Happy Thanksgiving to our U.S. Friends

Cottage 5's fabulous evergreen.

Just a quick note as we think of all of our guests and friends south of the border celebrating their Thanksgiving tomorrow.  With all the nasty weather we are hearing about, we hope your travels are safe ones.  We celebrated Thanksgiving up here in Canada the 1st weekend of October, so it's been awhile since our Thanksgiving turkey.  Enjoy!

We have continued to get hammered with plenty of snow almost daily up at Perrault Falls, with about 2 feet fallen all together so far.  Our bay has been iced up for a good week, and the main lake is just about frozen over.  Perrault is always one of the last in the area to ice up.   The sunny days of summer seem like a long time ago already!  Plans are under way for our projects for next spring already, but the work will wait till the grass pokes out next year.

Hope memories of your last trip to Rainbow Point Lodge are a topic of your dinner table conversation this weekend.   Looking forward to hearing from you soon about your next trip!

Till next time, Gale & Bob

I'm awake Mike! Just easing into the winter!!

Hello Everyone:  Well it's that time of year again when Mike Baumann, from Milwaukee, wakes me up with a (where is the latest blog???) question, and I have to get it together and write something for you to read.  Feel free to add a comment to my blogs so I know you're watching!  I have been relying on Gale to update the Rainbow Point Lodge Facebook page, and I guess, not bore you with my Fall rambling.
     Just to recap the summer, it was great!!!! We had a slower start to the spring, regarding early fishermen, but as people learn that the spring fishing is Fantastic, we are seeing a renewed interest in this time of year. After the opening week things picked up and Summer was on full speed. The fishing all summer was, as I say every year, Phenominal. All you have to do is take a look at our photo link on the web page to see some of the great fish that were taken this past summer and previous years. One of our indicators to the fishing success in any given week is the smiles on the new guests that have never been here before. This lake, is and always will be, an easy lake to learn, because of it's size. The nice mix of walleye, northern, bass, perch, etc. also makes it very diverse. There are plenty of small and trophy sized fish in each species that always make us smile, because we know that the reproduction rate is always consistent.
    Gale and I just finished draining the last cabin 2 weeks ago and are still a few days away from being "totally ready" for the winter. There is a lot more involved in shutting down the cabins etc. than just pulling the plug and locking the gate. Today I am going to be pulling my airplane up on dry ground for the winter, as the shore line is starting to get a bit of ice on it. I wish I could fly it a bit more but the summer is almost too busy and now the weather is staring to freeze. Here is a picture from last week. It's gone but the snow plow was on the highway that night and they layer the salt on the road!! Just more reason to pack for the trip south.
 We are working on our winter promotion and are going to do more print advertising and try to get a larger online presence. In case you haven't heard the All Canada Show's that we have been attending for almost 30 years, has declared bankruptcy. The show is being resurrected in the Chicago market this spring, by a group of people that worked with the original show. They are trying to improve the show, and it's attendance, and will move to other markets next year if they are successful this winter. As you all know, we have been doing the Green Bay show each year for the last few decades, and with the demise of the AC Show in Green Bay this up coming winter we will obviously not be there.  We will keep you up to date if we decide to travel to one of the other shows in Wisc.
 Below are a couple of pictures taken as Gale & I waited at 6AM for the fog to lift so we could get to a trail down the lake, that we walk for moose. Heard and gave some calls, but no moose showed their face that day.  Had our nets and gear along too hoping that we might catch the whitefish running in the river.  Too early for the whitefish, and a great day to take a trip down the river.

Misty October Sunrise over Perrault Lake

Warm gear for an October morning

October Sunrise

We hope you all are getting into the fall swing and that the deer hunters out there are getting ready for the rut, an enjoyable hunt, and it's many lifelong stories that it will provide.

Till next time,

Bob

Sizzling end to August Fishing and start to Black Bear Hunts

I see Bob hasn't kept up very well with our regular blogs this year, and I know many of you are not on Facebook so miss my regular posts and photos.    So… here is another short update for you.

