Author: Chris

Good late February Happy Campers, Catfish Chris from the Manitoba border. As we watch the world unravel, as well as so many people pounded by the snow, and wind, I guess we are lucky to be only well below zero. While today, the hope was to be at or slightly above 0, we have not made it and it is almost Twilight, so maybe tomorrow.

A few weeks ago we were excited about change, it seems that the MNR has forgot to include us in our plans. Those of you who have spent time with us know all too well the ongoing frustrations with that governing body. Tell you what, you ain’t seen nothing yet! I guess we shall see how it all shakes out, but does not sound like anything except more frustration. One thing is for sure, as I have pulled a whole whack of my hair out from the past frustration, there really is not much left to finish the job!!!

Magoo and I have been doing some fishing, and found a lure that will absolutely smash them at HCO and we can not wait to try them out! This lure tipped with a couple of maggots will tear so many lips off fish you would think they are Bullheads! The sharp cabbage edge on Bound will be ripping like crazy, no need for even thinking of bait.

While change is inevitable, I think it is so important to look at the wonderful wilderness that we are blessed with in the Happy Camp Region. I can only hope that when I take my last step on earth I have done what I can to preserve what we have and leave it a better place. With that said, I am extremely excited to embark on Cache 2023, the Maiden Voyage! While the plan is set, I do not know actually how it will turn out.

But one thing is for certain, it WILL be an adventure, always is! I was thinking of the wild adventures had at HCO so far, from the Diamond Company landing their Helicopter, to Waders Shrinking or Chopping off the Head of that Moose, one has to say what we have is simply unbelievable. Top that with the cast of Brighton Beach, how in the world did we ever has so many head scratching things happen?

Spring can not come soon enough for Magoo, need to go and fill the feeders for the Quandrants, they are numbering close to 80 now in their 4. #17 is still out on mission, look for them to return tomorrow with a JWD! These quadrants of Flyers are great, they always come back with a Job Well Done!!

Take care, hug your hounds, keep the feeders full!!

Good day, long time coming Happy Campers! Something Fishy is going on, and in the next few months we shall see what happens. We are hopeful to open a new hunting area and as Bob Dylan sings quite often these days, Times they are a Changing!

Seems like a blur since Covid, perhaps all will settle down in the near future. You know when you lose a parent whom you have grown fond of, so many things click in your head each day that remember so much. For example, I just finished Mom’s last jar of Strawberry Jelly, kind of weird how when I washed the jar and lid how Mom came to the forefront. Each day is a struggle, always wonder when and if it will get better?

Magoo continues to amaze me, winter has been hard on all of us, but each day she and I have some fun even if only running around our tiny house with my shoes. Although she is almost 12, the Puppy in her never gets old, and now brings a smile to my face every time.

We hope to be up at HCO much this year and have lots of plans which include fishing and hunting and perhaps traveling. We need to leave time open as we have some things to do, but the Wilderness is calling and soon we shall go north.

Drop us a line sometime, or come up for a visit and spend a month, we will put you to work! Take care and keep in touch.

As August winds down and September starts soon, I have tried to focus on days ahead. It seems like yesterday that Mom left us, and the sting is as real today as when she passed. Far too often something triggers me to want to call, email or talk to her. Everyday seems like such a struggle and they usually are.

Back in North Dakota, we are trying to get music going in the Middle School, so that is a tough road to hoe. But we will get after it each day and see what happens, guess that is the best I can do. Hopefully soon we will get some cooler weather that will usher in the Fall and Magoo will stand and say, “It is Time”. Magoo is definitely getting grayer, maybe wiser, we shall see. There are a few birds to chase this year and I can not wait for her to put her mouth around some fresh feathers. It has been a long, long off-season and time to get her back to work. The other day she went swimming, still such a hard charger I often wonder why she never has got injured doing that. Magoo just crushes into the water, with one large jump the other day she went completely under water, up she came then paddled out to the stick. She certainly is a joy to watch and hunt with!

To the north, I hear tell of great Blueberries this year, with the amount of rain I can see why they are absolutely Jumbo’s. I recall when Mom came north to pick berries, we found a massive patch that we picked, picked and picked. But as we picked there was a certain pawed buddy that would wait and when we went to pick more, she would stick her head in the bucket and chomp away. Magoo was too lazy to pick her own to eat, so she enjoyed some of our pails, that darn Lab, haha.

I am hopeful to start our next hunt adventure with our hunters next Spring, while that is a go, keep your fingers crossed to actually have that happen in Spring of 2023.

Guess that is about it for now Happy Campers, take care, hug your hounds and keep in touch!

