Canadian Fishing

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Holderfield's Adventures</B></FONT><B>     |   </B><B>  </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Holderfields Adventures"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U>About Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Latest News"><U>Latest News</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Family History"><U>Our Family History</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Florida Vacation"><U>Florida Vacation</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Airplane Photos"><U>Airplane Photos</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sallisaw Flyin, 1999"><U>Sallisaw Flyin, 1999</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poteau Flyin"><U>Poteau Fly-in</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter Wonderland"><U>Winter Wonderland</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Last Flight"><U>The Last Flight</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Flight of Three"><U>A Flight of Three</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Duck Hunt, Canadian River"><U>Duck Hunt, Canadian River</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Danny and Dennis, Eufaula Cove, 2000"><U>Danny and Dennis, Eufaula Cove, 2000</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dannys Page"><U>Danny's Page</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hunting Scenes"><U>Hunting Scenes</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Byrd Family"><U>The Byrd Family</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hunting Stories"><U>Hunting Stories</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kayla Graduates Kindergarten"><U>Kayla Graduates Kindergarten</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pioneer Journey"><U>Pioneer Journey</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Graysons Day with Papa"><U>Grayson's Day with Papa</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Family, 1979"><U>Our Family, 1979</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Colorado Gold"><U>Colorado Gold</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Around the House"><U>Around the House</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Party Time"><U>Party Time</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Family Get To Gethers"><U>Family Get To Gethers</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Friends and Relatives"><U>Friends and Relatives</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other"><U>Other</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Flying with Eagles"><U>Flying with Eagles</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marilyn Byrd Family Reunion"><U>Marilyn Byrd Family Reunion</U></A>   |   <B>Canadian Fishing</B>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cooper Lake Monster Bass"><U>Cooper Lake Monster Bass</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lake Fork Bass"><U>Lake Fork Bass</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mule Deer County"><U>Mule Deer County</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#006633" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <I>Canadian Fishing</I></div> <div> Fletcher Lake Lodge Fishing Trip</div> <div> 05/11/01</div> <div> Jim Holderfield</div> <bR> <div> I stood there on the deck of the outpost cabin and reflected on how I happened to be in the heart of the best walleye and Northern Pike fishing in Canada.  The catalyst for the trip occurred when Randy Harrison, a friend I fly with, mentioned he would be going to Canada fishing and wondered if I would like to come along with another of his friends, Gene.  Of course my answer was YES! </div> <div> <IMG SRC="09ce66c0.jpg" border=0 width="486" height="364" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Randy had purchased a Cessna 185 with floats to replace his Maule that had been damaged in an Ice Storm.  The floats were in Seattle and had been brought to Oklahoma, but could not be assembled on the plane until the plane was in Minnesota.  As the time approached for the trip, it was decided that I would drive to Baudette, MN. With the floats and Randy would bring the 185 to meet me there.</div> <bR> <div> Arriving at the Baudette Airport around 10 am on a Sunday morning,  Tom, the airport manager waited for Randy to arrive with the plane so we could begin assembling the floats.  Randy arrived around two in the afternoon, and we began working on the floats with a deadline of two days for completion, since we would be picking Gene up at International Falls and we wanted to have our supplies at the outpost cabin before that time.</div> <bR> <div>                            Work on the floats proceeded smoothly except for some bruises, scrapes and sore muscles from reaching into compartments better suited for longer armed mechanics.  Under the watchful eye of Tom and Randy I assisted in assembling the floats.  By missing lunch two days in a row, we met our self-imposed deadline and completed the installation of the floats, getting them on the plane and inspected and approved by Tom.  It was time for a test flight and away we went to the Canadian River that separates the U.S from Canada.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="09ecc590.jpg" border=0 width="460" height="345" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The first flight on floats was uneventful, with Randy making perfect take-off and landings.  We gathered up our supplies and prepared for the trip to the outpost cabin located on Babe's lake, one of a series of lakes along the Sturgeon River system.  </div> <bR> <div> The next morning we were preparing to shove off when Tom happened to ask Randy about his Registration for the plane.  