Newsletter

News From the Camp Fire - Fall 2009

Our first season is over already! It hardly seems possible that we arrived in Willisville seven months ago to start our new life Up North.

It's been fun, challenging, and rewarding…and lots of hard work. But no matter how tired we were at the end of the day, hearing the loons call in the evening and sharing a campfire with new friends reminded us why we took the "the big leap" from our office cubicles.

We're especially grateful to local Willisville year-rounders and seasonal residents who – in addition to welcoming us to this little piece of paradise – offered their friendship, good counsel, technical advice, and hands-on help as we newbies ascended our learning curve.

We welcomed 452 guests to our camp and met dozens more who were "just passing through" to Killarney Provincial Park. We met folks from nine states and three provinces, including many New Canadians from all over the world. We really enjoyed meeting many loyal friends of Charlton Lake Camp who came back to enjoy this special area, some for the first time in years.

While the weather left something to be desired, the fishing was excellent, with several big smallmouth and largemouth bass, reliable (and tasty) northern pike, and some nice walleye in the 5-to-8 pound range taken. Tyler Chilcote's 24-pound pike was the lunker of the year, and as far as we know it’s still out there, thanks to Tyler’s 45-minute effort to revive the mighty beast after the ordeal of being weighed-and-measured. We learned this year that gnarly-looking pike – in contrast to its tough appearance – is really a bit delicate and doesn’t tolerate much handling. Not to worry, though: those that weren’t released fulfilled their destiny as yummy pan-fried morsels just like the Voyageurs used to enjoy!

This February we’ll be in booth #249 at the Columbus Sports, Vacation, and Boat Show in Columbus, Ohio. The show runs from February 11th through the 14th. We’d love to see you there if you’re in the neighborhood.

We're in Michigan for the winter, so we can be near Lori's daughter Caity during year senior year at Cadillac High. You can contact us by email any time (clcamp@bellnet.ca) or leave a message by phone and we’ll get back to you (877-587-3473; 705-285-4281).

Finally, thanks to everyone who responded to our recent survey: we sincerely appreciate your comments and feedback. We’re looking forward to making improvements based on your suggestions when we return to the camp in April.

All the best,