Good evening Happy Campers, sorry it has been awhile since I posted last. I can not begin to tell you how heavy the heart is. Late in July I spoke to Mom and she wanted me to come home and I agreed to get back to spend time with her before school started.

Got back late Saturday night, phoned Mom early Sunday, had to leave a message. Phoned late Sunday, still no answer, this is odd! Monday morning I placed a few more calls without success, then contacted siblings, they have no idea. So we headed to check on Mom, as we turned into the driveway, brother Pat was also turning in.

Driving up to the house was normal. I got out and looked into the garage, both vehicles were inside. I walk onto the deck and see the sliding window screen closed, but the glass door open about a foot. I yell as I go in, nothing. Pat is right behind me, and sadly we find mom had expired in her bedroom. Needless to say my world has been a non stop spin for the last few days and will be for well, who knows.

For those of you whom had met mom, she truly was a wonderful woman, always a smile on her face, unless I pissed her off, always helping a hand. As of the last few years, she truly enjoyed the adventures we had especially at Happy Camp. She loves the wilderness, peace and quiet and the people whom we came across. Taking at Trip to the Polar Bears of Cochrane, picking berries near Fran Lake, playing cards, and just enjoying time with Mom was so special. During the last 10 years or so Mom and I would speak about every 3rd day, sometimes more. Often we would end by saying we have solved all the worlds problems, which we both knew we did not.

Mom spent her last day having breakfast with Jamie and Enid enjoying Cinnamon rolls, smart talk and coffee and apparently a Zoom meeting in the afternoon with Rotary, one of the service items that she truly loved! Mom, I will miss you eternally and until you and Dad and I are united, enjoy the ride! Safe travels

Hi folks, whew it certainly is warm! Heat, Humidity and all of that is here in force. Yesterday we peaked about 92, and seems like we are headed warmer today. Perhaps this will get rid of some bugs, because they sure are quite, well let’s just say, INSANE! From Black Flies to Mosquitos, to Gnat, Deer, Horse and Jumbo Flies, we have them all. The only fly that is not around right now is the May Fly, the latest Hexagena have finished their annual dance on the waters of White Otter Lake!

I have a couple of Encounters to share with you. Yesterday we were fixing the hole on the roof in Cabin 3/4, and I was headed underneath Cabin 1/2 porch to get a sheet of roofing. Well one of the baby Robins had fallen out of the nest and it took off flying maybe 10 feet then struggling to wander into the yard. So I went and got a fishing net, and caught the little one. I took it over near a bush with many branches and tried to set it on a branch, but HOLY HOT DOG, I was buzzed by the parents like crazy. In fact one of them knocked my hat off of my head! So I took the baby over near its nest and set it on a stump, then walked away. The parents continued to buzz me for a minute or so, but then all was quiet. Later as I was putting items under the porch, I heard the parents chirping, I am hopeful they were saying thank you, boy if animals could talk!!

Last evening Magoo and I ventured into the bush looking for a lake that has eluded us for years. While we drove slowly down the trail looking we saw the Egyptians crossing the road. In front was a Little fellow followed by a line of 5 more, then 2 Adult Ruffed Grouse, so the whole family was doing the Bangle Tune, Walk Like an Egyptian!

As luck would have it, we did see water back in the woods. So we got out, started venturing into the bush, PLOOSH! Magoo had found a little pool of water in the creek bed to cool her off! Inching our way thru the bush, we found the LAKE!! Lake #4 was found, Yahoooo. Shoreline was full of rocks, just like a typical Canadian shield lake!! I walked the shoreline, then Magoo and I headed back to the truck. Once on the trail we headed back and Magoo jumped into the bush hard to see anything, but then a Grouse flushed into a tree. Come ON Magoo let’s go.

Nothing but quiet, then I heard a squealing like a pig, what the hell is that! The squealing lasts maybe 10 seconds and down the trail comes a Bear ROARING! I guess maybe 25 feet from me it stands on its hind legs ROARS at me and swipes with its front paw all while its jaws are open showing me its teeth! Magoo comes out of the bush, immediately barks at the Bear and as luck would have it, the Bear drops down and disappears into the bush! As I write, all I can think of as I write this is the scene from the movie EDGE, where the Bear is showing his teeth and jowels at Anthony Hopkins.

On the way back, a Cow and Calf Moose crossed in front of us, and while that was interesting, it certainly was nothing like the Encounter we had earlier last night!

Fishing is poor, water is warm, almost 77, berries are slowly coming along. Not much else to tell, off to the bush again today, take care, have a Happy Camp Day!

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.