Catching the Good Life in the Canadian Wilderness

Hi Happy Campers, look who showed up at White Otter, our old pal Rooster! As we all know, we have not been at Happy Camp since 2019, and in late 2019 Rooster had a large stroke at his most favorite place in the world, White Otter Lake while camping on the Ponderosa.

We got word of Roosters troubles in 2020, and while we hoped for the best, we knew he has an uphill battle ahead of him. But alas, a few days ago I go to the lake with Magoo and I see his buddy John and Katelyn and Roosters old boat struggling to get him in the boat. At first I did not even recognize Rooster, but then I see his eyes, and it is old Martin himself!! As happy as Magoo and were to see him, we also realized quickly Rooster is not himself any longer. Rooster was using a cane, and walking very slowly to the boat. So I quickly helped John and lifted Rooster’s right leg into the boat. We were able to get him into the boat and there Rooster sat looking out onto White Otter. John explained to me that the stroke had taken the use of Rooster’s right side as well as his ability to speak. Despite much time to work on this thru therapy, Rooster is not able to speak, one can hope for a miracle, so everyone please pray!

Anyone who has come to Happy Camp in the last 10 years has either met or heard of Rooster. Rooster had become a favorite here, story telling and so much more. Rooster loved Happy Camp, the Wilderness and all that it brought. Often times Rooster would show up pulling his boat about 10 in the morning, would stop in for a chat, and the chat would last for hours and many beverages. Rooster was a master story teller to say the least. Rooster’s gift of gab certainly was a breathe of fresh air, but also were his antics and I chuckle as I write them. Rooster and I have tales to tell, from him coming up to grade the road, to falling in the fire, to his cussing and swearing about this and that, there certainly is only one Rooster!

As I helped John with Rooster, grabbing his arm, I could feel the pressure and frustration coming from Rooster. Looking into his eyes I could see it and the struggle to say anything, simply took the life out of me. To see our pal Rooster struggle mightily, certainly reminds us all how quickly life can turn on anyone! Rooster certainly had the zest for life and I am so hopeful that things will change for him, I also looked into those eyes how frustrating to not be able to do anything for him is frustrating beyond compare and while we say, Such is Life, sometime life totally sucks!

With that, we are very Sad Campers, not much more to say. As I was told a while back, life is a gift, live everyday, that certainly rings true! Mayflies are here, fish are biting, come on up to say hi. Take care everyone!

Canada Day 2022

Happy Canada Day all! From windy, wet, thundering Happy Camp Ontario we greet you today! It is shortly before 2, and the wind turned from the west to Northwest while Magoo and I were out fishing. Whitecaps poured into the 1st bay, and if anyone remembers, White Otter Lake can turn terrible quickly. I still shake my head today with how this lake can have whitecaps from 2 different directions at once! Folklore tells of a great sea monster that lurks in the depths of the narrows, there maybe some truth to it.

Magoo and I found some fish that were not full of Mayflies and had a nice bite going before the wind spiked up. We repositioned a few times only to have the anchor torn free from the bottom, maybe the Monster pulled it up. Fishing was sporadic but some nice Walleye over 23 inches came to the net today. Anchored again I tossed out my lure and let it sit on the bottom and had a sip of Ginger Ale and gave Magoo a Biscuit. I noticed the rod tip bending so slightly, hmmm, what is up with that, I am out in about 22 feet so there are no weeds? I watched the rod pump a couple times, then lifted it and felt the heavy weight of something swimming out to the main lake. I set the hook and the thump thump of something really big didn’t stop at all! Drag started singing as the Monster pulled me where ever it wanted to go. I noticed the stern of the boat turn into the wind with the Monster and noticed how the Monster had pulled the anchor loose. We were anchored in about 8 feet and I noticed now on the locator we were in 24 feet. As any of you know me very well know that I have been lucky enough to catch some pretty big fish in my day, from 35 Pound King Salmon casting with a spoon, to walleye in excess of 12 pounds and Pike over 20, not to mention Muskies in the 30 pound Range. This thing was nothing short of doing what ever it wanted! The constant pulling was like nothing I have encountered before. Not much head shaking or runs, just constant pulling the boat with Magoo and I in it out into the waves of maybe 3 feet.

