We have been up at the lodge nearly two weeks now.  While our first guests are still a week and a half away, we have been hard at work. Renovations have been moving quickly here at Aikens, and guests will see a whole new look at the lodge this summer.  Last fall, we completed exterior renovations, including our signature green tin roofs, on all of the buildings near the lodge (Master Angler’s Row, Park Place, Orion).  This spring, we continued the exterior renovations at the lodge, and are currently building a larger cooking porch for our BBQ and smoker.  Can’t wait for those great steaks and ribs once the porch is ready!

We also rebuilt the permanent section of our guide dock.  The floating section remains the same, but now the permanent section is as sturdy as they come.  We are also building new floating sections for our main dock where we house the evening fishing boats.  Much sturdier than its predecessor, the new floating section will be around for a long time!

After going through a huge heat wave last summer of 90-100 degree weather for over two weeks, we have addressed that issue as well.  New heat pumps/air conditioners are being installed in the Park Place and Master Angler’s Row cabins.  All our guest cabins now boast air conditioning and temperature control no matter what Mother Nature sends our way.   A large heat pump/AC is also being installed at the lodge so that we can make sure that the dining room and Big Molly’s Bar remain as cool as the beer that is on tap there!

All that said, the biggest change our guests will notice will be in Master Angler’s Row.  Master Angler’s Row is a large guest cabin that features 4 individual suites.  Last fall, the exterior and roof were completed including new windows and doors.  This spring, the work continues.  After completely gutting the entire building and removing 4 different flooring layers, the rebuild is well under way.  On top of the new AC units previously mentioned, a new pine finish is being installed in all the units.  We have expanded the washrooms to include a large tiled shower to replace the smaller ones that used to be in there.   New functional beds have been built and will be able to accommodate two single fishermen in two single beds, or can be converted into a king bed for couples.  Thicker walls ensure that each 2-person suite is comfortable and quiet.  The new Master Angler’s Row experience is just another example of why Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge is considered one of the top fly-in destinations in all of Canada!

For those of you yearning for more info, we have been updating our Facebook page daily with pictures of the renovations, and a few fish when we have the time to go out and catch some!  For those daily updates, check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/aikenslake

To all out booked guests for summer 2012,

Are you excited yet?  Thank you once again for booking with Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge.  The snow has all melted in Winnipeg and we are getting geared up for another great season at the lodge.  We are going to be heading up to the lodge for the first time this season next week!  We are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to host you again this summer.  Before we head up, we just wanted to touch base and send out a little e-blast update. 

We will have just over 3 weeks to get everything ready for the arrival of our first guests on May 26^th.  If you haven’t heard, we completely renovated the exteriors of Master Angler’s Row and the Main Lodge last fall.  This spring, we will continue with the renovations as we are gutting and refinishing all 4 units inside of Master Angler’s Row.  They will now feature 2 single beds (or 1 king bed), vaulted ceilings, and will feature our signature pine finish everywhere .  Larger showers and new bathrooms will also be a highlight.  If time allows, we will also tackle the washrooms in the Park Place cabins as well.  Lastly, we will be rebuilding the permanent part of our guide dock.  The low water last fall allowed us to address the decaying cribs and it will be rebuilt to the same standards as our main dock and the GGO dock.  We are aiming to have all those projects completed by the time our first guests arrive.

It appears that it will be an early spring with very low water.  We ended off last fall with extremely low water and had a below-average snow fall over the winter, so we are expecting to arrive at the lodge to see low water.  This is especially good for the fishing this summer as the baitfish spawn will be poor, meaning less available forage and an even higher percentage of fish biting on our lures and baits this summer!  We are really looking forward to seeing what the lake has in store for our lucky fishermen this year.

What you can expect before your trip: Approximately 30 days prior to your arrival, Julie (julie@aikenslake.com) and/or Janelle (janelle@aikenslake.com) will be contacting you to finalize a few things, including your flight arrangements, any final payments, premium wine & cigar lists, and preference sheets.   We pride ourselves on providing memorable customer service so don’t be shy with your preferences as we will do our best to cater!

In order to get help you even more excited about the trip, if that’s even possible, please keep an eye on all our online updates.  We will update news stories on our newsletter weekly (www.aikenslake.com/newsletter)  We will post a lot of pictures of great catches, lodge renovations, and beautiful scenery on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/aikenslake).  We have acquired a few new GoPro cameras so hopefully we can update our videos on YouTube with some more Master Angler catches (www.youtube.com/aikenslakelodge)  Also, you can follow our twitter feed Aikens: @aikenslake or Patrick: @aikensguy  All the links are also below.  Feel free to share this information with the others in your group so they can stay up to date as well. 

As always, we are very diligent with email communication during the summer.  Our phone lines are forwarded up to our main office at Aikens Lake as well – although it is over satellite internet and so the connection can be bad at times.  It is good 90% of the time, but bad weather can make things trickier on the phone.  If you hear dead air on the phone, hang on a few seconds and our voices should come back. 

