The wonderful, beautiful summer just keeps rollin’ on in paradise. In previous issues of our Newsletter, we have talked about how the long  hot summer was spawning new and exciting ways for our guests to get the most out of customizing their  “Aikens Experience”.

                One huge asset of Aikens Lake is the array of magnificent golden beaches scattered all around its shoreline. In normal and low water years those beaches become denuded, exposing the fine sand that invite the swimmers, the tanners and the walkers. While walking along the beaches, especially after several years of high water, one’s mind can meander through various thoughts about who walked these shores hundreds or maybe thousands of years ago and what their life was like. Perhaps if they are attentive and very, very lucky, they will come upon a piece of the history, churned and regurgitated by the beach for centuries. Imagine the feeling of finding an artefact and being the first person in 1500 years to hold piece in your hands. The magic invariably carries you like a time traveller through history while getting a “real feel” for the original hunters and fishers of Aikens Lake.

                About two dozen artefacts found over the last two decades, have been itemized and studied by Dr. Virginia Petch, one of Manitoba’s foremost anthropologist. These items include several types of projectile points from tiny bird and mammal  arrowheads to large spear points. Also included are several tools such as  stone drills and knives and scrapers as well as bone awls and needles which give better clues in reconstructing the daily lives of early inhabitants.   Other items such as a fur trade axe, trade beads, and hollow stones used to hold fire sticks are also on exhibit at the Lodge.

A tiny arrowhead found a few weeks ago, at the very tip of the peninsula close to the Split Rock beacon, fired up the interests of guests and staff alike as some staffers returned to the tip of the peninsula and found two more pieces including an amazing knife chipped out of a flat chert and shaped to perfectly sit in the human hand that used it. Shortly thereafter, an impressed guest confessed to his life- long passion for “rock hunting” and asked if we could “guide” him on such a mission. We were anxious to help him fulfill his own version of the “Aikens Lake Experience” and took him to a long beach in the Cookie Jar. The results were instantly gratifying as he found a perfectly preserved medium sized arrowhead as well a beautiful quartz hide scrapper, also perfectly shaped to fit the user’s hand.

                Manitoba law states that all artefacts found on public lands are the property of the Crown and cannot be removed from the area they are found. That law has enabled our staff as well as our guests  to contribute significant pieces to the puzzle of human history and join the dots in the daily lives of the original inhabitants of Aikens Lake.  We are totally thrilled to have amazing new artefacts (more to come, we hope) to bring to Dr. Petch and her colleagues. The findings will help to further unravel some of the mysteries and shed more light on the history that helps define our environment.

For the past several years, Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge has been a proud partner in Cabela’s “World’s Foremost Outfitters” program.  Having been accepted into the program brought instant credibility to the “Aikens Experience”.  We pride ourselves on giving our guests a great trip not only on the water, but off of it as well.  It’s all about customer service.  We were proud to have Cabela’s agree with us and give us their support.  To have the backing of such a large player in the industry such as Cabela’s is an incredible feather in the cap for any organization. It is an honor to host such an event.

The “Signature Event” series for Cabela’s is a relatively new and expanding format.  Essentially, these events are organized for, and can only be booked by, the top Cabela’s CLUB Visa card holders.  Cabela’s has always been a very loyal company, and these exclusive “Signature Events” is one of the ways that Cabela’s rewards its most loyal customers. Trips include hunting trips as well as an expanding fishing trip list.  The idea of including a “Canadian Fly-In Walleye Trip” was originally borne in the fall of 2010.  All of the 2011 Signature Events were rolled out in January of this year and the Aikens Lake trip was one of the first to sell out!

The trip united avid anglers from all over the US.  In fact, no pairings came from the same state and there was representation from all 4 corners of the US.  The group consisted of couples, father/son combos, and fishing buddies.  Despite the geographical differences, everyone shared a similar interest in the outdoors and the group gelled quickly.  Shorelunches were immediately filled with stories and laughter.  You would never have guessed that all these people didn’t know each other prior to this event!  During shorelunches, fishing pro Richie Boggs and professional guide Todd Andrist gave fishing seminars to all the participants.  Some already had a vast knowledge of walleye fishing as they had fished tournaments in the Midwest.  Other people were completely new to not only walleye fishing, but fishing in general!  The seminars focused on jig fishing to start, and on the 2nd day the topics broadened into spinner-rigging and trolling.

