From ice to bugs...

First of all, thanks to many faithful readers of this blog for their positive feedback on the ice-out story. This blogging is time-consuming and more work than you might think, so it is heartening to know that people are out there reading and appreciating it.

I've a number of requests for blog reorts on the black fly hatch. Here's the first one. Along with early ice-out and warm weather come early spring flowers, dropping water levels, and yes folks, black flies. They have emerged at my house, just outside of Huntsville, but we've had no reports of bugs in Algonquin Park yet. I'd give them a week or so, unless the weather turns cold, which could delay things a bit. The good news is that they don't bite for the first few days, even though they are quite annoying. Several days later they start looking for their blood meal.

For more Black Fly information:

• The Maine Nature News has some great information and FAQs on black flies. I wholeheartedly agree with the "personal philosophy" expressed by editor Frank Wihbey (near the bottom of the page). Substitute "Algonquin Park" for "Maine" and the philosphy will work up here.
  
• Hardcore black fly enthusiasts should enter the annual Black Fly Hunt in South River, Ontario
• Keep your spirits up by singing the Black Fly Song by Wade Hemsworth. His niece is our book-keeper!

"Two Worlds," courtesy of Steve Baker

This is the kind of weather we've been having lately.

You are missing the best week of the spring!

If you are reading this, you are not in Algonquin Park. You should be. The weather for the last few days has been stunning: warm, sunny, light breezes and best of all, no bugs.

Trout caught from cedar-canvas canoe, trolling with a fly rod.
Photo by Steve Baker, long time AO customer

The fish in the picture was taken on a Mickey Finn trolled on sinking line and 6 pound tippet about 90 feet behind the canoe in a lake somewhere in Algonquin Park.

Why fish in Algonquin Park?

AO General Manager Rich Swift with a nice trout from Tilted Lake

There are many places where you can fish from a motorized craft with all the electronic accoutrements of modern fishing. Generally, the quality of the fishing in such easily accessible areas deteriorates over the years due to a variety of factors, particularly over-fishing and the weakening of natural fish stocks because of the introduction of hatchery and non-native fish.

Fortunately there are a few places, like the interior of Algonquin Park, where the native fishery remains more or less undisturbed and naturally reproducing. This is why dedicated anglers, particularly those interested in trout fishing, will leave their motor boats at home and fish from a canoe in Algonquin Park.

Trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 29.

Opeongo Lake open!

All the melted ice going over Ragged Falls!

Opeongo Lake opened up on Friday, April 21. This is the earliest ice-out in several years and we are ready to go!

If Opeongo is open, it is pretty safe to assume that all other lakes in Algonquin Park are open or will be in a day or so. As you can see from the picture of Ragged Falls above, water levels are extremely high, so be careful out there.

Launching the water taxi at Opeongo Lake - high water but no ice!

I took some nice people from France on a FAM tour on Friday. FAM is a travel industry term for "familiarization" and allows travel and tour operators to visit the places they send their customers. The catch is that they generally get to do these tours in the off-season.

Outfitter takes picture of tour operator being a tourist taking a picture of a cooperative moose

Smoke Lake is open!

Our first kayak rental of the season - Norm and Ian are heading for Smoke Lake this morning!

A quick important ice update:

• Smoke Lake is open, with some ice floating around.
• Lake of Two Rivers completely open.
• Source Lake is open according to Camp Pathfinder staff
  
• Canoe Lake is still mostly iced over and not passable.
• Opeongo Lake is still mostly iced over and not passable.