August has ended with sizzling hot temperatures much to the surprise of everyone.  Two solid weeks of temps in the 90's and a fair amount of humidity greeted the late summer fishermen and the 1st couple of weeks of bear hunters as well.  Good for some, not so good for others.  Overall though, the heat didn't seem to bother the fish or the bears very much.

Guests have been getting great action on the walleyes and smallmouth very close to camp.  1st and 2nd bay have been old standbys, as well as the bay right in front of camp.  Trolling and jigging have both been working well, so it's just been a fisherman's preference.  Crawlers & leeches seem to be best currently.  The shallower waters of 15-17 feet have been very good, with more eater size fish in those depths.  When the guys have fished a bit deeper just off the drop-offs, they have gotten some substantial sized walleyes.  Largest this past week was 28", and many in the 22-26 inch range.
 Smallmouth have been nuts in the rocks.  Northern action has been steady with most catches in the nice eater range of 22-27 inch range, but several have been landed upwards to 38" in the last couple of weeks.  Muskie are starting to get more active as well, so the fishermen coming up over the next few weeks should have plenty to keep them busy.

The bear baits have been very active, and the hunters are doing very well so far. Amazing with that extreme heat.  The hunters were pretty warm in the tree stands, and of course the bugs haven't slowed down yet.  Patience has paid of for many of the hunters.  Largest bear so far was about 340.  Have 2 ladies in this week, and both of them have harvested a bear.
Way to go ladies!   2 more weeks of bear hunts to go, and plenty of great areas yet to be hunted.

The loons are starting to gather in the main lake with groups of 50 or more.  That's a sure sign of the season changing.    

I have been getting photos up on our web album, so check them out when you get a chance.  Maybe your picture is in there too!  Lots more to upload, thanks to so many of you who have shared their pics.

OK OK I'm finally writing something ! !

  This has been a very busy summer, which is all good, and with the standard weather related issues, not a bad one! We are just over the hump in our fishing season and it has been quite a good in all respects for plenty of action. The walleyes have been the number one fish of interest and we have had dozens apon dozens of 28-32 inch fish, photographed and released, and I think it has to go down as one of the top three years for large fish caught and released. The northern fishing is just coming on stron right now with the cabbage weed at it's full potential. The bass are always strong and lots of fun on light tackle. Keep an eye on our web page and look at the photo album for updated pictures.
 Yesterday a guest and good friend of mine, Mike Baumann, checked in to his cabin, and the first thing he said was, where the Hell is the Blog>> then he said Hi good to see you!! This is the reason that I am sitting in the house on a Sunday afternoon doing this. I noticed that on my way up here to write this Blog, I passed his cottage, and he was sitting in a lawn chair with an adult beverage watching his deep fryer full of fish cook!! I bet that I don't get a taste.
  On a more serious side. Gale and I would like to Thank all of you for supporting us this and every year, and we really enjoy the positive comments that we receive online and during the week.
  Next year we are going to be Celebrating our 30th. year of owning and operating Rainbow Point Lodge and we are already thinking of some things that we will be doing each week to celebrate the occasion. It has been an enjoyable 30 years and we look forward to many more, doing what we like to do.
 I will let you go as I am going to see if there is any fish left at the Baumann's cottage, but check out and "LIKE US" on our Rainbow Point Lodge facebook page that Gale looks after as She does a much better job of posting pictures and STUFF, than I do.

Take Care from the Lodge and, we hope to see you again, and maybe for the first time!!!


BOB and GALE

2013 Opening Weekend Fishing on Perrault Lake

Just a few days of fishing in so far here at Rainbow Point Lodge on Perrault Lake for the 2013 fishing season.  NOTHING SHORT OF FANTASTIC!!   Having the ice out was nail biter, but Saturday afternoon our guests were able to get out on Perrault Lake and were not disappointed.  Saturday saw calm winds, overcast skies, but not rainy until evening.  Couldn't ask for much nicer for an opener weekend.  Chuck Hartman from Fort Meyers  FL caught and  released a 31" walleye AND a 30" walleye on Sunday  - talk about his lucky day!  


