Walleye fishing will have to wait

Yep - for sure.  Opening day of fishing season tomorrow, and all is quiet.  Sure glad we postponed our opening week guests for later dates.   We finally had some sunny (although not warm) weather the last couple of days, and we were taking advantage of the break to get started on getting the grounds cleared, and some of the cottages cleaned.    Sounds like everybody in the mid-west is experiencing cold weather too, so we're not alone. 

Rainbow Fleet waiting for ice out.

May 16th view of Perrault Lake

Sheets of ice around the docks are at least 6 inches thick, so out on the main body of Perrault Lake, we're sure it's more than that.  At least there's enough open water spots for the ducks, loons & herons to find places to hang out now.  Slowly but surely spring is coming. 

We'll keep you posted…. anticipating "maybe" a mid week ice out IF the weather co-operates. 

Sunset over an icy Perrault Lake

 

Bye for now!

Winter is back

Mother Nature is teasing us for sure now.  This is May 13th.  Really????   On top of the couple of inches of rain we got yesterday, a couple inches of snow.   High of 44 F expected today.
On the brighter side -- gotta find one --  we don't have tornadoes, floods or forest fires right?

         

Delayed Spring Opener at Rainbow Point Lodge

With all the uncertainty of the ice conditions at thaw here at the Lodge we encouraged our opening week guests to come a week later, and thankfully the groups were able to do just that.  We hated to think of people traveling all those distances and not be assured of getting out on the water for opener. All of you out there may have to wait just a little bit longer for some new fishing photos!  Memorial Day weekend will be fantastic!

We are all just so excited to see the sun shining yesterday and today at Perrault Falls.   With the heat and the few days of rain before it, most of our snowbanks are nearly gone.  The lake took a kicking also.  The forecast is for the temperatures to drop again tomorrow for the rest of the week, back down in the low-mid 30's at night, and only about 50 as highs, so things will slow down again.   It's still hard to predict when the ice will go out, but we'll keep you posted via Facebook, and later on the Blog.

Water pooling on top of the ice on Perrault Lake

Ice separating from the shore at Rainbow Point Lodge

Memorial Day Weekend is coming up in the US, and if you don't have plans already, you might want to take a quick trip up to take in some fantastic fishing on Perrault Lake.  Have some availability, and can work out a package for you either for the long weekend, or the week.  Give us a shout if you're interested.  That fresh walleye sizzling in the pan will be well worth the trip!

Till the next post,
Bob & Gale

Spring Perrault Lake Ice Update

I know there are a lot of you that are pretty anxious to hear some news from the "Great White North". Perrault Falls, like most places in the central states and provinces, is having a slow start to spring.   We've had lots of wind the last several days so that's helped kick down the snow a lot.

Here is the progression from April 28th to today of the same view.
At least a little less white!

         

We had a few flurries today, then sleet, then rain, and then over again.  At least it isn't freezing overnight anymore (that we have heard in the forecast anyway)        

Looking out over Perrault Lake today, there was a bit of water at the shore; most of which was sitting on top of the ice.  Lakes are pretty much iced in all over the region and on into Manitoba.

Staff are all anxious to get working this spring.     Usually they are starting work this weekend at the Lodge, but with the snow cover we have put them off to start after at least next weekend.  Can't rake leaves with snowbanks.

 On a brighter note, it won't be long before the Blog will have more pictures like this one!  Think Fishing and Think Summer!  It's coming!  We have a few spots left for the prime fishing during the last couple weeks of May, just after ice-out.  If you have some time to sneak away for a few days before June, give us a shout and we'll see what we can do to get you into some great walleye & northern fishing.  The fish will be hungry and so will you!



We'll keep you posted in the next week on how things are looking around Rainbow Point Lodge.

  

March snow and ice update for Perrault Falls - Perrault Lake

Here is quick update on what's going on up at Perrault Falls.  As you can see from these pictures taken recently, we've got a LOT of snow.
Just for reference on the store photo below, the deck is about 4 feet off the ground.

 This picture is of the road into camp.  Cottage #1 is up ahead on the right…. somewhere???

