By Eric, Sue & Family

Dear Guests and fellow Anglers,

Happy New Year!

2010 is now in the history books . What a great summer we had from start to finish! With an extra early ice out, and balmy weather, we were able to get a head start on opening up the lodge.

As many of you know, it is not unusual for Esnagami Guides to be dusting snow off the boat seats for opening week. This spring, long underwear, toques and gloves were replaced with tshirts, shorts and sun block. Anglers were greeted by Pike & Walleye, eager to put on the feed bag….having already completed their spawning duties

By the end of the first week, lodge guests accumulated 70 Pike & Walleye entries into the now 22 year – running Trophy Catch & Release Program. We implemented this conservation, minded program in 1989 with a goal to maintain, if not enhance the Trophy Pike & Walleye fishing opportunities in Esnagami Lake. All 30”+ Pike and 24”+ Walleye, now totalling over 7,000, having been released back into the lake. Esnagami Anglers continue to enjoy the success of this “live release program” with the 2010 season producing record numbers of Trophy fish, as well as setting a NEW LAKE RECORD for big Pike.

First week guest & former guide, Brian Lambie had very productive results. Brian put up 20 trophy entries, with 2 being big Pike over 40”. Also “Milwaukee’s best”, Mike Wang’s group tallied over 30 Catch and Release entries. Several of the bigger Pike were caught using a fly rod, a method of fishing that is growing in popularity amongst Esnagami Anglers.

The success of this first week, seemed to set the tone for the rest of the season. The next few weeks saw guests catching a slew of big Pike and especially Trophy Walleyes. Ed Helble’s group of 3, son Nick and friend Jake Jakimow had a great week totalling 16 trophies. Nick’s 29” Walleye and Jake’s 28” & 29” Walleyes topped their tally. It was Rob Giardulli’s 30 ¼” Trophy Walleye that took top honours for the week, and as it turned out, for the season. This of course, means Rob will enjoy another free trip to Esnagami for having the biggest Walleye of 2010. Some of you may recognize Rob’s name for 2009 when he caught the Biggest Pike of that year at 46 ¼

Another trend that is becoming more apparent each season, is the growing number of women anglers that are claiming top spots on the trophy board. Anglers Yvonne Adrion, Tina Randall & Cathy Giles all cracked the top 10 with 40” Pike with Shelly Tighe placing 2nd with an awesome 45 ¾” fish. Susu Earick & Vicki Nelson also place in the top 10 of the Walleye division with a 28” and 2 over 27” respectively!

There were many great catches in every week of the season, too numerous to mention. For a report on the highlights for each week, please go to our website www.esnagami.com near the bottom of the cover page, click on the “already addicted to Esnagami” – online community button to bring you to the weekly stats. The top 10 leader board can also be found on the “trophy gallery” page of Esnagami’s web site.

Last summer we were fortunate to have both “The Wilderness Journal Outdoor Show” and “The New Fly Fisher Show” join us at the lodge to film some new TV episodes. Most of you already know Kyle & Tina Randall, hosts of “The Wilderness Journal” and 10 year veteran Esnagami Anglers. Kyle & Tina put together some impressive footage in both their spring and fall visits. Collectively, their crew had numerous trophy Catch & Release entries for both Walleye & Pike. Especially impressive was Kyle’s 40” + Pike caught in the spring which tipped the scales at over 25 lbs. Worth noting as well, was the abovementioned 40” pike Tina caught during their fall trip. For programming schedules for those 2 shows as well as others, go to www.wildernssjournal.com.

We also welcomed Colin McKeown, host of “The New Fly Fisher Show” up to the lodge. Fly Fishing at Esnagami is indeed becoming more popular and several of the biggest Pike of the season were taken on a fly rod. Colin certainly demonstrated that this technique works by landing several Trophy Pike. One in particular, a 41” beauty caught in Three Rivers, made for an exciting afternoon of fishing. Please go to www.thenewflyfisher.com to check out when the lodge’s episodes will be aired in your area.

As the weeks progressed, it became apparent that we were on track to eclipse 2009’s record number of trophy entries. By season’s end, lodge guests had indeed achieved that. 2010’s final tally of 787 30” + Pike and 24” + Walleye surpassed 2009’s total of 726. WOW!!!!!! As impressive as this was, it was another milestone achieved that was the highlight of the summer. Late in August, first time guest Roger Thurow, struck Esnagami Gold!! Roger coolly and calmly battled a giant Pike to the cradle … and Esnagami’s Record Books stretching the tape to 48”!!!! Roger’s Pike sets the new standard for top honours on the lake. Congratulations to Roger, and a nod to Guide Mark Gryszczuk, for successfully landing and releasing such a tremendous fish!! Mr. Thurow will be able to retell his fish tale on his free trip back to Esnagami Lodge for catching the biggest Pike of the summer!!

Congratulations also goes out to the 4 winners of a free trip in our annual Catch & Release contest draw.

1. Art Martin, 24 ½” Walleye
2. Matt Vara, 32” Pike
3. Yvonne Adrion, 40” Pike
4. Dan Elgar, 34” Pike

2010 was indeed a great summer and Sue and I would like to extend a special Thank you to all that joined us. We hope to see you in 2011.
Sincerely, Eric, Sue & family

Pictures of the Top Ten Pike & Walleye as well as listings of all of the catch and released trophy fish of the summer can be seen on the Trophy Gallery page of our web site: www.esnagami.com. Also check out the “MyEsnagami” link new this year on our main web page, to get the week-by-week reports during our “2010″ season. Feel free to join the “Esnagami Trophy Club” on-line community for past and present lodge guests.

2011 SPORTSHOW SCHEDULE

Ultimate Fishing Show
Location	Novi, MI. at the Rock Financial Showplace
Date	Jan 13th – 16th, 2011
Huntin’ Time Expo
Location	Grand Rapids, MI. at Delta Plex Arena
Date	Jan 28th – 30th, 2011
The Spring Fishing Show
Location	Toronto, ON. at the International Centre
Date	Feb 18th – 21st, 2011
Midwest Fly Fishing Expo
Location	Warren, MI. at the Macomb Community Sports & Expo Center
Date	March 12th & 13th, 2011