Catching the Good Life in the Canadian Wilderness

Hi everyone.  The head scratching, roller coaster ride continues here at Happy Camp.  From the weather to the water and meetings and beyond, sometimes I wonder if I will have any hair left by the end of the year.

The weather certainly has been interesting here, but from what we understand also most of the Midwest as well.  Late yesterday we did see a drop in humidity and temps, today it is in the 70’s breezy and low humidity, hope this lasts!  We did receive a little rain, but much more is needed.

Fishing has been a little slower last week, fishermen caught walleye, perch and pike had a few to eat and to take home.  Mayflies seemed to have slacked off a bit, maybe they are done for the year?  One Baby Eagle is in the nest on the north end of the lake along with Osprey’s flying the lake frequently.

The few blueberries we have found are small, most dont look like they will make it.  We have one more spot to check out, perhaps that will be good, time will tell.  In our last venture, we did see a Moose on the shore as well as 4 adult Loons swimming and fishing the lake nearby.

Bear Baiting is going well and the new type of baiting appears to be paying off, again time will tell but the hunt is only a few weeks away, where does time go?

If you are coming up for an adventure, take it easy on the Fry Road, they are hauling on there, so it is a bit rough.  Philip Creek Road is rough as well and they are busy cutting near the middle, so take it easy there too folks.

Thats it for now Happy Campers, someone’s knocking on the door!  Take care be Safe Everyone!

Hi, Happy Campers.  An extremely busy and roller coaster year up at camp, definitely interesting to say the least.  Finally early this morning we are getting some rain.  First rain in a couple of weeks and only the 3rd rain since we got up here in early June!

Happy Campers are filling the area, fishing and playing in the woods and water and the smell of fresh fish fry and batches of hot Pennsylvania french fries abound in camp.  On the lake the mayflies are hatching in earnest, Loon and Eagles have their nests and young coming along nicely.  Recently some Whiskey Jacks have appeared and this morning 2 were sitting on the north steps waiting for breakfast.  So, Magoo, Sadie and I got some bread, went out and broke it for them on the Bumble Stump.  Those Jacks are certainly social birds and are eating off the stump as I write this update.

Out in the bush we have tussled with the Beaver often, cleaning out dams so we can Bear bait, hopefully the trapper will get in there soon, not soon enough for Magoo and me!  During our travels, quite a lot Moose have been seen, in fact one Vet who came for the Healing Patriots week, has pictures of 2 calf Moose swimming in a pond.  In addition, some Happy Campers have been able to see Moose swimming, eating and getting away from bugs on the shores of a local lake.  Bear numbers seem to be up, none in camp, but again during our travels many have been seen including twins and triplet cubs with their momma’s.  Grouse are few and far between but a few babies are starting to appear.

Due to the late spring and now lack of rain, it appears the berry crop will be poor at best.  Strawberries in camp are just starting to color up, raspberries look meager, and the blueberry crop in our area looks poor.  Perhaps things will change, time will tell.

One great crop again is the bugs, from Black Flies to Mosquitos, Horse and Deer Flies, they never cease to amaze us but a Huge crop of Dragon Flies are trying their best to help out.

Many Campers have come to camp, many more to come, new friends have been welcomed.  A special shout out to Marcel and Kevin(Bones), your help, guidance and persistence have been nothing short of fantastic!  In the coming weeks we will continue to shuffle in and out of the Happy Camp Region for fishing, hunting and relaxing in the beautiful Canadian wilderness.

Well folks, campers are up rumbling around, so I will too.  Thanks for everything you do, if you are looking for a spot to come and rest your head, shoot us a message or give us a call to save your spot and Come and Catch the Good Life with Us at Happy Camp Ontario!

After a couple of nights of hearing late night pitter patters in the lodge, one man braved the situation to explore today. We are happy to report that a mother flying squirrel and her three darling babies are safe and back living in the bush!!!

Hi Happy Campers, welcome to 2019!  Soon the camp will be alive with campers from all over North America.  A few updates as you start your travels to the north.

