We decided to do New Years' a little different this year and head to Graham's family cabin at Crooked Lake in Saskatchewan for some ice fishing and relaxation. It was a 1000km trip each way so it was up at 5am to get there before dark. Unfortunately we had sold Rangi to our good friends Kaz & Aaron so we had to rent a car for the week, a 2010 Dodge Charger.
Graham's family cabin is a great little timber slat house with a fantastic cast iron log burner and limited ablutions in winter. Our stay didn't start to well when the engine seized on the post auger in the morning after arriving so we had to make a not so quick trip into town to find a hand auger so we could drill holes to fish and collect water.
Our fishing spot was a mile hike from the cabin across the lake but it proved to be a good one as we caught a dozen fish over three days fishing. Sitting on a bucket in -32 Degrees Celsius with the wind blowing was not the most pleasant experience but the sun was out and we were having a blast.
On new years eve Graham & I went coyote hunting to no avail but I did manage to shoot a red fox, its pelt is currently at the taxidermist and will be a nice memento from our last big trip in Canada. That night we let off some fireworks on the lake (thanks Joel) to celebrate the new year.
It was a very special weekend, and one we will not forget. Our stay in Canada has been blessed with unbelievable generosity from family and friends, with one new experience after the next. It will always hold a special place in our hearts and we hope to get back there to see all the people we miss so much.
Graham's family cabin is a great little timber slat house with a fantastic cast iron log burner and limited ablutions in winter. Our stay didn't start to well when the engine seized on the post auger in the morning after arriving so we had to make a not so quick trip into town to find a hand auger so we could drill holes to fish and collect water.
Our fishing spot was a mile hike from the cabin across the lake but it proved to be a good one as we caught a dozen fish over three days fishing. Sitting on a bucket in -32 Degrees Celsius with the wind blowing was not the most pleasant experience but the sun was out and we were having a blast.
On new years eve Graham & I went coyote hunting to no avail but I did manage to shoot a red fox, its pelt is currently at the taxidermist and will be a nice memento from our last big trip in Canada. That night we let off some fireworks on the lake (thanks Joel) to celebrate the new year.
It was a very special weekend, and one we will not forget. Our stay in Canada has been blessed with unbelievable generosity from family and friends, with one new experience after the next. It will always hold a special place in our hearts and we hope to get back there to see all the people we miss so much.
Our rental: 2010 Dodge Charger
The cabin
View from cabin porch which looks out onto the lake
Me heading out to dig a hole in the ice to collect water
Our 6" hole borer
Me scooping water for hut
Ice fishing huts were scattered all over lake
Kirsten and I in our ice fishing tent (it was -32degrees)
My first perch (they froze in minutes once out of the water)
The view of an ice fisherman: a 6" black hole
Graham with a nice Walleye
John with the worlds biggest perch
Kirsten and John bonding in the frozen tent
The look says it all
Calm sunny day with clear skies = cold
Graham searching for coyotes
Me scanning the horizon for coyotes
Sunset on Crooked Lake, what a beautiful place to finish our time in Canada
