Spring came early to Northwestern Ontario this year. In fact, the ice melted so early, guys were out fishing Walleye in boats before the season closed on April 14th.  Was I ever jealous!  Just like 2011's driest summer in 50 years, this was the earliest spring in over 50 years.  An incredibly warm week for March break, pretty much wiped out the snow and made the ice unsafe.  The early melt resulted in low lake levels in May. Not until early June did we receive a couple weeks of wet weather that brought the lakes back up to average depths. The summer was great with just enough rain to keep the fire hazards low. There were two fires we talked about this year. One was started by a piece of forestry equipment about 3 km south of camp.  The other was started by a lightning strike, just east of Rosen Lake. Both were tackled immediately by fire crews and extinguished real quick. Doug and Nancy had the view of a lifetime.  While fishing Rosen Lake they were given a close up of a water bomber was using the lake to fill up and fight the nearby fire.  They were so close, they could see the pilots through the window.  Doug even commented after the umpteen fill-up "that if they keep going, they (Doug and Nancy) may not be able to get out the creek".   Our fall weather was cool and wet with both rain and snow.  We had a huge snowstorm in early October that saw 10 inches come down.  When we left camp, the lake was frozen and water levels were above average for this time of year.  It looked very enticing for some early season ice fishing!

 

 

Black Bear hunters had another great year. Hunters went 6/9 in harvesting bears. Every hunter saw at least one bear and a total of 30 bears were observed while hunting of which 5 were colour phase bears. For those of you who may not know what a colour phase bear is, it is a Black Bear whose genes make their fur a different colour than black.  We generally see dark chocolate and blonde bears in our woods.The largest bear taken over bait was a 340lbs and a bruiser weighing 380lbs was taken spot and stalk, with a bow and arrow! All the hunters gave rave reviews about the new ladder stands

A good first day.

we provided this year.  They really made our job easier and gave our hunters the opportunity to hunt their first day with minimal scent disturbance.  Jay had a special hunt he won't forget.  He had come up in the summer fishing with his brother and expressed interest in a hunt if we had an opening.  I gave him a call later in the year to fill a spot.  On Jay's second sit, he had taken a shot at a big boar.  It was late that night when he returned to camp.  The weather was cool so we decided to look the next day.  Jay had a bad feeling he had missed or shot low as the bear jumped when he released the arrow.  We searched for hours and didn't

Deb's fall favourite

find the animal.  Jay was really bummed and took the evening off.  The next morning, he headed out early back to his bait with full intentions of sitting all day.  About 20 minutes before legal shooting, a big boar came into the bait and he and Jay had a stare down.  All the while, Jay was trying to decide to reach for his bow or rifle, both hanging in the tree beside him.  When the bear turned to the bait, it gave Jay a chance to grab his gun.  He then wait for a clean shot.  This time the bear dropped a few feet from the bait.  When we hauled the bear back to camp, you could see where Jay's arrow had grazed the bear the day before.  While de-boning the meat, Jay found two different caliber bullets lodged in the bear's neck.  Goes to show persistence pays off and that was one tough bear.  Congratulations Jay.

  

Moose Hunting was challenging this year.  Our camp tags were used by archery hunters who struggled with the weather.  The wind played havoc throughout the hunt only giving our guys a couple of sits with good calling conditions.  Some beautiful animals were worked but none came within shooting range. With all

Timber Wolves visiting a bear hunter

our hunts being archery this year, Debbie and I were able to rifle hunt a bull tag our group of 4 obtained through the draw system. Finally on day 8, the last evening of our bull hunt (the tag was in my friend's name), we were rewarded when a bull came into my call. It sported a 38" rack.  A young bull with incredibly tender meat.  The hunt had its highs and lows when it came to challenges and in the end we saw some incredible wildlife which was a success on its own before harvesting a moose.  Ask me at a show or in camp to tell the tale.

 

Small Game hunting was excellent again this year. The early spring gave the Grouse a great time to lay their eggs and raise their broods. Plenty of limits harvested again this year. While we haven't had any Wolf hunters yet this fall, plenty have been sighted on bear baits and by moose hunters. (check out our wolf hunt special spring and fall!)

 

 

 

•  New solar exhaust fan, chairs, and larger stove at the outpost along with the trim painted.
• The addition of second boats on Narrow and Spot Lake portages worked out awesome along with the opening of Little Walleye Lake and access to Rowe Lake.
• Cabin 3 received a new metal roof and a new fridge.
• New picnic tables in camp and one for the outpost.
• Cabin 8 received new mattresses.
• The cabins received a fresh coat of stain and new solar lights were added to the boardwalks.
• The parking lot was expanded up by the shed for boat trailers and outpost parking.
• A new electric start 20hp was a big hit for only an extra $25 a week.
• The motor on Coreless Lake was upgraded to an 8hp Yamaha.

Work isn't accomplished without good help. Thank you Riley and Graham, a job well done!

Instructions
To make your bread bowls, start with a container of Pilsbury country style biscuits.  Our friends south of the border may need to substitute.  Roll them round with about a 5" diameter.  Flip over a muffin pan and cover the bottom of the cups with the number of bowls you would like to bake. Preheat oven to 375F and cook for 10 minutes or until brown.  Take them off the pan and let cool immediately.  Burnt buns are bad.
In a large skillet, (we Canadians like cast iron pans) melt some butter and saute your mushrooms until tender, stir in your flour and then the chicken broth.  Thicken it up and then stir in the cream, turkey and peas. (this is one time I will eat peas) Reduce heat and cook until it is nice and thick.  Add chilies, salt and pepper to season your creation.  Fill up your bowls and bazinga Sandwich a la dinde!

Bon appetite!

