For almost 20 years, Jim McCabe and Pat McConnell have been coming to Miminiska Lodge with several friends from their home town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Jim, Pat, and their friends Bob Wolf “Wolfie” & Ralph Schaetz landed their own twin engine Cessna 340 on our 2500 foot grass strip amidst the bright sunshine and clear skies. Shortly after unpacking, the group was off to enjoy the bounty of the natural walleye fishery carrying all the fixings for a daily shore lunch.

As the McCabe party soon discovered, fishing in July is a bit different as the walleye hide amongst the deeper reefs and shoals found in Miminiska Lake. However, the search for the perfect spot is well worth it. The average walleye at Miminiska has grown from 15-17″ to 20-23″ in just a few years making for some great fishing. Exploring their favourite spots, trolling with blue or yellow jointed Rapalas, and stopping to jig for a bit proved to be a very successful pattern for Jim and his friends.

Back at the lodge, we were all in for a treat when Ralph (a butcher) and Wolfie (a visiting chef ) took over filleting the fish and cooking up a feast for a dinner and brunch that was second to none. Though no master anglers were recorded on their trip, these fellows enjoyed themselves immensely and were truly “master guests”. We look forward to seeing them again next year.