Apparently the snow is very sugary.  Lakes are all very slushy.. Too much snow on the ice, weighing it down, and pushing the water up.  The ice augers for fishermen are to the max depth WITH extensions…that means 5+ feet of ice!    Temps have been warming up "a bit", but holding between -10 and -20.  Earlier in the winter they were  pretty steady between -30 and -45.  Keep in mind, we don't talk wind chill.  These are actual on the mercury temps.  If we added the wind chill on that it would just not be nice at all!



Doug, a friend of ours from Dryden shared pictures he took recently of a snow machine ride he took with his son.  Got a little too far off the trail we'd say.

Really shows you what is out there in the woods doesn't it?

Imagine what the poor deer and moose have to walk thru!          




So that's our update for today.  Hope you enjoy our updates, and don't forget… SPRING WILL COME!!!!

Lots of projects on our plans for the spring, so we will really have to scramble whenever mother nature gives us some spare ground to work with.

Till next time,
Bob & Gale

Spring Thaw!

Well:

Gale is cooking up dinner and I thought I would write a short note to keep you posted on the spring ice and warming sensation!!!! It is 5pm. Sat. evening and the rain is coming down and there is a winter storm warning in Manitoba for snow and high winds. For those of you that don't know, what Manitoba get's for weather we usually get in some degree a bit later. The weather man is calling for a lousy weekend with rain and wind and below normal temps. I was out on the lake a week ago doing some work on the docks that were exposed above the ice and the ice is not very thick. I think once we get a bit of hot sun and a bit of wind it will not take long to get rid of it. Some years the ice is real clear and firm and this Good ice usually takes a bit longer to break down.

I am sticking my neck out (but that's what you want!) and predicting the ice will be off the lake by the 15th. of May. It usually is out from the bay a week or so before the main part of the lake lets go completely. I don't hear of any above normal temps. in the forecast but if there is it will help the situation.

Enough of the ice stuff and I can tell you that if you are not booked to fish the first couple of weeks of season this year you are going to miss some fabulous fishing. The weather has been similar to many years past with ice out just before the opener and that is conducive to real good numbers and size of fish. We have been spoiled in the last few years with early springs and easy winters so the fish have moved into their early patterns before the season started.

I will take a few pictures for you to see in the next day or so of the ice situation and post them on this blog. I was going to do it today but it's flipping raining. Take Care and we will update you on the going's on ASAP.

BOB

Ice Fishing trip

Hi all.


As Bob mentioned we were going to head out ice fishing before season ended, and we made it out the last day, being April 14th.  Turned out to be a great day - sunny, bit of a breeze, but warm enough we didn't miss having a shelter or fire to keep us warm.   Thankfully it had cooled down a bit the last couple of days and what had been a slushy top to the ice was now a smooth sheen of ice.  Almost too smooth... we had to really watch our step to keep our feet facing the right direction.  We took the 6 wheelers out.   Headed straight out to Ord Bay to try our luck.  I caught a good size northern right off the bat - a keeper size, but we put him back for another day.  Then we got into quite a few jumbo, and I mean jumbo perch.  The largest we measured was 13".   Aside from one that swallowed the hook, we put all of those back as well.  Then we got into some walleye, and no... we didn't put them back.  The goal was a walleye supper, and it was mission accomplished.  



SEE MORE PHOTOS



 It was such a nice evening we didn't pack up until nearly dark.  The eagles were on her nest in the bay, soaring & waiting for anything that we may want to share - always fun to watch them.   On the way back the sun was setting over the lake and the ice reflected so much it looked more like water than the frozen lake.  Wish you could have been there!  And,...... that fresh walleye was amazing!!! mmmmm...

When Bob was drilling the holes he confirmed what we already knew.  The ice was not very good - many layers of slush, few layers of good ice.  With the lack of snow cover on the lake, it won't take much to have the lake clear out this spring if things warm up.  Not promising this week.  We got about 8" of snow over the weekend, so it looks more like Christmas than Easter right now. I'm sure we'll see things turn around by the end of the month.      

