Opening Week 2011

Can't believe we've already gone through our 1st week of season at Rainbow Point Lodge!  We had our usual share of big projects to get done before opener, and I think we all did a good job in getting them done in time.  The biggest project of the spring was new dock in front of Cottage 8/9.  The new set-up will allow more boats to be docked at that end without going under the old "bridge dock" which is being taken down during the summer.  Bob and George spent many hours in their neoprene waders hauling rocks and placing cribs.   The lights are in place, and everything looks great.

Ken Sharlein from Wisc.
 shows off a nice 30 inch Northern Pike

We had a busy opening weekend with many Canadian guests taking advantage of the long weekend in Canada (Queen Victoria's Birthday).   The guests that were with us for the whole week had a great time enjoying fishing every day with very calm winds, which made the relatively cool temperatures pretty comfortable overall on the lake.   There was enough sun to give many their spring sunburnt noses as a free souvenir!   With the consistently cool temps (down to just below freezing overnight for a couple of nights) the water temperature also dropped considerably, so the walleye bite was slowed down from normal.   Best action was  mostly in and around the mouth of the Ord River, and outside Jackfish Bay, with patient jigging getting the best catches.   The bigger story of the week was the many large smallmouth being caught,  some up in the 18-20" range, which was unusual for this time of year.  Of course the northern pike were providing plenty of action as well, with large sucker chubbs giving the best results.   As the water starts to warm up more over the next few days we expect the walleye bite to really turn.  Good news for all the father and son groups staying with us this week.

Wish you were here!  If you have time to get away for a fishing trip this summer, give us a shout.  There are still a few openings here and there through the summer, so you may not be too late to get a trip organized.

More to post soon....... and I'll get on the photo album as soon as I get a few extra minutes.  Gale