Lac Watson 8/10-8/17

[NortonJoe]

Well, another year has come and gone and I'm terribly late in posting this year's trip report...but here goes (and I'll still try to figure out how to add pictures).  Our group of eight hopeful fishermen left Akron, Ohio at 7:00 a.m. on August 9 in two trucks loaded to the hilt with everything we could possibly need, and then some.  Six guys were returning characters from last year, one was back after a number of years off and the last was a Kipawa-area newbie (always fun to have fresh blood).  The weather was gorgeous at 60° F and sunny...perfect driving weather.  After a stop in Angola to fill the tanks (the vehicles' and ours), we were off to the Peace Bridge. Unfortunately, on the way through the construction in Buffalo, one of our caravan got stopped for speeding...UGH and OUCH.  A quick stop at duty free to exchange a little money and to pick up my bottle of Jameson and a few other bottles and we were at the Peace Bridge by 11:15.  It wasn't a bad wait; about 20 minutes and we were on our way.  We experienced the expected slow downs on the 400 N but, at least, we kept moving.  After the split onto 11, traffic moved well.

We stopped in Huntsville around 4:00 for a late lunch/early dinner on the Muskoka River and lounged around for an hour and a half or so.  We always stop at the Boston Pizza right on the river have a bite to eat, a few beverages and some talk about the week ahead.  Now, for me, this is where I really start getting that "Canada feeling", granite outcroppings, fresh pine air and that first (of many) Canadian beer . After our leisurely stop in Huntsville, we headed once more toward North Bay.  We got there, checked into our hotel and walked to Moose's Cookhouse to share some (more) beer, wings and stories.  After grabbing a quick breakfast the next morning at the hotel, it was off for the last of the grocery shopping and on the road to Quebec by 8:30.  We stopped in Temiscamingue at Depanneur Stop 102 for beer and licenses and then hit the Maniwaki Road around 9:55.  The Maniwaki and Red Pine Roads were in pretty good shape; they had obviously graded and worked on them.  Then we hit the road back to Lac Watson...oh well, it keeps it isolated.  We arrived safe and sound to the camp, unpacked the trucks, had a quick lunch and got ready to fish.  Just a word about the cabins...I have been going to the camp since 1988 and little has changed in the cabins themselves (upgraded electric and some fresh paint now and then is about all).  They are pretty rough and basic but it always feels like home.

The first afternoon and evening on the water is always special.  You get your stuff all unloaded and kinda put away, grab your tackle box, poles, and reels, a beer and get things ready to go out fishing.  It's peaceful, even with the buzz of the motor.  You always go to one of the familiar spots, sit back, open a cold beer (certainly not the first) and then...WHAM, FISH ON!  I was in a boat with my son-in-law and his dad, who was the new blood this year, and we started catching fish immediately.  The walleye bite was really hot the first couple of days we were there; wherever we were and whatever we used we caught fish, NICE fish.  Then, on Monday evening, we had a massive storm, wind, lightning etc. and the walleye bite slowed significantly for a few days, only to pick back up again a couple days before we left.  We caught a lot of walleye in the slot and plenty of nice ones that we had to return.  Everyone limited out on pike and either limited on walleye or was one short.  We also enjoyed three fish dinners while we there.

The biggest walleye for the trip was 28" and around 7 lbs...a beautiful fish; the largest pike was 42".  We caught a lot of walleye over the slot limit and caught fish every time we went out, especially pike.  The second to last night we were in camp we found a great spot for walleye and just caught them one after the other (which made up for the few nights they were extremely slow).  All three boats had success whether jigging, casting or trolling.  We also caught a few perch and a few creek chubs.

The weather was, for the most part, pretty good.  It was warm enough during the day for shorts and t-shirts and cool enough at night for good sleeping.  Most days there was a nice breeze for drifting, although we had an evening and day where the water was like glass.  I'm glad I threw in that extra hoodie and bought a pair of sweat pants for the evenings and early mornings!  The bugs weren't bad at all.  I don't normally get bothered by mosquitos but no one else seemed to be bothered either. The flies were minimal and the blackflies were non-existent.  That is one of the reasons we go in late July or early August...nice weather and no bugs.

