WOW The season so far!!!!!!!!!

We got off to a very cold start (weather wise), but the fishing has been nothing short of exceptional. I know this sounds like a sales pitch but after owning this place for 26 years I can honestly say the fishing keeps getting better and the blend of size from the, small to the trophy, tells me that the spawns are good and there are more great years to look forward to. Since my last post regarding personal issues, I have received many letters addressing that, and really do appreciate the thoughts.
We have not had the warmest spring to say the least but the last two weeks of fantastic weather have started to make up for it. Gale is going to busy with the photo album update as we have tons of great pictures to post from the past few weeks so keep you eye's open for that. For those of you that said you will send the pictures when you get home--- we have received some of them but not all!
For those of you that remember our dog Kasey, we had to put her down last week as she was suffering from both old age and a terminal illness. (Not been the best year I can remember!) I promise not to depress you any more but she was a part of the Lodge.
I went golfing the other day and I cannot remember the score (must be old age) but it was nice to get out, since the last 9 holes I golfed last year (pretty sad Eh!). I hate to get out to often as I usually creates a crowd (helping me look for balls). Bill you can attest to that!
There are a few of you pilot guest's out there that know I have been looking for another plane but as of yet I have not found the right one, but I will know when I see it (that's the update Mike, so far!) After flying for 35+ years, the last few years without a plane are taking there toll on me as I watch the other guy's fly over. Gale is still talking to me, so it can't be that bad of an idea, or else she hope's I will grow out of it!
I am going to sign out until next time with my usual, but sincere, comment and that is that Gale and I appreciate all your loyal support and friendship and if we haven't seen you yet this year we look forward to hosting you in the month's and years to come. Please visit our web page at www.rainbowpoint.com as we try to keep it current and get your "Rainbow Fix" with some of the pictures on our album page
Take Care and if you keep watching the blog as you never know what will come up next. BOB

End of May update!

I know many of you know situation with my Parents health problems and I thought I would just clear the air and fill you in. My Mother passed away last Mon. and Gale and I and my two daughters are in Winnipeg taking care of the situation. If we are a bit late at answering our e-mails we do apologize but we will be back at the Lodge tomorrow, Sun. and carry on with the very good start we had in the last two weeks with respect to the fishing. My Father is not doing very well and we hope for the best for him. Enough about my problems, but many of you have asked about them and I thought I would just be open about it.
We had a great opening week and the fishing just carried on fantastically this past week with many beauties being caught and released. The weather has not been the most favorable but it looks like we may be in for a bit of a warming trend (not fast but warmer and sunny).
We will be posting all the pictures on our 2009 picture page as soon as we catch up with things after our arrival back at the Lodge. Gale and I look forward seeing you all this summer and can't wait to get back in the routine..
Take Care and see you soon!! Bob

Ice Out May 11th, 2009

Weather conditions were just right yesterday, and the ice cleared off of Perrault Lake by evening. Finally!! Cooler, damp weather moving back in for the next few days, and even a forecast for some of the white stuff Wed night to Thursday. Spring is sure having a hard time warming up this year!

Ice Situation!

Just going out the door but thought I should bring you up to speed on the ice!! It went out in the bay 2 days ago and there is quite a bit on the main lake but won't be a problem by the end of the week. The fishing should be awsome! Look forward to seeing everyone this coming weekend. BOB

Morning Mist on Perrault Lake

Just thought I'd share a couple of pictures we took this morning. There was a thick fog around the lake this morning, and just as it was lifting there a beautiful defined fog line on the lake. While down at the dock taking the pictures, we noticed our loons were back, and were swimming in the bay in front of the fish house.

We have been getting lots of phone calls and e-mails from everyone checking on the ice. Glad to hear that you're all anxious for opener. We sure are! Bob was even out yesterday with a blow torch trying to melt some ice & snow covering one of our frozen waterlines - Now that's what I call helping out mother nature! (should have gotten a picture of that site). Lots of wind yesterday - the bay in front of camp may clear out soon.

Keep that sunshine coming!

May 5th. ice update!!!!!

Well: This morning we are supposed to get a small amount of rain that will help the ice out situation! The temps. have been around the mid to upper 50's the last few days and the ice in the bay in front of the Lodge is looking real black. After watching the spring thaw on Perrault for the better part of thirty years we always notice that it is one of the last lakes to be completely free of ice. The bay out front will probably be clear in the next week or so and the main part will not be to far behind it. Gale will be attaching a couple of pictures to this Blog later today so if there are no images check back in a couple of hours. All of our projects are going according to plan and the new staff is going to start the Learning Curve this week. Will Blog again in a week or so with current conditions and feel free to comment to me on this Blog as we do enjoy the comments. Stay warm and remember- less than two weeks to opener!!!

