EatSleepFish

Deer Horn Lodge 1981

2011-07-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

Michael Finnie (L)

Our first time at the Cabonga Reservoir and Deer Horn Lodge, however, not for me. I spent a week the prior year canoe camping and fishing on Sterns Island on the big water of the Cabonga with the YMCA. In the picture above, we consolted Gaitan Roubeteill about where to fish. He said, "Out there!" and looked at us with disdain. We came back with this that first day:

My first pike of the trip

Hanging the wash

Ice

Casting for pike between 3 mile and 5 mile bays

Michael Finnie and I trying to get the big one into the boat - it wouldn't
fit in the net and we had to tie it up with boat's painter

Dad's first pike - first fish of the trip

Deer Horn Lodge 1985

2011-07-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

On this trip, it was my Father (Richard Lurie), my best friend from High School (Robert Cantrell), and myself. In 1985, I just completed my first year of college at the University of Arizona. This was when Steve's father was running the camp.

My Father (L) and I

I think this big pike was caught at the top of 7 mile bay

The Shore Lunch Tradition begins

Robert Cantrell (L) and my Father (R) having
Shore Lunch on the old road at Wa Wa Pass

We used to call these Suicides

Because we be trolling along and you couldn't tell they were on your line

Next to the laundry platform was an old ice house

5:30 AM Departure

2011-07-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

Fishing for Lake Trout at Baie Dixie

2011-07-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

Looking south towards in the in flow of the Cabonga River

First Lake of the day, but not the last

Cool clouds, a precursor of what was yet to come?

First storm, we rode it out trolling

Second Storm, we sought shelter - this one was brutal

The Devil's elbow

Hmmmm, this looks like a good place to ....

Fishing from the stern

Driving back to DHL with tunes!

Whitefish Lake

2011-07-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

Been awhile since we last visited White Fish Lake

All we caught were small ones

Until my father got a nice one.

Wa Wa Pass & Rock Lake

2011-07-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

2011 Wa Wa Pass

2010 Wa Wa Pass with the Cabonga down 7+ feet

Trolling through Wa Wa Pass

Gulls at Rock Lake

Bark Fish, nice one!

Smooth as glass

Sunrise at Deer Horn

2011-07-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

The sun rises slowly in the East

The fishing boats lie in wait

The fishermen in the camp are starting stir

Looks like it could be a wonderful day

To yours and good fishing!

Lakers on the Big Water of the Cabonga

2011-07-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

First laker, 2lbs

2nd Laker, 5 lbs

3rd Laker, 7 lbs

All our lakers were caught on the same lure, at different times of course, which is what we were told to use when we fished at Schroon Lake back in 2009. It's simply a copper flasher with an orange and brown streamer (fly) tied to the end. I got my big laker last year using this lure and after I caught my two, my dad tried it and got his big one!

Down rigging in the big water

Driving the boat, nothing beats satellite radio!

The Cabonga Dam

Shhhh, there is someone behind that tree!

Nice parking spot on Sterns Pass, give it a few days, through

Looking down Sterns Pass

My father with his catch

My catch

Lac Andou for first time in 4 years

2011-07-12T17:08:00.000-07:00

We never even tried to go to Lac Andou with with water down 7 feet last year and since we didn't come up in 2009, the last time we fished down this was in 2008. We did our usual, fish down from the dam down through the bay and then through the channel where we caught 3 walleye.

I got the first Walleye in the Ile Richard Channel

Walleye caught down by the submerged ski doo

The Cabonga is up!

2011-07-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Upon arriving at Deer Horn Lodge we were greeted with a full reservoir

It was no surprise since I had been tracking the surface levels.

None-the-less, high water means we aren't restricted to get back into those special spots

The only major improvement to the camp by the new owner is the office

is more like a store and he carriers sundries, canned food, ice cream, and soda.

18 miles on the Rock Road

2011-07-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

If you have ever been to Deer Horn Lodge before you will know the last 18 mi (29 km) to the camp can be the most nerve racking, painstaking slowest part of the trip. In past years it has taken us as much as 2 hours to get down the road pulling a boat.

However, on this trip we got a big surprise because the rock road is improved gravel road and up to the Barrage Barrier. Apparently there is work being done at the dam and the workers need a smooth road to get there and it was so nice that we were able to average 35 mph! It brought tears to our eyes. The last two miles to Deer Horn, however, was business as usual and a slow crawl at 5 to 10 mph.

Fishing with the Boys on the Lily

2011-06-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

Nice smallie, real fighter, came out of the water 4 or 5 times!

Elliot catches a nice pumkinseed

Time for pee

You fish and I watch

I would rather eat snacks than fish!

"Can we go home now?"

Tired of fishing antics

Coming home

Fishing with the Cousins

2011-06-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

L to R: Brodie; Olivia; Julia; Katie, Elliot

Olivia catches a pumpkin seed

Brodie hooks one!

So does Katie

Even Uncle Will gets lucky!

Memorial Day Weekend on Lake Lililonah

2011-05-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

Brodie Dives the boat

Elliot enjoys the spray

Elliot's turn

Got Bait?

Elliot strikes first with a bass

Brodie is on the board

Elliot tires of fishing

Daddy's turn

fishing a spinner bait

At least I caught something

Geologic Feature across from Monkey Rock

2010-09-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

Unless the water was way down like it was during the third week of July when I was at the Cabonga I don't think this would ever get noticed.