Sadly, Agawa gifts at Pancake Bay has closed their doors.  That was always a great spot to stop for fuel, ice cream, gifts or smoked fish.  Guess we will have to look for another spot, any ideas?

Road construction is along highway 17 scattered at bridges as in the past, there were 3 stoppings as of June 5.  Additionally, Highway 2 east of Manistique, Michigan has some construction issues.

Travel along the gravel from Manitouwadge or highway 11 is rough.  While we had a lot of snow, the roads are washed out in spots so take it easy and you will be fine.  The logging crews are hauling on Philip Creek as well as west of Happy Camp close to Ramsey Lake.

We got up late Tuesday and the temps were at freezing.  While winter was kind to the cabins this year, the cold is still raising havoc with our water issues and we are working hard to get that all up and running!  Lake levels are starting to recede, the dock should be put in next week.  While it was cold early this week, today is windy and warm, mid to upper 80’s now.

We did get a chance to do some fishing, fish are scattered, some lakes are better than others.  With the heat will come the Mayfly and other bug explosions.  Speaking of bugs, the Black flies and Mosquitos are awesome already!

Many Moose and Bear sightings in the area already, we have a couple of Sows with 2 cubs and a handful of Moose.  Some Loons have made it back.

We look forward to seeing all of you either for the first or 8th time, it is always a pleasure and have room for a few more Happy Campers, so if you are looking for an awesome adventure in the Ontario wilderness, give us a call or shoot us an email today to save your spot and Come and Catch the Good Life with Us at Happy Camp Ontario!  Take care everyone.

Brrrr and Good Morning Happy Campers!  It is -50 this morning in Northern North Dakota, quite a wild ride so far this winter and it is only early February!  But alas, soon the sun will melt the snow and we will be gearing up for Happy Camp 2019, and hope you are too!

As we look to the new year, we are excited about the wilderness, fishing, hunting and most of all seeing Happy Campers again!  Some old friends have made their reservations as well as the Patriots and Bowlers will be coming to enjoy the wilderness.  With much snow already, there is excitement for the spring thaw to bring water for the birds, bears, berries and fish to make their wonderful journey to their spawning grounds!

As noted on our lodging page, our rates will be $250 per person per week.  As of now, other prices will remain the same.   As many of you know, we appreciate our freedoms and all that we have as US citizens and realize that freedom is not free.  So with that, all veterans (US and Canadian) will receive a 25% discount on their weeks stay at Happy Camp.  As you know our customer service is second to none and we will do our very best to make your stay the most memorable one ever!

Additionally, we have had some inquiries for duck and wolf hunting, as well as ice fishing and snowmobile lodging.  I have reached out to the OFSC to inquire about the old trails that connected Happy Camp to Hornepayne and Longlac, but that is slow in going!  If any of you have ideas of how to get this going, give us a shout!  As I see it, a winter wonderland makes much water accessible that is next to impossible during the summer months.  Many interesting items to ponder and just got off the phone with someone from the Indianapolis Sport show in hopes we would come and show this year, sorry not in the cards for 2019 but maybe in the future.

Happy Camp has been in much discussion with the MNR on many issues to include the fishery,  Bear, Land and Law Management.  We have interesting news to share with you on 2 of those issues and hopefully will on all 3 by the time we see you up in the Happy Camp area this year!

So time to shove off for today’s adventure and just like Happy Camp, never know what the day holds!  As of now, some of our fishing weeks are full and we have a couple of Bear hunt spots left.  Moose hunt has 1 spot left for the last week.

2019 is full of twists and turns, laughs and excitement at Happy Camp, so shoot us a message or call today to discuss your spot to Come and Catch the Good Life with us at Happy Camp Ontario!!

Happy New Year, Happy Campers! May your new year be filled with new opportunities to make everlasting memories. Who knows, Happy Camp might offer wolf hunts and ice fishing excursions in the new year? You know Chris.  He is always thinking of new ways to spend time enjoying the peace and quiet of the Great Outdoors with old and new friends alike!