I noticed how we left the 1st Bay and tried to ease the Monster up, nothing doing! Just constant heavy weight is all there was. Reeling down, I noticed how the St. Croix 7 footer was bent all the way over and while I am not as strong as I once was, my forearms are now aching! What is heck do I have I am thinking and even Magoo who doesn’t pay attention to the fish, is back at my side looking into the water. Pulling and digging deeper I continue to put as much pressure as I can without any luck. I can feel the Beast shake its head now, but no running, just a shake here then dig down. I pull up and watch the fishing rod pump and bend in half! I do all I can just hang on, then the Monster pulls one last time down and I feel heavy weight become very light, the line has broke. Magoo looks at me and puts her head down, walked to the front, climbs on the deck, lays down and closes her eyes.

I sit and think what was that, and I still do not know. Do I think a walleye, no. Pike, no, the action and fight was something I have not experienced since catching huge Sturgeon on the Wolf River. But there are no Sturgeon here, are there? Perhaps a Monster that nobody knows, one thing is for certain, that thing will pull anyone around the lake, no question about it!

Weather has been erratic, lots of strong storms, wind and rain, keeping the Bugs very, very healthy. Earlier this week we traveled to Pagwa in search of a new Bear hunt area. The current area now will have no access of 2022 and while we are hopeful for 2023, one never knows. I do know that the area we checked out yesterday is wilderness, in fact there are NO roads north of the new area, just Hudson Bay if you get that far, so that is more adventures, who is up for them?

Camp is still a work in progress and getting there slowly. Propane now got delayed for some reason, if I was to guess, they haven’t got prices high enough yet? But alas, gas is at $2.25/liter so there is definitely enough gouging there. Difficult to get some things, and the rumor is that by fall many things will harder to come by yet! Guess this is the world we live in today, anyone else think the Merle’s tune, ” Are the Good Times really over for good” may have been a few years too soon?

One bright spot is the animals, bunnies are starting to show up, and Grouse clutches are showing up more and more. Mayflies started to fill the air and water, so the fish will be full and sluggish for a few days.

With that said, I shall shove off to watch the next storm roll in! Enjoy your Canada Day, take care!!

Good evening Happy Campers, welcome to Summer 2022. This is Catfish Chris and I am writing to you from the Lodge at Happy Camp! We have been here for a few days and the list never seems to go down! The weather has been erratic, much rain, storms, heat and humidity. Like today it started out about 45 early this morning with sun, and by 11 it was 85 and hot. Now it is windy and we are in the midst of a Severe Thunderstorm watch! Just like in the states, wait 20 minutes and see what happens.

So the lodge is up and running, we have lots of water, the pressure would rival the Empire state Building! We had a couple of fish frys’s, but tonight there is wings in the oven and I just finished an Old Milwaukee in honor or my parent’s! We have been fishing and the bite is a little slow, water temps are just above 60 and the weeds are just starting to green a titch. With the erratic weather this will continue, but NO may fly hatches yet! Jigs and a piece of crawler pitched into the shallow grass are out producing anything else these days. From to tails to Gulp, hands down crawlers are what they want. Like last night, we were out in a shallow area of the lake, made a drift and caught and released one small Walleye. Second drift with crawlers we had more bites and returned those fish back to live another day for a chance to grow into a future Hillsport Monster! 🙂

On another note, the Loons are here but only 2 of them with a nest to the west of the beach in the 1st Bay. Just today we were working on a boat trailer at the lake and the Loons were calling. So I watched and sure enough, an MBE was headed right toward the nest. We watched as the Bald Eagle soared up, then circled and went away to find something else to eat.

Speaking of eating, the Bugs are tremendous, never seen like this before. From Black flies to Mosquitos and now Deer Flies, they are terrible. We are constantly swatting, spitting and swinging at them. With the rain coming down now, it looks like another crop of fresh bugs to chase all of us around.

In our travels, we have seen a few Grouse, Moose, and actually Bears. The other day we saw a Momma and one baby, so awesome. Speaking of awesome, or not so awesome, we travelled to the BMA in hopes of getting into it. Well 1 Kilometer off of the paved road, we were stopped by non stop water, no road and at least 100 feet of nothing, that was not a good thing. With the other 5 beavers spots along the way, there is no access in. So, I contacted the MNR in hopes of something.