We are looking forward to greeting you on the dock this summer!  Please don’t hesitate to call/email us anytime before your trip with questions or updates.  We’ll see you soon!  Cheers,

Pit Turenne | General Manager, Partner

Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge

800-565-2595 or 204-237-5253

Gathering supplies, parking the sportshow train, hiring the newest staff members, oiling the reels, booking the gaps in the schedule… The Aikens Machine is rolling at full steam! Oh yes, this is definitely April. No snow in Winnipeg, steady temps in the 50s to 70s, all signs point to an early spring and that bodes well for us. Warm springs bring a smooth and fruitful spawn on Aikens. Steady water temps will be established early, allowing the guides to immediately dial into their tried and true patterns.

The lodge reserves our 2012 guests a few surprises. But to hear about them, you’ll have to stay in touch with our newsletter as we’ll be posting here and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts at a more frequent pace as the season progresses.

As for those of you that haven’t finalized your 2012 fishing season plans, give us a call (1800-565-2595) and let us help you craft a vacation you’re surely going to enjoy!

Winnipeg has been enjoying an all-time record breaking heat wave for the month of March! Temps in the high seventies have melted snow and ice, exposing lawns, rivers and lakes. In fact, reports of some folks launching their rigs at the boat ramps have ratcheted our preparations for the season into high gear! No reports from up North however, but an early spring is underway and we’re very excited to see what this season brings.

It looks like 2012 will be another busy year. We have many groups lined up for their fishing trips. However, we still have some vacancies left for those that have waited till now to start planning.

This is the home stretch folks. Enjoy the weather and sweet dreams of Walleye and Pike!

Managing a ten full-time guide crew is no easy task. Those late teen and twenty-something year olds have a lot of energy, drive and desire. It takes character, grit and resolve to lead them. That is what the team hopes to see in its Head Guide. Well, seek and ye shall find.

It is with much cheer and pride that we introduce to you our newly minted Head Guide for the 2012 season, Éric Toupin-Selinger! Éric has been affiliated with Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge since 2006. Learning the ins and outs of the fishing game, Eric quickly identified himself as a sharp, charming and efficient guide on and off the water. But don’t let Eric’s zest and zeal for fishing fool you, Eric is also an impressive conversationalist. He is a veritable wealth of knowledge on many complex subjects of global impact. Trust us, pick his brain then sit back and get educated.

Having spent the last five seasons combing the depths and mastering the shores of Aikens Lake, he is more than ready this new challenge. Walleye, Pike and Lake trout beware! Eric and our intrepid guide crew will wow you with their experience, technique and attitude. Eric is well-deserving of this position and has the respect and support of all the Aikens team.  Congratulations Éric! We look forward to seeing you on the water this spring.

As we bid adieu to another winter, we’d also be amiss to not recognize the farewell owed to a great friend and colleague of the lodge. In 2011 we had the the honor of having Christian “Kik” Dupont exemplifying what it takes to be the best of what the “Aikens Experience” has to offer. His seven year career on Aikens comes with a long list of accolades and some truly monster catches. Kik will be missed at the lodge, but we’ll surely see him on the lake when the team calls out for his help. Kik is partnering up this summer with former Aikens staffers Daniel “DG” Garand and André “Fonzy” Fontaine. Their carpentry company FGBuilders will surely benefit from Kik’s tireless effort. Thank you for all your great and hard work. Good luck buddy in your newest venture!

All this talk of next season… Wow, the fishing bug is rearing its head. March Madness, for us, is more about watching snow melt and hearing the buzzer chime the start of spring!

Good news! The nomination documents, fourteen volumes in total, for the proposed UNESCO World Heritage site for the East side of Lake Winnipeg (Pimachiowin Aki) has now been completed and signed off by the  government of Canada, the two Provincial governments (Manitoba and Ontario) and by the five First Nations communities who’s traditional territories make up the bulk of he proposed UNESCO World Heritage site on the East side of Lake Winnipeg.

Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge is situated in the south western corner of this huge protected expanse. We have been deemed as a gateway for consumers and enthusiasts to experience and interact with the park, its wilderness and its resources.  In 2011, we hosted a large contingent of environmental experts, as well as political and First Nation representatives for a tour of the proposed site. It was recognized that Aikens Lake is an excellent example of stewardship and economic benefit through wilderness-based tourism products. All that remains for the UNESCO bid is to receive the final approval from head office in Paris. The site is named Pimachiowin Aki which translates to: “The Land That Gives Life”. This section of Canadian Shield (Precambrian Shield) is one of the oldest geomasses on Earth and is the cornerstone of the North American continent. Its untouched trees, rivers and lakes are truly a site to behold and offer innumerable ecological benefits to all walks of life.

This review process will take about 13 to 15 months to complete and if the nomination documents meet the standards required under the UNESCO World Heritage Site Convention then this proposed UNESCO World Heritage site on the East side of Lake Winnipeg should receive approval and designation.

This will be the first site in Canada, if approved, to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its cultural and natural outstanding universal values.

Aikens is very proud to have a hand in this great endeavor. There is much prestige attributed to these amazing sites worldwide. This Unesco distinction also assures us that the majestic beauty that we’ve been so fortunate to share with our guests will remain just as spectacular for ages to come.

