Alwaki lodge - Sept 24 to 28 - Trip report

[Greg]

A quick trip report from my adventure over the last week... my 3rd trip to Kipawa this year.

My buddy James and I had intended to go last September, but I hurt my back and cancelled last minute - this trip was unfinished business for us.

We did all the normal talk before, plan the menu, itinerary, etc. and got ready...  I left home at 5:15am on Friday morning (East of Ottawa) and picked James up at his house in the south end of Ottawa and we were on our way.  A quick stop for a few things here and there and we were at the dock. Boat in the water, parked and into Alwaki - made it there just after noon.  We unpacked, had a few drinks and sandwich and headed out for an afternoon fish.  We stayed close to Alwaki as the sky's were darkening and looked threatening.  About 15 casts into our trip, I hit something big - my personal best northern pike - over 7.5 lbs.  Little did I know at this point, the story of our trip would become big pike, big pike, etc.   Rain started to come down heavy and we returned to the cottage and had supper.

The second day was great in the morning (blue sky) however, clouds and heavy rain rolled in.... and man did it rain... for about 4 or 5 hours straight.  As for fishing that day... we were targeting to get some walleye but were unsuccessful (ok, we got 1 right before we packed it in for the day with the crazy rain). 

Overall, we were not successful with walleye - trolling with our normal summer tackle did not produce, deeper trolls did not produce, jigging did not produce, worm harnesses, bottom bouncing, etc. etc.  You get the theme.  We just did not get on them.  But we caught some bass and still had a great time.  We ate really well every day and came home with plenty of food. 

The Wind.... oh man, did we hit wind.  We decided to fish some common spots in the mornings when the wind was low, but it always picked up and we decided to fish protected shores.  We continued getting some small bass.   And protected shores seemed to be where big pike were hanging out... packing on the lbs before winter... I got a 12.5lb pike and then 2 more smaller ones (7 to 9 lbs) and James got one which was almost 6lbs - WOW!  5 big pike... in all my fishing on Kipawa I have never got one over 5 lbs before... and to get a total of 5 in a long weekend trip was amazing. 

So, to tell a funny story and laugh at oneself is something I am totally ok with - to old to care anymore.  Here we go... a good buddy of mine who I fish with regularly at home has a large lot with a pond and many flower beds and he lines the pond and flower beds with drift wood - so I usually pick him up a nice peace where ever I go.  Well, I saw a nice peace on a small island at the entrance to dead bear bay... James dropped me off to retrieve it and to make it short, we had issues with the wind taking the boat away from the island during our attempted pickup with this big peace of wood.  Yep, I fell in the water (up to mid-chest only).  58 degrees (according to my fish finder).  Fully clothed, jacket, jeans, new running shoes a month ago, etc.   LOL!!!  Nothing serious or dangerous, I stood up, laughed it off and we got the wood loaded, and home.  We raced back to Alwaki so I could get warm.   A great story to tell, super laughed out loud... an epic chapter in our trip.  My buddy doesn't know this story yet as I write this... he is coming over in a couple hours to pick it up and have a beer.  Should bring a smile to his face.

So ends my trip report.... Pike, wind, rain, wind, more pike, great food, plenty of laughts and a cold swim.  I would not change anything.

Great stay at Alwaki as always - great hospitality from Brian and Tina (...I forgot Syrup and Tina graciously offered some for our French toast!).

Cheers ... until next July.

Greg

[Ozzy30]

Good report Greg

[Hodgey1]

Great report Greg. The 58* swim does not sound like fun, though does make for a good story for sure Nice job on the pike, were you targeting them?

[T-Bone]

Thanks Greg...nice report. As I often say here, it's not only about the fishing...it's about the whole experience...and it sounds like you had a great one.

I'm shooting for a 3-trip year in 2022. We'll see...

[Greg]

Hey Hodgey, were we targeting pike?  no, not really ... but the last day, due to our lack of success with walleye, we did hit a couple bays I know and fished island shore lines where our probability of hooking up bass and pike was definitely higher.

Fun times!

Greg

[GregL]

Sounds like a great long weekend!! Man I'd like to get to KIP for thanks giving!!

Just can't find a place to rent near Alwaki's area.. I can in Laniel but we don't want to be in the busy area

[Fort Wisers]

Awesome report Greg, thanks for sharing!