Anyone who has been around camp in the last 10 years knows how that has gone, but alas maybe just maybe the winds of change are happening. Early this afternoon the phone rang and it was Marco from the MNR. If anyone has hunted with us or spoke of the MNR, they know about Marco. We feel he has always tried to help out with our hunt. Well, we spoke briefly and he understands the dilemma, and is trying to help. Marco spoke about an area which is closer to Happy Camp and will have better access. We are still discussing this but we are hopeful to get out there check it out and get a hunt going in the Spring of 2023. Actually there are no roads north of us, only water until you hit Hudson Bay and the Arctic ocean, so this could get real fun. Can anyone say Adventure!!! I sure can and we have toys and tool s to get after this, who is in! Bring your Bug dope, beverage and let’s get after it!!

It is quiet here in camp and mostly the region, just the wind, rain, bugs and occasional train. Just now as I write, those little hawks are flying over the lodge, sound like Killdeer but definitely not, any ideas?

It is time to close this chapter, stay tuned for more updates. Take care and hug your hounds all!!

Good evening Happy Campers! We are on the eve of Fish Ontario 2022, and while the snow is still coming down on the northern Prairie, SOON the weather will break and the waters will warm. SOON the fish will eagerly be biting the end of many people’s lines. SOON the mosquitos will hatch and start to make themselves to you and me in search of food. SOON the Baby Moose will be running wild in the Happy Camp Wilderness. SOON the Grouse will be chirping with excitement. SOON the Loons will be soaring over Happy Camp singing their beautiful music! Soon, the Blueberries will find their flowers and start their journey’s towards BerryHood! I can already smell the grease warming and the pie in the oven, oh my.

SOON we will be focusing both of our eyes squarely on the return to HAPPY CAMP ONATARIO! For me, the excitement builds each day and while there is still school to teach, music to make and graduates to hand diploma’s too, Magoo is very, very close to howling the call, IT IS TIME!

SOON Magoo will Howl the second set of the most Famous words. We all know the most Famous words are, DRIVERS START YOUR ENGINES, but Magoo is practicing in the snow right now. In a little over a week Magoo will HOWL, IT IS TIME and Happy Camp 2022 Journey will be upon us! Who knows what we will encounter, but the adventure is going to be all worth it!

If you are hankering for an adventure of a lifetime, shoot me an email or call us today to have a chat about Happy Camp 2022 just for you!!!!! From Catfish Chris and all the Happy Camp Gang, take care.

Hi Happy Campers, it appears Spring will be put on hold much longer. Does it seem like we can ever catch a break?

Here on the Northern Prairie, snow was almost gone, now in the midst of a terrible blizzard and guess what, it is April 13. We have over 24 new inches, wind is howling about 40 and suppose to last for another day! The lovely city pushed a drift over my gate which is 4 feet, so now what? Hope that Magoo nor I have to get out anytime soon.

Really, the end of May can not come soon enough, and if all goes well Happy Camp!! To get back to the wilderness is not only good for the mind, body but also the Soul! Far too long has passed since we have been in the woods and water, chasing the fish, fowl, animals, berries and whatever else we can find. We truly are hoping that the time away was ok, I guess time will tell.

We hope that all of you are doing ok, holding your own and gearing up to go and get something for your Soul! Perhaps that is a stop at Happy Camp, if so shoot us a message or drop up a line and let’s chat. Until then, take care and hopefully Spring is coming more quickly where ever all of the Happy Camper’s are! Take care everyone.

Good Morning Happy Campers! It is mid February and there is very little movement towards Spring here in the north, nor much change in the Covid situation. As you know, much talk has led to explosions, closures, openings, and all kinds of crazy things.

But alas we all can hope that things settle down to a more form of normalcy by Spring! Spring will be upon us soon we can only hope, and soon we could be swatting mosquitos, listening to the wind push the water against the shore and smelling the fish cooking in the pan!

