Shining Falls to Winnipeg (2015-07-06)

It was an early morning, with luggage on the deck of the cabin at 6 am, and the first group leaving at 6:30. 

There was a big change in weather overnight, with a morning temperature of only 6 degrees Celsius.  The good news was that the smoky haze from yesterday had all blown away, leaving us nice clear skies for the flight out. 

Breakfast was bacon and eggs on bagels, wrapped to go.  We were on the second flight, so we got to sit and visit for an hour or so until the plane returned.  This also gave us a chance for one last wander, enjoy the tranquility, and to take in the view - awesome!

On the flight out, I got to ride in the co-pilot seat, so had great views of the terrain out the front of the plane, and was also closest to the heat vent, which was a good thing, especially as my window was partly open.  So my left side was toasty warm, but at 5,500 feet, my right side was really chilly. 

By lunchtime we were back in Winnipeg, with the hustle and bustle of the city, such a contrast from Shining Falls.  It was a lazy afternoon, with lots of nodding heads.  

We said some goodbyes before bed, as Marlene's brother, and Mom & Nick are leaving at 5 am tomorrow, and we are not planning on being up to see them leave.  Our flight is at 8 pm tomorrow and by midnight we will be back on the island.  

The end of another great trip.

Shining Falls Lodge day 3 (2015-07-05)

For our first 2 nights Marlene and I enjoyed the luxury of an 8-bunk cabin to ourselves, but additional guests are checking in today, so our first task this morning was to move our stuff into Marlene's Mom's cabin, where we will have the top bunks above Mom and Nick. 

The morning was a little foggy, so the floatplane did not arrive as early as planned, so we actually could have moved after breakfast. Oh well....  Breakfast was pancakes, bacon and eggs, another great meal. 

The fishing plan for today was to catch Pike, which are all catch and release.  Nick did great, catching 5 Pike and a Walleye, Marlene caught 1 Pike, and I caught nothing at all. So much for Pike. 

Another great shore lunch, this time on an island close to the lodge - Walleye fish and chips, salad and beans, but this time with a different view.

Over lunch, Art regaled us with tales of his large Pike that got away, but luckily I got a photo of it. 

In the afternoon we ventured a little further afield, to aptly named "Nipple Rock", a round rock with a smaller round rock on top. But the fishing was lousy, so we returned to some of our more productive spots, and were rewarded with many Walleye, but all got released. I won the prize for the fastest lure drop to fish on line time.

Our final dinner was steak, double baked potatoes and broccoli, with cheesecake for desert. Tonight Marlene was special and had fish instead of steak.  We then got together for a group photo, watched a few videos taken by the younger family members, and now, it is time to turn in, as we have to be up at 5:30 am for our floatplane trip back to Bissett.  Maybe we will fogged in....

Shining Falls Lodge day 2 (2015-07-04)

Ellen brought us coffee and tea at 7 am, and then it was bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast for breakfast at 7:30 am. All of my meals are "special" to avoid msg and preservatives, and always more than I need. But it would be impolite to not eat it all :-)

Marlene's Mom joined us for fishing this morning and we headed straight across the lake to a small island where we caught fish yesterday. I had a Walleye on, as soon as I closed the bail on the reel, and that set the tone for the morning - fish after fish after fish. We caught our limit, and threw back many small fish and a 20" Walleye (too big to keep) that Nick caught. The piece de resistance was a 25" Pike that Marlene hauled in just before we had to leave for lunch. He too was returned to the lake as all Pike are catch and release. 

With a full load of fish, we headed to Shining Falls for a shore lunch - Walleye fish and chips, beans, onions and quinoa salad. The fish and chips were cooked in oil right above the falls and were delicious. 

As we finished lunch the forecasted thunder storm appeared, and we made a rapid exit, heading back to the lodge (with a short detour to pick up Nick's hat that blew off his head into the water and was headed towards the falls).  It is somewhat disconcerting to be headed straight for the falls, and relying on the boat's motor to keep running so that you don't actually go over the falls. 

