Mike,
Thank you for rekindling the awesome memories. In 2005, my late father and I were were fortunate enough to fish with Leon (the guide) at the same camp (the only camp) on the Asheweig River. After many years of father/son fly-in trips for pike and walleye in Ontario and Manitoba, I wanted to try something really different and convinced my 71-year-old dad to step out of his comfort zone. That trip proved to be everything you described. My dad had never fished for or caught a speck prior to this trip. His first was estimated by Leon at 5 lbs. The photo is still posted on the camp's website. Dozens more were caught by both of us although none as big or quite as beautiful as that first one. Loads of walleye and pike as well although not as large on average or quite as plentiful as at some other camps we'd fished. What made that trip so special, however, beside the specks, was the fabulous scenery, running the incredible rapids and Leon and his colleagues.
The following year, we returned to the Asheweig along with my uncle and a cousin, both of whom also had never fished for or caught specks. Again, we were all spoiled because it's hard to imagine anything ever measuring up to that experience. Your trip report and all the excellent photos and videos brought all of those two trips back for me as well as precious memories of my dad.
Selfishly, I hope that very few others will visit the Asheweig River so that our kids might enjoy it ten or twenty years or so from now in the same pristine state it's in today. However, for the sake of Leon and the First Nation of Kasabonika who will benefit, I hope that there will be just enough visitors to warrant keeping the camp operational.
The Asheweig River is a truly unique and very special place. Your trip reports - including the recent one on North Caribou - always get me revved up about trying out different wilderness fishing spots, but, after helping me to reminisce about the Asheweig and finding out that they're open for business again, I'll be seriously thinking about a three-peat visit before exploring new options.
Thanks Mike.
Steve
Mike, Thank you for rekindling the awesome memories. In 2005, my late father and I were were fortunate enough to fish with Leon (the guide) at the same camp (the only camp) on the Asheweig River. After many years of father/son fly-in trips for pike and walleye in Ontario and Manitoba, I wanted to try something really different and convinced my 71-year-old dad to step out of his comfort zone. That trip proved to be everything you described. My dad had never fished for or caught a speck prior to this trip. His first was estimated by Leon at 5 lbs. The photo is still posted on the camp's website. Dozens more were caught by both of us although none as big or quite as beautiful as that first one. Loads of walleye and pike as well although not as large on average or quite as plentiful as at some other camps we'd fished. What made that trip so special, however, beside the specks, was the fabulous scenery, running the incredible rapids and Leon and his colleagues. The following year, we returned to the Asheweig along with my uncle and a cousin, both of whom also had never fished for or caught specks. Again, we were all spoiled because it's hard to imagine anything ever measuring up to that experience. Your trip report and all the excellent photos and videos brought all of those two trips back for me as well as precious memories of my dad. Selfishly, I hope that very few others will visit the Asheweig River so that our kids might enjoy it ten or twenty years or so from now in the same pristine state it's in today. However, for the sake of Leon and the First Nation of Kasabonika who will benefit, I hope that there will be just enough visitors to warrant keeping the camp operational. The Asheweig River is a truly unique and very special place. Your trip reports - including the recent one on North Caribou - always get me revved up about trying out different wilderness fishing spots, but, after helping me to reminisce about the Asheweig and finding out that they're open for business again, I'll be seriously thinking about a three-peat visit before exploring new options. Thanks Mike. Steve