Manitoba Fishing Reports

Our season has begun! Check out our weekly blog of what is happening at Burntwood Lake Lodge!! Courtesy of Jim Schollie (TJ’s Blog)

It’s Sunday morning and time to pack up Burntwood lodge until next spring but before we do that we have another story to tell!

The weather was rough on Friday so Eric and Allison decided to take some time off and continue their hunt Saturday morning.  They made the right decision to do so.

Guide Joe decided to go down the Burntwood River, once at their destinations Joe waited a few minutes and then started to call. Allison said everything was quiet, she stepped down onto a rock point to have a look around.  Just as she did, Joe let out another call and a nice bull stepped out of the willows across the river.  Allison quickly spun around to grab her Rifle.  Obviously, she was very excited, she said she had to put a shell into her gun and was having troubles.  Eric asked Alison what she was doing Allison’s reply there’s a bull Across the river. Eric being calm took Allison gun ejected the Shell put another one in the chamber, handed the gun back to Allison. Eric then grab the shooting sticks set them in place for her and with one shot down went the bull. Congrats Alison from all of us!

Our 2 other hunters Chris and Tony did not have any success. Both said  it was not from lack of trying on their guides but the stars just weren’t lined for them this year!

Chris is returning to the lodge next spring with his dad Jeff for a spring bear hunt.  From what Chris has been telling me, next spring cannot come fast enough for his dad.

To our guests leaving, we hope your time at Burntwood was an experience that you will not forget and to those coming next year, See you then!  If you have not booked your hunt or fishing trip for next year, get’er done!

Randy O

This post is a day late as the internet and cell service has been out!
Apologies

Day two of the second week of moose hunting at Burntwood turned out to be a busy day for Hunter Dan and his guide Leo. The morning started off with a long boat ride, arriving at the spot Leo wanted to start the day of calling which turned out to be the right spot.  One call and within 30 seconds a young bull stepped out across the river, a little on the small side.  Shortly after that a second bull showed up but never really showed himself, but he was there.  Dan and Leo could hear him and see the trees moving.  Then they heard a third bull coming through the trees, grunting all the way.

Dan said they knew the third bull was bigger without seeing him because bull 1 & 2 headed for the hills.

Just like in the story, Goldie lock and the three bears, the third bull was just right.  Down he went on the spot, 20 feet from the water’s edge.  A very nice bull with a horn measurement of 43 ½” As for the rest of the hunters and guides, no sightings, but lots of sign, scrapping’s and willows wore.

Guide Joe could hear the banging of two bulls off in the distance, much too far to go looking for but a good indicator that they are in the right area.  With another bull in camp and a sighting on day one along with the sign being found our hunters left this morning feeling good about the opportunity to pull the trigger, could be just around the corner.

Randy O

It’s the second week of moose hunting.

Hunters in hunters out.  Eric and Alison with their guide Joe, Chris guided by Myron, Tony guided by Gentleman Joe and Dan guided by Leo. Never fails, the weather has to change some time and for those who were here last week, the wind blew and blew.  The first day for second group, the sun shone and the lake was like glass for most of the day with a little ripple here and there.  At 5 PM, the wind has actually picked up when it should be calming down but compared to last week it’s just a ripple.

Eric and Alison had some excitement tonight.  Joe was calling and just out of range a bull and cow came out.  They tried to move in closer but the bull was on edge and moved back into the woods.  The cow stayed put but the bull would not come back out and with darkness moving in, they backed out quietly to head back to the lodge.  The cow was still standing in the same spot as they were leaving.  “He’ll be there tomorrow”, Joe says.  It will be interesting to see if Eric and Alison sleep tonight, having come so close to getting a chance their first night

No sightings by the rest of the guys, but did come across more sign. “It is only day one” was Tony’s comment, fingers crossed.

Randy O

The first week of moose hunting at Burntwood lodge has come to an end.  Many hours spent and many miles covered. The wind blew all week making it very difficult to hear.  Hunter Barry mentioned tonight try as they may, the guides were not able to get bull winkle to show himself.  We had a few sightings and a shot at a young bull on day 6 and lots of sign.

For one hunter, call it luck, call it being in the right place at the right time, call it persistence, Tony got his moose! A little history, Tony was at Burntwood last year, the last week of the season.  Him and his wife Melissa have made the trip from Oklahoma two years in a roll.  By the time they get home after their trip this year they have traveled around 6800 miles!  Tony spent 13.5 days on thewater, 6.5 last year, and 7 this year with Joe his guide.

There are two stories going around as to how Tony got his moose.  Tony’s version; “While Joe was sleeping I made a call and the bull moose came charging out of the trees”.

The other story; Joe called and woke Tony up to tell him a bull moose was on its way.  Not sure which to believe!  However, the end result is, Tony got himself a nice bull moose.  Congrats Tony from all of us at
Burntwood lodge!

To the rest of our hunters this past week, it was a pleasure to have you all at Burntwood and even though not successful this year, we hope your time at Burntwood was an experience that you will remember in the years to come.  On to another week of hunting!

Randy O

Well day 6 of moose hunting at Burntwood was a windy one from the time the hunters and guides got up till the time they got home they fought the wind all day out of the northwest. Although windy and not ideal or hunting today, guide Myron was able to get a young bull to respond to his call this morning.  Myron is guiding Mark and Peter. They were working an area to the west of the lodge.  Myron pulled into shore to
look for sign.  Prior to going to have a look Myron let out a call and then proceeded to look for sign. While up in the bush, Mark and Peter decided it was a good time for coffee.  I have seen it many times when
the fish aren’t biting fill your hands with a soda or sandwich and all of a sudden you have a fish on your line.   So why would it be any different moose hunting?  Mark and Peter are having a coffee and what do
they see trucking across an grassy opening..a nice young bull!!  Mark was able to grab his gun, but it was a little too late.  He got a shot off but a clean miss and before he could shoot again the young bull disappeared into the woods.

Unless you have experienced it, there is no worst feeling than spending days hunting and finally getting that shot and missing.  Have to admit, been there and it sucks.  It was Peters first time having seen a moose
in the wild even though they didn’t get it, he said it still was quite the experience.

Randy O

Today is Jesse’s birthday. 27 I believe is what he is today. It is a shame that he has to make his own cake! I asked him if he wanted a day off and I would take over in the kitchen for him. He appreciated the offer, but politely declined. Phew that was a close one! Happy Birthday Jesse!

The wind has calmed down. The guys are starting to find some tracks, so it seems the moose are starting to move around. Just sitting and waiting for the boats to start coming in. Although no sightings of moose yet, there’s lots of signs. The hunters are all having a good time. The guides are doing all they can and  hopefully the weather will settle down and allow for some good calling. In talking to our hunters, I found out that Peter is for the most part new to hunting prior to coming to Burntwood. He had only hunted for white tail. Every day is a new experience and Peter is taking it all in.

Randy O

Well day two of the 2019 moose hunting at Burntwood.  The day started off calm, but as the day went on the wind started to blow from the south and blow it did.  Changing around to the west around 6:00 PM.  Hunters and guides are putting in the time and working hard to entice Bullwinkle to come on out.
The temperature is starting to drop which we hope will get things going and the moose start to move around and show themselves.  Every guide with their hunter is seeing signs of them everywhere. Larry spent the day digging up stumps and rocks in the yard with his Kubota tractor and I worked at cleaning up the fileting shack and started putting what is no longer needed away until next spring.  Sandra is busy cleaning and getting what cabins that are not in use ready for the end of another season. Jesse’s still cooking up a storm in the kitchen.   Tonight, we had spinach and cheese stuffed chicken breast, butter potatoes, corn and cherry pie for dessert.

Todd brought Jon Young into Burntwood today to put the new parts into the Deutz generator.  Jon did a fine job in getting the generator up and running having been down since July. Ms. Melissa took the day to sit back and relax in her cozy cabin, while her husband Tony and his guide Joe put on the miles cruising looking for Bullwinkle.

I would like to mention the rest of the hunters in camp this week.  Mike is a returnee from last year. Mike shot himself a very nice bull last year (it’s in the 2019 calendar).  He has Leo as his guide and is eager to get another bull.  Barry is a first timer, guided by Lyle.  Mark and Peter are first timers as well and are guided by Myron.  Vincent is also a first timer guided by gentleman Joe.  Melissa and Tony came up last year as well.  Melissa landed herself a nice brown bear, but her husband Tony went empty handed in the moose department.  Hoping for some success this year though!

Randy O

 

Well the moose hunting will be kicking off this week and we are looking forward to it. First thing this morning, we had generator problems, right when Jesse was making breakfast and guests were arriving. I tell ya, Jesse didn’t let that stop him, he kept on cooking with a smile on his face. Very adaptable in the kitchen especially when issues arise! It was a beauty of a day. Those that are hunting probably don’t agree,
weather was too nice. Returning hunters Tony and his wife Melissa were here last year during our 3rd week. They decided to come for the second week as last year it got pretty cold..almost too cold to be in the boat! It’s pretty hard to judge weather and temperature…it has a mind of its own, especially this time of the year. We just hope to have cool weather, and no wind for our hunters! Get those bulls moving. We have
been seeing some signs along the south and east of the lodge. Larry and I went out tonight to try our luck fishing. He acted as the guide and did pretty good. We went to one of his favourite spots, and the walleye were thick. He latched onto a 39″ pike and lost another big one that we did not see but the line was flying off the reel. Not long after, I managed to land a 40” pike. We caught and released about 60 walleyes between us in about an hour.

Randy O

September 20th

Only been 6 days and already confused as to what day it is….maybe I’m already BUSHED as they say! Not for Beatty! Beatty mentioned first thing this morning how fast the time has gone and it is time to think about the long drive home.  It was Les and Micks last morning to get out for ducks.  Les decided he had enough excitement and was going to pass going out so I took the opportunity to go along for the ride with Mick this morning.  I was excited to see Roy in action and I wasn’t disappointed.  The birds didn’t exactly fill the sky this morning those that did come by didn’t make it far, Mick is a pretty good shot.  It was interesting to see Roy sit there and vibrate with the anticipation of a duck falling out of the sky.  Just like an Olympic athlete as soon as the gun was fired into the water, Roy would go!    A couple of them glided a little further out before hitting the water, didn’t seem to matter to Roy.> After we got back and had some lunch Beatty and Mick headed out for a couple of hours of fishing.  The wind was blowing out of the south so they just went up and around the corner towards the Burntwood river out of the wind. Although not hitting the prime spots because of the wind, Beatty and Mick did alright landing 25 nice size walleyes

It was steak night here and once again Jesse did not disappoint.  He cooked those steak to perfection. With this type of cooking, might be easier to sling me out by helicopter, than try and squeeze into the beaver come October 6th, when the moose hunt is done.

Mick will be back come spring.  Until then Mick, safe travels, be safe and shoot straight.  To Beatty and Les, hope your stay at Burntwood was enjoyable and hope to see you again!

Just a little foot note; I know the water in Burntwood Lake is getting cold…

In making sure the door was closed on the beaver and not realising the beaver had actually started pulling away from the dock I stepped off the float and in I went in for a dip!  Good thing my phone wasn’t on me!  I’m sure Mick, Beatty and Les will be laughing about that all the way home!

Just waiting on the first moose hunters and guides to arrive today.

Randy O

September 19th

Well supper last night was very special.   Mick brought fresh KoHo salmon from Alaska where he had just been prior to coming to the lodge and Chef Jesse prepared it to a T.  For our appetizer we had KFC Duck, yes, you heard it correctly, KFC seasoning, made with 11 herbs and spices just like the chicken version, except on fresh Duck meat.  Not sure what all was in the seasoning mix!   I did see a bottle of Jim Beam sitting nearby haha!> Mick, Les and Roy took off again this morning at 6:30.  It was clear skies, stars shining and no wind to speak of.  Beatty came up a little earlier this morning.   Les didn’t start the fire before leaving this morning so the cabin was cold.  I guess that was his trick for getting her up earlier?

As for duck hunting this morning, Mick and Les got as far as the narrows heading towards the Burntwood river, but then ran into a bank of fog.  Mick kept going and ended up at the bear stand just past the shore lunch spot.  He knew exactly where he was and where he had to go.  Just like a blood hound with his nose to the ground.  They managed to get 2 butter balls.  There weren’t too many birds this morning, but they both were smiling when they got back and that’s what matters.  They have a few more days here to hunt and fish before they head back home.

Mick, Beatty and Les then took off fishing and caught enough for lunch and called it a morning.  After Mick did his walleye bake for their lunch, Les decided it was time for a nap.  After dropping Les off at camp Mick took Beatty out for some more fishing.  Mick, a veteran to Burntwood knows the lake so well.  He found a spot that the fish were biting.  What I heard at supper was 51 fish were caught between the 2 of them with a lot getting off the line in just few hours.

Supper was Jesse’s fall off the bone ribs and wild rice casserole, apple crisp and ice cream.  Talk about being full, a person might have start thinking about skipping a meal or two

As for me today, I spent most of the day at bear stands clearing brush as couple of our hunters are coming to bear hunt as well as moose hunt.  My theory is this…go in make as much noise as possible leave behind when you go a nice smelling aroma.  Bears are curious and when the noise stops they think, hmm what was that and what is that smell and they come back looking. That’s my theory!   If bears show up then my theory is correct, if bears don’t show up then there aren’t any bears in that area.  We had 100% success with our bear hunts this spring, so we are wanting to match that with our fall hunts for both bear and moose!!

Randy O

Sept 17 and 18th

Day 2 was warm again in the morning but started to cloud up by noon.   Mick and Les went out at 6:30 for their first morning hunt.  It was too nice of a morning not too as there were many birds flying.  They did manage to get a couple of Butter Balls.  It gave Micks dog Roy a chance for a morning dip.  They were back by 10:30 and had breakfast. Beatty was all ready to go fishing by then. Fishing was slower at the start, but they had some fun before they headed off for Mick’s shore lunch cooking.   Les had to catch some zzzz’s after a feast of walleye shore lunch so Mick brought him back to camp. Mick and Beatty then took off again for a few more hours of fishing.   Fishing was better in the afternoon; between the two of them Mick and Beatty caught 65 walleye and lost about another 25/30

Jesse spent the day cooking up a feast.  Walleye chowder to start.  (I could have eaten the whole pot!), followed by chops, rice and veggies.  Raspberry pie and ice cream for dessert

Everyone went to bed early.

It’s day 3 and the forecast was right, it turned out to be a rainy day!  Not stopping them, the guests Mick and Les took off again at 6:30 heading to another spot to hunt water fowl.  They were not gone 5 mins when the first flash of lighting was in their view, then the thunder and the winds got up.  For those who have been here, when the wind is blowing out of the north, it’s what we call- white cap city.  Turns out the change in weather was what Mick and Les needed.  They saw a lot more birds flying this morning and some shooting took place.  They ended up with 6 mallards this morning.  It was a rough ride home, but both Mick and Les were smiling that they got some shooting in. Dog Roy seemed pretty happy also.  Unless the winds dye down this after, I think we will just hang out in the lounge and enjoy the company!

Just a guy filling in for TJ (TJ’s Blog)

Randy O

September 16th

TJ is doing some hunting of his own for the next few weeks so I have the privilege of filling in for him while he’s away from Burntwood!

