2010 Hasbala Lodge Teport
The 2013 season is in the books, we took in a few guests and the fishing was better than ever. Brother Ed and his wife Beth were able to spend some time with me to fish and relax last season. We always enjoy our time at Hasbala Lake Lodge and last season was no exception. Each year we have a chance to fish our favorite spots in the area and explore for new “Honey Holes”! 2013 turned out to be a great season for exploring and spending time with Old friends, a couple of new friends and family.
I saw the largest Northern Pike I have ever seen last season, Harry Baker hooked up with the monster in one of the areas of the lake that is known for not only lots of fish but usually larger ones. We were trolling when he says, (I think I have a snag). Needless to say it was not a snag but a very large fish! It took him a long time to get the fish to the boat and his first words were… (How we going to get that one into the boat)? My answer was short and sweet, (we are not, I replied)! We laid a 46” paddle over the fish and there was about 4-5 inches of fish on each side of the paddle.
We got a photo of the fish and the paddle but did not even try to bring the fish into the boat. Harry was not happy with me but I did not want to take the chance of harming the fish or us. I hope to see that fish again and I have a good idea of where it will be next season. I am not positive but I think that all guests caught at least one Pike over 40” last season and some caught more than one.
Pierre and Bobby did a great job of guiding and although Pierre is getting up there in age there are few men that know the lake and area as well as he does. He caught a 37” trout and we had several of them over 35”, although I never hooked up with one as large. I have been lucky enough to spend some time with Pierre; he is a gentleman and a wonderful man. We have adopted him as our grandfather; he taught us all so much and is a joy to be around.
The lodge was only open a short time as we are busy building our businesses in Phoenix and Kansas. Ed has just moved his foundry operation to Kansas and he also bought out another company and is integrating the two companies so I doubt that he will make it up to the lodge next season. We wish him the best in his new endeavor and hope that he can make it back to the lodge in 2015.
Herb Boyce and his son Trevor also spent time with us last season. Herb has been up before and is a joy to be around. Trevor also has his father’s passion for fishing and the outdoors. We had quite a time and did a little exploring of our own. They caught lots of fish and I believe had a great time. I saw Herb and his wife a few weeks ago in Phoenix Arizona.
They spend some time each year in Sedona Arizona and I was lucky enough to have them stop by and spend a few hours with me at my home. I got a chance to give Herb a Biplane ride and I am not sure but he still may have a smile on his face! That is one of the nice things about getting to know people at the lodge. We always manage to make long term friends and in the end… that is what life is about.
We had many other guests last season and when I think of them, it brings a smile to my face. I am willing to bet that when they think of their experience at Hasbala Lake Lodge they get that same smile.
The fishing for Graying was also great last season, I think that all guests caught Grayling and had a ball doing it. Once again Harry comes to mind because he always out fishes me!
One last note, I was lucky enough to have Dean Parks spend time at the lodge last season. Dean is the person that introduced Ed and I to Hasbala and has been fishing in the North for many years. He had a good trip but will remember last season for the last morning fishing with me. He and I went out across the bay from camp so we would be near when the float plane came in. Dean caught over 40 fish that morning and was still catching fish when the float plane landed. I am positive he left with fond memories of that last morning fishing at Hasbala!
Wildlife in the Area
Once again we saw the usual suspects and the real prize this year was a cow Moose and her calf. They spent a lot of time on one of the islands in the lake and were seen daily. This season we also saw lots of water fowl and the White Swans graced us with their presence.
Four Corners Marker: This season Trevor brought his hand held GPS and recorded the placement of the monument for the junction of the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nunavut. When he arrived home he compared the actual location with the location shown for the monument and found that the spot is actually a little ways from where the monument is placed. I have no way to verify this but those were his findings.
It is my hope that many people will be able to see this part of Canada in the future. It is unspoiled and the beauty and peace and quiet is something you will never forget if you have the opportunity to spend some time up North. There are many fine lodges in the North but Hasbala is a special place. There is no internet, TV, or daily connections with the rest of the world except for a satellite phone for emergencies. In my opinion that is what makes it extra special. We catch lots of fish, some big ones and we enjoy each day we are able to spend in our special place. How truly blessed we are, we cherish each day that we get to spend at Hasbala and so will you!
Remote Fishing At It's Best
So if your idea of fishing is being on a lake where there are no other lodges, and the fishing is like you remember from when you were young, Hasbala Lake Lodge is the place to fish. If you want to fish in a place where you can be the first guy on the lake each day and the last guy off, and you won't see another human being except your group and a few of us until the float plane shows up the following week to take you back to reality, come fish with us.
We do not catch trophy fish every cast but we do have some big fish. We never sell or promise anyone that they will catch their dream but we have never had anyone leave that has not been satisfied with our lodge, our cooking, or our fishing. We have good guides that know fishing and know how to take good care of their clients. We are a very small family owned lodge and our beds are comfortable, the food is good and the fishing is some of the best in the North.
Contact us
You can reach me on my cell phone at 602 908 1532 or e mail, either
ron@hasbalalake.com
or ron@rockharddesigns.net.
Thanks to all for a great season, I look forward to seeing all of my friends up north in 2014. Remember at Hasbala Lake Lodge you are not just another guest, you are the guest!!
Ron and Ed Opatril
