So You Think You Can Fish

Well it finally warmed up in our neck of the woods. Glad to pack away the stocking caps for a while (hopefully) and time for shorts and sunscreen. Its been a fun 2 weeks and the scenery and summer weather has been enjoyable for many. I've been getting my morning paddling in as I catch the waves of the boaters whisking by to start their day's adventure and watch the glorious sun easing up over camp. It really is surreal. We have heard of the Midwest getting some nasty storms, heat, and flooding lately, so hang in there to those of you back home.

Fishing Update:

So you think you can fish? These last 2 weeks have been the most challenging walleye fishing of the the season. Water temps continue to rise up to the mid 70s. Walleye being scattered has been the theme, and the mayfly hatch didn't help, and we are hoping for some more consistency moving forward. Walleye were caught, but not in the numbers guests are used to. Just in the last couple days, walleye were starting to respond, showing they're hungry again, so that's a good sign. On the positive, one of the reasons we are biased to the Wabaskang is that there are so many other species to target if the walleye are bing finicky. For those guests willing to switch gears a bit, the smallmouth fishing has been a blast with lots of nice fish being caught on topwater lures. Pike have been very active as usual and the perch fishing has been outstanding. A few crappie have been caught as well. With Earl getting those y-bones out of the northern, guests could still do their fish fries and take home plenty.

Jamie and Tony embraced the quietness of their adults only trip this year and still were catching lots of fish a day on a leisure pace. Jamie was one of the only fishergals for week 8 and represented. Jamie landed this 24.5" walleye beauty:

Regulars Bruce and Fred brought friend Ryan and Dad Warren along this year and first caught northern

and then got into some nice smallies

and with patience found the walleye

After such strenous activity on the water, Dads came in for lunch and needed a minute:

This cabin 5 crew wanted their group photo in front of their cabin, and it just might need to be the advertising pic of the year! All sporting their new TPC fishing shirts, Karla celebrated another birthday, Lori and Gordon got to get their new boat wet, brother/sister Spencer and Brooke each celebrated recent engagements, and Mark- a human teddy bear- brought them all in for a group hug:

Gordon and Lori got into some big fish, including a 36" pike!

Check out Lane's giant smallie:

Jim and son Austin, along with Lane, and newbie John, got into some really nice multi-species throughout their week. They really took to learning and trying to new spots:

And Lane was topping the leaderboard for a few days with this 24" healthy walleye:

But then Ryan took to the water on his actual birthday, and got a real nice present catching and releasing this one (which topped the leaderboard for the week at 26"):

Bob decided to bring up son Caleb this year instead of Terri. Caleb took in his first time in Canada, and among fish, even captured a rainbow after a quick rainshower. Neat to see father/sons get this time together:

Scott Mitchell's group had a blast. On the water they were catching a lot of northern, smallies, and a few walleye scattered in; Here's Clay, Joe's and Crosby's :

and after shenanigans on the water, they had more at camp. So much in fact that the cops were spotted on their last night, but got distracted with donuts:

Potluck festivities continue with some exquisite dishes including shrimp boil, jambiliya, and axe throwing and live music for our week 8 crew, while week 9 campers made pizza, fried venison backstrap, enchiladas, foccacia, so many amazing desserts and enjoyed some bags, campfire, and a calm sunset for their nightcap:

My Mom and Dad returned to Tall Pines and we had some great laughs fishing and around the table:

This is the first time (as far as I know- and please correct me if I'm wrong) that Tall Pines has held a church service. We decided to offer church by the water with my Dad offering a message, and guests listening to some hymns such as How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace with the Wabaskang as our backdrop really felt good for the soul. It really showed how connected we are too, many sharing what home church they go to and a group prayer may have included praying for fishermen to catch those fish :) It felt so right that we will be offering it again today.

The only thing missing, my Mom and I agreed, was a cross. Had I prepared better, we could have made one out of wood, but I thought it was perfect that later that same day, the sun setting created this cross. Signs of Him are ever present:

July days and evenings at camp are never dull. Groups can be seen enjoying the view from their decks, fishing off the docks, playing yard games, and the camraderie is amazing:

And many of you may have seen this video from Instagram or Facebook- too funny not to include. Three of our recent Bear's Den guests took on a challenge of taking the plunge into Wabaskang, and Blake choreographed their entrance:

If you've been to Tall Pines, chances are you have seen (or maybe heard lol) our camp truck "The Toyota", but it recently got a new hood ornament touch! Guest Joel Boatright made us this fish out of "rusted junk" and turned it into a gem. Guests will be lining up to have Ryan launch their boat in this Tall Pines one of a kind beauty:

And some more picture perfect sunsets- unaltered by AI. Looks like cotton candy:

Update on Leaderboards. Week 8 crews:

Week 9 crews:

And at the official half way point in the season, thought we'd let you see whose still on top for the season biggest fish:

Some of you may know that I was a dancer/dance teacher before this current stint, and for years I loved watching the tv show "So You Think You Can Dance". The dancer's version of American Idol, it showcased the challenges that dancers go through from choreography, lack of sleep, working with difficult people, injuries, dancing outside your comfort zone etc. Ryan and I are always comparing fishing to "my dancing", and I thought this past week reminded me of that show. Many fishermen were fishing outside their comfort zone due to the conditions and walleye scatteredness. And doing anything outside your comfort zone can be frustrating at times.

On the tv show, one of the judges, Nigel, used to say "Its' not about being America's Best Dancer, it's about being America's FAVORITE Dancer." Well, I think this man would have been voted winner of So You Think You Can Fish this past week. My Dad, Paul, may not have caught the most fish, and may not have the experience that some others have fishing this lake, but he had every single person at camp last week rooting for him and unanimously is a Tall Pines favorite.

You can see him animatedly talking about the size of "the one that got away":

He caught many northern and perch, and a few smaller walleye. And, on his last fishing day, he was finally rewarded with a nice 20.5" walleye beauty:

You didn't just make the blog, Dad, you made the cover. Cause sometimes the story is far bigger- and better- than the size of the fish.