Hodgey1's Sept 2-10 Alwaki Adventure

[Hodgey1]

Wow, what a week. We have been anticipating this trip since the last time we were at Alwaki, two long years ago. COVID-19 and all the delays and complications caused by it, melted away once we crossed the border and we’re headed north to Kipawa. We departed our home in Northwestern Pennsylvania around 4 AM Thursday and arrived at the Peace Bridge before 6 AM. We were the only ones there, what a weird site. Since we had dotted all of our i’s and crossed all of our t’s and used the arriveCan app code, our crossing was painless, maybe 5-6 minutes, our fastest crossing ever! Who would have thunk it?  Border agent asks “ do you have on you more than $10k in cash” both my wife and I couldn't help but simultaneously laughing, when border dude says “what’s so funny?”  Whoops..

Friends in North Places! We called and checked multiple places for leeches on our way up, no one had any. So, we are heading north on HWY 11 when I get a text from @T-Bone saying they just passed us on their way back home and that they left their remaining leeches for us in the camp fridge……… What? The Hodge saying goes: A friend will help you move, a good friend will help you move a body and a really good friend, leaves his leftover leeches in the lodge bait fridge with your name on them.  LOL! Thanks Todd & Co.

We arrived in Temiscaming about noon, smooth sailing the entire way and lighter traffic on the 400N. We picked up some odds and ends and beer at the IGA, then off to the dock to launch the boat. As an added bonus, our cabin was empty, so we were able to get into Alwaki on Thursday, a day early! The weather upon arrival was cool and overcast. The boat ride out was a bit rough, which resulted in a pretty long, cold and wet ride to camp. All of that discomfort was immediately dissolved once the sight of Alwaki came into focus, the two years and 3 missed trips were now water over the dam. We were greeted by Brian and his friend “Pierre” who is helping him out till the end of the season. Two great people, Pierre is a character and helped make the trip even more enjoyable. 

After unloading all of our gear and getting situated in our cabin, it was already after 5:00 and it began to rain.  We started a fire to take the chill off and then had a relaxing dinner. After being on the go since 3 AM, we decided to take the rest of the night to just relax and then get some much-needed shut eye. The next morning was cool, but not raining, so we loaded up and headed to one of our favorite spots. On the way, I noticed the boat slow a bit and running rough. Very long story short, it ended up needing a set of new spark plugs, which resulted in a delay in fishing. At least it wasn’t something worse, but…..



Who thinks having to remove coil packs is a good idea to change spark plugs? UGH! And on that front, I checked the plugs prior to leaving and changing engine oil and they looked like brand new. I now learned; they recommend changing them every 3 years? Seems odd, especially since most autos can go 100k miles before plug changes? Enough on that, meh!

I won’t bore the entire community with our precise daily fish numbers, we did ok, but off what could have been if the weather would have been better. To sum up the entire weeks weather, I would describe it like this, every day was sunny & rainy, calm & windy, cold & warm and rough, then not… lather, rinse & repeat nearly every day.



We had a couple of really hot fishing outings resulting in good numbers, then the winds would howl and things would shut down. Fishing was tough this week and what my fish finder & @GregL were telling me, they were stacked up on points on the bottom in 37-40’ of water. We caught enough keepers for two wonderful meals, with everything else thrown back. One night nearly ever fish was in the slot, then the next day all below the slot.

We ate like kings nearly every meal, my favorite was the walleye of course, but a close second was shared meals of Jambalaya with GregL and Tina that was awesome and another night spread Tina prepared of finger foods, different cheeses and meats, yum. There’s definitely something about cooking while at camp I love, particularly when using the Alwakin provided kick-A grills. It could be something to do with always having a cocktail while cooking possibly?

Jambalaya

Lamb Chops, cheddar potatoes and fresh vegi mix


On a fishing note, some may know here, I am a live bait & jig guy when at Kipawa, but I also like to switch things up as well. Years past, I would troll for Lakers with Down riggers during the days and then jig the evening walleye bite. This year I wanted to be as low stress as possible for many reasons, particularly for my wife, who hates the possible grounding of DR weights when the depths go from 120’ to 30’ in a nano second at Kipawa. The hurry up and hit the up switch on the DR’s, she loathes….. So, I decided to leave the DR at home this trip and give walleye trolling a go this year. With the help of GregL, Jay T and others here, I had some pretty good success trolling. One day on Hunters Lake, we hit many walleyes on bottom bouncers, outfitted with worm harnesses in 40’ of water. 8 Fish and 3 or 4 missed in one morning. One was a nice 23” fish, quickly photo’d and released. I have to say, with that kind of action I am hooked “LOL” on morning trolls.  Nearly every pass on this particular point, the fish finder showed them hugging the bottom, then we’d troll past and fish on. I still prefer the direct interaction of jigging and feeling that nibble of an eye and then setting the hook, but trolling is a nice occasional change up.