Ken Sharlein from Arkdale, Wisconsin also released a 31+ incher,  and James Dean from Winnipeg released another 30 incher. 

This doesn't mention the big northerns that are aggressive as always in the spring time, giving all the anglers a run for their money!  Huge perch also being caught.   Thanks to all of the guests for releasing all of these bigger fish to make sure that the fishery here on Perrault remains as great as it for future generations.  This is especially important in a year like this when the spring is so late.  We all want the fish to have a chance for a successful spawn.   Walleyes  are biting really light, so the best success has been with the guys using 1/8 oz jigs with minnows, and letting them take the line for awhile.    Not much time to post, but I know many of you are dying to get some news, so here it was.   Will post more as I have time!  

Still some openings for the next couple of weeks of season, so if you have a few days to spare and you think a fishing trip is long overdue, give us a shout, and we'll see where we can fit you in!

Pictures from Beautiful, Icy Perrault Lake

After a mixed weather bag of a day, cold, warm, rain, wind, sun… we were treated to some fantastic sights.

Right after a thunder storm went through, we had an amazing ice fog roll quickly over the bay.  Bob posted several pictures on our Facebook Page.  If you are not on Facebook, I've added one his shots here for you too.

Then we just had another evening shower go through, and this fabulous rainbow showed up.. It was a double, but I wasn't quick enough. Think the end of the Rainbow is on the best fishing spot on opening day?  The groups coming this weekend will get to find out!

Anxious to see the changes in the lake ice after the winds tonight.   I took a quick trip to Dryden for business earlier today, and by the time I came back, Eagle Lake, Cliff Lake & Trail Lake were open.  Cedar looked to be starting to open up, and our bay on Perrault Lake is looking very close.  It's been quite a few years since we've had ice go out right at opening weekend, and it looks like "maybe??" that is what we might see.  We'll keep you posted!

Ice Prediction

It's 7:00 and we just got in  from working ALL day and this will be a quick comment as we are making supper for everyone. Today started out with new ice on the bay  but it will be gone before the weekend. We put a boat in the water today just to check the ice and, all that is open is 50 feet from the shore, from the rapids to the bait house dock. We ran the boat up on the ice and it held us, but with the warmer weather predicted this week it should soften up quickly. The main lake is always the last to go out in the area and it will be close to the opener. I will give you an update later in the week. If the weather holds out the fishing should be awesome come ice out. Keep an eye on the Blog for further comments.  BOB

Opening weekend Ice situation!

This picture was taken from Cabin 4's point, looking south! This is what it used to look like 25+ years ago before we all got soft with the Global Warming stuff! To make an educated guess at this point would be a mistake but check the Blog later on the weekend. It's going to be close but we need temps a bit warmer than what we are getting along with a nice stiff breeze.
  Keep the fingers crossed and wish us luck with the other stuff like getting water going through the frozen ground and the sewer running and the boats dug out of the snow, etc. etc. etc.
  Talk to you on the weekend.   BOB

I think the WINTER weather is moderating!