We do hope to be back at Happy Camp by the end of May and have our fingers crossed the list is only a page of repairs needed? I was just thinking of the dock and Loons that often play in the first bay, it will be a welcome sight and sound to see those and all the other creatures we encounter along our travels.

From what we know, to get into Canada you need the ArrivCan, a vaccine card as well as a negative Covid test within a 72 hour window from when you come thru the border. Also, I was told earlier this week, the test needs to be the one where they swab your throat, not the nasal one. Perhaps this will change by Spring, again we all hope don’t we?

Winter has been tough for us, lots of snow, bitter cold which continues today, perhaps in a couple of weeks some change will occur? Until then, Magoo and I will keep holding our own as the Great Captain McSorley stated.

Perhaps we shall see you in 2022, shoot us a message or give us a shout today, take care and keep in touch!!

Good Morning and Happy New Year’s Eve Eve everyone! As we turn the page to yet another year, we look back at the year or year’s gone by and can only hope as we move forward the sun continues to shine brighter on the Happy Camp Wilderness. As fall fell into winter, right now we are sitting at -44 degrees and yes this Fahrenheit not Celsius, the bitterness just stings. If my figuring is right in C, the temps would be like -90. Either way, that is damn cold!!!

Waterfowling was put in my blood I guess from Dad or Grandpa. As I get older, its harder to get going especially in the cold, but Magoo nudegs me very early each weekend morning in hopes of a new adventure.

So for this Saturday Magoo and I hunted the shores of Lake Sakakawea near Coleharbor, North Dakota. Decoys were set and we waited for the Honkers to come back for water, I looked at Magoo and the white muzzle she now has and as I gazed into her eyes, many of our memories came to mind. So many adventures, hunts and travels we have gone thru, both above and below the border. Soon a lone goose flies into the spread, BOOM, the Goose thuds onto the ground. OFF is Magoo and the familiar, fantastic snort she has as she carries the 10 pound plus Canada Goose come back to hand. I have been so blessed to have such wonderful hunting companions, from Buster, Shadow and now Magoo, each of my Labs have been wonderful. Great companions and world class hunters and retrievers.

Magoo is nearing 11 years old and as I write she is laying at my feet. To walk and hunt with world class retrievers that you have worked with from the 49th day brings a pure sense of joy from within! To have the retriever work like an extension of your arm, turning on a dime to the whistle and working flawlessly through heavy marsh, woods or whitecaps is simply breathtaking. Being raised a waterfowler I am often reminded of how wonderful it is to reach Greatness, just below Perfection. To have that special companion at your side ready, waiting for their next direction is something that makes a heart swell like the Grinch on Christmas Day :))

I remember a few years ago hunting on White Otter Lake in the first bay in early November. The Webster and Kent Crew’s were in the woods chasing Moose while Magoo and I sat near the decoy spread waiting for ducks to lure in. Out in the main lake the wind roared and it was completely white. In the first bay it was windy but not white yet but the day was still early.

In the duckblind, the coffee cup empty so Magoo and I stood and stretched. Magoo’s head quickly turned to the east and locked on a small black dot in the sky. Quickly the dot became a small group of birds winging their way to the spread. Magoo trembling was shaking and drooling with excitement as the group of a half dozen or so divers swung out wide of the decoys.

I reached for the duck call making the diver putts and brrt’s which brought them immediately out to the west and the hooked towards the spread. As they neared the line of white decoys, 3 broke off and went north as the rest set their wings and sailed into the spread. I emptied the gun and 3 Buffleheads were down, 2 in the spread and the other swimming toward the main lake. Magoo was off for the swimmer. Magoo pumping fast was hard to see her black head as she was about half way out in the bay. I guessed Magoo was about 400 yards as she caught the duck turned and headed back with the retrieve.

Magoo finishes the retrieve to hand, shakes off, sits down and says “what’s next boss?” Times like this I am often reminded I am so blesses to be in the presence of greatness. It is really hard to explain but I simply say, I hope everyone has the opportunity to be near or part of greatness in some capacity at sometime during your life. Greatness does not come easy, nor should it, but once you reach and experienced , it is simply the greatest addiction one can ever have, achieve or experience!