Take care, everyone. We’re looking forward to our visits with you in 2019!

Hi folks, seems like forever since I had some time to shoot a message on here!  We are at the end of November and it is the Holiday season, Happy Holidays Happy Campers!

As we near the end of 2018, we again can not thank you enough for spending time at Happy Camp!  From the Fishermen to hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, we truly appreciate all that bless Happy Camp with their presence!

2019 will bring us new optimism as we continue to explore new ways to obtain new Bear hunt areas.  I did get word that some roads are being closed by tree planting or digging ditches, so we will have to see what that does?

We do have some openings for fishing starting in Mid June, and Moose hunt is filling fast so don’t delay if you want a spot, contact us today!

There has been some interest for us to go after some duck hunting opportunities and we shall explore that, so if that is your passion like it is Magoo and mine, give me a shout and let’s talk.  While we don’t have the open areas as the prairies, we do have ducks and lots less hunters making for a truly enjoyable, relaxing hunt.  Could there be anything better than a morning duck hunt, followed by a Mid day Grouse hunt and evening fishing at Happy Camp?

From Happy Camp Ontario to your camp, have a wonderful season and we look forward to seeing you in 2019!

Hi Folks, Roller Coaster continues here.  One day it is 47, next is 87, the only 2 constants are rain and extremes in temps!  But alas, fishing continues to be excellent with many fish tugging on the lines.

Blueberries are in full swing and we have a sweet spot near Happy Camp that you can pick for hours and hours and hours, maybe see a Moose, Bear or Wolf walk along the clear cut.  But beware, a double striper has visited the patch and thinks he can rule the roost, thing again say the Black Torpedo and her sidekick Sadie Lou!

Bear hunting is quickly coming, baits are being hit regularly and some nice ones as well.  We do have a couple of Momma’s with twins that are rumbling around the area filling their bellies at the baits as well as nearby Blueberry Patches.

Fishing seems to be doing well, the neighbor chap stopped in and said that they were biting so well the other night he had his limit in 15 minutes and only 2 casts!!  Now that is a fish story if I ever heard one!  We caught some nice chunky Pike and plenty of Pickerel the other day, maybe after the Brewers win this afternoon we might go after some for supper!

As I write, the wind is whipping the trees around and it is in the mid 80’s, rain coming tonight, looks like another wet baiting session tomorrow.  Oh well, such is life right.  We are starting to fill weeks for 2019, so if you are looking to come and catch some of the best fishing in Northern Ontario, breath taking wilderness and awesome Loons that sing all night, shoot us a message or give us a call to save your spot and Come and Catch the Good Life with Us at Happy Camp Ontario!!

Hi folks, check out the Moby Dick, the Monster Pike, that Chris(Woody) Woodside brought to his side on July 25, 2018.  The Behemoth was lurking when they got to their Hot Spot.  Woody tossed out his jig and crawler and WHAM the fight was on.  After a few minutes, Woody knew this was a fish of a lifetime.   Gary, Woody’s dad, was in the front of the boat, quickly lifted the anchor as Woody’s drag was smelling of burnt gears!  The Jumbo Pike pulled the boat around and around, Gary became dizzy from all the circles!  AWE Come On Man, What’s Up With That.

Woody rose the Hog to the surface and Gary tried to net it, but TOO SMALL for the big net!  So Woody, being the awesome fisherman as he is, brought the 18 pound plus tooth filled critter to boat side and lowered his hand under the fish and with one big sweep, lifted the monster into the boat!

Gasps, oohs and aaah’s filled the lake as the Indiana group were in awe of the fish. Woody flexed his muscles, pumped out his chest and roared in Victory over the fish.  Woody and Gary  fired up the Yamaha and sped the Lund Boat back to Happy Camp with Moby in hopes of reviving it!