The walleye fishing was fantastic during the trip.  All the mid-summer reefs were hot and fish of all sizes were being reeled in.  Jigging was the main technique, although bottom-bouncing and some deep trolling also worked very well.  Lots of Century Club days were achieved, as well as several Master Anglers.  The largest walleye of the group was a 28-1/2″.  Jeremiah caught the biggest pike of the trip with a 40″ pike that took a gold spoon trolled along South Shore.  Just about everyone caught the biggest walleye of their lives on this trip!

The four night trip was very special.  It was interesting to note that it was the first time for each of the participants to go to a Canadian fly-in lodge.  The experience of touching down on the water in a float plane was special for everyone.  The calmness and serenity of the boreal forest was a literal breath of fresh air.  To a man (and woman!), this trip was a complete success.  We would like to thank Cabela’s for allowing us to introduce our little piece of the world to such a great group of enthusiasts!  The 2012 Signature Event is being planned as we speak.  If you are part of the Cabela’s CLUB, don’t delay when that pamphlet hits your mailbox this winter because it is sure to sell out even faster next year!

For the past four seasons we’ve been putting a lot of sweat into renovating our prized Great Gray Owl Wilderness Camp. A new dock was constructed, completed with a new floating section which was welded and installed. A new deck was milled, built and finished. The roof was re-insulated and resealed. Radio communication was installed for direct contact to the lodge. A walk-in shower and an energy efficient ice machine were also added to increase our guests comfort and enjoyment.

Recently, the guides (with Marcel and Patrick’s help) have been hard at work at GGO during their time off the water. Tackling a big project, they set off on a big push to completely refinish the exterior of the cabin. The 4000 sq.ft. lodge has a whole lot of logs and boards for them to work on!

First, they applied a dirt-busting solvent by brush, then they pressure-washed the logs and walls to lift the heavy grit and mold off the wood. Allthe while, equipped with a wire brush on a side grinder they attacked the heavier deposits in the corners. Then the boys applied a coat of bleach solution to really bring the logs back to their original white tone. They then removed all of the Oakum (used to seal gaps in between logs and in the saddles) and replaced it with foam rod. After that, the complete cabin (each log and crack in the wood) was sealed with a few hundred pounds of chinking (a tan caulking designed for sealing log structures). Finally, a golden stain and two coats of clear sealant really bring out the finish on this grandiose structure.

We are very proud of this unique and impressive building. Our efforts to showcase it will surely translate into positive feedback from you, our distinguished guests.

 Another job well done guys!

The expression “Dog Days of Summer” has been around for millenniums and has been modified in North America to become the “Dog Days of July”. It means the weather is HOT during the day and the fishing is HOT during the morning and evening periods when the summer sun hits the water at more indirect angles.  We have been mired in a hot streak that has extended the last week and a half.  The water temp is now in the mid-70’s, with some areas hitting a blistering 80 degrees!  As you all know, our guides are very accommodating and are usually willing to alter the fishing schedule during these “dog days”.  Most of our guests in the past week have wanted to fish during the morning, have shorelunch on the lake, then relax during those hot afternoons, and finally return to the lake with the guides after dinner for the evening bite.  Might as well take advantage of those peak fishing times, while relaxing when the sun is at its peak.  

This year, we are blessed in that the beautiful golden sand beaches that grace many areas along the shoreline including the entire lake front at the Lodge are fully exposed, expansive and very clean and inviting. It also means it’s “Beach and Swim Time” at Aikens Lake - especially when that thermostat is reading over 90 degrees!  So bring your bathing suits and beach towels, your favorite sun block and sun glasses, perhaps a cold beer and a good book as you may want to fully enjoy one of Aikens Lake’s greatest natural features. Nothing can be more refreshing than resting those tired arms from a good morning of fishing than by swimming in Aikens Lake on a “Dog Day Afternoon”.