For a more in-depth look into the Pimachiowin Aki project, please visit: www.pimachiowinaki.org

Thirty Aikens skaters. That’s right, thirty of them. Two teams faced off for fun in the St.Malo arena. Dark jerseys vs. Lights. With such a mixed bag of skill sets, the guys and girls on both sides gave it their all. In the end the Light jerseys took the best of three mini games. It ended two games to one after a vigorous 90 minutes session on the ice.  The tired skaters were more relieved than thrilled when that final goal went in!

Various family members and loved ones came out to watch the spectacle. Amidst the dipsy-doodling, toe-drags and top cheddar, tons of laughs were shared. The happy smiles on the team picture do not lie! Looking forward till the next game!

Fishing is an experience best shared with others. Friends, family and colleagues all bond in a very special way when their lines are in the water. Discovering new techniques and fishing grounds adds to the enjoyment. That is why Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge continues to show its presence at the various outdoor trade shows held all over North America. These events showcase all aspects of the outdoor industry and offer a unique opportunity for outdoors people to discover the many products and adventures available to them. No surprise our one-of-a-kind ”Aikens Experience” is one of the many attractions at these events.

Here is the schedule for all of our sportshow destinations:

Jan. 5-8th : Denver International Sportsmen’s Expo (Patrick and Pit)

Jan. 12-15: Chicago All-Canada Show (Patrick and Pit)

Jan. 19-22: Kansas City Sportshow (Gerry and Lorraine)

Jan. 16-22: Barrett Jackson Scottsdale (Chris and Jeff)

Feb. 2-4: Las Vegas International Sportsmen’s Expo (Patrick, Pit, Janelle and Julie)

Feb. 23-26: Phoenix International Sportsmen’s Expo (Pit and Julie)

March 14-18: Toronto Sportsman’s Show (Patrick and Pit)

March 28- April 1: Northwest Sportshow - Minneapolis (Pit, Julie, Janelle and Patrick)

We are excited to visit these cities and hope to meet plenty of folks interested in discovering one of Manitoba’s crown jewels! If we are coming to your town or someone you know, we’d love to offer you COMPLEMENTARY PASSES to the show. Please don’t hesitate to take us up on the offer; the only charge: stop by the booth and say hi! For tickets or any other request please contact us by email fishing@aikenslake.com  or call toll-free 1-800-565-2595. We look forward to seeing you at the show!

As it is every year, when that Yuletide cheer comes around, Aikens staffers, volunteers and alumni converge at the Turenne’s for a great big shindig! At peak time, there were over 50 people in the standing room only event. Julie and Janelle prepared a delicious meal and when everyone’s belly’s were full, we drew names for prizes. The generous gifts were a small token of appreciation to our diligent team which have made of us a lodge that is the envy of many in the industry. Our 5 separate nominations this year in various tourism award networks (from local to national) are a testament to our hard-working team’s excellence.

Laughs, dancing and non-stop smiles made for an evening filled with fun. Drinks were poured and many toasts were heard around the room. And to top it off, our partners during the summer season, ÔTours, provided all parties with a safe return home in their shuttle. Thanks!

On behalf of everyone in the Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge family, we wish you the very best in health and happiness during this Holiday season! Joyeux Noël!

In October 2011, the highly anticipated new terminal opened at Winnipeg’s James Richardson International Airport. This monstrous new building was a much-needed upgrade over the old facility. There is a modern and well-lit design with mostly glass walls to give you a bird’s eye view of the airport grounds, as well as a nice far-away view of downtown Winnipeg. The most noticeable upgrade our guests will appreciate is the expanded presence of restaurants and shops in the airport … especially for international departures. There are now over a dozen restaurants in the airport, including T.G.I.Fridays, Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, and Fuel Bar, among many others. When you arrive in Winnipeg, there is a convenient liquor mart located just past baggage pickup. You won’t have to stop on the way to Silver Falls if you want to pick up that special bottle … although with our Platinum Plan most people no longer need to do this anyway. 

The new airport is a bit more “self-serve,” meaning that a small adjustment period will be needed to check-in at the airport. However, with 32 kiosks where you can check yourself in and print your boarding passes and bag tags, the process is lightning fast. For our American guests, you will still clear customs in Winnipeg before boarding your flights home. You will even check your bags in before meeting the customs agent, and a state-of-the-art baggage system will bring your bag back up to the surface quickly if needed.  With this new terminal will come more routes and better aircraft. As of December 2011, our US connections all come through Denver and Chicago (United), or through Minneapolis (Delta).  The hope is that larger planes will replace the Regional Jets (RJ’s) for those United flights, and more connections will come into play (there is talk of NYC and LAX). 

Our preferred flight times to get to Aikens and home same day will remain the same; make sure to land before 2PM on the day of arrival to Winnipeg, and book a 1:30 p.m. or later flight on the day of departure. We look forward to hearing your comments about the new airport.  We believe it will greatly enhance your logistics and comfort coming to and from Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge.

3D video tour of the the airport

www.waa.ca