Woody, Gary and Catfish Chris tried to revive the fish for about 20 minutes.  Sadly the fish was not revived and Moby Dick lay in Woody’s arms.  Moby measures just short of 39 inches and weighed 18 pounds with a girth of over 18 inches.  Moby certainly is a monster that would make anyone proud and we guess over 20 years old!  As of this writing, Moby is frozen awaiting his trip to the taxidermist, then to Woody’s wall for fond memories of the event on White Otter Lake!

So what color did Woody use?  A secret only known to Happy Camper’s!  Fishing, just as the weather, has been up and down.  Some days the bite is pretty good, while others with hot, no wind and sun have shut the bite down.  Rain has come in over night and much cooler, only in the upper 50’s now.

Soon Bear hunting will begin and baiting continues to go well, Magoo and Sadie are the best taste testers of bait in the world.  Don’t fret Happy Campers, they do work off those tasty treats  at the lake swimming then trotting back to the lodge.  Berries are doing great, we found a bunch the other night and if rain stops, maybe more later today.

Time to get some soup going for the day.  SOUP you say, what is up with that it is July!!!  But it is chilly today and will warm the tummy later, haha!!

Until next time, thanks to all Happy Camper’s, you make each and every day unique and special, take care and keep in touch!!

Good Morning everyone from sunny and cool Happy Camp Ontario!  The heat and humidity have left the area for now and hopefully for the rest of the year!  Temps up near 100 made it very icky the last few days.

Salute to the Patriots who blessed us at Happy Camp last week.  From Don coordinating everything, cooking and being the jack of all trades, to Wes and the Ternary Toast, Walt and his chats of his canoe adventure to Tommy and his antics, it was truly a special time for all!  From starting with a flat tire on the Fry Road, to working as a team unloading the beast Deck Boat, to fish fries, shore lunch and the Potato Bomb, words can not express the fantastic time we all had last week.  As I sit trying to find words to write, I notice the picture you all gave us at Happy Camp, thank you for that as well.

On Monday the 9th, Ed saw a picture on the computer and said who is that?  I said that is my dad who I lost 18  years ago to which Ed responded, “He was a good man if he raised you”.   The 9th is always a tough day for me, but seemed a bit easier that day with the Patriots thank you for all you brought to camp.

Fishing was excellent, even perch showed up all over the place.  Mayflies continue to hatch, but seems like fishermen got the ticket to get them to bite during that as well.  As you all know, our weather patterns are weird, no other way around it!  With that said, we are now picking Blueberries!  Saskatoon berries are barely deep red, Raspberries are green, but Blueberries are ripening all over the place.  Last week when I took some boys to a lake, Scott said, BLUE!  Yes the bluff was blue and Scott, Zak and Jeremy ate and ate and ate!  We did get back late for Steak night, but hey was it worth it guys?

If you are a Happy Camper, you know my travels have led me to many interesting characters and yesterday was no different.  I went to Timmins to meet  chap and he was interesting to say the least.  Przemyslaw Pelichowski is the fellow and we did a little business.  Speaking of Przem, he shared knowledge of his bear outfitting, very interesting to say the least.  If anyone is interested, Google his name and you can hear his interview on CBC radio and his dog Yamaha!

Speaking of travels, yesterday CBC radio 1 along with Wisconsin Public Radio had a joint phone in radio show to discuss the Trade war and some interesting thoughts were shared, but the one resounding fact is very clear, people from Canada and the US are being hurt.  Aren’t our governments suppose to be working for the People, so why then is the family farm in the Midwest being destroyed. So from Trump, to Trudeau to ScottHole, my good buddy Larry says, AH COME ON MAN!!!

For anyone traveling this way, stop at Pancake Bay and get some white buckets with covers, we sure could use them for berry picking.  While the berry crop is busting, the black flies have lessened to where no bug nets are needed for the most part, even in the cabins you can leave them off while you eat or watch tv.

Time to get the girls out for a little bit, then off to work.  So my mom has made her way to Happy Camp for a few days to rest, read a book, fish, berry pick or just unwind, always nice to see family stop up and see what is happening and hear the wind!

Take care, thanks everyone for making Happy Camp your summer spot and SALUTE to all who made last week so special!