Of course, in addition to the fishing we had great time playing cards, horseshoes, just relaxing and, of course, telling stories.  Many a beer, Jameson and cigar were consumed on the front porch looking out over the lake.  Many a story and joke, was told or retold.  Its a great time to reconnect with old friends and to connect with new ones.  But, as usual, all too quickly we were packing up and on the way out from yet another successful fishing trip.  We have enjoyed many years at Lac Watson but may be looking for somewhere new to try.  Maybe, not...it's still our home away from home.

[limacharley]

Nice report Joe.
Yes August is a nice time to go for sure.
Wowzers...a 42 inch pike. How do you net something like that?
If you consider Alwaki or Kipawa Lodge, we may meet some day.

[Jig and drift]

Nice job Joe. It is truly fun when the bite is on no matter what the size. I see the sign to Watson on our way to Dumoine each year. Its just a little ways farther down that great Bearn Road !!

[Greg]

Great report Joe - and sounds like you had great fishing success....congrats.

With 8 people, that is a big group!  Just curious how to do the food?  One person buys for all? or do you take split responsibilities, etc?  (2 guys do 2 dinners, another 2 guys to another 2 dinners, etc., 2 guys do all the breakfasts?).

Greg

[Hodgey1]

Great report Joe. Sounds like you caught some real nice fish. I really can understand and appreciate how fast that week goes. I met a fellow at the Timiscaming  IGA,  with his wife who were both retired from PA, just coming out after two weeks at Kipawa.  I’m still a few years away from retirement, but I think I am going to treat myself to two weeks in Kipawa, The day I retire.

Glad your trip was successful!

[Jay Thomas]

Thanks for your trip report NortonJoe. Congrats on another trip to Watson. Did you finally get around to slip bobbering this year?

Jay

[T-Bone]

Thanks NJ...nice report. And yes, leaving a camp and waters you're familiar with is always bittersweet, but sometimes it's the best thing that could ever happen. Good luck in your search for a new camp. You know there are plenty of us on here that can help you out if you decide that Kipawa is your lake.

[Chazz]

Great report thought I might suggest you check out Ogascanan Lodge - one of their outpost camp is an Island outpost with 3 cabins would surely accommodate a large group like you have.

[NortonJoe]

@Greg We have been doing this for many years and finally decided that the easiest way is to all throw in a certain amount of cash and two of the guys do all the shopping.  The menu is basically the same every year so its pretty straight forward.  We have also kind of fallen into a pattern of everyone's various jobs.  A couple of the guys cook, one does dishes, one keeps cabin swept out, a couple clean all the fish etc...seems to work for us!

[Hodgey1]

@Greg We have been doing this for many years and finally decided that the easiest way is to all throw in a certain amount of cash and two of the guys do all the shopping.  The menu is basically the same every year so its pretty straight forward.  We have also kind of fallen into a pattern of everyone's various jobs.  A couple of the guys cook, one does dishes, one keeps cabin swept out, a couple clean all the fish etc...seems to work for us!

Seems like a good system and very similar of what we do. Isn't there always though, some dude who's a slug and doesn't do much of anything? My group keeps morphing a bit every year, but seems I always have a toad in the group......

[NortonJoe]

@Hodgey1 not pitching in doesn't seem to happen too often...we all get a bit lazy here and there but it works out!

[Hodgey1]

@NortonJoe , you mention possible going somewhere new next year. Do you have an area picked out yet?

[Greg]

Thx for reply Joe.

As with Hodgey, my group has been morphing and the roles have not been "claimed" yet - as it stands now, I do all the shopping and just tell people how much they owe me once the dust settles.  I also cook and clean alot so we need to work towards a balanced picture.

Thx!

[Hodgey1]

As with Hodgey, my group has been morphing and the roles have not been "claimed" yet - as it stands now, I do all the shopping and just tell people how much they owe me once the dust settles.  I also cook and clean alot so we need to work towards a balanced picture.

I also buy everything food and Camp wise and then cash out with everyone once I recover at home from a week with the boys. I also do all the cooking except this year I was very fortunate to have my brother, who kicked in and helped cook every meal. That was a ton of help.

[NortonJoe]

Well, it looks like the call of the familiar is going to take us back to Watson Lake this year...I think that's good!