Its the first day of reopening camp for Fall 2019. First into camp, long time returnee Mick and arriving with Mick Beatty and Les. Les has come to hunt ducks with Mick and Beatty is going to fish the afternoon with Mick. This is Beatty and Less’ 4th visit to Burntwood. The thermometer read 81 Deg when they landed this afternoon. Doesn’t feel much like hunting weather but the long range is calling for cooler days.

Well 5 AM comes early and duck hunters like to start their hunt early!

I look forward to sharing news about our moose hunt and the happenings around camp over the next few weeks!

Randy O

Sunday, August 11th

It’s a beautiful day 62 degrees @5:00 am slight NW wind and sunny. The Gibson group are leaving today. Jackie and Chris came in @6:30 am with the long rangers and took 6 guests and 2 guides straight to the airport and Brad loaded the guests into the Chieftain and off to Winnipeg. Larry came in with the beaver @8:00 am with supplies and took all the rest of the guests gear and 3 guides. Jackie and Larry made another trip around 10:00 and picked up 7 guests and 3 staff. Brad got back from Winnipeg @10:30 am and loaded the 7 guests in the Chieftain and back to Winnipeg. A super bunch of people, the weather didn’t get them down lots of laughs in the evening and as we found out when we got back to town very generous. TJ, Louise and Jesse have a few days off and then back on the 15th for about 10 days.

TJ

Friday, August 9th

It looks like it is going to be an awesome day! 53 degrees sunshine and not a ripple with a little fog on the water. Picture perfect morning. The weather was great today, not too hot with a slight south west wind a bit of cloud. Old TJ worked on the dock. We had a family of 5 or 6 otters swim by the lodge this morning it’s nice to see. Everyone is catching piles of fish. The guests caught a few Craig caught a 35” and Sara caught a 28” and she even touched it, a first for her. Craig and daughter Emma teamed up again and other than Craig’s big pike Emma out fished the old man 3 to 1.

Ross guided Glen and Arlene caught a bunch pike in the morning lots of double headers and one of the small Pike swallowed the hook and didn’t make it. The guide threw the pike and an eagle swooped down and picked the pike up.

Jarret with Sara and Corvin headed south this morning and to one of Big Dog Jarret’s secret spots. They kept a few Walleye for shore lunch but Corvin said that the walleye would not quit biting. He said that their hook wouldn’t even hit the bottom and they had another walleye. Incredible fishing! Sara showed her fishing skills and caught way more than Corvin and she was complaining her arm was sore.
Aldon was guiding Camille and Laurie in the Burntwood River and the fish were biting so good they started timing how long it took to catch a fish. Lots of fun and lots of fish.

Drew took Nancy and Meredith and they had the same stories lots of fish and had a great time. Meredith could have caught more fish but she kept casting in to the trees. Meredith also being the inquisitive kind while at the shore lunch spot came across several piles of fairly fresh bear poop. Story has it that she was digging through the crap to see what the bear had been eating.

Seth guided Rachel and Sammy and missed the memo that we didn’t need any more fish and brought in their 3 limits. Story has it while heading down to the Burntwood Old Sammy nodded off and almost fell out of his seat. Rachel again showed her fishing skills showing Sammy how it’s done!

The group went to a different shore lunch spot today they went to the island straight west of the lodge and invited Jesse, Louise and I. Jesse gave some BS story about having too look after the ribs in the oven but we knew that taking extra time at the island would cut down on the time he could hug his teddy bear during his afternoon nap. Haha! Those naps are needed when working 15-18 hour days, every day of the week.

Jesse hit it out of the park with dinner bacon wrapped walleye, to die for slow roasted then bbq’d ribs, wild rice casserole, sautéed carrots and his famous drumstick cake for desert. I asked the Texas group what they thought of the ribs and all said they were the best they ever had.
Few photos of the Texans having a great time.

TJ

Thursday, August 8th

It clouded up overnight and rained but it looks like the skies may be breaking. Got up at 6:00 am to 53 degrees slight northwest wind. It did clear up and all but only 2 guests went fishing…early in the morning that is. Some of the guests got away fairly early but the last 6 guests didn’t get going until 10:00am, no pressure, they’re here to relax as well. Some are saying their arms hurt from reeling, will see what happens today. Jesse and I peeled the logs for the dock repair and about 12:00 noon.
The day was sunny but the wind kept blowing not quite as strong as yesterday. The fishing did improve the guests estimate between the 6 boats there was 450 – 500 walleye caught.

Drew had Meredith and Nancy in his boat lots of walleye and a few pike caught. I have to note, that of all the fisherman’s stories, Meredith caught the 3 largest Walleye of the day! The rest of the group also agree! Way to go Meredith! Jarret took Arlene and Laurie and hammered the fish. Aldon guided Sammy and Glen again. There’s a lot of fish and I hear a story about Sammy catching a tree on a cliff and having to scamper up the rocks to retrieve his hook. Glen had a walleye on his line and while reeling it in a pike grabbed the walleye right at the boat and Aldon was able to net the pike. It measured 32”.
Seth took Rachel and Camille and apparently Rachel was on fire catching all kinds of fish. The fish were biting good but she was missing a few and her Dad in another boat kept casting over and taking her fish. Rachel caught way more than her Dad. 😉

Craig went by himself for the morning and caught and released lots of walleye and contributed to the fish fry. Around noon he came back and picked up his wife Ann and daughter Sara. Sara caught a bunch, Ann didn’t fish much. This is the first time for Ann fishing in 3 days. They also tried fishing some weed beds and caught a few nice size pike. Not sure what size.

Ross was fishing with Emma and Corvin and as I hear it Emma caught a way more fish than Corvin.
The weather made a big difference,… lots of fish, sunshine, and great fish fry.
Craig made a nice comment he said that everyone was happy with the guides and the way the guides interact with the guests. Camille and Arlene also said that the food was great. Nice people
The wind went right down and has the promise of another great day tomorrow.
Jesse did a great dinner with Caesar salad for starter, chicken Alfredo with garlic bread ending off with double chocolate cake and ice cream.

Photos below are of some of the guests with their feed of fish for the fish fry.

TJ

 

Wednesday, August 7th

The wind kept up all night, it didn’t get as cold as the seldom right weatherman predicted 49 degrees and it only went down to 57 degrees. The weather turned out the same as yesterday squall’s, rain and gusting winds. It was a slow start this morning most of the guests were not getting too excited about fishing in this weather, however they seem to be a hardy bunch. About 10:30 all the guides had gone out fishing. Soon after, a few of the guests decided they wanted to go fishing so I had the pleasure of taking them out for a few hours. Everyone brought in plenty of fish for the fish fry in the gazabo and we had a great meal.
Drew guided Craig and his 2 girls Ann and Emma this afternoon and Craig caught a 32” pike. Jarret had Sammy and Corvin and found the walleye all over the place! Aldon guided Camille in the morning and did really well on the walleye. Seth guided Glen and Rachel. I didn’t hear much from them but I’m sure there will be a good story to tell! They fished for a while in the sporadic torrential downpour and decided it was cocktail time in the nice warm lodge. Ross took Nancy and Laurie down to Obsession Bay and caught a bunch of fish.

Brad and Jackie came in with the long ranger bringing some diesel fuel and supplies.
The sky actually broke and the wind died down around 7:00pm. Looking good for tomorrow.
Dinner was bbq pork chops, mixed veggies, white and wild rice mixture, followed by trifle for desert.
After dinner the young girls were doing karaoke while the other guests played cards and Bs’d in the dining room. Something that us Canadian’s don’t think about too much is the Northern Lights. Because it cleared off, Ann decided she was going to stay up and see if there was any Northern Lights. While we were lying in bed, we could hear a small scream and commotion. Turns out she had fallen off the deck looking up into the sky for the northern lights! Thankfully she didn’t hurt herself!!

TJ

Tuesday, August 6th

TJ’s blog is back! Louise and I were not supposed to be back until August 15th but a large extended family group from Texas are coming from August 6th-11th and we wanted to show them a great fishing experience and hospitality. Todd flew Louise, Jarret and I to the lodge in the Beaver shortly before 11:00 am today. It’s a beautiful day around 70 degrees light west wind, perfect. Lots to do to get ready for the big group. Were busy cleaning cabins, repairing a few docks, upkeeps around the camp and cutting wood. Jesse and Louise applied a second coat of paint to the stairs and deck, it looks good. Jarret got the shore lunch boxes and boats cleaned and ready to go. Around 7:30 pm it started to drizzle and did for most of the night. It was an early night with the generator going off at 9:30pm.
TJ

Monday, August 5th

This group at the lodge caught 18 Norther Pike over 30” with a 40 and 41”. Best fishing for the day yet! A few top photos

#nicefish #pikefishing #freshwaterfishing #thatsanicefish

Sunday, August 4th

This chunk of driftwood that was carved by these guys and left here for 20 years. Turns out it is the group we have at the lodge fishing right now. Glad we didn’t throw it out! They recognized it right away. That was back in 2008! Some history out here!
#historyinthemaking
#literally

Friday, August 2nd

The Warwick clan walleye fishing Burntwood Lake this morning. Catching shore lunch for everyone
#walleyefishing
#freshwaterfish

Tuesday, July 30^th

Dow Lake Outpost and Spa 😂. We thought we might add “spa” to the name after checking out the new bathhouse. The project was all done a few days ago and were very pleased with the turnout. #fishingandfun #spafish

Saturday, July 29th

Wondering what TJ and Grandma Louise are doing for their time off of the lodge?? they’re teaching the oldest Grandson how to be a guide for Burntwood 😎👌
#teachthemyoung
#fishguiding

Sunday, July 28th

Woke up at 5:30am which is the usual time for me to awake. Got the generator going just before 6am. It was a chillier morning than this past week. Had to put a jacket on! We filled our stomachs with French
toast with side caramelized ham and fruit. The Glatzhofer family were looking forward to getting out for their last day of fishing. We went for walleye in the morning and they were pulling in fish after fish! It
was crazy! Close to lunch time there was a bit of talk about their arms hurting from reeling in so many fish so we stopped at the Burntwood River for shore lunch. After our walleye shore lunch the group wanted to
catch their limits if walleye to take home. That took less than an hour to do that job! Mid afternoon Gary landed another nice size pike, measuring in at 37”. The day was a lot of fun and it was a pleasure to guide this family of 5! ✔️

They were a bit too tired to go fishing this evening so they stayed in camp to relax. It got really windy around 5pm so it was probably best they hung around camp instead of fighting the waves

Michael

Saturday, July 27th

It was an awesome day! The weather was a mixed bag of rain, low cloud, hot and sunny with little wind. After our breakfast of eggs baked we I loaded up the boats and took off fishing. I get the pleasure of guiding the Glatzhofer family of 5. After a few hours of fishing, Gary landed a 42.5 inch pike!!!!!!!! Around noon we came back to camp for shore lunch as it was raining. The group have only had shore lunch Burntwood style a few times so they are looking forward to it. They said it was delicious.

After the rain let up they went back out fishing and caught a ton down the Burntwood River. Then we went back out and cot a ton of fish!! The walleyes were biting like crazy but the big monsters weren’t. After the
big one caught this morning they decided to stay away…I guess! Jackie attempted to come in with the long ranger slinging a load of fuel and groceries in her helicopter but about 10 miles from Burntwood she had to turn around and head back to Snow Lake. The cloud level was too low to come any further. We’re thinking she is going to try tomorrow morning!

For supper we had stuffed chicken and risotto…yum!

Michael

Thursday, July 25th

Bathhouse half complete at Dow Lake Outpost
#fatherdaughterlove
#fatherdaughtergoals
#fishingforwalleye

Tuesday, July 23rd

After a delicious breakfast of eggs, sausage, hash browns and toast, Steve, Dan and Paul headed out for the morning. After they left Jesse cleaned there cabin and I started scraping decks. So far we have painted the never ending steps to the main lodge and now onto the deck in front of cabins one and two. Making progress! Jesse headed to the kitchen to do some prep for lunch and made some snacks. The guys came in for lunch today and they said the fishing was great. It was so warm this afternoon that the guests decided to catch some zzzz’s instead of go out fishing. When it’s warm like this the grass grows pretty quick. It seems like every 4 to 5 days the grass needs to be cut. I jumped on the mower and went for a ride around the big yard. The guys wanted to have an early supper so that they could get a solid night of fishing in. For supper tonight we had a fish fry. I put on my chef hat and helped cook the fish and fries. We also had side coleslaw and corn and a delicious brownie pudding with ice cream for desert. Another day in paradise here at Burntwood Lake Lodge! 
Michael

Monday, July 22nd

What a scorcher today! The temperature reached 85f! After a hardy breakfast the guys got their fishing poles ready and headed out to find the fish. They decided to take their lunch with them to spend more time
out on the water. Just before lunch the my dad flew in with the beaver float plane bringing supplies for the lodge and to pick up Ainsley my sister to help with the shower house at Dow Outpost After they left, Jesse and I went across from camp quickly to catch a couple walleye for the fish fry tomorrow. When the guests got back they said that the fishing was excellent. They are impressed with how many fish they’re catching. “Don’t even have your hook in the water for more than a minute and there’s a bite!”

Michael

Sunday, July 21st

For all of you who have fished at Dow Lake and stayed at our outpost you’ll be excited to try out our new bathhouse when you come back. Few days in to the project, Todd and Brian have demolished the old one and started framing the new one

They’re making sure it’s #square and #level 🤣👌

#outwiththeold
#inwiththenew

Saturday, July 20th

It was a great day and busier day at Burntwood! After breakfast. the David’s went out fishing, they decided to do another shore lunch today. Soon after they went out for the day we got back to our painting job. It’s starting to look very nice. Larry, Sandra and a few relatives flew in with the helicopter to show their family the lodge. They had some coffee and dainties and a nice visit.

Around 3:30 my dad Todd flew the beaver float plane in. He brought 3 guests from Winnipeg. Very nice guys. You can tell they are true fisherman. Lots of good riggings and pumped to fish all day long and evening. As we were just getting finished unloading the plane the David’s came around the corner in their boat. When they got to the dock they said the fishing was crazy, they caught 188 today!!!! Lots of excitement coming from their boat. After everyone got settled in we had Steak dinner. The steaks were cooked to perfection! 👌

It’s the David’s last night. Tomorrow they head out in the plane back to Snow Lake then drive home to Omaha

Michael

Friday, July 19th

Hello, I’m a little slow at getting the blog out from yesterday. After a great breakfast of French toast, side bacon and fruit the David’s got moving for their day of fishing. They decided to do their own fish fry for lunch. They tell me they are fishing for numbers and don’t really care about size however they would like to catch a monster and have a few more days to succeed in their plan! They had what they think was a big pike clamp on to a walleye being reeled up but the darn thing let go! They’re avid fisherman so if they say it was big I believe them!
Hopefully they can come in today with a good monster story!! And not the kind that runs out of the bush!

After the David’s went out fishing we got back to our scraping and painting job. It’s coming along but the darn horseflies are out and slowing us down!

