What brings you here?

[Ozzy30]

Some great stories guys, Todd I look at that picture and remember that was the year I was born.   Good times

[bjb178]

I started taking my son to Canada when he was 10 years old, he is now 45. The only years we missed were his college years, he worked the summers.The first years were on Kipawa and as he got older we went to different places. We tried Watson, Ogascanan, Rufus Lake Ontario,and a fly in lake out of Wawa. Now we stay in the Kipawa area.   
    This year was a disappointment for obvious reasons. My son did come home from North Carolina to spend a week fishing with me. We fished local lakes and rivers here in western Pa. We caught crappie, perch, bass, and catfish, but I missed the walleye, pike, and the loons. I hope next year gets back to normal.

[TBIRD]

Hi All:
I lived in North Bay for 2 years in the early 70's (I think 73/74ish - remember it was the 70's  . A friend of mine (Wayne Mullens) Dad (Ken) owned Two Moon Lodge and we'd do the odd overnight visit (didn't fish much). I moved back to the Toronto area and didn't visit Kipawa again until the late 80's. and most years thereafter made 2-3 trips. Unfortunately, for various reasons, my last trip was August 2016. Missing trips through 2017 - 2019 was very difficult and gave me an understanding of what our US Friends are experiencing, albeit for circumstances beyond their control. Hopefully, your groups have been able to get away somewhere in the US - it's not Kipawa, but fishing with Friends anywhere is a bonus!

I'll be leaving on Thursday for 5 days at Camp Kipawa, with 2 Friends - newbies to Kipawa, but certainly not fishing - for years they've competed in Tournaments in the Kawartha Lakes Region of Ontario. I'm confident there'll be 2 new die hard Kipawa fanatics, when we return. I'm not great on the computer, but will send a post, after I return.

[kipawa4]

   My wife and I began our Canada adventures as children, in the 50s and 60s. Her family going to Bobs Lake near Westport Ontario and mine to Pickerel Lake near Burks Falls Ontario.  I went to Bobs lake once with my wife's cousin, and friends I graduated with. We caught walleye ,pike, perch, and bluegill.  We married in 1972 and I took her to Pickerel Lake. We caught perch, pike, bass, and walleye. In the mid 70's, I flew in to Coucoushee Lake from Laniel.  Caught walleye and northern pike.   My wife and I along with friends Al and Joyce, aka (Art and Janet) made a trip further north to Seneterre by car then train to Monet then by boat to our cabin. Fishing was great and weather from extreme heat to frost and snow in 5 days. Walleye were plentiful with a few Pike added in. An adventure to remember!

   In 1983, my wife's Uncle invited us to Alwaki Lodge on Kipawa Lake Que.  We were addicted from day one.  The lodge was owned at the time by Carl and Mary Mongrain who welcomed us like family. The early years for us at Alwaki I both hunted and fished. Fishing in spring and bear hunting. Different friends and I shot bears. If I remember 5 for a total for all of us in different years. I was privileged to moose hunt a couple times in the fall with some fishing. No luck on the moose. But helped some other guys at Alwaki get a bull out of the bush. And Carl shot one while we were there. At the time there were several other lodges open in the area including, Corbeau, Turtle, White Birch, Echo Bay and Kipawa Lodge. A large Gas boat made the rounds delivering fuel to various lodges. The lodges were always busy too. I think there were many more boats on the lake in the Alwaki area during those early years for us. You could still use live minnows then.  Carl kept them in a old freezer full of water at the end of the dock to sell.   
                                                                                                                                                   
   Then there were new owners for Alwaki Lodge.  We wondered what would it be like. We had nothing to worry about.  Brian and Tina Douglas bought the lodge and run it still today.  They have made many additions and still maintain it as a welcoming friendly destination keeping the family feeling we have come to enjoy in Kipawa. They are not just our outfitters and some one we do business with, but good friends. We so miss being able to enjoy their company.

   Kipawa gets in your blood and becomes a second home. Friendships are created that last a lifetime.  This is the first time in 38 years we have missed and it is hard, but we keep the memories close and count the days until next time.  We want to give a shout to our Canadian friends: Brian, Tina, Rob, Stacey and Liliya. Roy. Mary, Gus, Dixie, Randy, Isaac and Elise. Pierre, Kathy.  Bill, Audrey, Jeff, Faye, Avery and Ted and Corena.