May 21, 2022: Opening Weekend

Well, actually the opening of the walleye season…

VBL remains closed till May 27th to allow us to get a handle on the late spring issues such as frost heaving in some cabins and frozen sewer lines……..not to mention the record high water levels that one can only describe as flooding. Moving opening guests to the following week was a tough decision but I think it was the right one. Here’s a bit of a breakdown on what happened here on Saturday and Sunday…

Saturday:

Regardless of what’s on the work list, the opening of walleye deserves our attention, so Susanne and I venture forth to scope out conditions and hopefully end up with a fish fry that evening…

Main lake water temperatures maxed out at 43 degrees. We head into a shallow bay hoping for better conditions. 48 degrees is the best we can do. Trolling Rapalas is our technique today.
Bundle up ’cause the 43 degree water temps are actually warmer than the air! The dogs were not too impressed by being assualted by the re-occuring ice pellets.
The fishing was slow, but so were we. We did not give up on our location and managed to eventually make a successful morning out of it.
A fish fry will happen! It was a cold ride home, reminicent of ice fishing in February. Boat traffic on the lake was minimal…I think we saw one other camp boat.

Sunday:

It’s time to see what’s going on back in the portage lakes. Will the boats be ready? I’m concerned that with the flooding they may be under water. Susanne and I decide to take a boat up the creek to investigate…

There’s some sun today and definately not as cold. Here I’m doing my Kenny Rogers impersonation. Water levels are so high finding the actual creek channel is hard…..
Water levels are high and the entire ramp is floating. Fortunately the motors weren’t under water, but close. After realizing the ramp would be difficult to use we go to “Plan B”…
Plan B is to take both portage boats back to the lodge. Guests wanting the Clearwater experience are now going to be using these to access via the creek. Maybe a bit slower ride than with the regular camp boats but damaging equipment is less likely. It took us 40 minutes to go up the creek. Later in the season as water levels drop we’ll get the boats back on the ramp and continue using the trail.
So we still need to check on the boat and motor in McGregor Lake. With the high water we actually park the boat on the trail.
Ramp in and boat flipped over, I mull over possible reasons why there is water draining from the motor! Apparently there was once a puddle of water where the motor spent the winter. Not good…..the motor needs to go home too!
All I can say is I’m too old for this shit. I know a younger, stronger guest coming next week who will appreciate this experience….Jon Vanator, note the technique.
With our work portion of the day complete, we might as well troll some Hot-n-Tot’s and see what’s happening. 40 degree temps are darn cold!
Again, the action seemed subdued, but we did manage 4 trout in short order.
A bit of a water fall in the background. We saw one other boat on the lake who came in via the creek……they didn’t seem to stick around long!

So for those who didn’t make opener, consider this…

While fishing at anytime is interesting, it was darn cold. We have some sun predicted for this coming week which will only improve the fishing, for both walleye and trout. In short, you’ll be arriving at an opportune time. Let’s just hope the rain stays away and water levels start to drop. We’ll be seeing many of you soon….have a great trip!

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Testimonials

This is a first class resort located on Vermillion Bay on Eagle Lake. The cabins are very clean and well kept. The boats are new with new motors and are in great shape. The owner will also clean your fish for you after your day on the water. Make no mistake the fishing on Eagle Lake is world class.

The Lodge is owned by Gord and Susanne Bastable who will make you feel welcome and before you know it you feel like family. They are the best of hosts. The atmosphere is low key and laid back leading to a great vacation.

This is my 19th year of enjoying the hospitality of the lodge and i can’t think of going anywhere else on Eagle Lake.

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