CBMB Baby Bonanza: Fishing Trip 2016

This year's Canadian Fishing Trip will be remembered more for the accommodations than the fishing. Well, that's not completely true. Our two boats caught more "big" walleye (20" plus) than I can ever remember. Heck, I finally caught a walleye over 25" - a goal I have been chasing for 10 years. With all that said, the lodging defined this year's trip.

Cabin on Tug Channel - LOW.

Our group arrived Saturday afternoon at a cabin on the Tug Channel on the Lake of the Woods. No one was there to greet us or unlock the cabin. Annoyed, we didn't want to lose a day of fishing, so we decided to head out and check in later.

Several hours passed, and the cabin remained locked. No note was displayed or directions given. Nobody from the resort showed.

With nightfall quickly approaching, we could have traveled to the main lodge but it was an hour away and navigating these waters in the dark is dangerous.

Somehow, one of us found a way inside. From that moment, my trip dramatically changed. The cabin was SUPPOSED to have a TV, functioning appliances, running water, etc. None of it worked. Eventually, management sent technicians to fix the water, appliances, and other issues. But what was discovered next ruined my trip.

Mouse poop EVERYWHERE. TONS of it. Inside drawers, in the sink, on the counter, in beds...EVERYWHERE. So disgusting. I was uncomfortable, on edge, and didn't sleep that night.

Despite all that, I made the best of it. The scenery was beautiful, the food was great, and hanging out with the guys was so much fun.

In the second half of the trip, we moved camp to Redwing Lodge, the resort we stayed at last year. Unfortunately, this cabin didn't have enough beds, so I was assigned to the couch bed. At this point, I had enough. Tired, sunburned, and fed up, I didn't want to endure four more nights of this, so I threw in the towel. Jeremy was heading back to the cities, and there was my chance to get out of Dodge.

This brief taste of the 'olden days' puts into perspective what our forefathers endured and what we take for granted today. I have the utmost respect for those pioneers who lived on the prairie 100, 200, 300 years ago.

Jeremy shows us how to make and eat Walleye Ceviche. I did not participate in this!

A bear taking advantage of a berry patch. We saw this bear run and stand up.

Doesn't look like it, but this is the largest walleye of the trip. 28 incher.

The outside deck was an incredible place to hang out. Notice the garbage on the roof. With bear and raccoons in the area, the roof is the best method for disposing trash.