2022 will ring in new greatness and perhaps perfection. I have been blessed being part of greatness and can not wait for the next drip of greatness to come our way! Hopefully this will take place at Happy Camp and we can hope for 2022 to bring us back together. Until then, hug your hounds, loved ones and raise a cup of Cheer in remembrance of those lost before us and the Perfection or Greatness we all may strive for and Experience!

God Bless everyone and Happy New Year!!

Good afternoon and Happy Holidays everyone! We hope that everyone gearing up for a great Holiday Season? Winter has come, and gone and come again to us in North Dakota and Wisconsin. Snow and cold are then replaced with rain, wind and thunderstorms, one often wonders how wild the next few days will be? Guess we will have to wait and see.

As weird and the weather is the Pandemic which continues to rage on and on and on. As I sit in North Dakota waiting my results to get cleared to go back to work, I checked on the status of coming into Canada. Guess what everyone, as of December 15th, we can NOT come into Canada! While I am not surprised, it is again quite demoralizing to say the least. Will this change in the future, we can certainly hope so?

I know we are doing all we can to take care of ourselves and everyone around us, all we can hope is that each and everyone of us does the same?

So as we look to this Christmas time, I think of years gone by, my how the time flies. I remember my Dad saying the older you get the faster time goes, and boy was he right! Actually I can not remember much of the last time at Happy Camp, certainly seems like decades not years ago! We hope and pray that 2022 will bring us brighter times and get to the beautiful Wilderness all of us miss at Happy Camp.

We are gearing up for a 2022 season with much work to do, many bear sites to re-cut and who knows, but we are up for the adventure and hope to see some of you. Remember to bring your chainsaws, bug dope, smiles and energy so afterward we can sit in the porch or at the lake enjoying a Barley Pop or Fizzy drink of your choice catching up on so many things!

Happy Holidays to everyone out there, take care and keep in touch!

Happy Labor Day Happy Campers! Fall is in the air, leaves are starting to show the first signs of autumn and the migration is starting. Nighthawks have passed through the northern Prairies and the first Canada Geese migrated thru yesterday!

Magoo and I have started hunting Geese near the Manitoba border. Small flocks of resident Honkers are around and while we are in a 100 year drought, we did get about 2 inches of rain last week which helped, but we will need feet to catch up. Small grain harvest is happening and we have hunted a stubble field nearby. This morning we were greeted by a big hatch of mosquitos and while they did their best to fill the decoys, few Canada Geese were in the air and while we did get one, it was sure nice to see Magoo tear around the fields and also put her teeth into fresh feathers. Simply awesome to watch and hear her as she drags back these birds which I guess are around 6 or so pounds. Often times Magoo is snorting as she brings them back. In fact, this morning I forgot the game strap and after I layed down the Goose which was not dead, it took off into the decoys and Magoo quickly grabbed it and brought it back for a second time. Interestingly I think she watched me so I did not let that happen again!

Earlier this weekend, Magoo and I went fishing and found plenty of large Bluegill on a weed edge. We kept a handful for a meal, and while they are quite the fighters, nice to put them back for another day! Temperatures should soar into the upper 80’s this week, so while Autumn is here, the temps will mean summer is hanging on which we certainly do not mind!

2022 will be upon us soon and we can not wait for Happy Camp 2022, and seeing the Canadian Wilderness again. I am guessing there will not be a shortage of items to repair, but a Spring Bear Hunt is definitely in the works, let’s all work hard on this Covid thing and do our best to take care ourselves and everyone around us!

The Bucks brought home the first of a trifecta for the Wisconsin Sports fans, Brewers certainly look great and each game is a treasure in its own with Bob Uecker calling spectacular home games. Like yesterday winning in grand fashion with a Grand Slammer in the bottom of the 9th. Let’s hope for the Brews to send out Uecker in style holding a World Championship up for Halloween. Finally, the Packers will embark on another journey which will end in February bringing home the Lombardi Trophy. Sure they are lofty goals, but all the pieces are in place for the trifecta!

If you are looking for a place to come unwind, catch the beauty of the far north, peace and quiet with awesome wilderness, get in touch with us to save your spot at Happy Camp Ontario. Take care and Happy Labor day all!