A quick update to set your thoughts onto huge fish, screaming drag, farmer tans, empty bait tubs and busy nets. A three week (so far) heat wave has settled on Aikens Lake. Temperatures in the low 80s to high 90s are warming our lake at a rapid rate. Also, normal levels of precipitation this year have sent the water line downward to levels not seen very often during the past 5 years. Lake structures which were in the last few seasons two to four feet deeper are now in their traditional “Strike Zone”. Hot constant weather has also made for a steady thermocline (which now sits at around 21 feet and dropping). Our big walleyes are schooling up and gravitating to this oxygen and bait rich band of water throughout the lake. Ask your guide. He’ll demonstrate to you the precision vertical jigging techniques that Aikens is best known for.

Another huge benefit of lower water is that Aikens Lake’s beautiful golden sand beaches are now draped across the whole peninsula. So, enjoy an ice cold cocktail while soaking yourself in the clear and cool beach water after a hot day of hot fishing on Aikens!

The forecast is calling for more sunshine and lollipops. Stay tuned to see what events transpire on and off the water as this summer goes forward.  We can’t wait to see what the next big catch will be!

We are very pleased and proud to announce the successful completion of university degrees for two of our Aikens staffers. Janelle Trudel and Mathieu Labossière each received their diplomas after years of hard work. Janelle graduated with honors from the faculty of Arts. Mathieu finished his degree (also with honors) in sciences. He will look to pursue his studies out East with the eventual goal to become a doctor of medicine. Janelle will set aside the study books to pursue her newest venture, a full-time position with the lodge.

Our two graduates  looked very proud wearing their mortar boards and  holding their parchments. Also, Mathieu was recognized by the University’s alumni and won a medal for his academic achievements and the betterment of students’ school lives. Aikens has often been a spring board for students moving into their professional lives. We are happy to celebrate your great accomplishments.  Bravo to both of you and school’s out for the summer!

Those of you that have been to Aikens have had the pleasure of meeting and laughing with Pat.  Pat began his career at Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge over a decade ago.  As Pat celebrates his 30th birthday today, we would like to take you all back through his career at Aikens Lake and pay homage to a man that has been able to carve his own path wherever he’s been…

Pat’s Aikens career began auspiciously in the year 2000.  Having recently graduated high school with Gerry’s daughter Andrina, Pat found work at Aikens as a dockhand with a few of his friends.  That season was cut short due to lack of work, and at times a lack of work ethic.  The lowpoint could have been when Pat was caught snoozing in the woodshed… he was sawing the wrong kind of logs!  However, Gerry and Lorraine saw enough promise in Pat to give him a second chance in 2001 and this time he came in with a renewed energy and was ready to tackle any job thrown his way.  He started learning how to fish Aikens Lake and quickly started charging up the guide ranks in the years that followed.  By 2004 he was named head guide.

His tenure at head guide lasted 5 years - the longest tenured head guide in Aikens history.  During that time, he revolutionized the personal service aspect of guiding.  His attention to detail to ensure that all guests had an incredible experience is second to none.  As part of this attention to detail, he introduced Aikens to the “fish towel” - an idea that is now standard practice for all our guides.  This small example of customer service by simply providing them with a towel to wipe their hands after handling fish and bait epitomizes how thorough Pat is when dealing with customers.

On the water, Pat was also in a league of his own in terms of fishing knowledge and talent.  Consistently putting his guests onto big fish, Pat was always the first one to find new bites.  In the springtime, he took bottom-bouncing to new levels on Aikens.  Trucking through the Back Bay with spinners and crawlers, he was able to teach an entire generation of guides that followed him at Aikens the right techniques to coax big walleye on the spinner.   As spring continued on, you could bet that he would be out there in mid-June starting to troll around the Saddle waiting for those trophy walleye to saunter out of the currents of the Gammon River and the shallows of the bays and into the main body of water.  He took pride in finding that first trophy walleye on the Saddle every year - it is still his favorite spot on Aikens Lake to fish.  There were several years where Pat and his guests would account for nearly half of the Master Anglers we recorded on Aikens.  Despite having hung up the fulltime guiding gloves, he was able to find last year’s biggest walleye (31″) for one special guest, and is in a tie for this year’s biggest with a 30.5″.  Although he doesn’t patrol the waters of Aikens Lake as often as he did in the past, he hasn’t lost his touch when the opportunity presents itself to spend a day on the lake!

