for.. lol.. its funny cause we trolled and casted for the big one, and we wound up getting it while looking for lunch (Just like Gary, our previous shore lunch guide said we would..) Hes the reason I had a leader on, thank god. As much as it pains me to say this I figure the pike was about 38" and we never did get a picture. LOL.. I played him for a bit then gave Monique the rod to hold, she fought him for a while and then it was time to get him in the cradle. We were using 8 lb Fireline and the drag was set just right.. he peeled line on us at least a dozen times. We've never used a cradle for netting a fish, and it was like a scene of of "Dumb and Dumber", but I finally got him in the cradle, and even had the cradle closed, as I pulled the jig free from his mouth he lunged forward and to my stunned disbelief he scared me and managed to squirm his way out of the cradle.... Monique and I just looked at each other in stunned silence. I've never been so sad to loose a fish at the boat... and we didn't even have our lunch yet.... Well, I figured I was gonna be bummed out for the rest of the day, but as soon as that bruiser had left the reef, in came the pickerel and they started to bite like crazy and in about 5 min we had plenty for lunch!! Finally we got to have our shore lunch that I could cook for us!! The breeze had stopped by now and the lake was like a mirror, so we headed for the nearest spot and got to work, we were both starving. Cleaned up the fish and had a couple of cold beverages. <object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l891RoY9pAA?version=3"><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l891RoY9pAA?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l891RoY9pAA?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object> After lunch we headed back out to find that the fish continued to turn on, even with bright sun and no wind in three - four feet of water we were cleaning up. Monique got "Finned" again.. lol Check out this fish and subsequent "release" <object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlHnUphyNwo?version=3"><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlHnUphyNwo?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlHnUphyNwo?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object> As the day wore on and got hotter we toured the lake and kept fishing. That evening was our last there and after a great Dinner of Ribs and Corn on the cob, were hung out at the docks to sadly watch the sunset on our last night there. Day 5 Up and at 'em, our flight out! As we waited for the plane to come in I took a few photos of the Cabins that are also available. In came our plane... BOO HOOO!! We said goodbye to Charlie, our host who made sure that everything was perfect!! Thanks again Charlie, we will be back! Our trip home was good, lol, alot easier than the one up!. We did manage to get a nice picture of a bear by Kirkland Lake. and that's that! I will say that Kesagami is a great place to hang your hat!!

Day 3 We woke up to fog fog and more fog. So we hung out by the fire and had coffee till about 10 am and then bang as quick as it came in, it was gone. so off we went to try out some spots. It was pretty windy so we tried to stay on the calmer side of things and managed some prretty good fishing regardless. As I was cleaning the fish we were invited by one of the other guests to share his shore lunch. The guide happens to be a client of mine that I help promote his fall hunts. He was happy to have us over, and once again I had my lunch cooked for me.. FANTASTIC!! A very happy wife!! Afterwards we struck out on our own and had a great afternoon. Returning to the lodge meant a dinner of Chicken Breast. With eating the shore lunches we were eating dinner later and later, as the kitchen is open till 8 every night. Every night the dock hands pull up the boats and clean them out and in the morning when they see you coming they bring your boat to the main dock for you.

Day 2 After a good nights sleep we were excited to get out with the guide to show us some hotspots!! We were happy to find out that MiketheBassFisher from the board would be our guide. Hes a 1st year guide up there and for only getting started he did a great job for us, showing us spots that would produce for us whenever we wanted a shore lunch. The weather that day however was a different story, it changed from a nice breezy day the day before to this: But Mike got us around and onto fish in spite of the weather. We had decide on a shore lunch for that day, and of course its cooked by the guides, so after dealing with the fact that we had a hard time catching pickerel small enough for the lunch (camp policy is that only pickerel less than 18" can be kept for lunch) , there was a break in the weather and mike too us to his lunch spot that was out of the wind so we could eat. I have to say it was wonderful having someone cook for me for a change!! As lunch was ending a cold front moved in turning the lake in to this: So we stayed outta the wind as best we can and finished our day early. Capt Mike did manage to get us home safely. <object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xfwSHR-Zes?version=3"><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xfwSHR-Zes?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xfwSHR-Zes?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object> That night we feasted on Steak and Baked Potatoes. The Lodge Here's a few pictures of the Lodge, what a nice cozy place to get out of the rain in, staff always made sure the two woodstoves were going and the beer at the bar was always cold! Our server while we were there is also the head of housekeeping, the staff there works very hard and morale sure seemed high, a very nice group of people to be around.

