2013 Esnagami Times

We hope this news letter finds you all enjoying the Christmas season with family and friends.

It has now been a couple of months since we wrapped up another excellent season at Esnagami Lodge. 2013 marked a mile stone of sorts as it was our 25th year of operating this wonderful lodge. We could probably fill the pages of a full length novel with all of the memories from those years … Entertaining versions of the “one that got away” could certainly fill a couple of chapters. Wildlife encounters would fill another. We would have to dedicate a few chapters to crazy guest antics as well as some staff “performances.” Some of which would be excellent material for shows like Saturday Night Live or even Jass@#*. We certainly hope most chapters would contain memories of great fishing stories and good times spent with friends and family. We feel very lucky to work at such an awesome lodge that provides the opportunity for all of these experiences to take place.

2013 FISHING TRENDS

Each new season brings a set of unique circumstances that defines it from the others. 2013 will be remembered as one of the best summers of Walleye fishing we have ever experienced. 2nd in all time with the total number of trophy Catch and Release Pike and Walleye at 780!! Although big Pike have out numbered Walleye over the previous few years, trophy Walleye numbers were neck in neck with Pike in 2013. You can see in the Top 10 leader board that Walleye were dominant in almost every length category. A later ice out, higher water levels, and cooler water temps kept the Walleye concentrated on structure all season long. Although most groups entered qualifying Walleye in each week of the season, there were a few that put up impressive numbers. Some of which were: The “Willis” family – Bob Sr. , Betsy, Bob Jr., and Hunter had 21 entries, the “Jurgens” group with 30 entries several in the 28 – 29” range. The “Davison” party annual contributors of the trophy Catch and Release Program with 31 entries, also including a couple of big Pike 39-41 inches. Most notable were the tallies registered by Harold Ball’s party of 4, Harold, Al Haniford, Ken Gold and Barry Gold. Collectively these 4 anglers caught and released 47 trophies, with the majority being BIG Walleye. In fact, Ken Gold tied for the biggest Walleye of 2013 with a huge 30” Trophy. Greg Compton also landed a 30” Walleye. Together Ken and Greg will share the prize for catching the biggest Walleye, which is a one week free trip back to Esnagami. Congrats to both Ken and Greg!!

As usual, we also saw some impressive fish in the big Pike category. The last few seasons have produced Pike that are inching their way closer to the magical 50” plateau. 2013 had close to 400 Pike caught and released in the 30” to 47” range. Some of the top producers were: Joe McGinley, Tom Lutz and Michael Giardulli with 43” fish, Cleve Buker and Michael Giardulli with 44” fish, Val Bernardi with a beauty 46 ¼” entry, Michael Giardulli (see trend!) 46 ½”.

Interestingly: the 2 largest Pike of the summer were both 47”!!!! That is because both Mike Foulser and Jon Strole Sr. caught and released the SAME TROPHY PIKE – 1 month apart at 2 different weed beds separated by 2 miles. This occurrence has been documented before at Esnagami. A true testament that Catch and Release really does work. Mike and Jon will also split the value of a free week’s trip as prize for their 2 largest trophy Pike.

BROOK TROUT – NEW CATEGORY

After several years of feed back from our trout fishing aficionados, we decided to add Esnagami’s bountiful Brook Trout to the Catch and Release program. Minimum entry was set at 18” to qualify and an impressive total of 36 fish were entered this season. Seven of these trophy Brook Trout were 20” or better that 4 anglers shared between them, with the biggest stretching the tape from 21” to 21 ¼”. These are HUGE Brookies in the 5 – 6 lb. range. These anglers were Jim Gasparotto, Dick Michael, with a 21” Trout, Dave Bell with a 21 ¼” Trout and John Ames with a 20 ¾” trophy – which was one of 8 over 18” John caught and released on his River Trip. All qualifiers in this category, received a trophy t-shirt and the biggest in each week received an Esnagami custom made fly box.

CATCH & RELEASE CONTEST:

Usually we draw 4 other names each season from the remaining Catch and Release entries, for a free trip back to the lodge. As this was our 25th Season, we added 2 more free trips as prizes. The 6 anglers that had their names drawn are:

1. Don Klug 37” Pike
2. Carol Dunn 26 1/2” Walleye
3. Mike Wang 32” Pike
4. Don Leis 26” Walleye
5. Cheryl Hassler 31” Pike
6. Fred Williamson 27 1/4” Walleye

Congratulations to all prize winners as well as all of our other guests that took part in this seasons highly successful Catch and Release program.

For detailed week by week fishing reports please go to Esnagami Lodge’s Facebook page accessed from our web page www.esnagami.com

“ESNAGAMI ON T.V.!!!!”

This past season we had the good fortune of having 2 different fishing shows join us for some great fishing at Esnagami. Our good friends, Kyle and Tina Randall, hosts of “The Wilderness Journal” came up 2 times. The first visit, in early July, had 2 shows filmed.

One of the great Walleye fishing this summer produced and the second show was all about mid- summer Pike fishing. In August Kyle returned to film a successful Bear Hunt with Brad and Dale Morgan. Check out www.wildernessjournal.com for show schedules in your area.

Also joining us early in the season was Pete Bowman, Host of the “Fish n’ Canada Show.” Pete and crew had the unique if not chilly experience of fishing ice out conditions for the May opening week. Dodging ice flows, coaxing pre-spawn Pike and running in the Esnagami River for Brook Trout made for some exciting early season action. You can get scheduling information to view Pete’s trip through the “Fish n’ Canada” website – www.fishncanada.com

ESNAGAMI RIVER CAMP

Groups staying at the Outpost Camp experienced some of the incredible Walleye and Brook Trout fishing the river camp offers. Although it took a few days to warm up a late spring, Mike Garbowsky and his crew caught some impressive Brook Trout 5 – 6 lbs during their stay. Former lodge guests Jim Dunlop showed his fishing abilities at the River Camp, by putting up some impressive Walleye as well. Some were in the 28” range!! We are continuing to upgrade this destination and look forward to its second season.

Looking back on our 25th season, we would like to Thank all that joined us!

All the best for a wonderful Yuletide Holiday and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

2014 SPORT SHOW SCHEDULE

PLEASE NOTE: We will not be attending the Ultimate Fishing Show in Novi Michigan in Jan. 2014. Instead, we will be at the Outdoorama Show in Novi, MI. later in February.