Up to 2007, Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge had only ever had 2 fulltime, year-round employees.  Pat vowed to change that too, and made it clear that he wanted to turn his guiding success into a full-time career!  So, a decision was made by the Jensen/Turenne partnership to hire Patrick full time starting in the fall of 2007.  Although we didn’t know quite what role would come of it, we knew that Pat would be a success at it!  It was a new and exciting challenge for Pat.  Despite the fact he had never been schooled in sales per se, he approached it with the same tenacity with which he dominated the lake when guiding.   He started attending most of the sportshows and represents Aikens with class every time.  Several books and a sprinkling of mentoring from Pit and Gerry was all it took for Pat to create his own unique personal style of selling.  At Aikens, we sell the “Aikens Experience” - a first class experience at a pristine wilderness lodge.  Pat epitomizes that “Aikens Experience” in everything he does.

During the summers, Pat now plays a dual role.  With Janelle, they are the happy hosts at GGO.  On top of that, Pat plays an integral role in the management of the guides and laborers.  His work ethic is untouchable and he is a hands-on boss that demands a high degree of effort.  At the same time, he understands personalities better than anyone and is able to play mentor and sounding board for many of our young guides and workers who are just learning the ropes.  He leads by example because he has been through it all himself and can easily empathize with the crew here at Aikens.  He is an integral cog in the Aikens machine both in his summer management role and winter sales role.

Pat’s Aikens story is also of a fairytale variety… it was here that he met his bride Janelle!  After several years of dating, they got married in April of 2010.  Their wedding had a definite “Aikens flair” to it as they had named all of their tables after fishing spots on Aikens Lake!  Pat & Janelle now have a new puppy named Enzo that will patrol the shorelines of Aikens for a long time.  Janelle has also carved her own road and is also now working side-by-side with Patrick, Pit, and Julie in a fulltime role with the lodge.   Pat and Janelle are certainly role models for all young couples to aspire to!

So, on your 30th birthday, we want to salute you Patrick.  What you have been able to accomplish at Aikens has been truly remarkable.  As you have grown from a young teenager to an accomplished sales manager at Aikens, we have seen the lodge grow exponentially over that same time frame as well.  That is not a coincidence.  We hope that Aikens has been able to give you back even just a portion of what you have given the lodge.  We are lucky to have you on our side at Aikens Lake and look forward to continuing to work side-by-side with you and Janelle.  We are sure that Big Molly’s Bar will be a rocking place tonight as we help you celebrate 30 years.  Happy Birthday!

This past week, it was our distinct pleasure to host a sold-out crew of 32 people who were all here in support of the Westman Dreams for Kids charity.  The charity’s president is Kerry Campbell, and Ron Ball is the Vice-President.  Both were in attendance for the first ever WDK Aikens Lake fishing trip!  Ron spearheaded this event to raise money for the foundation, and a percentage from each trip was donated by the lodge back to the charity.

The 32 spots filled quickly once word started going around.  Most participants were from Brandon, MB - with a contingent also being from Winnipeg.  Although some of the people didn’t know each other when the trip started, everyone certainly knew each other by the end of it!  There were lots of jokes, stories, and laughs over the 3 days.  The trip to the lodge was highlighted by a two-day tournament in which all competitors teamed up in pairs.  With their guide, they were to measure their top 4 walleyes of the morning, with penalties given to those who arrived to the GGO dock past 12:00 noon.  Morning #1 of the tournament began as 16 boats lined up in front of the dock for a shotgun start!  Patrick and his guests Bruce and Jim had an advantage with his 75hp and got to the South Arm first where Bruce quickly reeled in a 26.5″ walleye, and followed it up with a 28.25″ Master Angler Walleye among others to vault into the day 1 lead.  Alex had a different play in mind, and decided to stay near the dock that morning with David and Geza while everyone else took off in a hurried race onto the lake!  Their plan paid off as they filled up on slot walleyes to stay within a few inches of the leaders after day 1.

The 2nd morning was a slower one on the lake.  Pat, Bruce, and Jim used their boat’s speed to go from one spot to the next, but in the end were not able to bring in a big enough score.  David and Geza were able to take over the lead when Alex brought them to some more secret spots and they won the competition by a full 5 inches.  The tournament’s biggest fish was caught by the organizer Ron Ball - a 29″ beauty in the South Arm.  The winners each received a spot for the 2012 Dreams trip to Aikens!  All in all, a very memorable event!

