Locked in my exchange rate

[fishtildark]

I had asked Norm at Bush Country Camp about the exchange rate he used on the deposit. Not mega bucks but was just curious. He said that he was cutting a deal to guarantee the exchange rate on the whole 7 day booking.Turns my pre July trip into 550. US dollars. I usually go in June but after July 1 its 495. US. He is only doing for the 7 day bookings but he is taking the risk of a different rate and I don't have to argue with the bank about fees. Also told me that if he had enough interest he would have access to a 5 passenger commercial helicopter. I kind of like the drive , at least going in because we occasionally have a good close up moose sighting, but some people might like the flying option available again.
Now, I am down to 116 days on the countdown and even though the winter appears to finally be arriving in western pa. trout season is just around the corner. Sam

[T-Bone]

Is the helicopter ride in included in your rate? It'd be cool to see that landscape from above.

So, what exchange rate did he give you? And, is that $550 US a cabin rate or 'per person' rate? If per person, comparatively to similar camps on Kipawa, that cost of $550 US seems quite high. Is is always around the same price? At today's exchange rate, that equals about $780 CDN...a couple hundo plus more than what we're paying per guy this year.

I checked out his site and he doesn't have his rate page live right now. Nice cabins....looks like a nice place.

Thanks for the info...always like to keep my options (and cost baselines) up to date.

171...

[fishtildark]

You are right about the Helicopter view. we used to fly in and it was spectacular... except the one time they had to land the otter in 4-5 foot waves..but It was not in the price. don't think my fishing buddy is too crazy about small aircraft so doesn't matter to me but I am sure Norm has an idea what the cost would be. I don't think he is running the air service . I believe what he is guaranteeing works out to a 32 cent markup on the American dollar. You are also correct that it may be higher than some of the other Lake Kipawa lodges because I checked a few times over the years. I decided after reading the websites and the previous Kipawa forum that it was worth it. It is a per person charge but there were also some good deals for the July and august timeframe that I didn't explore. It has been about 27 years but I think my first trip to Bush country was about 500. including the plane which was 100. Always difficult to compare apples and oranges but I saw the one lodge in Ontario( I was looking at their web cam for ice out) ,,,, was 640.canadian per person and I don't know  what the fishing is like. No matter where you go it always sounds like the group enjoys. Sam

[Jay Thomas]

Hi Sam,

This morning, after reading your post, I reviewed the 7 day rates of 8 of the better known outfitters in the Abitibi/Témiscaming area. At $655 Canadian per person, Bush Country Camp had the third lowest rate.

$655 Canadian + room tax ($3/night) + 14.975% tax amounts to $759 Canadian per person for 7 days.

The exchange rate at my bank this morning to exchange USD into $ Canadian was 1.34

At that exchange rate, $759 Canadian is equivalent to $566 US. Norm’s quote of $550 US equates to an exchange rate of 1.38. That’s a pretty sweet deal. Caveat! Exchange rates change rapidly.

I’ll also add that one has to check into what is included in quoted rates by the outfitters. Amongst other things, the rates can include unlimited gas, no gas, or first tank of gas. In the last couple of years, our group of four guys has had to buy all our outboard gas from the outfitters. That typically adds $45 per person to our weekly costs.

Jay

[getthenet]

Some things to consider besides the gas could be: is bait included.how about ice or parking ?

[fishtildark]

Jay, good analysis and good questions Getthenet. First ,I know that the parking is free lol.. If you go there you will understand why the lol. as to the tougher ones. we take our own worms and he usually has some frozen minnows for sale. we just rarely use them except when we just want to drift for trout and drink adult beverages. (also do that while trolling though). I think that one can  of gas is included and then its on us. One can with the new 4 stroke engines goes alot further than the old two strokes. with those we were constantly filling up. that said , If I am going to spend several hundred dollars and its a vacation, I wont let the gas charge stop me from fishing where I want ,but I realize that with younger families it is a budget consideration. Fortunately there are enough places close to camp that if necessary, we could probably get by with two to three tanks for a week.  not planning on testing that theory unless absolutely necessary.  Its warming up enought to head outside now. everyone have a good day and if you are in the states, maybe a monday holiday. Sam