Around 4:00pm Jackie and Brad came with the Long Ranger helicopter. They slung in propane and brought back fresh laundry and groceries. They were pleased with how our painting is coming along. It would be interesting to know how many loads of laundry get done in a summer. Just so you all know we ship it to snow lake to get washed by Jackie’s mom. I’m sure the laundry gets more air time that most pilots haha!

For supper we had fish chowder for the starter, it was fantastic. For the main we had thick and juicy BBQ pork chops, sweet potatoes and side salad.

Michael

Thursday, July 18th

This morning we woke up to the birds chirping and a beautiful sunrise which I should have taken a picture of. We had a wonderful breakfast of eggs over easy with a side of fruit and toast. Everyone who comes here says the food is great and many guests who leave after their fishing trip say they gained a few pounds. I think I may have too 😯 Right after breakfast, the David’s headed out with their fishing poles. They’re a really nice couple.

Jesse and I each decided to go out on our own fishing for an hour to catch fish for supper. No joke, we both

caught a ton within minutes and we’re back at the dock within 20 minutes with a good feed of fish, throwing many back The weather forecast showed rain off and on but the weatherman was wrong. We took a chance and started our paint job to the main steps from the boat launch to the main lodge. They’re looking good. Picture below ✔️

My sister Ainsley is here working as a server and cleaner for the rest of the month. She enjoys keeping busy and is helping us with the painting project.

When the David’s got in from their morning fish they said that the fishing was really good and caught about 80 fish! They’re not going for size but for numbers. They caught a few nice pike one of which broke their line and got away! For supper, we fried up fresh walleye, french fries, home made coleslaw and desert which I don’t remember what it was haha, either way, it was delicious!

Tuesday, July 16th

This morning we had a hardy breakfast of bacon, eggs and hash browns. The weather was perfect all day. Not a cloud in the sky and warm, 80 f for most of the day. I had the pleasure of guiding the David’s today. We went walleye fishing this morning and caught a ton. Few photos below. This afternoon we went searching for some big pike but just couldn’t land the big ones. That happens though! I took the husband and wife duo to some of my fave spots for pike but they must have been taking a holiday or something. We did catch a few nice ones but we wanted a monster. Maybe they’ll have better luck tomorrow. ✅

We went to the second shore lunch spot on the Burntwood River. (Were thinking of naming these spots if any returning guests have suggestions please feel free to comment below). I fried up some fresh walleye that we caught this morning and fries. Very tasty! Few photos below of the feast and beautiful spot to have lunch.

Michael

Monday, July 15th

Good afternoon. I have to say we went from 30 guests last week to a few! It’s sure quiet here but it gives us the opportunity to do those upkeeps around the camp. Today we are continuing to prepare the big paint job of the walkways. The David’s are out fishing and I’m looking forward to hearing who is out fishing who.

Jesse made pancakes for breakfast. 🍴The David’s left for a day of fishing with full bellies after breakfast. They said they really enjoyed them, and may have had a bit too many 😁

Jesse and I went over to one of the shore lunch spots to make sure it was ready for tomorrow fish fry.

After a few hours the David’s stopped in to get a couple things from their cabin and then we’re off again to explore the lake. They said the fishing was great!

I took an hour break and went out and caught some fish for the David’s to take home.

Tomorrow I am looking forward to guiding them. Show them the sweet spots and cook them up a fresh walleye lunch

Michael

Sunday, July 14th

Another beautiful day at Burntwood! The lake has been calm all day and it warmed up to about 80 f. The 4 guys in the Dealy group had excellent weather the entire time at Burntwood. They left this morning in the Beaver. My dad Todd being the pilot. They left with full bellies and couldn’t say enough about Jesse’s cooking. ✔️

Later on in the day a husband and wife duo flew up in the Beaver. This is their first time here fishing. After 20 minutes of arriving I got the map of the lake out and showed them the honey holes and provided them other info to get them prepped for their days fishing.

The Radford clan left on the beaver this afternoon. They had a good 3 day trip and caught a ton of fish. The biggest pike caught was by their daughter Hailey as mentioned in the blog yesterday. She managed to catch a 32” with her pink rod. She was very proud of her catch! Her dad was just as pumped that she had such a great experience as well, being a guide at Burntwood I think he helped a wee bit!

The photo below is Hailey and her dad Jarret (aka Big Red).

Micheal

Friday, July 12th

The day was nice, 75 f by 1pm. The Radford family are coming to the lodge this morning. Jarret Radford (a Burntwood Lodge Guide) was pretty excited when he landed at the dock. He’s looking forward to spending some r n r with his family. Upon their arrival Jesse had French toast for breakfast.

Already Hailey, who is maybe 7 years old caught a 32″ pike by noon. Later in the day it got pretty windy. It seems that it’s either calm or really windy. Never in between! Everyone had a shore lunch today. Some of you reading might not know what shore lunch is. Each evening the guests let us know what they want to do for lunch. They have a few options, either come back to the lodge, take a bag lunch or do a fresh walleye shore lunch. If they choose to do the later, we provide them with a Rubbermaid tub full of cooking supplies, fish batter, potatoes for fries, onions and canned pork and beans. Basically, all of the items needed to fry up the walleye that you catch that morning. It’s always a hit! We have designated shore lunch spots around Burntwood Lake equipped with picnic tables, fire pits, and fire wood. Some of our guests have walleye for lunch every day. By the time they leave they are full of omega 3!

Tonight, the Radford kids went for a swim off the dock. The delay group caught a ton of fish again. We’re hoping for some photos from them to post on our page soon.

With the lodge being a bit slower during the month of July, we are taking on a few projects to pass the days. Once of which is painting the walkways. Every few years this task has to be done.

For supper Jesse made a favourite…Chicken Alfredo. Not sure what his ingredients are but he serves to perfection 🎣😁

Michael

Thursday, July 11th

Hey Ya’ll it’s Michael! I want to let you know that TJ’s blog will continue and I’ll be writing them for the next few weeks as TJ is on a break! Hope for you all to continue to read and follow the daily events that happen at Burntwood.

Yesterday was foggy! Couldn’t see across the lake. Later in the day it lifted. Jesse made our new guests, the Dealy group who arrived closer to noon a quick lunch before they headed out fishing. I worked around the camp pumping diesel into the generator, cleaning boats and washing out the fish house. The Dealy group have been coming to the lodge for several years. They first start out fishing for 4 days at Dow then get brought in to the lodge to finish up their trip. After a few hours of fishing the guys came in and said they had caught over 60 fish! They’re looking for the big Pike Jesse is making ribs tonight…can’t wait to eat them as he makes the best fall off the bone ribs I’ve ever had! I’m sure the guests will like them as well.

Michael

Sunday, July 10th

After a few days off the chef and other staff are heading back for
another stint at the Lodge!
#gogalairservices

Sunday, July 7th

The weatherman say thunder and lightning this evening but it’s nice now. Slight south breeze 60 degrees f with a mixture of sun and cloud. This is going to be the last blog from TJ until mid-August. Louise and I are getting about a month break.

Larry came in with the 185 to pick up the Blume’s around 9:00 am. Most of the guests went fishing the young fellas did a little too much socializing last night and were in the lodge for some water but they are back in bed hugging their teddy bears. The young guys finally went out about 10:30 and with just water in their coolers today. They stopped in at the lodge and asked what the plan was for dinner and we told them Neil was cooking fish so they headed to the Burntwood River for the noon fish fry. I guess they missed the meeting last night. This morning before he left Michael was looking for his axe. He asked me if I moved it. “I know it was beside the shore lunch box I put it there last night” says the young fella. Old TJ says you probably left it at
the shore lunch spot and Michael had that far-away look and smiled. He came back around 2:00 pm and dropped the boxes off and there was his axe. Hey Michael where was your axe???

All I got was a smile.

Happens to all of us.

I asked the guests for an estimate on how many fish they caught and most said their hook wouldn’t hit the bottom and they had a fish. The estimate is 400-500 fish between 12 fishermen.

We were cleaning out the fridge’s and freezers. There was a couple drumstick cakes leftover so we put it out for the guests. Ainsley has to go to the Walmart store for some new stretchy pants as she ate 3 pieces of the cake.

Jackie took the first 4 guests out at 3:00 pm and coming right back trying to get ahead of the impending storm. The second 4 guests left at 4:15 pm. Neil, Greg, Mike and Bonnie are on the last guests to leave. Jackie took Ainsley and Michael and a bunch of stuff. They didn’t get too far and the weather turned for the worse and Larry and Jackie both turned around and spent about an hour waiting out the weather. Larry took off at about 6:45 pm and Jackie got word that it was ok to go so she took off with Michael and Ainsley at 6:55 pm.

Old TJ and Louise are still at the lodge @7:30 pm waiting to get flown to Snow Lake. Jackie just texted us she is on her way should get here 8:20pm-ish.

Well Jesse didn’t do dinner tonight we had pizza and chicken wings from a local pizza place in Snow Lake.

That’s it for TJ’s blog until August 16th/19

TJ

Saturday, July 6th

It’s a nice-looking morning 50 degrees f hardly any wind not a cloud in the sky. It was a late night with the newly arrived HBED guests. Some of them didn’t come in from fishing until late. The party continued after that with a couple guys fixing the problems of the world. Old TJ shut the generator off at 12:30 am and some of them were still going hard. I started the generator at 5:20 am late night, early morning. I will be looking forward to catching a snooze mid -ay. Brad and Jackie loaded up the helicopters with gear and the girls and were airborne by 6:20 am.
Betty and Roy took off with Larry about 8:30 am. Great couple, there heading back to Winnipeg.

We have 2 young people working here Ainsley and Michael. Both very hard workers and mature beyond their years. Michael has been guiding here and every guest says the same thing at 14 years old he is a great guide and his Mom and Dad should be very proud.

It was a great day almost no wind nice walleye chop and puffy clouds. John and Ilene headed down to the Burntwood River we need a few for another fish fry and Ilene didn’t disappoint. Again, she caught more than John and he says “good thing she was paying attention when I showed her how to fish”. They had a super day, great couple they have been coming for 19ish years. Ilene always brings a box of wine and she’s awesome every night at dinner she says Jim I put your wine over there for you. Looking after old TJ!!!

Michael had a big job today. The guys decided they wanted a guide last minute so he guided Ricardo Sanchez and Amanuel Bein, neither of them held a fishing rod in their hands before and never had a shore lunch before. They caught a couple hundred walleye but the big thing is Ricardo caught a 44” pike. I guess the excitement in the boat was crazy. Super guide Michael has the number 1 and 2 biggest fish this year. Michael took Todd from the Jeff Johnson group to one of his secret spots and he got a 45” pike and today he was guiding and Ricardo to a different spot and he caught a 44” pike. El Pescado mas grande (the fish is huge) Great job Michael!!

Neil had a tournament going today up until noon for walleye and after noon pike. Each walleye had to be measured in cm’s and recorded and the biggest number won a prize. Mike and Bonnie caught over 100 walleye before noon Bonnie catching way more than Mike and took the walleye prize. Ricardo took the prize for the biggest pike hands down.. In fact, Bonnie said she was so busy catching fish she got a sunburn and she did I saw it!!!

Brittney and Josh did good as well bringing in 75ish fish so I asked the guys how many fish they thought they caught today and they estimate between 400-500 fish. One of the young guys said to me “so you’re the guy that writes the blog he said he didn’t believe the fish numbers I was posting” well he is a believer now!!!! HAHA!

Before our fish fry dinner some of the younger guests were hanging around the dock and the next thing I knew they were being pushed in the water fully clothed!! Having a good time. It was an early night all the guests were on the deck in front of the lodge socializing and the generator was running for nothing so I shut it off so they could hear the loons calling nice and quiet.

TJ and Jesse did the fish fry with pork and beans and coleslaw. For desert was drumstick cake.

Drum Stick Cake/ Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake
OREO COOKIE CRUST
2-1/2 Oreo cookie crumbs
6 tablespoons of butter melted
PEANUT BUTTER LAYER
16 oz cream cheese softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup peanut butter
4 cups of whipped topping
Hot fudge sauce
Chopped peanuts

In a medium bowl mix the butter and crumbs. Press into a 9” x 13” pan and put in the freezer while making the peanut butter layer.

In a large bowl mix the cream cheese and sugar until soft and mix in the peanut butter. Turn off the mixer and gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is evenly combined.

Spread the mixture over the crumbs evenly and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours.

When ready to serve let it warm slightly add the peanuts and fudge sauce.

TJ

Friday, July 5th

Not a bad looking day slight west wind (so far) 50 degrees f. A sliver of blue sky looks like it is coming this way. At 11:15 pm last night I went to shut the generator off and it was a little noisy in the back 40 coming from the girls cabin. My prediction is it will be quiet tonight. It’s a beautiful day around 70 degrees f slight north wind and puffy walleye clouds first day without rain for a long time. Yesterday wood fires going in the cabins and lodge and today air conditioners going!! The girls headed to the Burntwood River, we needed 16 fish for our
lunch. Michael went down there and guided Roy and Betty to a couple spots in the river around 10:00 am and brought the fish back. Roy and Betty caught a pile of fish, the most for any day here. John and Ilene fished around the beach and north bay and caught lots as well. We had our fish fry lunch outside on the gazebo deck, the first time we ate there this season. Fish, home-made fries and pork and beans. One of the girls made the comment that she didn’t think they needed anyone eating more beans in their cabin!!

After lunch Betty had a snooze and Roy checked his tackle taking it easy no pressure. Roy and Betty decided 5 days of fishing was enough they didn’t even go out after lunch or dinner. Ilene and John tried Obsession Bay for pike Ilene got a 29” pike and back around the corner to fish for walleye.

As predicted the girls are a little quieter so far today after lunch they are all having a snooze. They did go out fishing for a while caught a few. The girls have the ladder golf game set up in the back 40 and they are having a good time finishing up what is left of their refreshments. The girls mentioned they thought we might need counselling after they left just to let you know it was a pleasure having all of you.

Larry, Jackie and Brad came in with 3 helicopters and a group of 12 people from Hudbay Exploration. All 3 pilots are staying the night and taking 10 people out in the morning.

Michael decided to take a few of the guests out tonight and show them around the lake as well as take some wood down to the shore lunch spot. Not sure how Jesse did it but he managed to cook 30 steaks to perfection, twice baked potatoes, mushrooms and apple crisp for desert.

TJ

Thursday, July 4th

Happy 4th of July, Independence Day to all of our friends in the United States!

The wind this morning isn’t as bad as yesterday still out of the south. One would think a south wind would bring in some warmer temp. But still only 50 degrees f this morning at 6:00 am. There is an ugly cloud bank off to the west hopefully it stays away our guests need a break from the rain. Not to have a break it’s raining again at 9:00 am. and with the gusty systems going over it rained off and on all day. The guests are in good spirits and they are gone fishing. It’s a first for Burntwood Lake Lodge and I didn’t hear about it until today but two of the girls got engaged last evening!

Karen proposed to Carol on the dock and she said yes. Congratulations Girls!!

Todd stopped in with the beaver on his way to Big Sand. He had some supplies and his daughter Ainsley. She is getting a little training and taking over from Louise when we get a break.

Roy and Betty came in about 4:00 pm they had enough rain and wind bouncing them around. I feel sorry for the group, the weather this week has been absolutely terrible. The only thing that could have made it worse is if there was thunder and lightning.