Quick Ice update!!

It is only three weeks to the opener and the ice is taking a beating from the wind and temperatures. As we all know and have said over and over, IT WAS COLD THIS WINTER and it is taking it's time warming up. The daily temps are just above the freezing mark with the odd really warm day thrown in as a teaser. I was out yesterday with the bobcat knocking down piles of snow and drifts in the shade, not that it helped thaw it out, just that beating up the snow was a therapeutic exercise and made me feel good!! I will post another update in a week or so and give you my prediction on ice out. It looks promising as of now for a clear opener. Take care and we look forward to hosting you this coming summer and seeing all of you, our local neighbours that follow this Blog. BOB

Ice Fishing Done For The Season

As promised, we thought we'd give you a little report on our ice fishing. We had a great time during the latter part of March and early April fishing various spots around the area. Good friends and good fshing are a great combination. It was fun for all.

We had good success on all species this year. The perch and walleye were fat with spawn, and we had fun catching and releasing quite a few. The northern were very active, and we were catching mostly large guys, so that was a blast of course. We had a several exceptional fish in the mix.

Bob caught a 30" walleye, which of course was photographed and sent back down the hole. Gale caught a 35" northern (she has the cuts on her hands to prove it), and also sent him back down the hole. What a blast seeing these monsters come through the ice. Besides that, we kept a few for a couple of very tasty fish suppers! It was fantastic weather, and we all managed to get some sunburned faces.

The ice fishing season ended on the 15th, and now it's watch and wait for the ice to leave. When we were fishing we still had over 3 feet of ice, but since then the sun has taken the snow down a lot, and is able to get right at the ice. Like all of you, we can't wait for spring! Speaking of which, have you got your spring/summer fishing plans made yet? If not, give us a shout. We have some openings for early season for last minute trips (maybe the Memorial Day Weekend is a good time for you?), and have a few great cottage vacancies during our prime mid summer period. You can still get a fantastic vacation here at Rainbow Point Lodge without breaking the bank! Check out the website rates today!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Owls & Eagles at Perrault Falls

Just touching base quickly with everyone on a beautiful sunny day at Rainbow Point Lodge in NW Ontario. Temps today are about 3 deg. C (38 F).

Thought I’d share a picture of this northern hawk owl that made an unexpected stop at our living room window the other day. While he was probably a little starry for awhile, he seemed no worse for the bump, and flew off in just a few minutes. Besides the owl, we are enjoying hearing our local eagle pair chattering away up behind our house. All of the area bald eagles seem to have returned over the last couple of weeks. On a tour around the lake the other day on snowmachine, we sited 4 different pairs for sure – busy getting settling into their nests, and waiting for some good fishing at the river, creeks and falls, just like us land dwellers. We know there are several other nests down the river and the tributary lakes, but we won’t be going down the river unless it’s in a boat!

Thing spring everyone! It’s on it’s way.

Have a great day!
Gale

Will" SOMEONE" tell the weatherman it's SPRING!!!!

Well: Gale and I just got back from a once a year vacation and the weather was great when we arrived home. The weatherman must have known we were back and decided we had missed some of the Feb. weather! I just got back in the house from shoveling 10 inches of snow off the deck and driveway. It rained a couple of inches before it got cold or that moisture could have been a LOT more snow. The temps. are around -6C (20F.) so not real bad but it ain't melting!

We are going to get a head start on a couple of building projects in a week or two and you should be pleasantly surprised with the results!! The summer looks like it is going to be well represented from all over the U.S. and Canada. The global recession has taken it's toll but, there are those that are coming to Canada for the first time and have done the math and have figured out that the Country next door offers many new, exiting, and reasonably priced vacation possibilities.

If you are reading this blog for the first time or would like a quick link to our web site it is http://www.rainbowpoint.com/ so feel free to have a look, or sign up to our online specials section, for one of a kind specials that come along.

I was going to give you an update on my ice fishing adventures but I have not had any time to do much with a few parental health issues we have been dealing with the last while. I do plan to go out and fish a few day's in the next few weeks before the ice fishing season closes and hope to post a few pictures from our adventures.
I will say bye for now but will keep you posted on the melting and ice condition's as they become more apparent. Take care and Merry Christmas (That's a snow joke--Bill!) EH!!

How about that weather??

