MEET THE 2009 STAFF Please meet the Hawk Lake Lodge 2009 Season staff. I am sure that they will work hard for each and every one of you this year. What we have found here is that we recruit people as they are starting their university and college training. We train them and they return anywhere from two to four years until they complete their education. Most staff depart at that point to get a job in the “real” world.
This is where we find ourselves at this point in 2009. We have three returning staff members from last year. They are Angelo and Sandy Foglia, who return to us from 2009. Angelo is the fellow in charge of maintenance and repairs as well as the men’s staff supervisor. Sandy is the primary housekeeper. Sandy and Angelo come to us from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Paul Brunet is also from Thunder Bay. Paul has worked for other lodges in the past. He will be working for us this year as a guide and dock hand. Albert Smith, along with his brother, Jonathan Smith hale likewise from Thunder Bay. They both are or have been students at Confederation College in Thunder Bay. Albert will serve you this year in the capacity of guide and dock hand. Jonathan will work as our portage man. Krista Mouck will work this year as a combined housekeeper/server in the dining room. Krista is originally from Winnipeg but currently is a psychology graduate student at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Adam Strey is from Thunder Bay as well. Adam has considerable experience in the food service industry. He will work this summer as server and kitchen assistant. Last, but certainly not least, Annie Hillier from St. Johns, Newfoundland returns from 2008 as our chef and kitchen manager.
I am sure that the 2009 staff will be eager to introduce themselves to you at their first opportunity. Along with them; Mari, Sam, and myself look forward to welcoming one and all to the Lodge this summer.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FISHING ROD Choosing the right fishing rod is often made out to be something purely subjective. This is usually expressed in hip terms by saying the “right rod for you”. While subjective considerations may play a part, such as in rod color and/or graphics. However, most serious anglers are not interested in such criteria. These folks want a fishing rod for one thing – a tool to help them catch more fish.
Of course, there are other considerations for most of us. Price would be one such consideration. Price is one of the poorest considerations though. As far as fishing rods are concerned, the cost of the rod is one of the worst things to skimp on. Does a good golfer buy his clubs at a garage sale or a pro shop? Of course not. You almost always get what you pay for in everything that you may buy. A good quality (middle to upper price ranges) fishing rod does a number of things for you. It is much more sensitive. It is also much lighter. It sets the hooks with more authority. It increases the enjoyment of fishing. These are among the reasons we should choose our next rod, not stylistic considerations. Remember, a rod is a tool. Beauty is as beauty does. You don’t drive a nail with a screw driver handle, at least not very well.
Consider sensitivity. There are a good number of fishing techniques which demand a high level of sensitivity. These are basically any manner of fishing where the bait or lure is not worked horizontally through the water. Horizontal presentations, such as crankbaits – minnow baits – spinnerbaits – in line spinners (Mepps/Panther Martin, etc.) or trolling techniques do not demand sensitivity. Almost everything else does.
Sensitivity is chiefly a function of construction – low weight, rod guides and rod materials. Rod materials are usually measured by the modulus of the graphite used to make the rod. Modulus refers to both the type and quantity of graphite fibers in the material. The higher the graphite modulus number, the more sensitive is the material. The more sensitive the material, the more you feel what is going on at the end of your line. Beware, however, as cheaper rods may boast of high graphite numbers. The real rub comes from the amount of graphite in the rod as well as the modulus rating. Cheaper rods have much less graphite in them and are actually composed largely of epoxy filler material which is not conducive to sensitivity. Again, graphite construction is costly and you get what you pay for. Rod guides also have an effect on what you end up feeling. Costlier guides have harder ceramic guides and stronger retainers, both of which augment sensitivity. Light weight is achieved by quality rod materials and guides. How does this gobligook translate into better fishing? Well think of it this way. Most anglers would say they are thrilled by the feel of a strike. Now imagine the effect of having that sensation much magnified through the use of a quality rod. The smallest tick is magnified by the “wow” factor into some much bigger and exciting. In addition you can much more easily feel the bottom, and especially the bottom type and structure with a quality rod. Consider such a thing as a more efficient telegraph. The better the telegraph, the more information transmitted. The more information you receive, the better you be as an angler. These things translate into more fun and more efficient angling.
Lack of perceived weight or lightness does not only contribute to sensitivity. It also reduces the strain on the arms during a long day of fishing. I find myself with each passing year the rude ravages of time and age. I really appreciate the way a light rod helps me enjoy with less pain a day on the lake. This keeps one sharper so that when that big one strikes at the end of the day that I am more ready to take ‘em on and less likely to miss or lose it.