Two things to point out here also. 1: My beautiful assistant says after an hour or two “Honey, what is on the other pole for a lure?” she’s becoming quit the fisherperson. I reply “the same as the other” why? She replies “not one fish has hit that side”. Then I remembered using a different colored harness on each pole. We pulled that side and switched over to the same Blk blade, with purple reflective shine and bam, fish now on both sides. 2: Speed was hard to control this week. Wind at our back made keeping 1.5 mph or less tough. I pulled the release on my trolling plate and 1.5mph was no problem, I installed it 2 or 3 years ago, it has barley been used, it worked great.  OK 3 things. 3: While trying to maintain my heading over this point, the wind made for a lot of wheels turning, when I recalled a friend at home mentioning to drop the trolling motor, unpowered, to assist stability in the wind, it worked!

On the comment about my wife becoming a fisherperson. I started out dragging her here, it was never her thing to go on a fishing trip. I’m nearly certain the only reason she came was to appease me, since I loved it at Kipawa so much. Since that first trip “we now have 4 trips together”, things have gotten easier and easier to persuade her to go. She’s now 100% self-sufficient. Buried hook removal, baiting, unhooking and now this year, tying her own hooks on. Her fish count now out does me at times, just ask her! LOL



This was a great, very well needed rest bit for my tired wife and I, it’s been a tough year for both of us. Alwaki is as awesome as ever. Spotless, well appointed, smooth running and as nice as ever. As has been mentioned here, it is up for sale, I hope it stays a operating lodge. I also hope that Brian and Tina get the sale they need and can go into a relaxing retirement, because they both deserve it and work harder than most younger folk I know.

Friday, we were greeted to a beautiful morning to cruise back to town, it was cool “low 40’s” but the water was smooth as glass departing at before 7am. We were back at the dock at 7:15 and loaded and leaving for home by 8:00. The traffic homeward was light and our quickest trip ever. Three stops and still home in under 8 hours. There were no vehicles at the border, we pulled up and 3-4 minutes later they said welcome home and good bye. Wow

Highs were making it across the Canadian border, nights spent up town at cabin 10 with @GregL  & Tina as well as an afternoon hanging with @Ozzy30  and his family at their new camp “beautiful place” what nice people and gracious hosts. The night we boated 30 fish was also a high point as well as getting a bit of a handle on trolling for eyes. Buffalo Wing flavored pretzel pieces. The peace and tranquility of Kipawa was the highest of high for me, I spent every afternoon at 2:00 on our porch with a beer or a cocktail or both, smoking a cigar and letting it all go by, while my wife worked her crossword book. I checked my relaxation meter on one of those days and I hit a record 9.5 out of 10. I was daily slipping my mind into neutral.



As a side note on highs as well, when were you Canadian’s going to let us in on this Caesar secret? Well Oz did LOL! When we visited him, he offers my wife and I a choice of drinks, a beer, soft drink or a Caesar? I wanted to say“ a what?”  but that didn’t seem polite. Once I sat down drinking my beer, so I asked, what is a Caesar? Oz’s dad was drinking one and grabbed a glass poured a bit for me. Wow… That is one of the best things I have ever drank, alcoholic wise or not. Over the course of our visit, I sampled three different flavors.  Needless to say, one of the stops on our way back home, down hwy 11 was to stop at the OPLC and I picked up a case of Caesar’s “the Works flavor”, my favorite one I tasted. Next year. that will be a mainstay for camp, including brining some more back home. Unavailable here in the States? What the heck!



So, no lows to report, we were very appreciative to be back at Kipawa and can’t wait for next year.

[Ozzy30]

Nice report Hodgey, always a bonus when we can still learn something new**Caesars** at our age.  Can't wait to see you guys next year

[GregL]

Nice report man.. and that meal was fantastic!!

You have me wondering about my birds, since that garmin of yours marked so many fish there!! LOL!

Good to see you 2 again!

[Jay Thomas]

Thanks for your great trip report Hodgey1. So happy that you were able to make it back to your slice of paradise on Lake Kipawa.

Jay

[Greg]

Awesome stuff Hodgey - so happy for you and your wife.  A great trip report with great photos.

Chat soon!

Greg

[limacharley]

Hodgey-great report. I always like all the pictures in the report....just something I'm not good at...attaching pics. duh!

I'm glad you and your wife were able to enjoy our little piece of heaven we call Lake Kipawa.
Too bad I didn't have time to take a day run and meet you....so busy here.

