dustink

Wow...smallies on a popper would be blast!! Congrats on the PB! dk

"Holy Crap!" That's exactly what I thought when I saw those breaching pics.... Like everyone else, after reading both parts, I'm left without a a lot to say... wow... oh, man... wow.... holy crap... gotta fish there.... Thanks for a couple of amazing reports! dk

What a great report!!! Thanks for sharing....

Congrats on a great lifetime fish!!

Just a great report!!! The kids' smiles are priceless, and I'm sure it's a trip they'll never forget!

That's a great report...felt like I was right there with ya' the whole time!! Thanks for sharing.... dk

Brings a smile to my face and heart....thanks for sharing!!! can't wait to see the pics..... dk

Wow...some great looking fish! congrats!! dk

looks like a good time boss.... dk

Great Dan! Thanks for sharing dk

Thanks, GCD....I knew you'd appreciate them!

Man TJ.....keeps getting better and better.... dk

Yeah it is Smitty. Just outside Hearst. They have a great campground, and a few interior sites, which is where we stay. Let me know if you want some more info.... dk

I hope it works out too Roger....I'm going to see what I can do!! dk

That's mine Phil! I lay a nice fleece blanket down on the bottom of the tent, then that roll. Seems to do the trick, but I think I as I get older I'm going to need to upgrade. dk

I keep a journal of all my trips, so this is my journal entries from my trip to Fushimi Lake Park. It's a great park, and the staff there is amazing! I abbreviate the names to make it a bit easier writing, and since it's my journal, I know who I'm talking about. But for you all: JN = John N. - Long time fishing buddy and been with me on every trip North for the last 7 years. JH = Jon H - Good friend and this is his first fishing trip. AO = Andy O. - A friend of JN's and a guy that loves to fish; His first trip North. So, on to the journal..... -------------------------- 08.25.07 We left JN's at 10:00 PM. It took a while to figure out how to get all the stuff into the boat / truck. JN got us all these nice 3-in-1 jackets from his work, and had them embroidered….good to know a guy with connections. It was raining when we left and rained most of the way to the Soo, so the jacket may come in handy. After a quick stop in Wawa to see the Goose – AO & JN have never been to Canada – we drove on to Hornepayne. I drove from the Soo to there and thank God for XM radio to help keep me awake while the rest of the crew slept. We got to Hornepayne about 8:30 and had breakfast. After a bit of trouble tracking down where to get a license (the general store was out) we were on the way to Fushimi Lake Provincial Park. Once there, they had everything ready. David had the boat at the dock and even cut some wood for us on the island…these guys are great! We loaded the boats down and headed to the camp site. They really made some changes to the site from last year, and it looks really good. Once we got everything set we headed to Lilly pad bay for some pike. JH had never fished for pike, and really had a good time. We caught plenty of fish and made a great supper over the fire, in the cool darkness. It's good to be back up here. I think I've had a smile on my face for the last 24 hours straight. JH's first pike ----------------------------- 08.26.07 Full day #1. JH & I were in "Rental Boat #2" as we affectionately called it…and it really was a nice new boat. We didn't launch until after 8:00 AM…we were all pretty tired from the long drive. We hit a point for some walleye, and JH got is first in short time. JH & AO are much more interested in pike, and head off to the far end of the lake. We join them a couple of hours later, and the pike fishing is really good. Nothing huge, but lots of keepers in the 22"-26" range. We have a great lunch and move out for more pike. 28" pike hitting right at the boat is always a fun. JH's fist walleye We have a great supper (I love cooking over the fire) and have a great talk around the fire about guy stuff….both serious and not so serious. The whiskey is pretty good too. This is a great trip already and the two new guys are fitting in great, and really having a good time. -------------------------------------- 08.27.07 We woke up to rain. JH & I decided to get geared up and head out for some 'eyes. JH walks down to the water and says, "Hey, a boat is missing!" After repeating several times to convince us and him, we head down there. JN's boat somehow came unhooked, floated around the rental boat and was pinned up against the shore some 60 yards away. It was a bit cold and involved JN in the water in his boxers and muck boots, we got the boat back. JH & I didn't have a whole lot of luck with 'eyes (the wind made being out there really tough) and we headed back for breakfast and to wake up the other two. After eating, AO & I went out, and the wind really had picked up. Controlling the boat was a challenge, but we did manage a lot of smaller pike, and I boated one nice chunky 25" fish. After lunch, we all took a great nap!!! We headed back out at 3:00 and caught some more walleye and then hit the pike. The weather that moved through seemed to turn off all but the hammer handles. AO did land a nice 26". Tonight was a good night around the fire watching the distant lightening and listening to the thunder and the loons. We hit the tents as a light rain started to fall. What a great night in the GWN, and the more I'm up there, the more refreshed my soul feels. ------------------------------------ 08.28.07 More morning rain, and today the sky hung low all day. JN & I got out in his boat today, and right away got into a lot of 22" – 28" pike. The change in weather seems to make the fish strike short and we're getting a lot of follows to the boat. Back for a late breakfast. We made garbage in the large skillet. Garbage is made of fried potatoes, onions, sausage, 6 scrambled eggs, all served in a bowl and covered with sausage gravy. Mmm, mmm, good! Back for more fishing, and some more good fish. AO boated a nice 31" fish, and it's amazing to see how the fish fatten up compared to a fish like that caught here in May. We decided to head home Wednesday morning and forego the last ½ day of fishing…something about JN needing to get home for his wedding anniversary, so we prepared to break camp the next morning. We ended our last night in camp by eating more fish, and some 8-oz. filets, and fishing off the whiskey. ---------------------------------- 08.29.07 No rain for breaking camp, which is always good. Because of all the prep we did last night, it only took about an hour to be loaded up and heading on our way to the launch. The fog was thick as we headed across the lake, but began to burn off and showed another promising day. Getting JN's boat on the trailer became a bit of a challenge, and it ended with me in the water up to my chest. After loading everything up, we hit the showers for some serious cleaning. One last picture at the lake and we were on our way. We stopped for breakfast at 4-Stevens in Hornepayne (same place as on Saturday). AO & JH had never been down HWY 17 from Wawa to the Soo, so it was nice to drive it in the day so they could see the beauty. We stopped at Old Woman Bay for some pictures, rock skipping, and letting the guys touch superior for the first time. Pretty uneventful from there. We stopped in Gaylord, MI for dinner and got back to Fort Wayne about Midnight. It was a great trip, and we all had a great time. I miss being there already, and can't wait to sit on the rock at camp, have a drink, and listen to the loons chatter. Something about that country just makes me SO alive. Come on 2008……

Got back early Thursday AM. Just finished getting the journal into Word, and uploading the pics......report coming in just a bit...... dk

See you all in a week....I AM OUTTA HERE!!!! dk

nice looking loop there MJL.... dk

yeah, if was open over Labor Day we'd be up there then, but the park closes on 9/4. The pic of the boats docked is on the island, yeah. dk

Can't ask for anything better! Great report Phil and it's always good to spend quality time with your kids.... dk

Wow...what a great report!! Did you get your stringer out of the water when the Blues came through?? Thanks for the pics! dk

Amazing & Awesome.... Proud to be part of OFC!

We leave for our trip to Fushimi PP tomorrow night. 5 days of back country camping / fishing up in the GWN! All my gear is out and sitting by the door...I'm like my 4 year old on Christmas Eve..... Here's some pics from last year's trip: (released) (released)

Looks like my dream.......congrats to your Uncle! dk