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Frequently Asked Question's
Q/: “Is it Morning or Evening?”
A/: The sun is setting over the Bay in
front of the Lodge as an evening fisherman returns.
Q/: “Was it the Ontario Record Northern
Pike?”
A/: This huge Northern Pike was caught
second week of August in the same Bay where the sun sets.
Pictures don’t tell it all…Barb Amos is 6 ft. 1 in. tall,
and caught the big Northern on a Silver Williams Wobbler.
The fish measured 53 inches in length. The fish never had
an official weighing while whole, but when Len (Barb’s
husband) brought the meat up from the fish to be frozen
after cleaning, the meat alone weighed 34 lbs. We think it
would have been a new Ontario Record! What’s your
opinion? And are there bigger ones out there…we think so!
Q/: When’s the best ice fishing?
A/: First two weeks of January and then
the Month of March with the Northerns just getting “more and
bigger” as the month progresses.
Q/: What kinds of fish will I catch?
A/: The Ottawa is known for it’s great
Walleye, Northern Pike and Small Mouth fishing, also caught
are Perch, Whitefish, a few Channel Cats and the odd
Sturgeon. Approximately 6 Musky are caught each year by
accident more than by plan. Surrounding lakes in the area
have great Speckled/Brook Trout and Lake Trout with a number
of lakes boasting world class bass fishing.
Q/: What’s it like for Spring fishing?
A/: The Walleye is very good right from
the opening date in May. The best Northern fishing is the
first three weeks of June. For the Brookies the best begins
in June!
Q/: When’s the best fishing for Walleye?
A/: October/November!
Q/: What’s the river like for depth and
structure?
A/: The river is very deep…up to 600
ft…with a slow moving steady current that makes it almost
lake like. There are few “hidden” shoals to watch out for
while boating…but many great shoals for fishing Walleye in
12 – 30 ft. of water. Back bays have excellent weed lines
for Pike and Bass.
Q/: When’s fly season, mosquito and
black fly?
A/: Around the lodge and on the river
they’re never really that bad…in the woods while fishing Brookies…be prepared! If you’re looking for “nearly no
flies” that begins first week of July and numbers dwindle as
the Summer progresses into Fall.
Q/: Are we allowed to bring ATV’s and
are there any trails?
A/: We welcome ATV’s, the ATVing is
almost yet undiscovered, and YES we do have hundreds of
miles of trails interconnecting to thousands of miles of
trails. Access to the trails can be right from the lodge.
We provide a map for a small fee, but the trails are not
organized or marked so a GPS is a big advantage for
navigation.
Q/: Will we see wildlife?
A/: The area is prime for Moose and
Bear, with Whitetail common in some spots. In the smaller
category there are Pine Martin, Beaver, Otter, Mink and the
always present Red Squirrel.
Q/: What about birds?
A/: Birds as in Ruffed Grouse…YES!
Woodcock, Blue Jays, Whiskey Jacks, Wood Peckers, Bald
Eagles and even Golden Eagles are common. Song birds are
here by the hundreds. Ducks include, Blacks, Mallards,
Teal, Wood Ducks, Meganzers.
Q/: Are there any beaches and places for
a shore lunch?
A/: YES and some come complete with
waterfalls nearby.
Q/: When’s the best Fall Colours?
A/: Starting last week of September and
continuing through to our Thanksgiving in October.
Q/: How far are you from the Entrance
Road (Brent Road) to Algonquin Provincial Park?
A/: About a one minute drive.
Q/: Do the cabins have their own showers
and bedding?
A/: Yes to both showers and bedding…they
are fully equipped!
Q/: Do the cabins have television?
A/: The cabins have TV and VCR but no
they aren’t hooked up to satellite and there is no aerial
reception available. A good selection of free movies are
provided in the store for use. No telephones in the cabins
either (Comment: 90% of our guests prefer the “no TV or
phone idea”).
Q/: What about the houseboats, how far
can we go and who drives them?
A/: You’re the captain and after the
training session and they leave the docks we normally don’t
see them again until the return day. East from the lodge
you can travel 55 km or about 35 miles, going West to Mattawa is about 45 km or 25 miles, with lot’s of places to
“moor out” overnight.
Q/: When does the river warm up for
swimming?
A/: Normally about the first week of
July.
Q/: Because it’s a River, does it ever
get too rough for fishing or boating?
A/: NO! Within reason…wave height may
get to 2 ft. Fishing is never great in the wind but there
are lots of islands, bays and points which offer great
fishing “out of the wind”!
Q/: What’s the best bait for Walleye?
A/: Minnows and worms (in that order)
until July 1st, then lures become good
alternatives. Some people fish leeches but they’re not
readily available.
Q/: Are there many cottages, boaters,
etc. on the river.
A/: Remember the Ontario Slogan “Yours
to Discover”…The River, this is it! Cottages, few and very,
very far between, boaters – not many, and on a houseboat
trip you get the feeling that the river is “all mine”!
Q/: Are the trailer sites treed, close
together or have water/electricity?
A/: The drive-thrus are used mostly for
overnighters and have water, sewer hookups and 30 amp
electrical outlets. The other sites are in the wooded area
and are not crowded with each other, they have water and
15/30 amp outlets. There are also 2 remote, unserviced tent
sites each with it’s own unique shoreline. You didn’t ask
about showers and toilets, but yes there are showers and
toilets available in the campgrounds.
Q/: What about the boat launch?
A/: It is a good cement launch and can
accommodate big boats, it’s where we take the houseboats (up
to 40 ft.) in and out.
Q/: How much are the docking fees?
A/: If you’re staying at the lodge…No
Charge for launch or docking, and we don’t provide reserved
docking. Electricity is available for charging batteries,
but bring your own extension cord.
Q/: What about pets?
A/: As long as you’re talking dogs and
cats...OK! but they must be on a leash at all times, and
there is a “poop and scoop” policy!
Q/: Are there any walking trails nearby?
A/: Yes there are some right on the
property that can extend for 2 km. with access to others
that extend for miles and miles. And you didn’t ask…but
there is room for mountain bikes and terrain to suit all
types of challenges including “easy riding”!
Q/: We know you have great snowmobiling,
what about July-August?
A/: We do have great snowmobiling which
starts normally in January and continues right through to
the end of March and sometimes if we’re real lucky into
April! Sorry non in July-August!
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