Our 2013 Newsletter is now on line

Our 2013 Newsletter has been published on or website.  Click here to read it.

This year there will be some changes in a few things which may be of particular interest to you when planning your 2014 trip.  Please check out the newsletter for details.  We have increased our rates for the first time in about 10 years, but our US guests will likely see no increase or even a decrease due to their higher valued dollar.

We have changed our policy regarding deposits and of real importance to some, we will now be charging a fee to deliver gear/food/or other stuff in excess of 100 lbs per person.  Please take a few moments and read the newsletter and the changes on our website. 

Fish camp guide part 6

Sharing the shower

Before you leave my blog for more manly writings, hear me out. We have one man showers. No tag teaming required. To explain, the water systems in the camps are solar powered. Running out of hot water is not usually an issue; it is the pump power moving the water from the lake to cabin which has limited capacity. Personally, I’ve been in the situation where the first guy in the shower, brings a cross word puzzle and water proof copy of War and Peace and begins a spa treatment at the expense of his cabin mates. It will not happen again. The other 5 or 6 guys in line for a shower may only be slightly disappointed that spa guy used up the water, but it is the guy just lathered up that runs out of water mid-cleansing that will be irate. And I know that irate soapy guys with the only option of de-soaping being a cold lake are not friendly for a few days. Be considerate regarding water supply and share the shower – one at a time. How hard can it be? You are probably rather familiar with the parts to be attended to so have a plan and execute. If you want a spa, complete with hot rocks (not thrown at your head), I know a few good places in the Dells.

Fish camp guide part 5

Hair

At an Ignace Outpost fly in camp you will likely be wearing a hat for several hours of the day. It may be the lucky fishing hat, or it may be simple shelter from the sun or rain. From what I’ve been told, hats will flatten your hair in some spots and stand it straight up in other spots. Don’t stress over this. I realize there are fortunate few like me who never worry about their coiffure. But there are those, even of the fishing persuasion, that do. The outpost is not a place for this. It is certainly bad outpost form to show up perfectly coiffed après fishing. Forget about the mirror and let the do fend for itself. I am sure the odd underling may snicker if you showed up at the office with an outpost do, but you are not at the office. Just stick the hat back on and let the follicles relax a bit. They deserve a vacation to.

Fish camp guide part 4

Beverage control

In short there is no such thing at an outpost. Just be safe and don’t take the adult beverages in the boat. It is the law. And oh yes, there is no such thing as “mine” at an outpost. A admirable way to make lots of points and to ensure a possibility of an return invite, is to happen to find an extra bottle part way through the week and offer to pour a few for the guys. Every trip requires a “remember when” moment and if you are the provider of that moment without doing something exceptionally dumb, chances are you will remain on the short list next year.

Fish camp guide part 3

Dress code

Most of the civilized world lives close to or has access to a wilderness outfitting store. None of these stores has offered me any compensation for mentioning their names so I won’t. If you chose to spend lots of dollars at these stores for outpost clothing, feel free. Few rules apply regarding dress at an outpost camp. Color coordination is a moot point as is the fact that it may be the same outfit as last year. It only takes a day or two to sense (there are 5 senses and I’m sure more than one will be in play) what the others in camp prefer to do regarding clean clothes. Try to fit in. The reality is, except for a very few who may bring their own “anchors” to camp, changing underwear (or even wearing underwear) and changing clothes daily is not so common at an outpost. My experience is that what is worn at camp… is best packed in an airtight container for the trip home. Either that or tie it on the roof of the car. It is also advisable to run it through the wash at least once before storing it away until next year. And unless you want me to be writing about your group for a few blog posts, leave the togas at home.

Fish camp guide part 2

Learn the language

Most of us are able to communicate in at least one language. In the outpost camp, language takes a beating and sometimes words mean different things, statements become questions and questions become statements. To help familiarize you with some fishing lingo and interpretations, here are some hints. When someone says “Are you gonna eat that?” it is really a statement which means “I’m still hungry”. It is then best to keep your hands away from the fish plate to avoid puncture wounds in the shape of a fork on the back of your hand. Well beyond the witching hour you may hear a statement such as this “I think I’ve had enough for the evening”. The interpretation is really “My appendages are not working properly, would you pour me another?" Unless your coordination is as bad as his it is only a courtesy to oblige.
Here is some help with a few fishing terms. At an outpost “crank” has nothing to do with your demeanor at 5 AM. Don’t even think about making sandwiches for “shore lunch”. The “brown jug” is a location on Metionga Lake not a beverage holder, and never get complacent and refer to your wife as the “anchor” once you are back home.

Fish camp guide part 1

The next few posts are designed to help those “on the fence” about fitting in at an outpost camp. It is easy for the veteran at Ignace Outposts to manage complex outpost behavior and dress code with nary a thought about the novice who is a little unsure about the proper etiquette and decorum to be exhibited while experiencing an outpost vacation.

Social Aspects
Social aspects of an outpost trip are primary in fitting in. With a little advice, you can take part in the socializing that goes on at the outpost once the fisherpersons are back at camp. If your friends brought you for your charm and good looks, then your best bet is to smile and be charming. Fishers will return to camp with tales of glory and may also take a few moments to regale you with the odd woeful story of the one that got away. Grin and grimace as required but under no circumstance should you demonstrate any disbelief. A helpful hint in fish tale department, is make to your contribution to the event only slightly bigger, better, scary, helpful, skilful or humorous than the previous story. As the others contribute, you too should share your embellishment in tiny bits. No one likes a braggart. My final thought; let either the boss, or the guy paying your part of the trip (if you should be so lucky) end the session without feeling that you are one up on him.