Michael and TJ hauled a little wood fixed the water pump then cleaned the water tank and a few odd jobs.

John and Ilene stuck it out until about 6:20 pm and came in. He is also tired of getting bounced around. The sky cleared off and the wind went down a little but the guests have had enough and staying in this evening.

The girls had a great day Michael had guided them yesterday and they went back to the same spots and caught a bunch of fish estimate 300 for all 3 boats.

The girls Carol, Karen, Jillian, Cara, Leslie, Ashley/Scriggs, Alicia, Michelle/Dave are having a great time Ashley/Scriggs came in for dinner this evening wearing her favourite leopard outfit complete with hood and tail. Lots of good natured chatter at that table..definitely livening the place up.

It’s Carol’s birthday today so everyone was treated to chocolate cake and the singing even old TJ sang a verse or 2!! Not Good.

It’s 60 degrees f outside somewhat windy and here’s most of these crazy girls in their bikinis heading for the lake. They all jumped or dove in but didn’t stay too long in the water. Crrrrazzzzzy Canucks.

So there is a plan to have a fish fry here in the gazebo tomorrow for lunch and I asked the girls if they could catch the fish we need about 20 walleye. I said we would get Michael to come and get the fish around 10:30 or so and we could get them filleted for lunch. The girls having given Michael a nick name the day before because he was always baiting the hooks said “ok so you’re going to send the Master Baiter to come and get the fish”. Everyone laughed and poor Michael turned a little red but just kept eating his dinner.

Jesse did a home run again with his fall off the bone BBQ ribs, wild rice casserole, sautéed carrots and to die for chocolate cake for desert with icing that has a hint of coffee. Delicious. Despite the weather the guests are having a great time, nice warm wood fire going, good food, lots of BS and the hope tomorrow will bring better weather. Writing this blog 11:00pm and the wind has gone down to nearly no wind not a cloud in the sky, fingers are crossed.

TJ

Wednesday, June 2nd

It 46 (bad word, sorry Mom) degrees f this morning south west wind and the weatherman is calling for a balmy 62 degrees and chance of rain in the afternoon, what’s new!!

John wants a break from driving the motor and maybe find some new pike spots so he hired Michael to guide him and Ilene for the day and also do a shore lunch. Ilene loves to catch fish but doesn’t eat them so Michael took a couple chicken breasts and made chicken fingers. Apparently, the best she had ever eaten. Michael’s thinking he may have to call up Colonel Sanders with his batter recipe. While Michael was getting his shore lunch box ready last evening he checked the list twice and when they went to have their lunch no plates!!! I teased him and asked if he
cut a birch tree down and made some plates from the bark! They ate off a couple pans that were in the box. John and Ilene said any place in the river you dropped a hook the fish bit. They got tired of catching walleye so left the river and headed to some pike spots.

A group of 8 young ladies came in this afternoon with Brad in his a-star and Jackie in the Long Ranger. They had a bite to eat and away they went to try and find a place to fish out of the wind. Two of the girls came in early soaked looking for a hot shower. They caught a few fish. I was a Merc mechanic today and was checking out a motor, took it for a spin and saw some of the girls fishing and not having that much luck. I said come on I’ll show you a place even a girl can catch fish there!!! Man did I catch a little (good natured) static for that comment so I took
them over to my favourite spot and one of the girls had a blue jig and a green twister I said not sure if that colour will catch she no sooner put it in the water..bam she had a fish!! They came back 5 gallons of water in the boat all of them soaked, shivering and smiling. They caught a pile of fish mostly walleye’s and some pike. They had a blast. The girls were talking about going out after dinner but after being cold and wet and coming into a warm lodge fire burning and a big meal I think some of them will be looking for their teddy bear early tonight. One of the girls in another boat got her line wrapped around the propeller and it pulled the rod out of her hand, no more rod!! Fish net went overboard but with cat like reflexes they managed to grab it.
Roy and Betty fished most of the day in this sad weather and caught 70ish fish. Not a bad amount considering they couldn’t go to many of their spots because of the wind. I asked Roy if he was going out this evening and he said his wrist was too sore from reeling in all of fish. John decided to head out to Obsession Bay after dinner and see if he can get a big pike, he caught 4 hammer handles and called it a night. He say’s I know they are there but I can’t make them bite.

Some of us had a late lunch so Jesse decided we didn’t need and appetizer but dinner started out with Glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, peas, wild rice/spinach salad and peach cobbler whipped cream for desert.

Everyone that come to the lodge and uses our fire starter always ask what it is and are amazed at how well it works. So here is the fire starter recipe:

Wood ash
Diesel fuel

Mix the two together in a Folgers coffee can on the dry side is best. If
it’s too wet, the diesel will separate from the wood ash.

Add 2-3 spoons to the wood stove and a few sticks of wood and away your
fire goes.

We use this to help with the shore lunch as well with all the rain we
are having it works great.

TJ

Monday, July 1st

60 degrees at 7:00am. There’s a slight breeze from the south has the makings of a great day. The weatherman says a little rain later in the day but right now we have sun to recharge the batteries. The Millers and Blumes were up early eager to get in a full day of fishing. Roy and Betty went around the corner and caught a lot of walleye. They were going to fish for pike in the afternoon but came in early. It turned out to be an awful day the wind switched around to the west and blew hard with rain off and on.

John and Ilene fished walleye in the morning at the Burntwood River and caught a ton! They toughed it out in the wind and ended up in Obsession Bay Ilene pulled in a 38-1/2” pike, John a 30” pike and they had a few large swirls. In the years gone by Ilene and John have caught many large pike Ilene caught her biggest pike there 44-1/2”. Michael and I brought in a little wood and tweaked up the Merc motors most of the day.

The weather never let up its 10:30pm and we have a nice fire going in the lounge..right now its 50 degrees f.

No appetizers today as the guests ate too much yesterday and couldn’t do justice to their dinner. We had handmade honey garlic sausage, homemade cheese perogies, tossed salad, saluted mixed veggies and for desert chocolate brownie pudding.

TJ

Sunday, June 30th

The weather man is calling for crappy weather but it is nice this morning. The weather did turn later in the day and we got wind and rain. Larry brought Warren and Donny back to Snow Lake along with guests Brian and Mike Evans. Louise and I loaded up our gear and headed into the Lodge. We were met at camp by Tubby, Maggie and the Wehe’s. Larry loaded up their gear and back to Snow Lake. Michael and I did a few jobs around camp in between rain squalls. Jackie in her Long Ranger brought Roy and Betty Miller in to camp @ 3:00 pm. This is the third year here for them.
As I write this 9:00 pm Roy and Betty are sitting on the floating dock Roy’s casting away.

Jackie went straight to the airport for John n Ilene Blume, Brad had a couple passengers from Winnipeg for another lodge and he had to keep going. They arrived at the lodge at around 6:15 pm. John and Ilene got their gear together and went out after dinner just around the corner and caught a few walleye. I believe this is John and Ilene’s 19th year and almost every year they come twice. Great people!

There is a new rule in Manitoba that you need a picture WITH a tape measure beside your master angler fish in order for it to count. There has been a few guests that didn’t know this and have a picture and no tape measure. So guys before u come up to the lodge sneak into your wife’s sewing box and take her vinyl measuring tape. If you get caught later you can always ask for forgiveness its easier than asking for the tape!!!! (I’m going to pay for this)!!!

So along with all the meals and deserts Jesse does he also bakes a lot of cookies and snacks that the guests can grab 24/7. A lot of the guests put a couple treats in a zip lock bag for a mid-morning sugar fix. We came back today and I see that Jesse has a different snack there and so I had to try it. Was it ever good so I decided on slow Lodge blog days I might include a recipe of some of the treats. Ladies make this and it will raise the eyebrows of even the grumpiest guy.

STRAWBERRY OATMEAL BAR
1 cup of melted butter
1-1/2 cups of flour
1-1/2 cups of oats
1 cup of packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1-1/2 cups of strawberry jam

Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees and put a little butter on a 9″ x 13” pan

Mix all the ingredients together and take 1/2 the mixture and press into the prepared pan. Spread the strawberry jam and then sprinkle the other 1/2 of the mixture on top and press lightly. Bake until light brown 30 – 40 minutes. After it cooled of cut into squares it yields 24 bars. The evening meal started off with a baked spinach dip and tortilla chips, Caesar salad c/w garlic bannock, chicken Alfredo, and desert was a 2-layer chocolate butterscotch pudding with a dab of whipped cream in a martini glass. Everyone likes this one.

TJ

Saturday, June 29th

Well we made it back to Snow Lake after Louise’s Dad’s service. Kind of a sad day, however we spent some time with relations we don’t often see. It rained most of the morning overcast all afternoon.

The Burntwood news is starting to filter in. The weed beds are up and the pike are biting. Donny and Warren are guiding the Wehe family and they caught some nice pike today. Brad caught a 42”, Karlee caught a 39”, and Matt a 36”. Old Grandpa Bob must have been taking it easy. They caught a lot of walleye as well. They were fishing in the Burntwood River and Karlee couldn’t get her hook to the bottom and a walleye bit it. They caught a pile. Very nice family hope to see them back. Matt must have had a better sleep last night as the shower was dripping keeping him awake, before I left yesterday I put 2 new washers in the shower valve so he probably was able to hug his teddy bear all night undisturbed!!!!😎

Michael’s last day guiding with Mike and Brian. They caught 211 fish in the day and another 7 in the evening. They were fishing pike in the evening and caught a 35,” 36’, 33’, and a 30” pike. I didn’t get the info from yesterday but these 2 fishing machines caught a 40” pike. Brian and Mike like to keep track of the amount of fish they catch. Last years total was 902 fish and this year’s total is 945 fish. That’s crazy for 4 days.

For dinner, Jesse cooked up walleye chowder to start. BBQ pork chops, roasted sweet potatoes and peas, followed by rice pudding for desert.

Michael and TJ

Friday, June 28th

Great looking day 52 degrees f at 5:45am. Joe was telling me this morning that he asked Vahab if he wanted to go out after dinner yesterday and Vahab said no his arm was too sore from casting and bringing in fish. Sun and clouds all day. Louise and TJ had to leave the camp for a day. Louise’s Dad passed away November 10/2018 and the service is June 29th/19, when all the family could get together. We are going to try and make it back to Snow Lake by 6:00 pm Larry will be heading back to pick up the guides we can catch a ride. Most of the info in this blog is from Super guide Michael McCracken. Old Grampa Bob wasn’t feeling up to par today so he told Warren to check on him around 10:00am to see if he would go fishing. Warren had Matt today and Donny
took Brad and Karlee. They caught a pile of fish and after grandpa Bob gave the rest of the family a chance to catch fish by staying home until 10:00 he still went out and caught a 40” pike. Way to go Bob!!

Michael with the Master Mike and Brian Evan’s caught 215 fish. 2 of those fish were a 36” and a 36-3/4” pike. They went out this evening and caught 8 fish low numbers but they were on the hunt for some big pike. Tom and Tyler headed down to the Burntwood River area and caught lots of fish. They did a shore lunch and had a great day.

Tom Glassey and family were looking for some big pike. The challenge at Burntwood is to keep the walleye off to give the pike a chance to bite. They caught 30 fish and a 30” pike

The Gonty’s headed down towards the Burntwood as well and caught lots of fish. I was asking them what they thought of the place and they said awesome. They’re already talking about coming back.

Jesse was busy no appetizer tonight Broccoli salad, steak, twice baked spud and mixed fruit cobbler for desert.

Michael and TJ

Thursday, June 27th

It rained a little in the night time but looks like its clearing off. No wind to speak of and 60 degrees f. It rained hard here at around 11:00 am and this afternoon just white puffy walleye clouds. Jackie and Super guide Michael came in with the Long Ranger with lots of supplies. Michael is going to be replacing his Dad Todd guiding Mike and Brian Evans. We’ll see what the kid can do, see if he can find more fish for the Evan’s than his Dad. Todd is taking the 185 float plane up to Big Sand.

Mid-afternoon the Glassey family and the Gonty’s decided to take a break came up to the lodge have a refreshment and recharge on cookies. Joe Gonty made the comment he cannot believe the amount of fish there is here. I put on a Silver Minnow and a walleye bites I put on a jig and a walleye bites. It’s just crazy fishing here. Joe said nobody will believe me when I tell them the amount of fish we caught.

I forgot to mention the Gonty’s won their fishing trip to Burntwood Lake Lodge. Brad and Jackie did a deal with a 3 day package for 4 people to the Game and Fish in Grandview. Joe Gonty won the trip and brought his brother John, John’s father in law Ed and Ed’s son Greg. Joe made some great comments saying he has been to several places and we have the hospitality down pat, food is awesome, cabin is comfortable. Everything is perfect.

Well Michael out did his dad as far as guiding. Yesterday Todd and the Evans caught 174 fish during the day. Today with Michael guiding 202 fish that includes a master angler perch 13”. Now we have to listen to Master Mike!! It’s going to be a long trip home for Brian unless he catches something bigger! Brian and Master Mike went out after dinner and caught 35 fish. These guys are fishing machines!! Brian was making comments that his Dad Mike thinks he is way ahead in the fish count. Lots of competition going on here.

After an afternoon fishing Tyler and Dad Tom were playing baseball with the Glassey kids in the back 40.

It was a better day for Ed he had his game on and caught way more fish than the boys. I think yesterday he was just taking it easy on the young guys. They caught around 150 fish today.

Donny had Brad and Matt looking for some big pike and they were not biting. Lots of walleye and pike but nothing big. After the shore lunch Brad asked Matt what he thought about the shore lunch and Matt said awesome!!!!

Warren had Grandpa Bob and Karlee again and had a great time. Karlee again out did Grandpa Bob catching way more fish than him. Grandpa said he taught her how to fish at least she was paying attention!! I asked Karlee if she was tired of Warren the Legends stories, she thought that she could take a couple more days of them. They’re having fun. Sounds like Warren needs a little more practice on how to net big pike. The story goes that Grandpa Bob had a 45” plus on and Warren didn’t step up to the plate with the net. Karlee came to Warren’s defence and said the
fish wasn’t even close to the net!!!

We have another birthday here today! Liam Glassey is 13 years old and has had his birthday cake at Burntwood Lake Lodge for the last 7 years. Him and his Dad had a bet that if Liam caught a bigger fish they bought a new ski boat. If Tom caught the bigger one they would buy a used less expensive boat. Well Liam opened up a big old can of whoop ass and caught the bigger fish so when they came back to the lodge Tom made the call (from the lodge) and ordered the boat. True story, no BS Jesse and TJ did a fish fry in the gazebo it was great. He did the French fries, cream corn, coleslaw and chocolate birthday cake for desert. Jesse is doing an awesome job on the kitchen!