We had a couple of short excursions onto the lake in the afternoon, but without Fredda the fish just weren't biting. We caught at least 1 walleye each, but they had to go back as we already had our limit. 

We had another great dinner - spring roll appetizers, Walleye chowder, followed by pork ribs, mashed potato and asparagus, with brownie bowls for desert. I ate way too much!!

Since we have all the Walleye that we are allowed, tomorrow we will go after Pike, at least until we lose our lures, and then will probably have to switch back to catching and releasing Walleye. 

Shining Falls Lodge, Manitoba 2015-07-03

It was another early morning, 4:45 Manitoba time, and after a breakfast of bacon and eggs, half of our group headed down to the dock for a 6 am float plane trip to Shining Falls Lodge. Our aircraft was a Turbo Otter single engine, with seating for eight plus one up front with the pilot, Johnathon. 

It was a perfectly still morning, and our pilot so skillfull that we didn't feel either the take off or landing....a perfect transition from water to air and vice versa.  The air was fairly hazy so not a lot of photo opportunities enroute, and we arrived at Shining Falls Lodge in about 30 minutes.  

Shining Falls Lodge is located on an island in Family Lake, just upstream from the Shining Falls, which I guess makes sense. The lodge is owned by Ellen and Tobias, and Ellen is Marlene's brother's wife's niece.  So part of Marlene's extended family. 

Tobias, Ellen, plus sister Kelly and Mom Wendy were all there to greet us, and after unloading our gear and lodge supplies, the plane was loaded with garbage and returned to Bissett to collect the other half of our group. 

While we waited we settled into our cabins, assembled the fishing rods, and checked out the banana bread in the main lodge building.  It is a very quiet location, so probably no need for earplugs tonight. Being part of the first half of the group we were also able to see the second half arrive, an hour and a half later. 

After orientation to the lodge, we set off fishing around 9 am, in three boats. Our boat was not the number one boat for catching fish, but we had fun (and I caught a few Walleye). 

At lunchtime we headed back to the lodge for Walleye pizza, and then it was back out to catch more fish. Marlene caught her first keeper in the afternoon, and it was just under the maximum 18 inch length. Anything bigger has to be thrown back.

We had a great afternoon on the lake, fishing in a couple of spots, and we came away with enough fish for lunch tomorrow, plus some to take home. 

Before dinner, there was time for a quick dip in the lake (73 degrees F), and a much needed shower.  Dinner was bacon-wrapped Walleye as an appetizer, Mandarin salad, roast chicken drum sticks with rice and cabbage, and grilled angel food cake for desert. So we will not be losing any weight on this trip. 

A few of the keeners went out fishing again after dinner, but for us it will be an early night, to try and make up for for the last couple of short nights. 

All in all a great first day!!!

Bissett, Manitoba 2015-07-02

We were up at 4:30 this morning to travel to Bissett, Manitoba.  Where the heck is Bissett, Manitoba, you may ask, and why are you going there?  Good questions....

Bissett is the jumping off point for our family fishing expedition to Shining Falls Lodge. On the map below you will see Bissett on the East side of Manitoba at latitude 51 degrees North.  Shining Falls Lodge is on Family Lake, which is due north of Bissett, just below latitude 52 degrees North. 

Bissett is a very small town, which has a goldmine (literally) in town.  The mine is not active at the moment, but some of the locals are employed there doing maintenance operations.

We were met at Winnipeg airport by Marlene's sister in law, Beth, and we met up with the other two family vehicles enroute, transporting a total of 13 extended family members, and convoyed to Bissett.

After two flights and a 3 1/2 hour drive, Marlene was antsy and had to have a walk before dinner, so as soon as we checked into our overnight accommodations (the local B&B), we set off to explore the town.  One of the fancier buildings was Canada Post, which I guess must be open year-round, judging by the pile of firewood. 

Our B&B was basic, but we all got a bed, and a very enjoyable pork chop dinner. After dinner we were early to bed as we have to be at the town dock at 5:30 am for travel to Shining Falls Lodge.