 

Construction of a new generator shed has begun. We have had a new generator at camp for most of the summer but decided to wait for the off season to complete the installation so there wouldn't be any power interruption.  We also have done or are hoping to - 

• Expanded the parking area for ice fishermen down at the turn off of South Bay Rd. - done 
• Fill was added to the wet area in front of cabins 6 & 7 doubling the area for outdoor activities. Possibly bikini volleyball? Lol. It will also reduce the standing water where mosquitoes breed. - done 
• Supplies for the new pavilion have been delivered and construction will begin in the spring.
• Construct a dock slip on the left hand side of the main dock, resulting in more dock space.  This one slip may lead to more. 
• Expand our WIFI to reach all the cabins.
• Create a Woman River Camp logo...(pressure's on Dan)    
• Purchase another Alumarine boat with 30hp electric start motor. 
• Debbie and I had a stalemate when it came to drilling a water well. Our #1 Pro is clean potable drinking water at the tap in your cabin. The #1 Con is it may have sulfur present resulting in water that smells like rotten eggs. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Decision by spring.
• And yes, Cabin 1 is still going to be standing. While it is a dream of ours to replace the cabin, there always seems to be other priorities taking its place.
• Today, we found out we have received permission to add a third boat to our Narrow lake portage! 

We enjoy improving the quality of our establishment and we are sure our guests do too. If you have an idea, tip, complaint, or compliment we are always open to suggestions. Don't be offended if we don't use your suggestion, but keep in mind your idea may lead to a different line of thinking and even greater results.

 

Come visit Debbie and Paul at the following shows:

 

The All Canada Shows in the following locations.

Jan. 4-6 - St. Louis, MO @ St.Charles Convention Centre in St. Charles

Jan. 7-9 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Fountains Banquet and Conference Center in Carmel

Jan. 10-13 - Chicago, IL @ Pheasant Run Resort, St.Charles

Jan. 14-16 - Madison, WI @ Marriot Madison West in Madison

Jan. 17-20 - Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee County Sports Complex in Franklin

Jan. 24-27 - Green Bay, WI @ Shopko Hall in Green Bay

Feb. 15-17 - Minneapolis, MN @ Earle Brown Heritage Center in Minneapolis

We are contemplating shows in Fargo, ND, Omaha, NE and going back to Cedar Falls, IA. and will send out a notice when we do. 

 

 

Woman River Camp prides itself on offering our guests a reasonable rate for an exceptional trip with lots of added value.  We've never had a set minimum number of people per cabin like some other outfitters.  I admit, I cringe when we book a group of 2 in an 8 person cabin, but that's the way it goes.  Our camp sleeps over 50 guests, we only like to average 30.  Yes, it is a business but more importantly to us, it is our way of life.  We have great fishing, hunting and an all around awesome outdoor experience for the young and old.  Sure there are times when the bite is tough or the game doesn't cooperate  but that is out of our control.  At Woman River Camp, we like to concentrate on what we can control.  Things like quality of our equipment, services and hospitality.   80% of our guests are repeat clientele which leads me to believe, people really like Woman River Camp.  We enjoy being a small family run camp and we hope you will come enjoy camp with us.   

 

Reserve your trip to Woman River Camp with the proper deposit before Dec. 31, 2012 and receive 2012 rates. You can view our 2013 package rates online soon.    

• Loyalty Discount- 5% off for any guest who has stayed with us at Woman River Camp in the past two years!
• Save 15% for early season Pike and Lake Trout!
• Save 10% for September Fishermen!
• Save 5% when staying consecutive weeks!
• Save 10% group discount!

Earn a 5% discount with a referral of a group of 2 minimum based on their package price.

 

Book now so you won't miss out on your favourite week!  

 

 

Book your upgrades when you book your cabin.  Supplies are limited.   

 

 

 

We would like to offer our guests the opportunity again this year to mail up their HST Visitor Rebate cheques and use them towards their 2013 trip.  Please remember to endorse the cheque on the back with the proper information.  It will be to Paul Mossip, not Woman River Camp, this is just to save our accountant and I the nightmare of two currencies for one client.
The form can be downloaded online.  So can the guide to help you through it.  You have up to one year from the date on your invoice to submit it for the rebate.  Remember you are entitled to half of the taxes you paid on the packages only.  That is 6.5% not the 13% charged.  Remember when calculating your rebate to take the discounts in package prices into consideration.

With our new accountant, we are looking forward to greater things like giving the rebate back right at camp and even possibly accepting credit cards in camp.  Until then please be patient as our world in the north just doesn't spin as fast as major metropolitan areas.

 

Woman River Camp's Photo Contest is on again this fall.   Send in your 2012 photos and we will enter you in our random draw. 1st prize is a $500 gift certificate, 2nd prize is $250 gift certificate and 3rd prize is a $100 gift certificate. Those of you who gave us photos while in camp will automatically be entered. Entries must be received before December 31, 2012.  Keep those great photos coming in!

 

Other ways to win 

• Show prize at the All Canada Show in Indianapolis is a fishing trip for 2.
• New contest coming soon to Facebook.
• Donated a trip to the Safari Club International Northeast Wisconsin Chapter 

2011 winners -  

Photo contest - Matt Lawson ($500), Nancy Putenson ($250), & Jon Dales ($100).  

Facebook - Alex Schroeder (trip for 2)

All Canada Show - John Dickerson won the free trip for 2, we donated to the Indianapolis, All Canada Show.

Woman River Camp would like to offer you an incredible deal on our Timber Wolf hunt.
35% off our Fall 2012 hunt (Dates are between December 1-21st)
25% off our Spring 2013 hunt (February 23 - March 31st)
Space is limited.