TJ

Wednesday, June 26th

It’s a good looking morning 57 degrees f. A bit cloudy but the sky is clearing coming from the south by 9:00 am slight breeze and puffy walleye clouds. It was a great day. Todd flew in at 7:30 am with the 185 to guide Mike and Brian for 1-1/2 days until Michael comes back. Before dinner Brian caught a 30” pike and totalled 174 fish. They went out after dinner to the triangle and caught another 53 fish which included a 33″ pike. For the day between the two of them 227 fish. Everyone took off in a different direction. Guide Warren has Grandpa Bob an Karlee while Guide Donny took Matt and Brad heading around the corner towards the Burntwood River. Ed, Joe, John and Greg started around the corner to catch shore lunch before looking for pike. Tom and the family
are looking for pike as well headed over to the north bay first thing. Tom has been here many years and knows the lake well. They caught a lot of fish! They tried in the evening as well and again lots of walleye and a few Pike caught.

Tom and Tyler are going to do a little more exploring again today they headed down towards the Hunting River and fish the south east shoreline and end up going into Cinnamon Bay area. They ended the day with a 30” and 33” pike.

Guide Donny had Matt and Brad with him and they caught 2-32” pike and had another bigger one that got away. Gotta be a fish story!!! Guide Warren had Karlee and Grandpa Bob. They had a good time with all of Warren’s stories. Lots of walleye’s and Bob picked up a 28”. I was teasing Karlee a little asking her if she put her own minnows on the hook, to which she said she does but Warren was a gentleman and did it for her. I also gave her a shot and said “girls can’t catch fish” old Grandpa Bob sitting there proudly says “oh she can hold her own”. Bob also tells a story of Warren having to make a trip into the bush not sure what for maybe looking for bear sign!!!

Ed, Greg, John and Joe caught a walleye every time they dropped their hook no matter what kind of hook a spoon or a jig. Ed wasn’t having the same luck fishing I told him one of the guys probably dipped his hook in the gas tank when he wasn’t looking!!

Guide Joe and Vahab took off to parts unknown and caught a pile of fish! It seems that when the pike start to bite then everyone catches them but when they are slow it’s slow for everyone.

Old TJ had an argument with the chain saw today and the chain saw almost won. I was knocking trees down and one tree fell and hung up on another. Kind of a haywire set up but long story short, the saw was still turning as I stepped back. The saw ripped my coveralls and 2 small marks on my pants. Lucky, it could have been worse.

Anyway, that was the day. If there is anyone reading this that is still thinking they might want to come up to the lodge this year there is still some openings in July and August. Call Jackie for some good deals. Jesse started off with devilled eggs for appetizers. It was pasta night. He cooked up spaghetti and meatball sauce, garlic bannock and a toss salad for side. For desert, the famous drumstick cake

TJ

Tuesday, June 25th

Cloudy morning 64 degrees f. slight west wind and a little overcast. Busy morning. Larry showed up on his way to Lynn Lake to do a few flights.

Brad slung in to camp 2 drums of diesel and 3-100# with his new helicopter and Jackie came in with some gas and supplies. They were here to pick up the Skibinski’s and Goupille group. Great people and very generous.

The Glassey’s headed out south this morning and just came back after about an hour fishing Tom caught a 38” down by Murray’s rock. The kids were a little chilly so had to come back and put another layer on. Tom and Tyler took off south with the intention of going around Hook Island checking out the flats and a few other weed beds. These guys had a couple big ones saying they aren’t hard to catch just hard to keep on! Jackie showed up in the Long Ranger with Warren, and 3 of the Gonty group Ed, Joe, and John around 2:30 pm. John and Joe were casting off
the dock and John caught a 36-1/2” pike. Everyone is running around the lake looking for good size pike and here John comes here 2 hours and ba– bam. There was a scramble for the net!! Then around 4:00 pm Jackie and Chris came in with the 2 Long Rangers with Donny, Mike and Brian Evans, Grampa Bob 79, Brad, Karlee, and Matt Wehe and Greg Gonty.

The Wehe’s are from North Dakota and have a cabin on Lake of the Woods. I asked what the heck they are doing here and they laughed and said they like to do something different!! They got the cards out playing king in the corner and Grandpa was accused of cheating. I don’t believe it!! Mike and Brian ate dinner and headed over to Evan rock and caught 50 fish and managed to bring in a 37” pike.

The Gonty group took a couple boats and went around the corner and caught a bunch of walleye had a good time but the rain chased them off the lake.

Tom and the kids headed out after dinner and caught a few but the rain chased them off the lake as well.

Guide Joe and his guest Vahab had a good day. They caught a ton of fish! Rather than have Vahab sit at a table by himself in the dining room we got him in with the guides and myself. Couple more days running around the lake and he’s hired.

We have 9 new fishermen and 1 fisher girl in camp so we should have some good stories tomorrow. Looking for a reaction I said to Karlee girls can’t catch fish!! I got a smile but also the evil eye!! Grandpa stuck up for her and said she does all right. Nice people!! We tried to change the time of dinner from 7:00 pm to 6:00 pm so that clean-up in the kitchen was done a little earlier but it wasn’t really working that well. It didn’t give the guests enough time to fish and get in for appetizers. So, we are back on the original schedule with appetizers at 6:00 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm.

Jackie was a little busy and didn’t get the blogs in for a couple days so my 87 year old mom e-mailed me and asked what was going on. I didn’t even know she read them. Another funny thing is she had been reading the blogs and saw that Jesse was baking blueberry pie and asked Jackie if Jesse made my favourite raisin pie yet. No, he hasn’t yet but I put the order in Mom.

Jesse did a great meal again smoked walleye pate for the appetizer. For the main course we had chicken schnitzel, wild rice casserole and marinated carrots. Desert was apple crisp. It’s John’s Gonty’s birthday so Sandra and some of the guests sang Happy Birthday to him. Kind Of!!

TJ

Monday, June 24th

Sun and cloud most of the day the mud is drying up. Just the right temp for working in. Very little wind and all the guests either took sandwiches or are doing a shore lunch at one of our designated shore lunch spots.

Tom Glassey and family were the first ones out and they are meeting Guide Joe and his guest Vahab in the Burntwood River to do a shore lunch together. Tom and family did very good today along with a pile of walleye he got a 35,” 34”, and a 31” pike. Not too bad for their first full day fishing.

The Goupille group went down to the Hunting River and were going to explore a couple little lakes see if there is a big one waiting for them. They never did catch the big one but lots of nice size pike. 29”, 29-1/2”, 3-30”, 31”, 31-1/2”, 32”, 33”, 34-1/2” The guys also saw a lynx up in the north bay.

Tom and Tyler headed off to the west not doing much fishing just looking around. I mentioned to him that it was great to look around but if he didn’t come back I would have had no idea where to start looking. The Skibinski four started trolling just around the corner and trolled all the way into the river. They caught a lot of fish and brought in some to finish up their limits. Lori’s thinking Big John is looking for a new woman! As he was driving, he made a sharper corner than normal and almost threw her out of the boat.. Little John and Marylin mentioned that they almost divorced while fishing. I guess she was getting all kinds of snags and her line got wrapped around the prop. I told her it wasn’t her fault Little John should have been paying better attention where he was going, why would he drive the motor over her line!!! I tried out Larry’s and mine Fathers’ Day present and it works great. Brad showed up with a log splitter the other day. Going to be a little less painful making the woodpile. Thanks Brad!

The single machine that keeps the place going is the 6 wheeler (the old Girl). We use it to pull the boats up, wood hauling, unloading the aircraft. It was broke down for a while thank goodness we had the side x side, but the old girl is better!!!

Jesse did garlic, cheese, crackers and pickles for appetizers. Fall off the bone ribs, baked spuds, wild rice spinach salad, and corn. For desert was strawberry banana trifle. The trifle wasn’t that good so I asked for a second piece just to get rid of it. Haha!

TJ

Sunday, June 23rd

It rained all night still raining 59 degrees f. Three days ago the thermometer said 90 deg f and the air conditioners could hardly keep up, Today we lit the fires. Crazy country! Hap took 5 of the Jeff Johnson group out in the beaver and Brad came in with the Long Ranger for the other 4. Larry came in again with the Long Ranger and took the last guy to Thompson at 10:00am to catch the commercial flight to Winnipeg. Johnny also caught that flight and is going to end up in Snow Lake. Tom Glassey and his kids Liam, Hanna and Aiden showed up in the beaver at 3:30 pm. Tom Weathered and son Tyler along with Vahab and the Legend himself Guide Joe Dumas came in with Larry in the Long Ranger 4:00 pm. Michael headed home for a few days for school grad, he’s back Thursday. It was a real crappy day unloading planes and helicopters in the rain. The Goupille group went out for a bit but like the guy said his heart wasn’t in it. They caught a few pike just under 30” and one 31-1/2”. Joe took Vahab out in the rain before and after dinner and he caught a bunch of walleye. The Glassey family went out after dinner and caught lots and brought back some for TJ to clean for their shore lunch tomorrow.

10:40 pm writing this blog and still raining. Miserable day!

Jesse and Louise did up some bacon wrapped walleye for appetizers, roast beef perfectly done pink in the middle, mashed potatoes, peas, and we had to suffer through another blueberry pie and ice cream. I think the key to desert is it should be served first because by the time I’m through with dinner I can only do a small piece!!
TJ

Saturday, June 22nd

Well the days are getting shorter now. Its 64 degrees east wind and overcast the weatherman is talking about rain today. Jackie came in this morning at 7:45am with the Skibinski group of 4 and taking out Dave and Barb and Bill and Lorraine. It started to rain about 10:00am and rained most of the day. Johnny and Michael took their guests out to different parts of the lake and Michael happened to take Todd and Mark to the entrance of the north bay and Todd landed a 45” pike. Biggest so far this year. Michael McCracken has now claimed the title of Super Guide.
These guys are fishing machines rained all day and they didn’t come in until 5:00 pm. In the Jeff Johnson group along with Todd’s 45” pike there was a 33” and a 32”. It was non stop action in all 5 boats they estimate 400 – 500 fish. Mark made a nice comment he said “you guys treat us so good thanks”.

John and Lori Skibinski and brother in law John and Marylin went out and the rain drove John and Marylin back but John and Lori toughed it out and Lori with no rain pants!! Tough!!! John caught a big pike no tape measure but estimates a 40”. Between the 2 boats they caught and released 150 fish.

The Goupille group did good as well Jeff Jr. caught a 36” and a 30” pike. Some of the other sizes 32-1/2”, 29”, 31”,30”, 2-28”, and a 26” pike. These guys had non stop action as well and estimate 250-300 fish. Old Hap flew in with the beaver on the way back from Wollaston, Saks. and is staying the night he is going to be taking some of the Jeff Johnson group in tomorrow morning.

Jesse had spinach dip and pumpernickel bread for appetizers, BBQ pork chops, sautéed green and yellow beans and rice. Black Forest cake for desert

TJ

Friday, June 21st

A little overcast light wind 62 degrees F. It was a great day stayed overcast until about 4:00 pm and then the sun came out.

Bill and Lorraine and Barb and Dave are leaving us tomorrow so they called it a day around noon with lots of time to get their stuff packed up. Dave was a little late for lunch he says the fish were biting too good “I didn’t want to leave”. Bill got into a few but still a little annoyed his Tilley hat blew off yesterday and he wasn’t able to retrieve it. Both these couples are so particular and careful with things I gave them a boat a week ago and the boat is just as clean as when I gave it to them.

I sat on the deck and had a beer with them and they are a comical pair. Bill was getting his rods packed up wrapping a towel around them Dave said “don’t u use elastics to hold your rods together” Bill said “no I don’t”. Dave says “I always use elastics” to which Bill says “I don’t have any damn elastics”. Dave says “I’m way more organized than you are”. Sitting there listening to these 2 grumpy old men, I was in tears!! Great people full of BS.

Michael and Johnny took the guests to different parts of the lake looking for pike and they were to meet at the Hunting River. Their guests caught all kinds of fish and couldn’t believe the amount of walleye that bit a pike hook.

Harold caught a 38” pike and Jeff a 34” pike and I didn’t get yesterday’s info right Jeff caught a 36”.

We have a list on the wall of the filleting shack of the stuff that goes into a shore lunch box. Even with the list if you are not careful things get forgotten. Old TJ quite often teases the guides when thing get left behind. Today at the shore lunch spot the guides were getting things ready and Michael looks in the box and asks Johnny where’s the plates! Johnny looks and says “ah crap I forgot to put them in”. “Don’t tell TJ” says Johnny because he will tease me. Now how do you keep that kind of thing quiet. Everyone had a good laugh. Michael came back quick and got
the plates everything was fine.

The Goupille group did well pike fishing today. Between the 6 guys they estimate 500 fish. Jeff Sr. caught a 26” pike.

Chuck pulled in a 36-1/2”, 32-1/2”, 32”,30, and a 27” pike. Not a bad day!! After dinner the guys went out for a couple hours and one boat caught 64 fish primarily trolling.

Had a great meal again appetizers was garlic sausage, cheese and crackers. For supper, BBQ steak, with side mushrooms and onions, broccoli salad, and twice baked potatoes. Of course, we had desert… peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream. We might have to take Jesse with us at the end of the season!

TJ

Thursday, June 20th

It’s a bit of a hazy morning 60 degrees F. No wind and sunny and it stayed that way all day awesome. Michael our new guide is up with the loons checking to see how to start the generator getting boats ready: checking gas and wiping seats off. Michael is the youngest guide at Burntwood at 14 years old. He guided here last year at 13. He knows the lake and has a pile of energy.

Barb and Dave Jensen headed to the Burntwood River first thing caught a few and contributed to the evening fish fry. Old TJ went over to his secret spot just before lunch and made a dinner contribution as well. The Jensens headed to the mouth of the north channel and caught a bunch but didn’t keep track.

Bill n Lorraine decided to go south towards Larry’s and had a great time. He brought back and filleted a few to share with one of his girlfriends on the way home. Bill went out after lunch and caught a few but his =========hat blew off and he couldn’t get it.

Johnny and Michael are guiding the Jeff Johnson group and Johnny took his guests and 2 following boats heading to the Burntwood River area. They got into some walleye and one guy said he never caught so many fish in one day. Johnny and Mark ended up bringing back a bunch for old TJ too clean for the evening meal.

Michael with 1 boat following decided to go and try Evans rock and as soon as the hooks hit the bottom the guests had a fish. Michaels guests said this is crazy fishing. The guys tried at the islands around the corner from the lodge and same thing lots of fish.

They met up at the Burntwood River at the second shore lunch spot and had a fish fry. The guest’s comments were they really liked the guides good guys and were familiar with the good “fishing holes”. The guides were only scheduled to guide 1 day and the guests decided to keep them for 2 more.

Michael and his following boat caught a 36″ & 37” pike. This group are primarily fishing for walleye’s.

They think between all 5 boats caught 300-400 fish.

Todd brought in a plane load of gas and supplies for the lodge and got the starter on our Polaris 6 x 6 installed. TJ has the old girl back it’s a little easier to maneuver on the dock pulling up the boats. After dinner a comical thing happened, thank goodness the guest found it funny as well. Johnny and I were trying out a duck boat and the mud motor the other day so we took a gas tank out of one of the boats. Well the guest took the boat with no gas tank. We started the motor and away they went and actually got out about 300 yards and Michael and I looked up and he’s waving away. I knew almost right away what the problem was. The guest found it a bit humorous as well!