Of course Randy had one, but it was temporary and that is not acceptable to customs.  So, after a three-hour delay, the FAA faxed a copy of his permanent registration and we were ready to shove off.  </div> <bR> <div> We carried most of our supplies on the first trip as we landed in Kanora, Ontario to clear customs.  We continued to the cabin and unloaded our supplies and returned to pick Gene up at the airport at International Falls.</div> <bR> <div> The following morning, we boarded the floatplane and headed for Kanora once again.  This time, we had the remainder of our supplies we would need at the cabin.  A rainstorm moved over Kanora just after we landed and we had some time to kill.  This afforded us the opportunity to purchase our fishing license, some additional tackle and eat at the restaurant located near the docks.  I might add the food was excellent, and I would recommend the Steak Sandwich with Soup of the day!</div> <bR> <div> Babe's lake is one of two outpost lakes that have cabins available through the Fletcher Lake Lodge, owned and operated by Jeanne Thompson.  She has fishing rights on these lakes as well as the larger Fletcher Lake where the main Lodge is located.  Here, all the amenities of home in a remote setting are available for the most discerning customer.  Excellent meals, clean cabins with hot and cold showers, boats with motors and maid service make this a vacation get-a-way spot that will provide memories that will last until you can return next year.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0a086240.jpg" border=0 width="390" height="292" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> We were describing how nice the outpost cabin was to a group of fishermen from Minneapolis.  They listened with interest and after we gave a colorful description that would rival Mark Twain, one of them asked if there was a cook at the cabin.  When we told them there wasn't, they replied that the Lodge suits them very nicely. </div> <bR> <div> Our stay at the cabin was a roller coaster of weather.  From warm, clear days to large heavy snowflakes that reminded me of the Ice Storm disaster we had lived through in Southeastern Oklahoma last December.  All in all, it was an excellent opportunity for me to take a few dollars from my two friends in a friendly poker game.  These games were only interrupted when I'd excuse myself to go to the dock to check on the fish. </div> <div> <IMG SRC="0a280200.jpg" border=0 width="384" height="288" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> Babe's Lake is in the Sturgeon River Chain of lakes and the river enters the lake through shallow rapids on the northwestern end and exits the lake through a beautiful waterfall on the southeastern end.  These locations are prime fishing for small mouth bass, walleye and northern pike.  We found a 1/8 oz. Jig with a minnow hooked through the lips and fished slowly just off bottom provided plenty of action.  Although the possession limit on the lake is small, catching and releasing provides an exciting fishing trip and this lake is capable of producing trophy fish.</div> <bR> <div> The day we were scheduled to leave, a front had moved through and clouds hung low over the trees.  For a period of time, the clouds lifted and Randy flew to Fletcher Lake Lodge to visit with Jennie and her Dad, Fuzz.  Shortly after he left, Gene and I took our supplies to the dock to have them ready to load when Randy returned.  The clouds moved back in and a light rain started to fall, completely socking in the lake.  We took the supplies back up to the cabin and were prepared to spend an extra night, since Randy couldn't get back over to pick us up.  Just before dark, the cloud cover lifted and we head a Beaver circling for landing at the lake.  Randy and Mike, a pilot that flew supplies to Fletcher Lake, had flown up the river and as we loaded the supplies into the large plane, Randy explained that we would spend the night at Fletcher Lake Lodge and depart from there the next morning.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0a486240.jpg" border=0 width="390" height="292" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> It couldn't have worked out better if I had been planning the trip!  Jeanne's uncles from Missouri were at the Lodge and had an abundance of cold drinks.  We have a good visit with them, some entertaining stories, playful badgering and then Jeanne shows up at the cabin with a full course meal of Fresh-caught Walleye, with all the trimmings.  What a meal!  Between Jeanne's Walleye, Randy's Steaks, and Gene's Pork Steaks, I must have gained 5 pounds on this trip!</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0a633e60.jpg" border=0 width="307" height="230" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> After a good night's sleep, a breakfast of ham and eggs and our good-by, we were off and flying.  Landing on the river at Baudette proved to be exciting, since the heavy rains had moved large logs and other debris into the river.  Randy had to pick his spot between floating logs in the swiftly moving river.  He made an excellent landing and Tom and Frank were at the dock to catch us off.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> The drive home gave me time to reflect on the trip.  The lakes managed by the Fletcher Lake Lodge are breath-taking beautiful.  The lodge and outpost cabins are well kept and the food is excellent.  When those pressures at work start building, it will be easy to lean back in my chair, close my eyes and take a mental trip back to this secluded part of Ontario where there are no phones, no TV's and the fish are always biting!</div> <div> <IMG SRC="0a840b00.jpg" border=0 width="576" height="432" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>