We would like to thank Ron Ball.  He is an man of unquestioned character who unselfishly gives back to his community through the WDK he helped establish.  Not only that, but he has the unique ability to bring 32 people together on a sold-out fishing adventure to further benefit the Dreams foundation!  All told, about $10K will be raised for WDK through this trip and others to Aikens Lake sold through the charity.  Thank you Ron for your vision in setting up this new fundraising event Aikens Lake.  You can’t have an annual event without having the inaugural, and the past three days accomplished just that!  We look forward to continuing our relationship with Westman Dreams for Kids for many years to come.

We hope that all fathers in our readership had a wonderful Father Day yesterday.

Father’s Day is a special time at the Lodge as many father/son and father/daughter trips are planned around the weekend. We tip our hats to all Fathers in the Aikens Family and try to make the ”Experience” memorable for those who are here to celebrate. Two of our Father/Son groups celebrated by adding their names to the Master Angler Registry.

Ed and his son Jay had not had the opportunity to fish Aikens Lake for the last 13 years as Jay’s schooling was the priority. With his PhD within reach, Jay jumped on the opportunity to return and celebrated it by catching two Masters, a 23” Whitefish on Saturday and he topped that on Father’s Day with a 42” Northern Pike. Ron and his son Ben are new guests who were sufficiently impressed by our presence on the Internet and our website to book their Fathers Day trip. They had a memorable trip, and Ron had a memorable moment on Father’s Day when he landed of a Master Red Sucker (19”). Gloria and husband Bryan were also here over the weekend and her 42.5” Northern Pike was the icing on the cake . The happy couple thoroughly enjoyed their trip and are now contemplating making their next visit to Aikens a full family affair with their daughters.  Friends Rui and Alan celebrated their first trip to Aikens Lake over the weekend by reeling in a 45″ pike on their first night here!

Today, we we said goodbye to many of these groups we simultaneously greeted six new father/son families for a week of fun and fishing at Aikens.  The Family Experience represents a long standing tradition here at Aikens Lake and one that our entire staff relishes. It is not only engrained in our history but also sits at the very top of our favorite accomplishments.   Aikens would like to send out a big thank you to all the fathers out there who bring their sons and daughters, and to the sons and daughters who later on in life bring their fathers up to Aikens Lake every season!   Happy Father’s Day everyone.

We’ve been too busy telling you about other things to let you know that the great fishing that’s “goin’on” here these last few days! Here is food for your eyes and fodder for your imagination.

The fishing overall this week has been as topsy turvey as the weather. Beautiful, warm and calm days mixed in with cooler, rainy, and windy days produced great numbers of walleye for incredible shorelunches and monsters for the record book in nearly all species present in Aikens Lake.

Renee caught the laker of her dreams with a 41”, Matt highlighted his first trip to Aikens with a  35.5” and Dave 38” took advantage of  30 hours of clear and calm weather to land huge Lakers that are often referred to as “ Sows” in contemporary lingo.

The last three days have been a mix of sun and cloud, showers and wind but some large Northerns showed their preference for the sunny periods with Ken Richmond 44.5”, Alexander MacKenzie 45.5” and Griffin Hewitt 41” luring the “Essox Lucious” or “Water Wolf” into the record books.

Big Whitefish often make their presence felt in the pre-solstice period. Thor @ 22.5” and Adam @ 22” caught their Masters while basking in the sun while Steve caught his 23″ on a cold and rainy day.

New guest Mike coaxed  a post spawn female out of the “ Fast Water” on a beautiful day to score a Master Angler Walleye.  It was a very golden walleye, as was yesterday’s thick 28″ river walleye.  Griffin also scored a 29″ on Banjo Reef so the walleyes are starting to venture out of the river and into the main body of the lake.  

The Camp is getting  busier by the day. All the guides are happy to be on the water every day now and anxious to put their guests on to the “Big Ones” while rounding out all the other aspects of the “Aikens Experience”.  We are virtually sold out for the next three weeks so it will be a very busy and fun time at Aikens!