Still have a few spots open for May fishing.   If you have a free weekend or a few vacation days left, why not give us a shout and make a trip up to the Lodge.  There's a pan full of walleye waiting for your supper too!

We'll keep you posted as things warm up.

Bye for now,
Gale

Early Early Spring at Perrault Falls

In 26 years we don't remember as early a spring as this one! Perrault Lake is black, and we wouldn't doubt if it was out before the weekend. Last year we we were still driving a truck and 4wheelers out on the lake and ice fishing at this time.   Hard to believe the difference.  The bay at camp is nearly open.  Absolutely no snow on the ground. 

Get out those fishing rods guys (& gals)!   Still room for some groups the 3early weeks of season - give us a shout today to book in your long weekend, or week long stay!  1-800-282-9039

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 Out 2008!

Finally!!! The ice is out on Perrault Lake this afternoon!

Had a good steady rain, and a good heavy wind, and the ice all blew up on the far shore of Perrault (away from our docks!!). Great news for all of you coming up this weekend for some fantastic walleye and northern fishing!

See you then!

Bob & Gale

Ice and Weather Updates after Late Spring Storm

During the week of April 19th to 23rd we had pretty nice weather, a good rain, and some real progress towards spring. The ice was starting to pull away slightly from the shore, and there were just a few odd snowbanks, and snow accumulation left in the woods. Then came a freak storm on the 23rd that closed the schools just north of us, and on April 25th, and the biggest snow storm we have had for quite awhile really socked us in. We received a new dump of about 18"+ of snow. EVERY road in NW Ontario was closed from early Saturday morning until Sunday. There was not much anyone could do but keep the fire stocked and keep warm. As of Monday morning, Hwy 502 from Fort Frances to Dryden was still closed up. On the TransCanada Highway 17 on Sunday after the roads were opened, the semi trailers were lined up for miles. Quite the site. This TransCanada highway is the only main trunk highway from East to West, so when a storm like this hits and closes the roads, it has a huge affect on the country. Not like some areas where there are alternate routes to take.


So, back to winter we are, and again looking forward to seeing the grass show itself. Ice-out will definitely be delayed from what it was looking like earlier last week, as the temperatures are well below freezing at night, and only in the mid 40's in the day. Will keep you updated.

Ice Condition Update for Mid April

We still haven't had much in the way of warm weather, but it has been above freezing, and we have still dodged all the big snowstorms! The wind has been a big factor the last few days, and it has cut the snow down considerably. There is no snow left on the lake, and there is about 1.5-2 of ice right now. There's still a fair amount of snow around the bush and the yard, but a good steady rain today, and warming temps over the next few days should help knock that down some more.

Spring is definitely coming!! Walleye season closed on April 14th, and will re-open on May 17th. Northern is open throughout the year.

Will keep you posted on the ice/snow conditions over the next couple of weeks, as we know all of you spring ice-out fishermen are anxious!

Still some openings for the early weeks for your information, so you are not too late! Also have a special running for the 2 long weekends in May if you can just spare a weekend. Visit the website for details!

Ice & Snow Conditions, April 1/08

I know many of you starting to get pretty anxious for spring and fishing season, but unfortunately it's still a little bit away right now. This picture was taken yesterday (April 1st) at Cottage #1. There is about 2.5 feet of ice on the lake, and there's still a good 2'+ of snow on the ground. It's not all that unusual for this time of year for this area, but after such a hard, cold winter, we are definitely anxious for it to be over too!

The ice is not the best this year; with all the early snow, there is a lot of slush on the lake, and the ice layers have slushy sections. When the temperatures really start to warm up, it "should" go out fairly quickly. Right now, it's getting to just a few degrees above freezing during the day, but dipping well below overnight. We'll wait and see what the weather does, and we'll keep you posted!

There are still a few vacancies for early fishing weeks at ice-out. We also have a long weekend special going for the Canadian Victoria Day Weekend, and the US Memorial Day Weekend. Check out the website for details! If you can't sneek away for a whole week, a long weekend might just tie you over and help get the fishing itch scratched!