After dinner the Jeff Johnson group were sitting around the dining room looking at a cd of a fishing trip they made to Costa Rica. I asked them how the heck they can go on a hot fishing vacation and be able to leave their wives at home. A couple of them said they are happy to see us go!! Jackie brought out a new group of 6 in 2 trips with her Long Ranger. These guys are pike fishermen so maybe in the next few days we’ll have some good stories.

Jesse and TJ deep fried 40ish walleye for dinner this evening and along with beans and coleslaw it was a great meal topped off with everyone’s favorite drumstick desert. We have 20 guests at the lodge right now.

TJ

Thursday, June 19th

The forecast says hot today 61 degrees F at 6:15pm. The thermometer said 87 degrees mid-day the sun is shining very little wind the start of another great day and it stayed that way all day.

Dave and Barb headed straight west and spent the morning exploring and fishing. They brought back 6 nice walleye for tomorrow’s fish fry. Dave generally comes in around 2:00pm and spends the rest of the afternoon sitting on the deck talking to his old army buddy Bill.

Bill didn’t go out this afternoon he was feeling a bit tired so he spent the morning snoozing while Lorraine read a book. He did wander down to the boat just to have a look at his gear.

Well the Glassey crew are coming soon and will be happy to know the water is warm enough to swim in. They are generally the only ones that jump in the water. Jesse our Chef beat them to it and decided to take a swim this afternoon and another one after the evening meal. Dave was saying the surface temperature is about 72 degrees. We opened the lodge on May 25th and cleaned some fish a couple days later and the water was so cold it hurt the hands and now about 3 weeks later were swimming in it!

Brad made a couple trips to Winnipeg for guests and Jackie made 3 trips out to the lodge bringing them here a group of 10, Sandra and Michael to help with the guiding. A comment that they made was the thing that they liked about Burntwood was they could leave Florida, Iowa, wherever they live in the morning and be at the lodge that same afternoon fishing and that is exactly what 8 are doing right now. Another comment was wow what a view its beautiful!

Jesse whipped up buffalo chicken dip for the appetizer and we had pasta dinner for supper. To end off, blueberry cheese cake for desert.

TJ

Tuesday, June 18th

Beautiful looking morning, clear sky no wind and sunny 60 deg f. It stayed that way all day ended up mid-day with the thermometer saying 90 deg f. Another early start and the Lodge is getting quieter, Jim, James and Aiping are leaving us this morning at 7:30am. Randy is done his guiding for a while and Sandra is going out for a break. Todd came in with the 185 got Randy and his gear, Jackie came in with the Long Ranger for Jim, Aiping, James and Sandra.

In a few days we will be full so it’s a nice break to have just 2 couples here for one night. It’s also nice that they are an older couple that hug their teddy bears early so old TJ can shut the generator off well before 11:00pm.

Bill and Lorraine 80 and 78 years old headed to the Burntwood River and caught a few moved around a bit and decided it was too hot to fish so came in for the day around 1:30pm.

Dave and Barb 73 and 78 years old headed over by Larry’s hole and hammered the walleye. They brought back a few at noon to finish their limit and they were all nice eating size 18-1/2”- 19”. Bill thought he would try their luck down at the Burntwood and caught but it was too hot for him to fish.

I am definitely not going to lose weight this way. No appetizers this evening Bill, Dave and wives didn’t feel like any. Jesse started off with a spring salad, chicken schnitzel, glazed carrots, wild rice casserole and double layer pudding (chocolate and butterscotch) with a dab of whip cream.

We made an executive decision along with Jackie’s ok to change the time of the evening meal. I asked our guests what they thought of changing the dinner time from 7:00pm to 6:00pm and they thought it was a great idea. As it is now with a full lodge we aren’t finished the cleanup until at least 8:30pm. It makes for a long day, so starting tomorrow appetizers at 5:00pm and dinner at 6:00pm.

Brad came back from Calgary this evening with a new helicopter. She’s a beauty shiny dark red.

TJ

Monday, June 17th

Warmest morning so far 57 degrees F at 5:20am. Sun and cloud and no wind. It’s another early start with the 2 guys from Iowa, and 2 from Minnesota from Cabin 4 along with Jack, Landon, Mike and Perry from Neepawa, Manitoba. The Manitobans are leaving here at 7:00am. Larry in the Long Ranger took the Neepawa fellas and Brad came in with 3 drums of diesel slung under his AStar and to pick up the other 4.

The comments from all of them was they really had a good time and the food was excellent. Some are already starting to make a plan to come back next year.

Randy has had a blast guiding Jim, James and Aiping! It’s there last day. Again 2 of these guests have never fished Randy took them down to the honey hole in the Burntwood and by lunch time they had 183 fish, 50 for James, 67 for Aiping and 66 for Jim. Three days fishing and doubled their fish count daily. Aiping also caught a 32-1/4” pike. These guys were a bit tired so had lunch and didn’t go out until 3:00 p.m. looking for pike. Jim had a monster on but as it came to the boat it went underneath and the line got cut.

Barb and Dave along with Bill and Lorraine headed over to what we call Larry’s hole. Neither kept count but said the fishing was incredible! Dinner was deviled eggs for appetizers. For the main course, wild rice spinach salad, fall of the bone BBQ ribs, peas and baked sweet potatoes and apple crisp and ice cream.

After dinner we kicked Jesse out of the kitchen. Louise and Sandra cleaned up his kitchen for him and Randy and Johnny took him fishing.

TJ

Sunday, June 16th

Beautiful morning 46 degrees F, no wind and the sun is shining. It’s an early start for Larry as Mic, Gage and Roy left 7:00am Mic’s driving to Minneapolis. It’s going to be a long day for him as well. Today Dave and Barb were the first ones out and headed to the Hunting River deciding to take their lunch. They didn’t find many in the Hunting but just came out a little and said that was the best fishing they ever had. They came in at 2:00pm catching and releasing 35 walleye. Lots of fun.

Bill and Lorraine were the next out and headed to the Burntwood River with their bag lunch. It was tough fishing for a bit on Bill’s first day out but after finding the hole did really well, 30 fish for the day and they were in around 2:00pm as well.

I’ve been corrected a couple times from the guys in cabin 4. I first called them older gentlemen and was corrected to mature gentlemen and then this morning, after saying they were from Minnesota all week I was corrected again that 2 of them were from Iowa to which I replied that I was told that all things good come from Minnesota. I got a little grouched at about that!!! Good guys full of BS. Perry, Landon, Jack and Mike with guide Johnny had a great day. Well over 300 walleye caught and released. They mentioned that Johnny cooked a super deep fried walleye meal at the shore lunch spot. These guys are fishing machines and they’re back out again after dinner.

Randy and his guests headed down towards the Burntwood stopping at a few places and caught and released 135 walleye with Aiping way ahead of her husband James and friend Jim. Randy did a shore lunch deep fried walleye as well. These people are getting the knack for fishing. Jesse did Garlic sausage, cheese, pickles and crackers for appetizers. Everyone’s favourite chicken breasts stuffed with garlic, cheese and spinach, corn and marinated carrots. It ended with lemon blueberry poke cake.

TJ

Saturday, June 15th
It’s a balmy 42 deg f. and going to be a busy today as it’s change over day. Carry and Craig, Bob and Bobby, and Jim, Dave and Ken are leaving us. Great bunch of people Craig must be doing something right as Carry always has a smile on her face. Dave and Barb Jensen and Bill and Lorraine came in first thing in the morning. These 2 couples have been coming to BWL for 15 years. Dave and Bill were army buddies from way back. After breakfast Dave and Barb got their boat set up with depth finder and rod holders. Bill was a little tired so opted to have a snooze and spent the afternoon setting his boat up with his rod holders and finder.

Mic and Gage were the first ones out again trying several different spots. Gage caught a 33” pike and Mic picked up a 33” and a 38” pike. They did a lot of fly fishing which brings the numbers down but still managed to catch 437 fish this week.

The 4 mature gentlemen Gordon, Gary, David and Paul took off south towards fishing around Hook Island. They fished in the furthest South Bay where there is an abandoned boat and started to go around to the west side of the island and got a little turned around. Instead of continuing on they backtracked and made it back to the lodge for lunch a little late. They spent the afternoon down by the Burntwood River. Gary caught a 30” pike and 100ish walleye.

Randy took his guests Jim, James and Aiping Young down to the Burntwood. James and Aiping have never had a fishing rod in their hands before and they had a great time. Aiping caught 34 of the 71 fish they caught and released. Randy also treated them to a baked walleye and deep fried walleye shore lunch. All new experiences and having fun. Randy took them out for an hour after dinner just around the corner from the lodge to Randy’s secret spot and caught a few more.

Perry Sneedon, Landon and Jack Falk and Mike Krutkewich are fishing with super guide Johnny mostly down at the Burntwood and caught 200 walleye. They went out after dinner and caught 40 more walleye. They say the fishing is crazy here.

Jesse started off with veggies and dip and smoked fish pate for appetizers. Dinner started with a walleye chowder, BBQ pork chops, rice, mixed vegetables and strawberry shortcake for desert.

TJ

Friday, June 14th

It’s a nice looking morning 50 degrees F and the sun is shining with a light breeze from the east and it stayed that way all day. A flock of pelicans are sitting on the rock across from the lodge waiting for the gut bucket to be emptied.

Randy took Bob and Bobby looking for pike and it was Bobbys turn. He picked up a 37″ and a 39-1/2” pike. The guys caught lots of pike today. Nice guys and they’re having a great time.
Ken, Jim and Dave did a little exploring today but still managed to catch 60 fish in the day time and another 40 after dinner.

Carry and Craig caught 108 fish with Carry catching a 27” pike. A great couple, lots of fun. Craig was ahead yesterday but today Carry showed no mercy and is way ahead!!
The mature gentlemen (is how they want to be referred to!!) in cabin 4 had a little excitement today they saw a lynx. They are more comfortable with traveling the lake and the fish numbers were way up they caught 150 fish.

Jackie in the Long Ranger came in with Jim Wright and friends James and Aiping Young about 3:00pm. Jim hasn’t fished for 60 years and his friends have never held a fishing rod. Randy is going to be guiding them and it will be fun to see their expression on their faces with the amount of fish they are going to catch.

Mic and Gage headed out first again this morning total fish for the day is 83. Mic also caught a 32” pike on his fly rod that must have been fun.

Johnny is guiding the Sneedon group Mike, Landon and Jack Falk total for the day was 175 fish. They all pitched in and had a great fish fry lots of fun.

Jesse did a veggie platter and buffalo chicken dip for appy’s, steak done to perfection, stuffed potato, veggies and blueberry pie and ice cream.

TJ

Thursday, June 13

Nice morning and continued all day. The nicest day so far of the season 72 degrees F. The forecast looks good for the foreseeable future. It’s been an interesting day.
The older gentlemen from Minnesota in cabin 4 came in yesterday morning at 6:00am and got a carafe of coffee so this morning about 5:50am we took a carafe over to their cabin. Everything was quiet I couldn’t see any movement through the window so snuck in the door and put the carafe on the table. Well it sounded like a snoring symphony all 4 snoring different pitch.
These guys headed out to some of the same spots Johnny showed them and tried some different ones and hammered the walleye. Talking like they caught in the 200 range. One of the guys David made some nice comments, he said he has been to a lot of places and Burntwood Lodge is heads and tails above any place he has been. He also talked about the staff how good they get along and how there is people that do things because they have to and people that do things because they want to and we are the latter. Very nice to hear! Great guys!

Mic is feeling better today thinking he may have passed the kidney stone and him, Gage and Roy were the first ones out again this morning going to the first north bay and picked up a couple of nice pike. After lunch with Carry and Craig , Mic headed to a bay close to the Burntwood River and pulled in three nice pike a 31”, 32” and a 41” .

Randy and his guests headed out and finally found some bigger pike. They caught several pike and walleye Bob caught a 41” pike and Bobby caught a 36” pike. One of the guys that guided here at BWL, Jarrett Radford (Big Red) was doing some texting with Randy throwing ideas around as to where the big pike might be. Not sure if he gave away any of his secret spots to Randy or not!!!
Jesse needed some walleye for appetizers, bacon wrapped walleye so we asked Craig and Carry, the fish whisperers if they would catch 8 walleye quick over at Evans rock and tie them on the dock before they ventured off for the day. Half an hour later there was 8 walleye at the dock. They then ventured down to the Hunting River and caught a lot of fish and spent part of the day exploring and found an old moose jaw. Mic and Gage asked Carry and Craig if they would like to join them at the first shore lunch spot in the Hunting River for lunch. Mic did a great job with baked and deep-fried walleye. After lunch Carry and Craig went further down the Hunting to a small lake and there was a huge bull moose about 200 yards away. As soon as the moose saw them it took off. After dinner they tried the island around the corner and caught a few. Carry came into the lodge for some night time snacks and Sandra asked her if she was still ahead of Craig in the fish count and instantly “oh ya!!” The last few days this couple haven’t been fishing too hard opting to do a little exploring, but she said they have caught over 600 fish.

Jim, Dave and Ken had a great day fishing at the Burntwood River, caught a lot of fish and had a shore lunch at the second lunch spot. After dinner the guys headed down to the dock with their red solo cups, and folding chairs and caught and released a few more.

Johnny took the Sneedon group to a bunch of spots and caught a lot of walleye had a shore lunch the guys raved about and had an all around great day. After dinner 3 of them went back to the mouth of the Burntwood and caught and released a bunch more.

Larry and I have been doing a few renos to cabin 1 & 2, I’m sure the guests that have been coming for years will notice and appreciate it.

Jesse had another great meal tonight. It was pasta night! To start we had bacon wrapped walleye, then for the meal we had lasagna, Caesar salad and garlic toast and pear cobbler and whip cream for desert

TJ

Wednesday, June 12

It’s a nice looking morning 47 degrees F. slight south west breeze mixed sun and cloud. As usual before the generator is going Mic is up drinking his tea and Gary came over and got a carafe of coffee for him and his friends. We had to call Jackie to bring the helicopter as Mic was having some lower back pains. Turns out that he has kidney stones. He’s back at the lodge feeling better. While he was away his 16 year old grandson Gage took the boat and went over to the beach and trolled around and caught 6 walleye.

Johnny took the Minnesota group and got them familiarized with the lake. They tried several spots and caught a pile of walleye and some good size pike.

Craig and Carry, (the fish whisperers) decided to do a little exploring today. They headed south to the Hunting River caught lots of fish and saw some new country. They had an interesting day did a little walking looking at the old cabins just a relaxing day. Craig even got Carry driving the boat and it still didn’t help she still caught more than him. After dinner the whisperers headed to Evans rock and total for the day was only around 50. Carry had a smile on her face and said Craig finally caught up. This is a great couple, easy going lots of fun and laughs.
Ken, Dave and Jim headed down to the Burntwood River, tried a few spots caught a lot of fish. These guys are easy going and were thinking about going out in the boat they decided to grab 3 chairs a red solo cup each and fish off the dock. Dave was the king fisherman with 7 walleye, Ken and Jim -0.

Jackie brought Perry Sneedon, Jack and Landon Falk and Mike Krutkewich in around 8:30 p.m. This is the third time for Perry and the first time for the rest of the guys.