Trolling for eyes is fun. And that Hunter's Lake is full of them man!

[Oarin]

Great report! Glad you were able to get back to Paradise and did well. Can't wait until next year! Stay safe!

[T-Bone]

Thanks Chris...great report. The pics make it. Too bad on the plugs, but I know you 'wrenching' guys love that kind of stuff. Miss seeing you and the gang...we'll get them in '22. 

[plowjock]

What can I say? That report is definitely one of the best which I have seen on this board.
Really appreciate seeing all the photos interspersed with the dialogue.
You didn't know about "Caesars", or is this something like "Maple syrup"
Glad you were able to get the boat running after changing the plugs.
Will have to try and catch up with you next year.

[Hodgey1]

Thanks all, for such nice comments. I was sitting at home last night after a rainy/shirty day at work and thinking "man it would be great night to be fishing at kipawa right now" LOL. Then I had to think, what technique would i be implementing if I was there right now "to jig or not to jig" LOL

You didn't know about "Caesars", or is this something like "Maple syrup"

Thanks PJ. I have never In my 55 years, ever heard of a drink called a Caesar, let alone a premixed cocktail in a 16oz can called a Caesar. Here in the states, I would have called the drink "similar to the Caesar" a Bloody Mary. Also, I don't think I have ever seen a premixed cocktail here, that was a Bloody Mary in a single serving either. I must tell you though, I live in the peoples Republic of Pennsylvania, where the only people trusted to sell and handle alcohol is our State government, which = Screwed up laws governing alcohol, bad selection at terribly run State liquor stores and drum roll, High Prices . I'm nearly certain there's probably a law on the PA books, from 1790 making it illegal to premix any vegetable products or juice like substance with alcohol! LOL. I read once that Pennsylvania as a purchaser of Alcohol, is the worlds largest buyer. You'd think  our prices would be better eh? Nope!

Hodgey-great report. I always like all the pictures in the report....just something I'm not good at...attaching pics. duh!

Thanks Luc, I have issues with photos here also. I am not sure why though. I belong to 2-3 other forums and all but this one, have the ability to automatically resize and insert photos easily. I am currently hosting the photos I share here on a site called "imgur" I hate the site, it reeks of spam and other internet trash, but unsure what else to do? Because "Like you and others" I enjoy seeing peoples photos and video, I take the extra time to do it, but each time, its such a hassle I contemplate not doing it again. My guess to why this forum has photo issues, is it must be a storage issue? I am uncertain, so if anyone here like @Greg or @Fort Wisers knows the photo issue, please chime in. It's also very possible, I just don't know how to do it easily here?

Trolling for eyes is fun. And that Hunter's Lake is full of them man!

I must admit now, to having been bitten by the Kipawa trolling bug and will be doing more next time there. No worries fellow Jigger, I am never giving up on the evening bite!

[Oarin]

Hodgey, our menus are about the same. That looked like some great eating. Now I'm hungry! Stay safe,Gary.

[Fort Wisers]

Hey @Hodgey1 I've personally put all my photos on our own webserver and hosted that way onto forums...that way if I ever want all my content off the internet it's quick an easy.
Plus it avoids the issue of "this forum allows picture posting, this one doesn't" and avoids having to use external picture hosts like imgr etc.

Because of this I'm currently unaware of the KFF abilities, quirks etc in terms of posting a pic.....what I'll do is trial this on some random thread (I think there may have even been a thread like this when Nancy was playing with pictures etc) and report back.......if it's not too painful we can writeup a step by step and if it is painful we can look at what it would take from a forum modification perspective to make it a touch easier.

Expect to see some work on this starting mid next week....
Cheers and agreed, really awesome report!

Brent

[NortonJoe]

Man, do I miss that Kipawa trip!  Next year, come heck or high water we will be back...only 303 days...

[Hodgey1]

Man, do I miss that Kipawa trip!  Next year, come heck or high water we will be back...only 303 days...

Sorry you didn’t make it this year @NortonJoe ,  What a weird situation we’ve been in. I was unsure that we would be able to go, right up until the Canadian Border agent said “ have a nice day”. What a relief i felt once we traveled past the border. I watched my speed the entire way! LOL….. I didn’t want anything, getting in the way.

This trip for us was extra special, since all the BS leading up to it and already having missed 3 trips.  I hope for everyone’s sake , that things are more normal come the spring of 2022!

[TBIRD]

I really enjoyed your Report Hodgey - Very pleased that you and the Mrs., finally made it back to Alwaki - also, it's super that your favorite person on earth, has become your favorite fishing buddy.
Ray.