As I indicated in the last Blog, we are back at the Lodge and are finished shoveling for the 99th. time, and also getting caught up on all the mail and bills etc. I make it sound like I do all the book work, WRONG!, if it wasn't for Gale and her accounting ability we would be doing our work out of a shoe box!
In all our travels we did not get into any bad weather or were lucky and just left before a storm hit in the various cities that we did sport shows in. On the last day going home we got stuck in Grand Forks North Dakota with the roads into Canada closed due to ice accumulations on the roads. I was able to find another "Cabelas" store so it was not a complete loss of time. Gale will be glad not to have me see another one of those signs for a while.
Our youngest Daughter Karla is coming home from her Chef's job in St. John's New Foundland, for a week starting tomorrow. We have not seen her since late last summer so we are looking forward to her visit. One small item is that she is also bringing her Boy friend!! I am presently going through all my knives to make sure they are sharp and that all my guns are oiled and in proper working condition. they will be strategically placed throughout the house just to make him feel comfortable while visiting. I understand that he is dreading the first meeting and I just want him to feel a home!!!!!
I will be doing a bit of ice fishing next week and will let you know how we did and hopefully post a few pictures for you to see. It would be nice just to have a small walleye or northern, fresh, fried for dinner.(doesn't that make you hungry?).
Anyways take care and if you haven't made your summer vacation plans yet take some time and visit the website www.rainbowpoint.com and we may see you this summer or the first time or as a repeat guest.
Have a great week. Bob and Gale

Sportshow's Wind Down!!!!

Well: Gale and I have just made it home after a 28 day grind to 6 different sport shows from St. Louis - Green Bay and in between. We are home for two days to catch up on the mail, snow shoveling, laundry, etc. etc. and will be going to Des Moines for our last show this weekend. It was sure nice to see all our friends in the various cities and to see what the various places do when they think they are cold!! As we left home the temp. dropped to -43 and stayed there in that area for a week, as we were told many times, by our friends that looked after our house.

We found the response at the shows was favorable but the economy is sure scaring a lot of people. I have had many chats with ALL types of people regarding the economy, as we all do, and firmly believe that the news media has given us all the impression of total financial loss and hardship that we are not going to move or do anything that may require some financial output. To be a little more specific, when it comes to a vacation we are just not going to go or we are just going to wait and see! If you look outside you will see that the sky has not fallen and that spring is coming, and that you can still pay your bills, and to the main point that you can still afford to vacation with us at http://www.rainbowpoint.com/ . HOW"S THAT FOR A RANT AND SEGWAY!!!!

In all seriousness there are some great vacation deals out there and a trip to Canada is one of them. If you are thinking about it but just need the extra little push, grab a cup of coffee and look at our photo gallery, and just put yourself in the pictures that you see and that may be all you need to have the summer trip taken care of.

I am posting this Blog after we got back from Des Moines as I forgot to do so just after I wrote it. I will work on another one today. It was pointed out by a good customer of ours, Norm Stine, that some people actually read this stuff so if you all could send a little comment after you read one of the blogs it would help me to write a few more knowing that they are actually being read. Till net time. BOB

Plan your Summer Vacation Now

Bob & I are in the midst of our sport show travels, currently in Madison for a 3 day show and then off to Green Bay and Des Moines. We thought maybe we would have a break from the cold weather up at Perrault Falls, but even down here it has been much cooler than usual, so we haven't been able to put aside those winter coats. Show attendance has been very good for the most part so far & the interest and response from people that have come to see us has been great. If you are considering a trip this summer, don't delay. Contact us today to ensure a spot is available for your week.

The website has been updated recently with additions to the FAQ's, fishing licence information, and more, so if you haven't visited the site lately, stop by and see what's new.

Hope to talk to you soon!

Gale

On our way South!!!!

Happy New Year All!!
Gale and I are on our way to Chicago on Wed. for the first of our Sport shows. We sure hope the weather is going to be a bit warmer than it is up here this winter! We have a couple of feet of snow and 16 inches of pure blue ice as of our ice fishing trip yesterday. We are trying to get as much fishing in as we can because we will be on the road for the better part of a month living out of hotels and restaurants. If you would like to see our Sport show schedule please go to our front page @ www.rainbowpoint.com . If you can come in and see us we sure would love it. With all the turmoil in the world these days we have tried to keep our rates trimmed to the best of our abilities. We are all in this together but I for one am not going to let the economy ruin my vacation time.
If last years fishing was an indication of what is to come in the future we are in for nothing but better numbers and quality of all species.
I thought I had enough firewood for the year, plus some, but it has been sooo cold that I may have enough for a week after we get back from shows. Guess what I'll be doing for a few days in Feb.
We have a couple of stories in the Jan. and Feb. Midwest Outdoors Newspaper that were written about our Lodge and lake. We are getting good responses to the articles and look forward to the extra exposure that they bring to the area.
I must go and pack for the trip but just wanted to remind you of our travels and hope that you will look us up at the shows and make another Rainbow Reservation for the summer of 09!

Take Care BOB&GALE