Lake Watson 7/24-8/1

NortonJoe · August 12, 2015, 03:22:53 PM

Well, I'm finally getting a chance to post about our trip to Lake Watson during the last week of July (you know how busy it can be once you get back). Only three of us made the trip this year and left from near Akron, Ohio at 7:00 a.m. on July 24. The weather was perfect for travel and, after deciding what to leave behind in order to make room for the beer, we were off. We hit the Duty Free Store (I needed my bottle of Jameson and to exchange money) and were across the border with no more than a 5 minute wait at 11:00. Traffic was pretty good except outside of Barrie and we arrived in Huntsville around 3:30 or so for a late lunch/very early dinner. We drove on to North Bay, hit the wing place there for a snack and a few beers and spent the night before heading back to camp the next morning. We hit the Maniwaki road around 9:45 after groceries and fishing licenses on Saturday morning.

The road back was pretty good, no worse or better than in years past, and we arrived in camp around 12:30. It was a quick unload, lunch and out on the lake. The weather was a bit overcast and cool with a nice chop on the water and we caught enough walleye for dinner that night. I know I don't have to explain the feeling you get that first time back on the water, nor do I think I could do it justice.

The weather for the week was pretty good, no huge changes in weather patterns, mostly sunny with a few showers here and there (mostly at night). Temperatures a few days midweek must have been pushing 85-90 and inside the cabin even hotter--just more reason to stay on the lake and fish. More importantly the fishing was phenomenal. The biggest pike caught was around 36" and the biggest walleye was 24". We caught three walleye this trip at 24" and most were around 16-18". We did not have a single day or trip out on the water where we didn't catch fish. We had three good fish dinners and brought back our limits.

As usual, we used mostly jigs, crappie harnesses and hot n' tot lures. Those pike love anything that moves and flashes and I had a lot of fun casting a silver spoon near the shore and retrieving it back (one pike did get his revenge by jumping at the right time and slicing my finger with his teeth...he is now in my freezer.) For walleye, I had the most luck with half a worm on a bright colored jig (usually hot pink or orange). Walleye were mostly caught in 16-22 FOW.

As usual the week goes way to fast and before we knew it we were headed back to Ohio to wait another year for another week in one of the most beautiful spots on earth.

Greg · August 12, 2015, 04:07:36 PM

Awesome - I don't know about everyone else, but reading these reports makes we want to go back sooner for longer periods of time!!!

Congrats on a successful trip.

Greg

Jay Thomas · August 13, 2015, 09:44:27 AM

Thanks for your trip report. Sounds like you and your buddies had a great week. That's has to be pretty rewarding when you consider how many years you've been going to Watson. Thanks for sharing.

Jay

michelle · August 13, 2015, 11:57:04 AM

Sounds like you had a blast, after reading this, I'm getting so excited

. Heading out right after work! Wont get in til dusk but we will be there for the morning fish. It's been 5 weeks since we've been to camp, darn house renovations, cuts into our fishing time....lol. Can't wait

NortonJoe · August 17, 2015, 08:03:19 AM

@michelle life would be great if all ya had to do was sit in a boat on a lake! Ah...so that's what retirement is?

600 miles north · August 18, 2015, 06:47:43 PM

Glad you had a good time, and safe travels Joe. Thanks for sharing a report with us. You have to throw a few pics in now since Nancy has made it so easy!

Cheers!

Brad

FSZ · September 05, 2015, 01:12:34 PM

Joe,

I'm from NE Ohio too we were down the road from you in Zec restigo exact same time as you were at Watson. We left 7-24 @ 0530, we were literally just ahead of you. Our fishing was so-so, but we did pull a few nice ones.

Is the outfitter at Watson still trying to sell his operation? Or was that the outfitter at Grassy?

Thanks

Fort Wisers · September 08, 2015, 11:04:17 AM

@NortonJoe Great report, sounds like you guys had a great time!
I love the statement about "after deciding what to leave behind in order to make room for the beer"! LOLOL so true

@FSZ there was an outfitter on Lac Bleu looking to sell his lodge?
Bleu is also in Restigo.....
I have noticed that he has pulled all his for sale advertisements from kijiji etc though so either he sold or decided to try later?
Maybe that's the place you're thinking of?

SgtCrabby · September 08, 2015, 05:02:07 PM

Great report. Sounds like you and crew had a good time.
Fishing in retirement is fantastic; you don't have to wait till the end of a work day, or the weekend to go out.

And I have an advantage over many here on this site: where I live the lakes are wet all winter long as well as relatively warm.

FSZ · September 08, 2015, 09:18:43 PM

Fort,

Thanks, I am aware of lake blue lodge being for sale.

But I have also read or heard the operation at grassy or Watson was for
Sale. Sounds like Joe has been going there for years, if anyone knows if that is true
It would be him.

Fort Wisers · September 09, 2015, 09:47:36 AM

Quote from: FSZ on September 08, 2015, 09:18:43 PM
Fort,

Thanks, I am aware of lake blue lodge being for sale.

But I have also read or heard the operation at grassy or Watson was for
Sale. Sounds like Joe has been going there for years, if anyone knows if that is true
It would be him.

Hey @FSZ, that makes total sense, sorry to have hijacked the thread!
Cheers