  Well:    There sure has been a lot of crumby weather in the mid States and central Canada, but it looks like the weather is moderating a bit so that must mean that spring is coming!! If you have not made your reservations for the summer, now is the time to get them nailed down. We have a few weeks that have waiting lists right now and many more that are close to being full. This is a bit earlier than recent memory, which is a good thing for us, but don't wait until the last minute or you may miss out.
  Our Bear hunts are completely full for this season and our Moose hunts are booked for this season and next! If you still want to do an archery moose hunt in the next few years, get on the waiting list for cancellations etc. Make sure you get in touch with me by next fall to book your 2014 bear hunts early so you can get the week you want without being disappointed.
  Gale and I are still down in the Keys and I HATE to tell you this, as everyone has a hand shaped like a snow shovel handle, and mine is shaped like a beer bottle and fishing rod end (not in that order!) We are actually getting anxious to get back home and start the long list of spring start up jobs, but we can hold out for a little while longer!
  We know that all of our guests enjoy our fish fry very much, and it's a highlight for many.  We also know that we have been doing them for 29 years running, and wonder about a fun way to spice it up. This is where you come in.. We're looking for ideas from all of you. My suggestion was to bring your loudest Hawaiian or Caribbean shirt or dress and we can come up with some sort of prize for best dressed couple or single etc.?? That will mean that i will have to play more Jimmy Buffet music but it seems to go over fairly well as it is. I am seriously looking for ideas "now" so we can get the word out and have a little out of the ordinary fun on Tues. night!  Drop us a note or comment on this blog with your suggestions, and we'll see what we come up with!
  We just got off the phone with "Shorty", who is looking after our house etc. while we are gone, and he said the temperature in the last few days has just gotten above the freezing mark as high during the day. It is going to be a normal spring like we used to see with the ice going out in May instead of April as it has the last few years. I still believe that the global warming phenomena is a fact and who know's what will happen in the foreseeable future.
Rest assured SPRING is coming and will be here before you know it!!!! Take Care till next time.


BOB  AND  GALE

Canadian Super Bowl Contest Winner Denied Entry To U.S. Because He Smoked Pot In 1981

We all have heard the horror stories of US citizens being denied entry into Canada for DUI's and old minor offences in the past, and the Canadian government has made some changes to make these ridiculous incidences less frequent thanks to a huge lobby from the tourism sectors.   Thought I'd pass on this article about how the border can work the other way so you don't think it's just on the Canadian side.  Guess both countries have a long way to go to make border crossing regulations reasonable.

Super Bowl Contest Winner Denied Entry to U.S. Because he Smoked Pot in 1981
A Canadian man who beat out four million competitors to win a fantasy football league’s grand prize of tickets to last night’s Super Bowl was stopped at the border and denied entry because U.S. customs officials discovered he had a minor pot possession conviction on his record from 1981.

New Years Hello!

Hello everyone! Well, we made it through the Christmas season unscratched and through the New Years party ( I haven't stayed up till 3AM in a long time) We went to some friends for the evening and enjoyed the fireworks in the neighbourhood from a roof top deck. I must tell you we were in the Keys and it was 75 degrees :))

On the serious side Gale and I wish you all a Very Happy New Year and hope that a visit to Rainbow is in your plans. We are looking forward to the opening day of fishing as we always do but in the meantime are getting ready to go to Green Bay for the one sport show we are doing, on the 24th. - 27th. of Jan. If you are in the area, or want to bring some friends in to meet us, come on in we would be glad to see you.

By now you have all received our new price list and have had the opportunity to read our Christmas note on the web page. If you have not go to www.rainbowpoint.com. We will be doing all of our Christmas and other promotional information by email from now on so if you don't have your email address with us or would like a hard copy mailed to you just let us know.

Some of the summer weeks are full or near full, so if you know your vacation schedule, give us a shout soon so you know you'll have your week scheduled in.

We have been doing a little fishing of our own down here and so far Gale has me beat in the Big fish category. I must say that someone has to run the boat, reel in the other lines and gaff the fish and guide to the perfect spot etc. so she can accomplish the fish catching prowess that she keeps telling me about. With the big buck she got last fall, and the fishing luck she is having I will probably just hang up my guiding licence. This is a picture of Gales black fin tuna and a wahoo that she caught within 20 minutes of each other.   We enjoy getting our fishing fix in down south since we don't get much time to fish while we are keeping the Lodge running in the summer.    The fish are tasty of course, but you know, nothing beats a fresh Canadian Walleye fish fry!