We had been running the kitchen off of a 100# cylinder after running out of propane with the pin so yesterday right around 5:00 p.m. just as Jesse was filling the oven with dinner he ran out and there was a little panic in the kitchen. We quickly got him going but, I forgot to light the hot water tank. Last evening just before lights out I went to take a shower and no hot water. I was already committed so I had a cold shower. It was a quick one.

For dinner we had Greek salad, fall of the bone ribs, peas, and sweet potatoes For desert drumstick cake.

Tuesday, June 11th

It’s a great morning calm, sunshine and for the most part stayed that way all day. Jackie had stayed at the lodge overnight so she took the 3 Winnipeger’s Ron, Rick and Luis out about 8:30am. Brad came in around the same time as Jackie left with TJ’s new ride, a Polaris side by side slung under his A-Star. After a quick breakfast of pancakes Brad loaded up the Sonnenberg’s and headed to Snow Lake.

Bear hunting is all done for this season with 100% success! The blonde will be another 50 or 60 pounds heavier next year still a couple baits with crap the size of a coke can, all are still getting hit. Randy took his guys Bob and Bobby out fishing. Bob caught a 36” pike in the Burntwood River. They also tried Green Frog Bay and had lots of pike action.
Larry and new heli pilot Chris, slung a propane pig in with the Long Ranger just in time for lunch. Chris returned to Snow Lake and back to the lodge with another sling load of supplies, some diesel fuel and a 20’ roll off linoleum. Something for TJ n Larry to tackle tomorrow.

Jim, Dave, and Ken caught their fair share of walleye nothing big for pike.

Mic and Gage had a great day with 175 fish mix of walleye and pike. They had baked shore lunch today.

We have a group of older gentlemen here from Minnesota that some have been fishing together for 49 years. It’s great to have the side x side here one of the fellas needs a ride up and down the hill. We have 2 -70 year young a 73-year young and Gordy at 83. Craig and Carry had a great day of fishing and contributed the most to our fish fry. Carry caught and released way more than Craig. At this point I think Craig is just being a nice guy and letting her win!!!

Jesse had a little help with the cooking, old TJ and him deep fried fish and potato fries in the gazebo and he made a chocolate cake for desert.

TJ

Monday, June 10th

It’s a long john morning 41 degrees F, but very light west wind and sunny. It’s been a crazy day. Randy, Bob and Bobby spent the morning dealing with Bobby’s bear then decided to check the baits for the evening hunt. By the time they were done with the bear it was getting windy and cloudy. The guys headed out to where Bob was sitting last night waiting for the blonde bear, they grabbed the bait bucket and was walking up to the stand and Randy said oh oh wait. There the blonde bear sitting beside the barrel and was looking at them. They didn’t bring their bow or Randy’s back up gun so they quietly walked backwards down to the boat and the bear followed them and sat there looking at the hunters almost to say “hey wait you guys bring back the food”. The guys headed back to the lodge and got a few sandwiches, their bow, coffee and back to the stand hoping Mr. bear was waiting for them. The bear didn’t disappoint as he was sitting there looking at the sharp edge of a broad head arrow. Earlier when the guys first saw the bear that chased them back to the boat he looked huge after going back and having a good look even being blond there was major ground shrinkage. Bob decided against shooting this beautiful bear with the hopes of harvesting a bigger one. Good on you Bob!

The Sonnenberg’s were a little slow to start getting going this morning but also came back for lunch no fish numbers but they caught mucho pescado.

Mick, Gage and Roy were the first out this morning choosing to check out some of Mick’s favourite spots. First, he tried the east side of Hook Island then Green Frog bay then over to Cinnamon Bay and finally ended up at the Hunting River for shore lunch. Primarily looking for pike, they caught lots of walleye but also caught a 33”, 31” and a 27” pike. Mic generally has a shore lunch daily alternating deep fried and tin foil baked walleye with onion, butter and mayo. He was looking forward to the baked and TJ forgot to send the tin foil so Mic had deep fried 2 days in a row!!! The tin foil is in his shore lunch box now!!

Rob, Rick and Luis came in for lunch smiling. They have a friendly competition going and we asked who was winning they laughed and said the fish were biting so fast we couldn’t keep track. After a lunch of delicious homemade beef veggie soup and ham sandwiches, the guys headed over to just past Evans rock an as off the evening meal they had 270 walleye. Now they have gone out after dinner for a couple hours and totalled for the day 290 walleye.

Johnny had gone home for a couple days and had to be picked up at the landing about 45 minutes away by boat. I have only been to the landing once and had the track on my GPS so about 1:30pm away I go. The weather was crap almost immediately. As I took off it started to get windy and rain at one point the rain was so heavy I couldn’t see the shore and strictly going by GPS. I finally made it to the landing and Johnny had just arrived. I put the GPS away as Super guide knows the way back. We were into the return trip about 10 minutes and there were 3 bolts of lightning in as many seconds off to the south and over the sound of the outboard I heard the thunder. I am not having fun. The lightning never did get closer but I’m sure I felt a little tingling in my butt. Anyway, Johnny had a good laugh at me. Good to have him back he is a great help.

Around 5:00 pm, Jackie showed up in her Long Ranger with 3 retired army buddies, 2 from Winnipeg and the other from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Nice guys full of BS going to get along good here!!

Brad brought 4 fellas from Minnesota in his A-Star. This is the first time the boss showed up this season and both him and Jackie stayed for dinner. These guys are looking for pike so the stories should get better. One of the guys came outside for a smoke and I asked him what was his first impression of the place. It’s beautiful here, fantastic meal.
Randy came back to camp around 9:30pm with the bear hunters and Bob got himself a real nice bear 210 pounds beautiful fur.

Again Jesse didn’t disappoint, devil eggs and pumpernickel spinach dip for appetizers, rice, spinach salad with slivered almonds and craisins, a roast of beef done to perfection pink in the middle, peas and mash tatters, with black forest cobbler. Jesse is doing a great job in the kitchen.

TJ

Sunday, June 9th

It’s a great looking morning light wind from the west and sunny 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Mick is up with the sun, has the lodge fire stoked and drinking his tea 45 minutes before any of us roll out of bed. Bob and Bobby are up early as well eager to start spreading the gummy bears and tarts out at their stands. The day was another interesting weather day. I don’t know how many times during the day there was sun, then rain, then sun, then rain.

Guide Randy headed out with Bob and Bobby to check the baits to get an idea what the hunters are going to do tonight. All the baits were hit again and the ground is all tore up where the bear is trying to lick the grease out of the ground. These guys came back for lunch and then out for a couple hours fishing before the hunt.

The Winnipeg group Rick, Ron and Luis went over just past Evans rock and hammered the walleye somewhere in the range of 200 for the day. I sat down at lunch and asked them what they thought of the lodge and the reply was everything is fantastic. The food, cabin, hospitality cannot be beaten and they have never caught so many fish.

Craig and Carry did almost the same. They headed to Evans rock and then to Jodie’s bay. By lunch Craig was in the lead but different story when they came in for dinner. These two headed back out to Evans rock after dinner and totalled out for the day Carry 66 walleye, Craig 65 walleye. The Sonnenberg’s all headed to the Burntwood this morning and back in the afternoon and by appetizer time they also caught in the neighbourhood of 200 walleye.

Mic, Gage and Roy caught 57 walleye checking out different parts of the lake. They ended up at the Burntwood River for their shore lunch. Bobby got a nice 230-pound dark chocolate coloured bear. The bear came in right down the main trail about 9:50pm and Bobby made a great hit with his bow. The bear ran about 20 yards straight towards the lake. Jesse didn’t disappoint again with pumpernickel and spinach dip for an appetizer followed by cheesy garlic stuffed chicken breast, oven roasted potatoes, broccoli salad and caramelized peas.

TJ

Saturday, June 8th

The wind blew all night from the south west but it’s sunny. The Texas group are a happy bunch all 6 got their bears and lots of fish. Greg never did get a bigger pike than his wife but he said he caught way more walleye??? Fish story I think! Todd came in with the 185 to pick up all the gear for his first trip. Jackie came in with the Long Ranger and picked up 4 and Larry returned for the last 4 Texans. These guys made some real nice comments: the food was excellent, cabins were very comfortable, the staff was great, fishing was incredible and we all got our bears!!. And again the best one was we have some friends that have been reading this blog and they want to come, next time we are going to bring our bows.

It is very windy. With the wind brought the cloud and drizzle part of the day. By 4:00pm the wind had switched right around from the north west. The weatherman says gusting to 20 km/hr. I think he’s wrong, more like 35-40km/hr.

The Sonnenberg’s decided to stay at the lodge because of the wind opting to enjoy the leather couch in the lounge. Robin and Jeff played a couple games of cribbage and by the sound of it, Robin kicked Jeff’s butt. Randy has a father / son duo coming in today to bear hunt, so he is out checking the baits and freshening them up. All the baits were down and as he was coming up to one of the baits there was a big blonde bear eating at the barrel. With it being so windy the bear didn’t here Randy and he decided to just back away as not to startle it.

First time guests Craig and Carrie from Winnipeg flew in with Jackie in the Long Ranger and were impressed with what they saw. After a brief walk around Craig talked Carry into heading out fishing. It’s still real windy, however over at the Evans rock it wasn’t too bad and in a few hours brought in at least 70 walleye. I asked who caught the biggest and the most and Carry instantly put up her hand to which I replied (having to stick up for my male counterpart) ya well its easy sitting in the front of the boat poor Craig had to drive the boat, put your minnow on and net your fish!! Carry quietly said “well we were anchored and I put my minnow on and netted my own fish”. Craig says ya she’s right!!!! Ron, Rick and Luis the other Winnipeg group headed down to the Burntwood River this morning and spent all day there. These guys 2 brothers and a brother in law have never been to a fly in full service lodge before. I asked them what they thought and the reply was fantastic. They caught a few pike the 2 biggest were 35” and 36” lots of fish guesstimate 80-90 walleye. The guys decided on the second shore lunch spot and said it was great. They got a bit turned around on the way home but did make it for dinner. They came back a little wet and were sure happy to have their cabin wood stove throwing out the heat.

Larry brought in our longest returning guest Mick, his grandson Gage and dog Roy. Mick has been coming to Burntwood Lake Lodge for 30+ years and comes twice a year. He comes in the spring to fish and then back in early September for duck hunting and fall fishing. Where else can you head out in the dark of the morning and set up the decoys, shoot some ducks, and then go out and catch trophy pike and lots of walleye in the afternoon. After a successful duck hunt Mick will treat the staff and the rest of the guests to bacon wrapped duck, it’s pretty darn tasty.
Todd in the 185 brought in the father and son bear hunters Bob and Bobby about 5:30pm. After discussing strategy, the guys decided to wait until tomorrow to head out to the baits. Bobby has some special food to try and entice a big one to come to his stand. He has some sweet tarts, gummy bears and some other tasty treats for his bear talking about making a trail and get the bear closer!! There heading out shortly after breakfast to check the baits and do a little fishing in the morning and make a plan for the evening hunt. It has cleared off for the most part
hopefully we will have a sunny calm day tomorrow. Appetizers are at 6:00pm and Jesse is putting out a spread of garlic sausage, cheese, pickles and crackers.

TJ

Friday, June 7th

Come on now enough with the clouds and rain. We need some sun to recharge the batteries! It did clear up around 4:00pm. Jackie came in the Long Ranger with a load of supplies at 7:15am and then headed to Dow to pick up some guests. It’s just cloudy and light rain and some of the guests are going fishing. I hear this morning that Greg is a little grouchy because wife Robin has a bigger pike than he does. Not sure why he’s grouchy at least Robin was paying attention when he was teaching her how to fish! At least that’s what I tell Louise when she catches better than me! My bad, I just realized I forgot to mention that Robin caught a 29-1/2” pike and that’s the one that Greg needs to beat. So both of them are heading out rain or shine. Ken and Robin are headed out as well. Everyone caught lots of fish but came in early. This is the Texan’s last day here they are heading out early tomorrow. Great people, easy to look after, and love to hunt and fish. Todd came in with the 185 with a group of 3 from Winnipeg and Jackie in her Long Ranger brought return customers the Sonnenberg’s about 3:30pm. Everyone got settled in their cabins got their fishing gear ready to go. Two of the Sonnenberg’s headed out for a little fishing before dinner to the Burntwood and caught lots of walleye. The Winnipeg group fished of the
dock and caught a few.

This is the first day with having appetizers before dinner and everyone liked the Buffalo Chicken Dip with Gluten free crackers. Everybody reading this realizes we have a new cook Jesse. It’s his first time working in a lodge situation and in the beginning he found things a bit overwhelming but now he feels right at home. He has put out some great meals and has a new idea that Jackie and Brad would like to try. We are going to try appetizers around 6:00pm each day and see what the guests think. Nothing fancy just something to bring the guests in the lounge and get to tell a few stories about their day. If anyone has some easy appy ideas feel free to comment on BWL page.

It was steak night again Caesar salad, stuffed baked spuds, corn with blueberry cheese cake for desert. After dinner Will took Kelton out to the north bay and caught lots of mid 30” pike.

TJ

Thursday, June 6

It is a beautiful sunny morning 46 degrees F, no wind at all the water is like a mirror. Relaxing in the recliner at 6:00am starting the blog drinking a cup of coffee and all of a sudden there was panic in the kitchen. Jesse started his breakfast and ran out of propane, old TJ had to spring into action. Within a few minutes’ things were back to normal. Randy took Hunter out to check all the bear baits. 10 out of the 12 baits are still hitting and if bear crap indicates size of the bear there are some big ones out there. Randy says the crap is the size of a coke can. At one bait the trees and the ground are all tore up. Some of the guests headed out fishing this morning, some to the Burntwood some to the north bay. The fish were biting great again thinking they caught in the 200 range.

Lunch was burgers at the lodge and the sky started to cloud over and the rain started at 2:00. Guide Will took Kelton to a secret spot and hammered the pike. They pulled in a 36”, 33”, 28” and one more that they didn’t get to measure. They said the one that got away without measuring was the biggest one but hey you guys know fishermen!!!! They also caught several smaller pike and lots of walleye. Because of the rain the guests stayed in the lodge play Uno and throwing stories around. Sounded like the game was real competitive even a little name calling going on.
One of the fellas not mentioning any names “Greg” called his wife a numb nut!! Ouch! Jesse got his revenge by skunking old TJ badly in a game of cribbage.

Lasagna dinner was great with salad, garlic biscuits topped off with a two tone pudding (chocolate and butterscotch) with a whipped cream topping served in a martini glass.

It’s an end to another day, generator off at 11:10pm I stood on the dock for a few minutes slight drizzle and nice to hear a boreal owl somewhere in the back yard.

TJ

Wednesday, June 5th

It was a mixed bag of weather today. 42 degrees F at 6:00pm and not a cloud in the sky. By the time everyone had their breakfast it was clouding over and just as they were leaving it started to rain, sunny skies around 1:00pm. and thunder and lightning, wind and rain at 4:00pm and now 5:30pm calm and sunny. Everyone came back at noon and the guides cooked they’re fish in the gazebo. The fish were biting good at the Burntwood in the morning and Johnny and guests tried fishing in the north bays straight west of the lodge. They caught a bunch of few pike of decent size. Greg lost a big pike as it spit the hook right at the boat. Sandra and Louise have been working on the gazebo the last few days trying to get it back in shape. Deep frying fish mostly on rainy muddy days makes for a messy cooking area. I never realized the floor was an off white the ladies did a great job. Mind you there is something to be said about good supervision😎.

