On past trips, we have been able to get up and have a leisurely breakfast before cleaning up the cabin for the next crew. Then we have had to wait. In poor weather, that wait can be quite long, which explains, in part, why David brought War and Peace.
This year, because of the summer solstice, we were up really early, which was a good thing. We had barely gotten packed and had the floor swept but not mopped, when we heard the Beaver flying up the lake. Holy cow! It was only 7:30 AM! We had visions of getting back to the Bolt Hole before dinner. HA!
While the transfer of the cabin went smoothly, as did our flight back to Coursol Base, things went downhill quickly thereafter. Finishing a cup of coffee at Coursol at 8:30 AM, we learned that the dirt road was closed heading back to Maniwaki. A new culvert was being installed at one of the washouts we had crashed through the week before. It should be open by noon. So we had a second cup of coffee before starting on our way at 9:30 AM.
Sure enough, we reached the road closure at 10:30 AM but there didn’t seem to be anyone at work. We learned that the backhoe/front end loader on our side of the culvert had broken down; something about a leaking hydraulic system that prevented the front end loader from being used. The wait was for a second machine and dump truck from the opposite side. We sat and waited for the alternative was a 4 ½ hour ride (versus a 2 hour one) that would take us even further out of our way than that. About 11:15 AM a dump truck full of sand and then a backhoe pulled up to the opposite side of the ditch. By noon we were again on our way. Lost time: perhaps 2 ½ hours.
But we weren’t finished yet! We did succeed in navigating the dirt road and reaching pavement. We did succeed in making good time southbound on 105 and 5 to Ottawa. We carefully followed the signs off King Edward looking for 417—and found ourselves stranded in downtown Ottawa—again. Every single time we come through this bloody town south bound we get lost. (Although, with four or five guys in the vehicle, maybe we should say "confused" instead.)
It’s a lovely city and I wouldn’t mind visiting it someday as a real tourist but their road signage really, really sucks! And you can’t get a map of the city that’s worth the paper it’s printed on. Those in the various road atlases I have don’t help at all. I swear that they do this on purpose. The city of Ottawa wants you to flounder around on its streets. They want you to look at their beautiful city. Ottawans must have a bit of an inferiority complex from being forever overlooked as the capital of a nation. Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver all possess more name recognition. Hell, even Edmonton, Calgary, and Regina probably are more recognized. By dicking you around with poor directions they get you to pass by the capital building (lovely) or through parks where black squirrels abound on the lush lawns. We once accidentally saw the changing of the guard at the capital. At least during the day you have more people to ask directions from and being Ottawa, they are likely to speak English. (At 3 AM in Hull one trip we needed directions but, with three young boys in their mid-teens, we were reluctant to ask of the many young ladies we saw on nearly every corner. At least in Ottawa there are large crowds of people outside the clubs at 2 AM. Although we seldom have to ask directions heading north any more.) Time lost meandering around downtown Ottawa: 30 to 45 minutes.
We did manage to make it back to the Bolt Hole by 10:30 PM after making a stop at a Tim Horton’s on 401 for dinner and the duty free shop at the border. Normally, from Coursol to Bolt Hole would take about 10 hours not 13 or 14 as it did this time. *sigh* Maybe next time.
6 comments:
ever fished at lake chub or lawton lake part of caesars flyin lakes Going there in 7/2008.
Those lakes are not or were not listed as options in 2007. If George added the, I'm not aware of it and he's been a bit lax in upgrading the web site.
(http://www.caesarslodge.com/).
Sorry I can't help you.
Thanks alot for input seems that you have fished with caesars for several years. How has the equipment been, boats,motors, size and upkeep
Trapper,
First let me say thanks for dropping by Compass Points.
As to Caesar's outpost fishing:
My buddy and I have been going with various others (kids, friend, even spouses!) since around 1995. I was hooked up with Caesar's Lodge by one of my wife's coworkers who has been going there annually since around 1985.
Needless to say, there have been lots of changes over the years. Oliver Broussard was the owner for most of that time period and you couldn't find a better outfitter. Recently he has sold the business to his cousin George. (George's father once ran the business before selling to Oliver's dad, who then sold to Oliver...you get the picture.) My impression is that George is young and still learning how do organize his day. Shuttling flights to so many places can get confusing and delays due to weather, etc. can and do happen to screw up the best plans.
We have seen the cabins get more and more "amenities" such as indoor toilets and hot water showers. The first year we bathed in Goin Reservoir and used an outhouse. Our son's thought it was grand but they were only 10, 10 and 12. Us "older" guys thought the lake was freakin' COLD! Even in August.
One thing you will find is that the 9.9 hp Mercury motors are this year's models. They switch them out every season. you should have very little problems with them. The boats are old but serviceable. Before environmental restrictions on the engines appeared two years ago, you could get the boats up on plane even with the 9.9 hp engines and 400 pounds of fishermen inside. They'll also troll all day at slow speed on a tank of gasoline. Caesar's will usually have five or six five gallon cans of gasoline at each outpost cabin for your use. Be sure they are full when you get dropped off.
The cabins will keep you warm and dry but will have mice roaming around inside and perhaps bears outside at night. You really want to keep it that way. There's usually enough firewood for the wood burning stove for the season stacked outside along with an axe to split it. You are encouraged to use it only in the cabin to dry out or keep warm. (I'm sure the axe is sharp at the beginning of the season and may still be at the end...if the folks between are woods wise. If you're going in August or September, bring a flat file just in case.) If you want an outside campfire, bring a small camp saw and collect firewood from driftwood or blowdowns. The refrigerators are propane and can sometimes be balky. The stove is propane, too. Sometimes there's an oven and sometimes there isn't. Don't count on baking anything instead learn the art of bannock bread.
Fishing equipment...according to my buddy I always bring too much and usually, according to him, the wrong stuff. But he fishes for walleye and I fish for pike...usually. An assortment of 3-4 inch spoons including Dare Devils and Johnson weedless in silver and gold with a rubber skirt work well for pike as do large spinners with lots of flash and some red/green/silver/gold and some sort of trailer. We've used 1/4 oz jigs with twin tails in black and yellow for walleye to some success. The black passes for leeches and the walleye seemed to love them on our last two trips. Diving stick baits also work well for trolling. Be sure to bring a large net for the pike. We've not caught that monster yet, but have caught many in the 35-40 inch range. We have had a couple break off that were much larger. Which reminds me, long wire leaders are a must if you're pike fishing. I usually use an 18" leader and replace it if it gets frayed or kinked.
Well, I don't know if any of this helps. If you go with the idea of having an "Adventure" you should have a good time. Just remember that an outpost cabin is not the Hyatt.
joated of Compass Points: www.pointsofcompass.blogspot.com
Thanks for all the info love your blog hope to go with caesars next summer 7/5-7/12. going to coursel base then fly out.
Thanks for all the info love your blog hope to go with caesars next summer 7/5-7/12. going to coursel base then fly out.
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