On a Personal Note

Howdy Folks,

My apologies for not blogging this past week, but circumstances beyond my control kept me from my keyboard.

You'll recall that my last entry saw us preparing to fly-out to Colin Lake to begin the process of opening our Mikisew Sportfishing Camps for the season. Well, ... we did indeed fly out last Wednesday, May 19 and we arrived at Colin Lake without incident. However, ... things kinda went South from there.

No sooner had we landed the float-plane when the weather "socked-in", bringing wind, rain and cold along with it. This made unloading the Cessna Caravan quite difficult and took cooperation by our team of 8 highly skilled individuals.

Once unpacked, we set about the task of building a fire in the cabin, getting the generator started so we had power and turning on the propane so we could heat water and, most importantly, make coffee. Then, our attention turned to the other tasks requiring our attention; ... getting the Solar System up and running, getting 3 boats and motors in the water, cleaning the cabins and painting the floors, getting the water pump up and running and the shower-house functional.

As we did all this, ... the weather got worse, whitecaps covered the lake and the float-plane bobbed and heaved up and down against the incoming waves. We had only planned on being at Colin Lake for 1 day and, because of the weather we knew we were there for at least 1 extra night.

The next morning, Thursday, the weather was no better and, while we did not think it could get any worse, ... the pilot declared it "worse", with the flight ceiling being non-existent and 500 feet needed for legal take-off. So, as we sat drinking coffee and huddling around the fire, we decided to prepare for take-off and, if the ceiling lifted, we would be ready to go. It was only 9:30 AM.

About this time, we decided to set up our satellite telephone and try to call the office in Fort McMurray and let them know what was taking place. We dialed, the phone rang and our dispatcher answered. "I have an important message for Paul, ... he needs to call home immediately!" So, ... a few minutes later I called home only to find out that my Mom was gravely ill in hospital in Winnipeg. The message from there was "You need to come home right now!" Easier said than done!!

I discussed my urgent request to go with my colleague and good friend, Tim Gillies and with our pilot, Seth. Bottom line, ... it was the pilot's call! If the weather improved enough to get us off the water, we would go, ... if not, ... we're stuck here at the mercy of Mother Nature.

We busied ourselves with other chores like raking the camp area and cutting firewood. A couple of the guys attempted to do some dock repairs, but with the waves being so high and the water so cold, it was a gargantuan task. Then, ... at about 3:30 in the afternoon, the clouds looked like they were lifting. We had a group meeting. The pilot had enough fuel to get us back to Fort McMurray, but not enough to stop and drop our crew at another camp along the way. So, it was decided that I should get out to McMurray and get on my way to Winnipeg as fast as I could. The pilot would come back the next morning to pick up our crew and resume the task of opening additional camps.

I won't go into detail about our flight back to Fort McMurray, ... but suffice to say I am forever indebted to our Pilot, Seth for his incredible skill and nerves of steel!! Enough said!

I made it back to Edmonton by 1:00 AM and was on a plane for Winnipeg by 6:30 AM, arriving by 9:30 Friday morning. My Mom was not in good shape and her prognosis was not good. She had celebrated her 80th Birthday just 6 days prior to this and, without going into great detail, all of this had started that day. All of my family was there by Friday afternoon including my Wife, Jerelyn, my Brother, Greg and his Daughter, Kaitlin, and Mom's only surviving Brother, Darragh and his Wife, Kathy, from Ottawa. We spent a wonderful afternoon in her hospital room telling our best and favourite stories about her, holding her hand and praying for her. Sadly, my Mom died last Saturday morning.

Today, I am back to work in Fort McMurray getting ready for another flight out to our flagship property, Indian Head Camp, tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to getting there and busying myself with the task of getting the lodge open and ready for our first guests next weekend. They say stuff like this is therapeutic and helps us to move forward after a tragic event like losing a parent, a sibling or a loved-one. We shall see!

There is a hole in my heart where my Mom used to be! I love her and I miss her terribly, ... but, ... in the back of my head I can hear her telling me to get back to work, look after my family and always do my best! God bless you Mom, ... I promise I will!

Until next week, ... Play safe and, ... try and be kind to one another

Hurry Up and, ... Wait!

May 17th, 2010 - Fort McMurray, AB.

What is it they say about "the best laid plans, ...?"

Last week I was waxing poetic about being so excited to get out there and get those camps open and, this week, ... I am still waiting to go! As with most good plans, ... something always seems to happen to keep you grounded just a little longer than you planned. For Tim and I, it is the availability of aircraft. The one we need is down for maintenance until Wednesday. So, ... we wait!

In the meantime, I travelled to Edmonton this past weekend to visit my family and pick-up the last remaining things on my list that I seem to have forgotten up to now. My Thermacell Mosquito machine, Bug spray, my Bear-Gun (just in case), coveralls, rubber boots and, my integrity suit (just in case I take a premature dip)!

