3 seasons in 4 days

[tbayboy]

Due to a surplus of trips planned for this year Julia and I thought we'd have to skip our trip to Kipawa but after chatting with Reggie at the Toronto sportsman show we figured out we could pull off a 4 day trip with just 2 vacation days due to Canada day being on a Wednesday this year. 

So on Friday we snuck out a bit early to skip some of the traffic and after a stop at Webers for a burger we got into North Bay for our 'last night of civilization' as Julia puts it . 

Saturday morning our pickup was set for 10:30am which was great - meant an easy morning of complementary breakfast at the hilton and plenty of time to get groceries on the way out.   

The weather Saturday was beautiful if not the best fishing weather - warm, sunny, nearly no wind.  Can't catch fish in that right?



Caught this girl probably 50 yards past the dock at 3 seasons on a freedom tackle spinner bait with a rage craw trailer - classic walleye bait

After driving around a bit we unpacked and then headed over to Smiths bay for a night of slip bobbers and leaches at what Reggie has taken to calling 'Julia's Point'.  Definitely correctly named Saturday night - Julia put on a clinic and well I managed to add a couple keepers to the stringer it was definitely her show topped off with a nice 22" fish at the end of the night and we gleefully came home with enough fish for several meals.



Sunday morning I wasted a few hours playing with pike along the shore line but nothing of any real size.  During the afternoon we headed over to try jigging for trout and they didnt disappoint.  No giants but a couple keepers were added to the fridge.



After that we dined on our first serving of walleye - done up as fish tacos - definitely a great meal for camp



We spent the evening at Smiths bay again but this time didn't keep any fish as we still had plenty of fish in the fridge. Julia was pretty sure I just used that as an excuse to avoid getting my ass handed to me again. 

Monday morning was dead calm so I decided to start with off the day tossing topwaters for bass then go from there. Reggie seems to think I bring to much gear but I think there's still room for more rods



It was a fun day though there wasn't a lot of fish, I tend to spend the morning/afternoon experimenting and it doesnt always work out.

We enjoyed a taste test of walleye and lake trout cooked the same way (baked with butter, lemon and onions) and didn't get out until late and just couldn't seem to get into a groove before the bugs got bad and we called it a night.

Did I mention bugs?  They were definitely out in force though we seemed to have less trouble with them in the cabins (finally getting better and closing doors - funny how that helps) but my neck ears and hairline is full of bumps now and we both have some good blackfly scars as well. 

Tuesday was more bass in the morning then the weather turned - was out jigging for trout when I saw a lightning bolt and headed for camp.  It was very spotty though and we managed to get back out for a bit but the fish had vanished.  We planned one last night of fishing but the forecast wasn't great and we had plenty of wine, beer and our annual scrabble tournament on hold so we stayed in and enjoyed a last feed of fish tacos and fancy food



It was raining when we left Wednesday morning but not too bad, just enough to stir up a small army of mosquitos when we loaded the car - we were still killing them in the car 3 hours later.

Anyhow, thats the story - a short trip but filled with a couple excellent days of fishing, one so so day and one rainy day.  As sually everyone at 3 seasons is great and Reggie keeps everything in tip top shape.  Even the locals keep coming back:






And of course you can't beat the sunsets:






Finally here's a video of some of the clips I took, nothing as good as last year but I hope you like it

https://youtu.be/YEJ9MnWTdEU

Here's to next year!

[Oarin]

Wow TBay, that was an excellent report, pics, and video ! Thanks, it really got me even more anxious for my upcoming trips.

[getthenet]

Enjoyed reading your post,got me stoked !!!

[600 miles north]

     Great pics and video Sean! The video's always add so much to the trip reports... Makes you feel like you are on the lake. You had some great sunsets! Glad you got the chance to head up this year after thinking you weren't going to be able to make it. Kinda the dilemma I am in right now... we will see. Cheers! Thanks for Sharing with us.

Brad

[RHYBAK]

Great Report
Thanks for posting
I'm heading to 3Seasons next Friday for a three day trip

[rambler]

Nice pics. Your boat looks like mine used to before I made some clamp on vertical rod holders. Give it a try, it will clean up your boat for sure.

[Jay Thomas]

Hi Sean and Julia,

Thanks for your report. Nice to see pictures of you both enjoying yourselves on Kipawa. Really enjoyed your video too. Thanks for sharing. I'll be wetting my first line 14-22 Aug followed by a second trip 8-16 Sep.

Jay

[SgtCrabby]

Thanks tbay, it really is getting me anxious for our trip in ~3 weeks.
Love the pics and video.

[T]

Great pictures!  After looking at them, it is going to be one long week.  We are not leaving until next Friday! 

[Dog]

great pictures and I really enjoyed the video. I added your report to the master index

[mcsteve]

It was great meeting you this week Tbay and a great report.  Your pics sure do add to the post.  BTW, when we got back to the fish cleaning station last night another group had brought in a 9+ pound walleye.  When he pulled it out of his cooler it was so long I thought he was pulling out a laker.  Reggie got a few pics so I am sure it will be on the web site very soon.

Steve

[tbayboy]

It was great meeting you this week Tbay and a great report.  Your pics sure do add to the post.  BTW, when we got back to the fish cleaning station last night another group had brought in a 9+ pound walleye.  When he pulled it out of his cooler it was so long I thought he was pulling out a laker.  Reggie got a few pics so I am sure it will be on the web site very soon.

Steve

Great meeting you as well Steve.  Sounds like quite a few large fish caught during the week - was very hard leaving before the full week was up.

Nice pics. Your boat looks like mine used to before I made some clamp on vertical rod holders. Give it a try, it will clean up your boat for sure.

I'm not sure I could find a good way to cast with that many rods standing up but I might have to give it a shot

[johnny walleye]

love the sunset pic thanks

[tbayboy]

Here's the full set of photos and raw videos for anyone interested:

https://goo.gl/photos/iPGxoMJ8rGKcQTU2A