It turned out to be a beautiful evening so Randy, and Will took the guests fishing, boats going every which way Randy going to check out Green Frog Bay, Will going to see if there is anything biting in the North Bay, and Ken took his McKenna and Kyle to the honey hole in the Burntwood River and caught over 100 walleye in 2 hours. Lots of fish but nothing of any size.

Jessie tried to get a little redemption from last evenings whooping in cribbage with old TJ, however his luck still hasn’t come back! For dinner he again made fall off the bone slow cooked lightly BBQ ribs, garlic roasted sweet potatoes, fried Brussel sprouts with mushrooms n onions and for desert he served up drum stick cake. If u think you’re going to loose weight at Burntwood Lake Lodge u are sadly mistaken!!!
TJ

Tuesday, June 4th

It rained all night same light south east wind but it’s warming up a little to a balmy 46 degrees Fahrenheit or 7.8 degrees Celsius at 5:30 this morning. Todd came in with the beaver and old Hap with the Cessna 185 at 7:25am to pick up the Manitoba group. These guys were the life of the camp full of jokes, lots of BS and very generous. Thank you. After pictures Randy and Kyle spent all morning dealing with Kyle’s bear under the huge spruce tree beside the shop. It is still drizzling none of the guests have gone out fishing yet.

Well the weatherman is right for a change he predicted sun coming out around 1pm and it’s out and the wind is light out of the south west and it stayed that way through the evening. Randy has gone to check the baits with Miss Robin and give her a choice as to where she wants to sit tonight. Will and Johnny took the other guests fishing lots of walleye and smaller pike. McKenna in Johnny’s boat caught a 38-1/2” Pike. This Texas group are the only group in camp and because of the late nights we are going to have breakfast at 8:00am. All of us old dogs are up anyway but it gives Johnny, Will and Jesse an extra half an hour to hug their teddy bear.

Robin decided on the right tree stand to sit in this evening. A nice black bear came in at 5:03 and she made a clean shot the bear fell beside the barrel. This bear has the nicest black coat and a respectable 222 pounds. Randy and Greg did some fishing in the Burntwood while waiting for Robin and caught and released around 100 walleye. They checked on Robin around 8:30 and were happy to see a great big smile on her face. It was nice for the hunters to be back early enough to get the pictures and clean up the bear. This group has 6 hunters and harvested 6 bears.

There are still lots of bears running around Randy only checked 6 baits and 5 of them were hit.

Jessie didn’t disappoint again with smothered chicken thighs, rice and corn with caramel poke cake.

TJ

Monday, June 3rd
It rained in the night but quit by morning. Ken and Randy dealt with Kens bear most of the morning and then everyone went fishing. Johnny and Will took their guests down to the Hunting River and caught lots of walleye. Johnny’s boat caught a 34” pike and Will’s boat caught lots of pike but nothing of any size. While they were at the Hunting a cow moose walked out on a point. They both started their motors and idled up to within 30 yards of the cow.

The Manitoba group all went down to the Burntwood River fishing again. They said they can’t believe the amount of fish they’re catching. The guys never really keep track of the amount of walleye they caught but in the hundreds. Louis cooked the group an awesome shore lunch. This is the last day for this group and they have made some very nice comments. The food was awesome and the staff treated us like kings. The one guy wants to stay just for the food and the best comment was they will be back next year. Nice guys and a pleasure to have! Randy took Miss Robin down the Burntwood and Johnny took Kyle to the South Creek where they saw the big one last evening about 3:00pm. Shortly after they left it started to drizzle and it continued all evening. Super Guide Johnny decided to go and check on Kyle and noticed the orange flag was in the tree indicating he had a bear. They got back to the lodge with a beautiful bear around 9:15 p.m. 260 pounds the biggest one this season so far! Randy got back with Miss Robin at 10:15pm and her bear never came to play.

After sitting in the rain all evening the hunters were very happy to come into a warm lodge. Jesse did a great job with a huge roast of beef, mashed potatoes, gravy and veggies. Can’t forget about the peach cobbler for desert!

TJ

Sunday, June 2nd

It was a short night with the hunters coming in close to dark trading stories. It was 12:30am before everyone headed off to bed. TJ had the coffee on and the wood fire stoked @5:45 and some of the guests started to come in. It’s another beautiful sunny morning south east breeze but chilly again 33 degrees F. The weather stayed the same for the most part nice. Larry left this morning about 7:30am with the father son team, Cory and Luke. They had a great time, nice people. He made a return trip with bear/fishing guide William Colomb.
All morning was spent dealing with the bears, got all 3 skinned out tagged and bagged. The Texan’s are all headed out for a little fishing before the last 3 go and sit in a tree stand. The Manitoba guests again this morning caught and released lots of walleye and one of the guys brought in a 35” pike. They brought in a bunch of walleye for our dinner tonight. They still can’t get over how many fish they are catching. I asked for an estimation and they said between the 8 guys they must have caught 5-6-700. I hard timed them a bit because they caught several big pike but didn’t measure!

We had an interesting evening hunt. Johnny took Kyle and his photographer Mom Robin to a stand and Johnny just pulled up into the weeds a couple hundred yards away. After a few hours Kyle signalled Johnny to come and get them. On the way out of the South creek they went by a stand 2 nights previous a bear was harvested and there was a monster bear there. Johnny said it made the 45-gallon drum bait barrel look like a Campbells soup can. They had a chance to shoot albeit not a great one so opted not to. There was still an hour of daylight so Kyle and Robin sat in the stand. The bear never did come back last night.

The Texan group that are finished their hunt went up to the north bay and caught lots of walleye
Ken got his bear last night, a smaller one, but it had nice thick long fur.
Robin is sitting in a stand by herself and the bear that has been hitting her bait didn’t come back.
These guys are fish eaters. We cooked 50 walleye and there is about 4 left, coleslaw, fries and chocolate cake for desert.
Great day lots of fish and excitement in the tree stand.

TJ (Some people asked what TJ stood for. Years ago my daughter Jackie gave me the handle Trapper Jim:)

Saturday, June 1st

It’s a little chilly this morning with frost on the steps 33 degrees. Not a cloud in the sky and a light north breeze the makings of another great day at Burntwood. Todd came in around 8:15am with a good load of supplies and to pick up the Blankenship’s. Luke and Cory headed up to the North Bay and wailed on the walleye. Young Luke’s arm was getting sore (he said). This kid is a great sport, good fisherman and a genuine nice young fella. Johnny took the Manitoba group down to the Burntwood River and they all said they had never caught so many fish. The group from Manitoba along with Luke and Cory came back to the lodge and we had a great fish fry. Between this morning and afternoon Gerald and Louis caught 255 walleye. The other boats didn’t do as good but the guesstimate for the day is around 600 walleye. They also caught lots of pike but nothing of any size.

Later in the day, Todd came in with 5 guests from Texas and Larry came in with the rest of the Texas group, 8 total. They had a quick snack of walleye chowder and sandwiches and then went to the target range and took a few shots with their guns to get ready for their. It’s a little late to go to the stands but Randy and Johnny took their hunters way down the Burntwood. Old TJ (me) had to come out of retirement and took his hunters across to Jody’s stand and one just at the mouth of the Burntwood. Everyone was locked and loaded by 6:15 p.m.
The bear hunters were not disappointed out of 6 hunters 5 saw bears some saw more than 1 bear. Two of the hunters got some real good videos of huge bears walking around. These smart bears never did come into the baits while the hunters were there and that is why they are as big as they are. Hunter tagged himself a nice bear weighing 213 lbs, Greg got a little smaller one at 165 lbs and Kelton got himself a real nice one at 235 lbs!!

For dinner Jessie did BBQ pork chops, macaroni casserole, veggies, ending with a delicious apple crisp and ice cream. It’s about 36 degrees F. This evening the Texas hunters that left home with 80 degree F weather were pretty happy with the wood stove and a hot meal when they got back from hunting

Friday, May 31st
Nice morning after breakfast the guests headed out on the water, the sky was blue with a slight north wind. Both Randy and Johnny took their guests down to the Hunting first thing and did ok not the quantity that they caught the day before. After a couple hours Randy and his guests headed up the Burntwood River and moved around until they found them. They caught 50 – 60 walleye a bunch of mid-size pike and David Sr. pulled in a 37-1/2” pike. Johnny took his guests to the mouth of the Burntwood and picked up a few, moved around and then went up to the long north bay. After moving around a bit Johnny found the walleye and they estimate between morning and afternoon caught 40 – 50 walleye as well as lots of smaller pike.

At 4:30pm, 8 guys from southern Manitoba showed up, 5 in the helicopter with Jackie and 3 with Todd in the beaver. The guests settled in to cabin 4 for a few cocktails before dinner.
Jessie didn’t disappoint again with dinner starting with pasta salad, steak done to perfection, twice baked potato, snap peas and brownie pudding for desert. Awesome!! There has been one complaint about the food and I suspect there will be the same complaint over the course of the summer and that is after being at Burntwood Lake Lodge for a week or so the guests will have to put another hole in their belt!! I guess we can live with that complaint!

Right after dinner 6 out of the group of 8 wanted to wet their lines so they headed up to the north bay. Between the three boats in the 2 hours well over 60 fish were caught and released. One of their group decided to try off the dock with a pickerel rig and pulled in 7 fish in a short period of time. Great start to their fishing trip!

Wednesday, May 29th

Another nice start to the day slight north wind but by mid-morning it started to cloud over and we got a light rain. Cory and Luke are heading out early with guide Johnny but soon came back cold and wet. Guide Randy and the Blankenship’s were going to do a shore lunch but because of the rain came back to the gazebo and did their fish fry there. Everyone caught a few in the morning but after lunch things really picked up. Johnny took Cory and Luke down to the Hunting River and just hammered the walleye. They said they quit counting at 50 and estimate they caught and released 70 – 80 walleye. Luke said he caught way more than his Dad!! They also caught a few pike but nothing of any size…yet!
Randy and the Blankenship’s spent the afternoon in the north bay and estimate they caught 75 fish both walleye and pike. David Sr. caught a 31” pike. Dave Jr. was bringing in a walleye and a pike grabbed ahold and he fought it until it got within 10′ of the boat and spit the walleye out. Now I’m told most men have a hard time with sizing things but both Guide Randy and Jr. say it was close to 40”!

After fishing in the cold and rain for the better part of the day the guests came back to a nice warm lodge a couple cocktails, great meal complete with peach cobbler we’re all sitting in the lounge watching the sun go down. Great finish to a cool day.
Thursday, May 30th

The sun is shining in Snow Lake but it’s a dull dreary rainy morning at the lodge. We can see the clear sky to the south but can’t coax these clouds to move. Chef Jesse is still smiling from last night’s crib games. He skunked me once and beat me twice. Luke, Cory and Sandra were playing a friendly game of poker and Luke tried to bluff Sandra but she’s too old and wise to let that happen. Luke’s too young and hasn’t honed his BS skills yet.

Both Johnny and Randy and their guests headed down to the Hunting River this morning and because of the rain going to bring the fish back and cook in the gazebo. The weather smartened up in the afternoon still cloudy but no rain and calm.

Luke and Cory caught 2 – 33’ pike and 3 -31” pike in the morning and 2-28” pike in the afternoon. They also caught and released between 40 and 50 walleye. Great day of fishing.
Randy’s and his guests caught a pile of walleye and David Sr. brought in a 33” pike. The fish keep getting bigger each day!
Jessie did an amazing job of dinner starting with walleye chowder, then chicken cordon blue, grilled sweet potatoes, peas and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Luke and Cory are learning the game of crib played 2 games and Luke won 2 games and skunked his dad once. After a cool day a great dinner and the wood stove in high gear it is going to be an early night.

Tuesday, May 28th

Well today is Louise’s birthday! Jesse the cook made her a delicious carrot cake, her favourite. I keep hearing the number 29 however I think we need to add another 30 years. Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Louise. Generator on at 5:40 a.m. and it’s another beautiful morning. Slight west wind and it stayed that way all day, awesome. Johnny and I got a few more jobs done today things are really taking shape. Todd, Larry and Jackie came in with the Beaver loaded with propane cylinders and more supplies. Guide Randy and the Blankenship’s spent most of the morning dealing with David Jr’s. bear and then took a lunch and headed out in search of some fish. David Jr. latched on to a 30″ish pike and all together caught 100ish walleye. David Sr. pulled up his socks today and caught the first and the most fish. Colleen said she held back today but tomorrow she was going to put the pressure on.

Jackie flew in with the Long Ranger bringing the Gilchrist father and 11-year-old son fishing team Cory and Luke. This is their first time here and their first-time walleye fishing. Young Luke was itching to try out his rod so after a delicious meal of slow cooked BBQ ribs, rice, salad and carrot cake guide Johnny took them out for an hour or so. Nothing big but they caught 10 walleye with Luke catching a few more than Dad.

Monday, May 27th

It was windy all night from the south west then switched to the north west and blew all day but it was sunny and warm. Great day! Randy and Johnny headed out early to repair another bear stand and see how the baits were doing. Several baits were down, the guys checked out a few fishing holes caught some but did not spend a lot of time at it.
Today is the first day with guests! Todd brought the Blankenship’s in today at 3:30 p.m. Colleen, David and David Jr. The guests had a quick bite to eat and guide Randy took Colleen and David fishing and David Jr is heading to the bear stand. Luck was on David Jr’s. side on his first evening hunting! A nice black bear came in around 8:00 p.m. he made a great shot the bear didn’t go 10 yards. This is the same stand that David Sr. shot his bear last year 2018. Randy and David’s parents were fishing close by but the wind was too strong and they didn’t hear the shot so waited until the last minute to pick him up.

Its early in the fishing season and the walleye were a bit hard to find but they still managed to catch and release 30-ish. Rumour has it that Colleen had the hot fishing rod showing both guide Randy and David Sr. how to bring in the walleye! Back to the lodge for ham, scalloped potatoes and apple pie. What could be better than that!

Sunday, May 26th

Another nice day Larry and Todd came in with a load of gas and supplies. With their help, we repaired the dock. Got most of the repairs done Jesse the new cook is happy his dishwasher is repaired. Randy’s building some new bear bait stands and reports the bears have woke up and are hitting some of the baits. Things are starting to take shape

Saturday, May 25th

Beautiful day sun is shining. Larry flew us into BWL to get the lodge ready with Jesse the new cook, Sandra, Randy, Louise and me. Lots of issues broken lines in the guide quarters, cabin 6, broken valve behind cabin 5, broken pipe nipple behind cabin 4, frozen main line feeding cabin 1 & 2 and the dishwasher wouldn’t work. The barrels on the floating dock need some attention. Johnny Patterson the Legend came in on the second trip with Todd the float plane pilot. Randy is checking the baits and Johnny is getting the boats ready. The BWLCM (me) had to have a lay down for an hour around 5 pm as he was starting to play out.