Trying to get out of Fort McMurray on a weekend can be a bit challenging to say the least! As I left late on Thursday, I encountered a Police Check-Stop! ... 30 some-odd police cars stopping every vehicle heading South! Now, ... I would like to think that we are all responsible drivers, ... BUT, apparently not! There were many vehicles being marshaled to an inspection area and many drivers who did not look very happy! Following a quick check of my Driver's License, Insurance and Registration I was on my way thinking "GOOD!" I am really pleased with this tactic by the local RCMP! All you need to do is listen to the radio, watch the local news or listen to the radio in this province to know just how dangerous driving on Highway 63 can be! It almost seems as if there is a serious accident or a death on this highway every week, so, the odd Check-Stop here-and-there has to be a good thing! Once through the Check-Stop, it was clear sailing all the way to Edmonton.

Returning on Sunday proved to be a challenge too! It is so very dry in this Province that grass fires are starting to be a problem. I encountered a road-block just north of Redwater because of a fire burning near Opal, Alberta. The smoke was so thick, I could barely see the fire information officer standing just outside my truck window telling me I had to detour around the area. So, ... after a scenic tour of a few back roads in the area, I was back on the highway and headed North. The remainder of my drive was uneventful and I arrived home in time for supper.

Today, ... I'll dust-off and blow-up my water wings in anticipation of being airborne by Wednesday.

Until next week, ... travel safe and, try and be kind to one another.

Cheers!

Paul

Gentlemen, ... Start your engines!

Howdy Folks,

As I sit here in my office, plans are well underway to begin the process of opening Mikisew Sport Fishing's 11 outpost camps.

Tim and I have made our list of supplies, the plane is booked and the weather forecast looks great! This Monday, it's off to Charles Lake North, then Colin, then, ... you get the idea!

At each camp we will assess what needs to be done, prioritize the tasks and, ... "Get to Work!!!" With the help of 4 other people, we should have everything shipshape and ready to go by the last week of this month. If everything goes according to plan, we will be fully functional a full 2-weeks earlier than year's past.

Our "scouts" up in Uranium City, Saskatchewan tell us that the ice has pretty much gone from Lake Athabasca, meaning that we can get into Indian Head Camp by May 28th for sure and begin the 4-day challenge of opening the Lodge for the season. Once that is complete there are new guides to train, equipment to tune-up and then, ... we're open and "going hard" with our first guests arriving on June 4th.

As "the newbie" this year, I am anxious to get in and get my hands dirty, ... I look forward to this time of year, readying the physical plants for your arrival. There's nothing like the sound of an outboard motor roaring to life after a long winter, or the sight of migrating ducks and geese cruising the shoreline with their new brood in tow, splashing around and learning the ropes of swimming and flying and foraging for food. You never get used to that first "ice-cold slap in the face" caused by water spraying up over the side of the boat reminding you that the ice has not been gone for very long! It's really pretty cool being the first ones out on the lake, being the first one to get a line in the water to see if the fish are hungry and, ... nothing beats the taste of fresh fish in the morning before a hard day's work.

This is the time of year when you, our valued customers, start getting the urge to get out in the garage and dig-out your rods and tackle boxes, re-spool your favourite reel, make a list of hooks you just have to buy before the season starts and get together with all your buddies and practice up on telling your best stories.

Yes sir, ... Springtime is a wonderful thing! ...

We look forward to seeing all of you this summer! And, ... for those of you who have not yet booked your "Trip of a Lifetime" with Mikisew Sport Fishing & Indian Head Camp, ... it's not too late, we have openings available during prime-time, ... just give us a call and start packing!

In the meantime, ... Play safe and try and be kind to one another!

Cheers!

Paul

http://www.mikisewsportfishing.com/

http://www.indianheadcamp.com/

Ice-Out

Hello my Friends,

My name is Paul Mathias. I am the General Manager of an exciting new angling joint-venture to be known as Mikisew Sport Fishing & Indian Head Camp.

This new endeavour will see two very successful angling businesses with completely different products operate and market together under a common umbrella.

Mikisew Sport Fishing (http://www.mikisewsportfishing.com/) has been in business for the past 10 years. Operating from its base in Fort McMurray, Mikisew Sport fishing operates on 11 different lakes, all located between Lake Athabasca and the Northwest Territories border. Each lake has its own unique attributes, offers accommodation in well appointed cabins and provides guests with the incredible opportunity of being the only ones on a given lake for up to a week at a time.

Indian Head Camp (http://www.indianheadcampadventures.com/) has operated successfully on the Northeast end of Lake Athabasca for the past 8 years. The hand-crafted lodge has to be seen to be believed. With a serious commitment to environmental sustainability, this lodge has invested heavily in solar power and is able to generate enough power from the sun to operate for up to 17 hours a day.

Indian Head Camp is reputed to be home to the best Lake Trout fishing in all of Western Canada, consistently producing fish in the 25 - 45 Lb range.

Over the coming months, I will be letting you know what is going on at all of our lakes and you can bet I will have some great stories to tell. Believe me folks, ... this is the stuff dreams are made of! But hey, ... don't take my word for it, ... I encourage you to visit our websites, check out our photos and then get your group together and call us with your dates. The angling adventure of a lifetime awaits.

Until next time, ... be kind to one another and, ... play safe!