capt_hooked Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Captain’s Rant: Nipissing Opening Date - May Long Weekend O.K. I have been after the MNR, out of the North Bay Office to help with these changes for near 20 years now…. No help from the MNR and no help from any of the other fishing lodge operators on this lake… The last bit is probably most disappointing…! The issue is simple: Open the May Long Weekend fishing season on the Friday instead on the Saturday. Many of my guests wait all year long for just one special weekend of spring fishing … and 1 whole day of the 3 day weekend is robbed from them. No one is allowed any angling of any kind on Lake Nipissing prior to Saturday morning of the May Long Weekend: You cannot fish for any species, whether it is pike, walleye, perch, rock bass , white bass or even catfish – Friday is closed to ALL angling! The MNR is worried about an early opening (1 day) affecting the spawn. Ha! The spawn is determined by water temperature, not a calendar date. All other fishing lodge operators I have asked to suppose me on this issue… shake their heads as they do not know why I am trying to change the season by one day.. They most common response is.. “well, my guests all come up to drink crazy on Friday and really don’t give a damn if the fishing is open or not..” That is a bad answer: I for one, am interested in running a “fishing lodge” and not a booze tank…! But no-one in close to 20 years has stood up to support me on this idea… And you cannot blame the Ministry for not changing the regs if the fishing lodges are not behind it… Sheesh…..! I just got off the phone with a very disappointed party of 10 guys… whom I had to tell they could not fish on Friday…! Not good for business. But please don’t shoot the messenger…! J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muskieman Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 (edited) Noted Kevin ! I can bring it up at the meeting. It makes a whole lot of sense to me . Edited January 19, 2013 by Randy from Sturgeon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capt_hooked Posted January 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Noted Kevin ! I can bring it up at the meeting. It makes a whole lot of sense to me . Thanks Randy....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 I thought all the fun was being out at midnight on the friday? Loved doing that with my oldman when I was a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenboater Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 It's sad that there's absolutely no support from the other lodges on this seemingly simple matter, I mean what's to lose ? An extra day = happy clients, more money for the lodge and local businesses etc etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiel Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 Seems like a win-win situation for lodge owners and clients to me Kevin, all things considered this is truly a non issue no brainer. But then again you're dealing with the MNR....... I'm also pleased to hear that you'll be open for business this spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenboater Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 I'm also pleased to hear that you'll be open for business this spring. ^ x100 !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAsin Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 (edited) Captain’s Rant: Nipissing Opening Date - May Long Weekend The issue is simple: Open the May Long Weekend fishing season on the Friday instead on the Saturday. Many of my guests wait all year long for just one special weekend of spring fishing … and 1 whole day of the 3 day weekend is robbed from them. monday is the holiday not friday, so in that case no one is "robbing" your clients of a 3 day weekend. Edited January 19, 2013 by BassAsin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowPoke Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 As much as I agree that one day won't make ANY difference to the fish, it wouldn't influence my decision to book a stay. Has this been a deal-breaker for some bookings or just an annoyance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplumma Posted January 19, 2013 Report Share Posted January 19, 2013 You got my support Capt. I think it makes sense for the change of one day to make the kick off of a season better. I would only think it would be to late only if they have printed all of the rules and reg's by now. I am very happy to see that the Lak Air Lodge will be up and running this year. Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I am very happy to see that the Lak Air Lodge will be up and running this year. I'm already booked in for my annual few weeks of fantastic times....can't wait !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
registerfly Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 monday is the holiday not friday, so in that case no one is "robbing" your clients of a 3 day weekend. unfortunately Monday is the travel day for many of us. Most friends of ours as well as our group would love to be able to head up early Friday and get in a day of fishing or even late afternoon evening bite. Would have thought most lodges would support a decision like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capt_hooked Posted January 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Seems like a win-win situation for lodge owners and clients to me Kevin, all things considered this is truly a non issue no brainer. But then again you're dealing with the MNR....... I'm also pleased to hear that you'll be open for business this spring. You betcha Spiel... open and ready to rock and roll...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokestackLightnin Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Have they provided any reasoning as to why they won't make the change? The one thing that people should consider is lodges on Nippissing are very close to Mattawa and other parts of the Ottawa River which alreay open the season on the Friday before the third Saturday in May. The competition is allowed to open a day early so some potential customers may choose Ottawa River over Nippissing for that reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I have to agree with you Captain! I have been to Nip for the last four openers, arriving mid day Friday, before the opener. Seems every year, we sit out and enjoy the great weather on Friday, wishing we could wet a line, only to awake Saturday morning to a snow storm, driving rain or fire and brimstone! Being able to wet a line on the Friday would be great! HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxie Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 (edited) I thought all the fun was being out at midnight on the friday? Loved doing that with my oldman when I was a kid. Yup. I remember being in school on those May Fridays, looking at the clock as the seconds ticked by ever so slowly all the while anticipating the midnight openers but Cappy brings up a good point. Good luck with getting the "HammerHeads" at the MNR to do anything that might make a little sense. Edited January 20, 2013 by moxie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerGuy Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I totally agree with ya capt!.. I'd love an excuse to book the Friday as well! Glad to hear you guys are opening this year again ... Look'n forward to my favorite campin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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