Weeks 5 - 7 The following weeks after the big group left us with little to no bookings. This new guide found himself on shore for what seemed like endless amounts of time – and endless yard work and wood cutting. I found myself becoming quite fond of the afternoon nap instead of scouting new areas. As July came, cabbage beds began to sprout and guys started finding more and more trophies regularly. A group came in with a 47 inch pike one day, and followed up with a 48 inch the next. Slowly the pike started to find their groove with their new habitat. If you were scheduled to be on the water you were experiencing some of the best fishing of the season.
Week 8 I finally got my chance to get out on the water again. After what seemed like never-ending wood cutting and yard chores, I was packing my boat and making sure everything was in order. I found myself a little lost, taking some of those naps turned out to be detrimental. I knew my bays, but perhaps I should've actually found the cabbage beds outside of the bays before hand. After a quick adjustment day during a guest turnover (and some very understanding guests) I found my groove and the fishing soon picked up. We found ourselves into good numbers of medium-sized fish. My guests had done little pike fishing prior but after notching some personal bests in the high 30”s, and turning a trophy at the boat, week 8 ended with satisfaction.
While week 8 wasn't the end of my season that was the last time I could update, and log my first season of guiding. I found myself loving and loathing some moments. I proved to myself that I could guide. I enjoyed lodge life rather than try and start on my own. With this experience I will be able to proudly say on my resume that I worked for a great lodge, and helped customers catch their fish of a lifetime. Knowing that is enough to make me feel like this summer was worth all the hard work.
Jeremie Roy