One last thing a quality rod can do for you is that it enables you to set the hook with more authority. Hooks are set more by the speed of a rod in the hook set than by brute force. Speed is accomplished by using a lighter and therefore more costly rod. Your fishing partner can stand a little way out from you holding the lure between their finger and thumb and you will not be able to retrieve it try as you may by setting with a normal hook set. Set the hook fast and it likely will come flying back at you. Try this some time. How do you help set the hook faster? Simple – use a longer rod. The trend in most types of fishing these days is to the use of longer rods. From where I set, I would not purchase any new rod less than six and a half feet long. For many applications a seven foot or even longer is better. It is a matter of simple physics. The rod is simply a lever arm. The longer the rod (within reason), the more line you move and the faster you move it. In addition you gain extra power behind every hook set. This is an extension of the “lever” principle.
Nobody likes to spend money needlessly. How high a quality do I actually need? How much should I pay to ensure buying a quality rod, one which will realize the benefits listed above? As indicated above, most good rods come in the mid to upper price ranges. Let’s take St. Croix Rods as I am most familiar with them. You could specify a number of companies that also build good rods. No need here to buy a top of the line item on the $300 to $400 price range. I would be afraid to take these in a boat for fear of damaging them. But the mid range Avid series is a fine rod in every respect for around $150. There are no flies on the lower cost Premier which is also a fine rod which sell for around $100. If you go much below this in any product or brand line and you sort of fall of the table quality wise in most cases. The rods have either inferior modulus graphite, or a lower percentage of graphite and inferior guides and rings. All these deficiencies will set you back. Your enjoyment and effectiveness as an angler will suffer as a result. I am all for enjoying my rare opportunities to the utmost.
HAPPY HOUR All of our returning guests have come to enjoy immensely our nightly happy hour observance here at Hawk Lake Lodge. The refreshments, but especially the camaraderie, the fish stories – both the truthful as well as the over processed all make the Happy Hour what it is. However, changes to this format are imminent. Late last year the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) informed us of changes in enforcement practices which will greatly alter Happy Hour.
For the 2009 season the following changes will be instituted to makes us compliant with the new enforcement of regulations. As I currently understand the new regulations, the following changes have to be made. First, alcoholic beverages are still allowed within the guest cabins. They are not to be available in the main lodge, tables or happy hour areas. All alcohol must be consumed in the private cabins of the guests only. Guests may, however, invite other guests to their cabins for a drink. Hawk Lake Lodge may no longer comp or buy any beverages for its guests. All wine, beer and liquor must be bought by the guests or a designated third party such as friends who will be met here.
Happy Hour will still go on with appetizers, cold drinks, fruit juices, and water. Most of all, the camaraderie, stories and fun – these no government can as yet take away from us.
Please forgive us for any pain these changes will make. We are compelled to follow these regulations or risk being closed. When I mentioned that these changes are in force for 2009, changes may occur in 2010. For one thing we are trying to get a special circumstances waiver. Another possibility is that we may succeed in obtaining a license to serve. This, however, will take time. Certainly this will take more than this fishing season. It is also not clear that even if we applied that we will be successful since the local community has a strong say in the matter. Another point to consider is that if successful, Hawk Lake Lodge would have to serve anyone from the general public both in the dining and bar areas. Many have expressed the sentiment that this would indeed change the character of Hawk Lake Lodge. Please let me know your thoughts on all of these changes
PASSPORT DEADLINE It should come as no surprise that as of June 1, 2009 that all US citizens traveling to Canada will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport in their possession. This requirement will then be extended to those traveling by surface transportation as well as air or boat transport which had already been covered by this regulation. It should be noted that this is a requirement of the U.S. government in the interests of “security”. The Canadian government is in no part involved in this matter and has actually argued in vain against these changes to long established travel practices between the two countries. The current deadline only applies to those who drive into Canada from their homes or from the International Falls, MN airport.
Applying for a U.S. Passport has never been easier. All you have to do is to go to your local post office. Bring with you an embossed (not photo copied) birth certificate along with a couple of passport type photos which you usually can obtain in local drug store. The applications themselves which are short and easy can be found at the post office. All you have to do then is write a check to good ole Uncle Sam for his time and effort (?). As of 4/22/2009 the lead time to get you new or renewed passport is from 4 – 6 weeks. This time can be cut in half should you be so moved to pay a premium of $60.00. The return time can be further cut should you wish to pay for Express Mail (usually overnight) for both the outbound and return mailings. We have found that as in most things, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. You can usually get quick customer service consideration should you need it. Just call the number listed on the application.
Please let me know if you are in this boat. Just look at all this as your passport to a much more fun Hawk Lake Lodge boat. I have on file contact numbers and special case application procedures for those who require very short term consideration.