Greetings and Happy Spring Happy Campers! Catfish Chris and Rumbling Rook here from knee deep snow near the Lodge at Happy Camp! So, YES while Spring is here, the snow is deep in many spots especially the Bush!
Rook and I got into Happy Camp later Thrusday night to dig thru deep snow, but survived quite well. Friday morning I opened the north door towards the Bird Feeders that were up to the board, and Rook Flew off the steps and landed in snow up to his neck! I ran out the front, but by the time I got near him, he had dug out of the snow, must be nice to be young and strong again eh Rook!
So we are at a standstill, slow in going is the norm, not the exception. We did go down Bound to the Oswain this afternoon, the water is rushing at the top of the tubes, like flow we have not seen in years! Almost all lakes are still frozen and most likely will be for the Fishing Opener on May 16, 2026! So what is one to do, quite the quandry don’t you think Niles!
Starting fixing up Bear bait this afternoon about 2:30 and Rook stands up and starts Barking like crazy. First I think BEAR. Nope, then Gary, NOPE. But alas, the MNR has found its way to the steps to check out Camp, the hunters and the status of our Bear Hunt! Needless to say, where they got their misinformation was certainly way off base! But as we spoke, I did get a whole case of regulations and YES Stump Shooting White Suckers IS legal. So Bear Archers, if you want to chase those fish while up here, let’s get after them. They are very tasty as Roger is still looking for some to make Fish Patties!
Speaking of Deep Snow, the MNR Conservation Officers report that somewhere between Geraldton and Hillsport, there is on outfitter who buried their side by side trying to go thru the snow. So if you are interterested, go find it, dig it out, then return it to the sorry chap who buried it!
Eagles are signing near the Dam, open water has got them back. Loons too, along with Robins, Paul the Pileated, Red Squirrels, Greenwing Teal, Mallards, many Diver Duck varieties, and Wendell showed up last night looking for food. One thing for certain, Wendell and Rook will NOT get along. So, I hope Wendell has caught wind of Rook, will take off for brighter pastures, otherwise Rook will tear him to pieces. But then again, Rook needs to catch Wendell first, HA!
Much Bear bait made up, we are tired, Rook is fed, now we walk as far as we can to the Lake, I guess a couple hundred yards as the snow is just too damn deep!
Enjoy the first pictures of 2026, take care and Come and Catch the Good Life with us at Happy Camp Ontario!!