Well its been a few years since Monique and I took a fly-in trip, having the camp has somewhat dulled the necessity. However we decided this winter that a return visit to Kesagami Lodge may be in order. The drive up was pretty uneventful, we did manage to see a couple of moose, one by Marten River and another North of Kirkland Lake. It was a long drive as our high school reunion was the night before and both Monique and I we're dragging our butts a bit lol. I love this sign just north of Kirkland Lake, lets me know we are headed in the right direction. and of course, when ya see the Polar Bear you know you have arrived. Our night there was even a bit more event full... we had made reservations at one of the lower cost motels, and we sure did get what we paid for. LOL.. At 10pm we checked out and went over to the Best Western. The were gracious enough after hearing our "Tale of Woe" that they gave us a fantastic rate, and we were able to get some sleep. If your ever gonna be in Cochrane, PM me and ill tell ya where NOT top stay.. lol Day 1 The next morning were up an at 'em, a little tired , but on our way!! The flights up start at 7am and we were on the first one. Our plane was a 1950's vintage Beaver piloted by Capt. Ron!! So up we go and in about 45 min (great tail wind) we were landing on Kesagami Lake. I love the fact that in 40 min of flying you can see the vegetation and terrain go from typical northern Ontario bush to large expanses of small pines and swamps. Off the plane we go and were greeted by Charlie and the Dockhands, whisking away our gear and beginning the full Kesagami Treatment!... Fishing gear stowed in our boat and luggage brought to our room while we eat a bacon and eggs breakfast! After breakfast we ventured out on the lake alone as our guide was scheduled for us for the next day. I asked about some spots close to the lodge, grabbed the map and GPS and headed out! We were trolling weed beds and shorelines for pike, and I was amazed at the amount of pickerel we picked up without targeting them.. even the smaller ones went after the Johnson Silver Minnows that the lodge recommends using. Monique getting the Flip off.. lol I even caught a few... We quit around 5 and that day managed around 36 pike and a couple of dozen pickerel while we were trolling, its nice to go fishing and lose count!! Back at the lodge we went to our room, this time we opted for a room in the lodge. Before... After... Then out to the lodge for dinner. Our first night was a Roast Turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and of course a bottle of AMAZING red wine. That first night was an early one.

i like peaches!

sweet!!!!

NICE!!

Sweet Report, thanks for sharing!!Man knows how to clean a pike!

Great post Wayne, and remember "NO DAMMITT!! I'M WAYNE GRETZKY!!!"

Hey!! LOL.. were expecting 2-400 people, and I ain't cooking fish, lol.. but cause I'm on the organizing committee.. the only whisky we are serving is CROWN!!!! Then on Sunday, (OMG) its a drive up to up to Cochrane to flyin to Kesagami for 4 nights. Sumpting tells me is gonna be my ole lady drivin' and ill be a sleepin' lol.. thank Brian... a man has to know when to go down for the count.

awesome pics .. ive never seen a bbq hold a camp up before...

I didn't smoke till grade 3. AND I've been on the organizing committee for this so Saturdays the night.. i think if i drink enough, ill look slimmer.. to me anyway..

DONT POKE THE SLEEPY BEAR!!!

That is a wonderful PICKERAL rod, Speil is a wonderful craftsman!!

lol

Around the middle of July the water gets low enough that i need another dock, i but a solid one last year but that didn't work out, with the water fluctuations. I'd like to make another floating one, say three 4x8 sections.. any one have any good ideas as to what to use for cheap, easy to find flotation???

Wound up with 35 people in the tourney, had a GREAT prize table, ie (best booze year ever.. lol) Friends from ALL over North and south and south of the mason-dixon. I have to say that I thing the meal on Saturday was the best one in the 9 years we've been doing this.. I mean Fish, ribs, chicken, chili, meatballs, and salads galore!! and desserts... BURP!!!! Everything went without a hitch except for Joeys now annual "I put a hook in me" event (shes fine...) Here's some pictures.. mainly of the prizes and meal. CkrisK won, followed in second place by Bly, and Sydney outfished most of them coming in 9th with her first pike ever!! Im sure theres LOTs more pictures to come, thanks again for everyone who came and everyone who donated prizes and helped out!!! Our old Milwaukee homage to ROY!!

It was great to see you guys again, and THANKS for cleaning up all that pike for the fish fry!!!!

LOL.. couldnt resist..... thought someone may be interested.... http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/trd/2439975668.html

Im not worried about anyone finding thioer way back in!! Our little campo was quite appreciated after the rain they were riding in... http://www.atvnation.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=35522&st=255&p=340787entry340787

My friends at Golden Eagle Camp said they were gonna come to visit with some atvrs from atvnation.com.... what a great bunch of people 19 or 20.... brought cookies!! I hauled some pike outta the river and did up a fish fry for them, plus they were pretty wet and cold, so we bucked the stove..... It was quite interesting to meet people doing a g2g from another whole community... its nice to know that OFC is not alone in our type of endeavours.

New owners are great, they are bringing 18 atvr's in to camp today for a ride and a fish fry. Oh and theres no fish up here.. at all.. I wouldnt bother coming up here for the fishing, really, there's none... really.

Thanks, ya there aint alot of people with my #...