Including:
First, we'd like to thank those guests who fished with us in 2003. It was another very successful season especially in the fishing department. The staff (which is the key to all great operations) has never been better and our new transportation provider was flawless.
Everyone enjoyed our new chef who matched the quality of
meals our guests have become accustomed to. The Cornish Game Hens
were a welcome change and will become one of the regular dinners
served during your stay. We will continue to serve the Pork Tenderloin,
Bison Ribs, Seafood Pasta, Prime Rib and New York Strip Steaks
along with all the high end side dishes and deserts. The "Swan
Dessert" will become part of the regular rotation of desserts.
God's Lake remains to be one of the best fisheries in Northern Manitoba. Our guests landed over 300 trophy fish this season alone including a 53 inch Pike, and 44.5 inch Lake Trout, a 32 inch Walleye and a 26 inch Brook Trout. There are no other lakes in Manitoba that can offer trophies in all 4 of those species except Bolton Lake Lodge (our other resort), but the fly-out for Brook Trout is a bit more expensive from Bolton.
In one day in September I was witness to some of the best Pike fishing that anyone can ever expect. We landed two 40 inchers, a 40.5, a 41.5, a 43 and we dropped another over 40 inches because we stopped using the net. In addition, we landed at least 12 more between 36 and 40 inches. A few days later we were casting in the shallows for Lake Trout and caught six 24 to 32 inch Lake Trout in six consecutive casts. There were countless double headers that day.
There were many other days that were even better than the one I just described, early June and August are known for spectacular fishing days like those. When the conditions are just right, the weather cooperates, the guide picks the right spots, and the anglers cash in on most of their opportunities multiple trophies are common. There were 13 consecutive days in August where we landed at least 4 trophies per day. Each day the guests were coming in not asking 'did you catch one', the question was 'how many did you catch.'
If you've seen the Babe Winkleman show entitled "God's
Eyes" filmed at Elk Island in 2002, you've seen how the huge
Walleye can go into a feeding frenzy just as the Pike and Lake
Trout do given the right conditions. Babe caught and released
7 trophies that morning along with 8 or 10 more between 25 and
27 inches.
We may be renting a Beaver for the 2004 fishing season in order to provide more opportunities for day fly out trips. Originally, we did not want to promote fly-outs, because the fishing on God's Lake is spectacular. However, many guests were asking to do fly-outs for the added adventure of getting on a float plane and fishing a spot that very few other anglers have fished before. Using our float plane to explore the God's River has multiplied our Brook Trout trophy count over and over. A few more Pike lakes will be explored in 2004, when you get to the lodge be sure to ask about the new lakes.
We plan to charter the Dash 7 again from Winnipeg due to
their superb service and aircraft performance, safety and reliability.
Many more master angler awards were given out again this season. Of note, Duane Lyons caught 7 trophy Walleye and 2 trophy Pike during his four day stay opening week in June. Judy Isermann landed 6 trophy Pike during her 4 day stay. Lee Modlin landed 4 trophy Walleye and one of the largest Lake Trout of the season at 42.5 inches. Leon Davis (14 years old) landed 7 trophy Pike and a trophy Walleye in August. And, Michael Hansen landed four trophy Brook Trout in one day! Congratulations to all our Master Anglers!!
The Airlines were very unpredictable this year. For a while Air Canada did not have a flight that connected into Winnipeg, then it was cancelled, then Delta picked up the flight and it worked again.
One thing that we must stress is the importance of proper
identification when crossing the border. A few of our guests were
turned away, when all they needed was a birth certificate and
a drivers license. There have been reports of Passports being
required, but it has not come to that yet. Also, when traveling
with children you need a note from the parent not accompanying
you with permission to take your children out of the country and
a contact phone number. Please check with your travel agent for
the latest border crossing regulations.
In 2004 there may be some disappointed anglers because a lot of space in June and a couple spots in August are already booked solid. We have noticed that many of our guests are signing up earlier than usual and with larger groups than usual. We sincerely hope that we do not offend any of our regular guests, but if there was no indication given to hold onto some dates, we cannot turn down the fishermen who are ready to book with a deposit. We have contacted every group leader from 2003 and we will be contacting group leaders from years past to receive feedback and to see if they want a spot for 2004. If you have been overlooked, or your group leader is not planning a trip and you'd like to organize it for 2004, please do not hesitate to call toll free at 1-888-559-6633 or email bigfish@elkislandlodge.com to reserve your space.
Please see the Rates page for current
availability.
At a few of these shows we may be in a Bolton Lake Lodge booth. Please come talk to us about either one of our lodges or outposts.
| City and State | Dates | Location | Booth | Coupon |
| Minneapolis, MN | January 2 - 4 | Mpls Convention Center | 304 | **Coupon** |
| Kansas City, MO | January 6 - 11 | Bartle Hall | 536 | |
| St. Charles, IL | January 8 - 11 | Pheasant Run Resort | 101 | **Coupon** |
| Indianapolis, IN | January 12 - 14 | State Fairgrounds | 202 | **Coupon** |
| Chicago, IL | January 14 - 18 | Rosemont Convention Center | 432 | |
| Milwaukee, WI | January 15 - 18 | State Fair Park | 104 | **Coupon** |
| Denver, CO | January 22 - 25 | Colorado Conv Complex | 633C | |
| Green Bay, WI | January 29 - Feb 1 | Shopko Hall | 403 | **Coupon** |
| St. Louis, MO | February 6 - 8 | Wentzville Crossings Conv Center | 122 | **Coupon** |
| Harrisburg, PA | February 7 - 15 | State Farm Show Complex | 7013 | |
| Omaha, NE | February 13 - 15 | Holiday Inn Convention Center | 202 | **Coupon** |
| Minneapolis, MN | March 2 - 7 | Minneapolis Convention Center | 1645 | |
| Milwaukee, WI | March 12 - 21 | State Fair Park Exposition Center | 408 | |
| Cleveland, OH | March 13 - 21 | I-X Center | 323 |
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