Now, I am no geologist but this is some influx of rock material, obviously of a differet consistency and make up then the surrounding rock.

Cabonga Water level as of 8/17/2010

2010-08-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

Capacity: 360.88
Current: 358.11
Difference: 2.77 m
Lake Level: Still 9.09 feet down - No change!

Cabonga Water level as of 8/11/2010

2010-08-11T03:35:00.000-07:00

Capacity: 360.88
Current: 358.11
Difference: 2.77 m
Lake Level: Still 9.09 feet down - No change!

I was looking through my pictures for past trips and I think back in 1999 or 2000 Cabonga was around this depth once. I recall meeting this retired guy from South Carolina by the name of Lou who drove up every year and spent a couple of weeks at DHL and had a chart of the lake water depth spanning multiple years. Of course his gripe with the low water was that it was harder to fish but from what we saw when we were there, while we got skunked a few days, when we were catching Walleyes, we were catching Walleyes!

I think Cabonga has definitely turned the corner as a Walleye fishery because Walleye fishing is getting better and better now. Just look at all the big Walleyes being caught at DHL this past year as proof in the pudding. I wonder if competition for forage fish is so fierce now that the Walleye populations are out pacing pike reproduction and that is why the pike fishery is in a state of decline. While we weren't necessarily fishing for pike we were amazed at how few we caught this trip.

I might have mentioned this last week but I thought I would show you some examples of what 2 feet down would sort of look like. Going to Stern's pass, you have to pass through this tight channel that I call the Water Falls. In the picture below, this is in 3 feet of water. Now imagine this section 2 feet shallower! Yikes!

Cabonga Water level as of 8/03/2010

2010-08-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Capacity: 360.88
Current: 358.11
Difference: 2.77 m
Lake Level: 9.09 feet down!

Doesn't seem that DHL hasn't updated their website because on the English page they are still saying Lake Level is 5 feets down but on the french side there is bit more information:

Niveau du réservoir Cabonga = 5 pieds sous la normale et il baisse tout les jours.

Barrage Barrière ouvert!

La pêche aux doré est très bonne de la pointe aux Iroquois jusqu'au barrage.

Which translates to:

Cabonga level = 5 feet below normal and down every day.

Dam Gate open!

The walleye fishing is very good Point Iroquois to the dam

Regardless, they are almost off by half. When I was there, it was up 2 feet then what I am reporting now which means WaWa pass is probably closed and getting to Sterns, you might want to bring a big pole.

What I would like to see is if someone could make an interactive GPS map of the lake that you could set the surface level of and thus get a feeling for what the lake is really like.

A word from Steve Hamel former owner of Deer Horn Lodge

2010-08-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

Steve is handing over the reigns of Deer Horn Lodge on August 1st and I thought I would reprint his farewell speech so that it will be forever immortalized in the Interwebs.

There always be something inherently magical about fishing the Cabonga Reservoir.

I've spend the last 3 decades fishing all over this spectacular area, 37 original natural lakes connecting one another, so much water you couldn't fish it all in a hundred lifetimes. Over 400 KM square of water seemingly endless, the most beautifull lake in Quebec Province!

Over the years I have caught numbers of fish and big ones! Many walleyes over 10 pounds, several pikes over 25 pounds and a few lake trout monsters over 30 pounds, the fish grow big and strong in the Cabonga!

My mission at Deer Horn Lodge was to offer a great fishing destination very accessible, with good accomodations and a great service. After all those years I can honestly say ''mission accomplished''!

From every aspect, fishing is true paradise at Deer Horn Lodge, one of the last true outfitter remaining in this modern, space aged world.

It was hard to convince people on how good the place is, but those that once experienced it returned years after years and some months after months. Most of them became good friends and I want to special thank everyone who beleived in me and my family.

After 3 decades i am leaving the place in good hands, Sebastien Hamel who is my cousin is taking over, he is a passionate and love the outdoors, especialy walleye fishing. Sebastien will keep provinding you with the best accommodations and services that you were used to. The Hamel tradition a Deer Horn Lodge will continue!

A big thank you to all of my customers & friends.

Yours in good fishing.

Steve Hamel

Cabonga Water level as of 7/27/2010

2010-07-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

Capacity: 360.88
Current: 358.22
Difference: 2.66 m
Level Level: 8.73 feet down!

Found this little warning on the Réserve faunique La Vérendrye Sepaq Website:

I am still looking for some more up to date pix from the reservoir. If anyone has any, let me know.

Cabonga Water level as of 7/20/2010

2010-07-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

Capacity: 360.88
Current: 358.40
Difference: 2.48 m
Level Level: 8.14 feet down!

It's still going down and almost another foot from the previous week! Yikes. I don't think you are getting through Wa Wa pass unless you have a canoe. You probably could get down to the big water via Stern's Pass but it will be a slow go. The first time I went to DHL, a woman who has accompanied her husband up there since the 50s or 60s said at the narrowest point on the route to Sterns Pass, when the water was low enough, it was like a water fall or rapid (see image below). I could see that with the way the rocks are situated in there. To get to that point, I think the level has to go down to 10 or 11 feet, which according to Steve Hamel, it got to that point in 2000.

Cabonga Water level as of 7/13/2010

2010-07-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Capacity: 360.88
Current: 358.70
Difference: 2.18 m
Level Level: 7.15 feet down!

One thing is for sure, low water is great for walleye fishing, however, to get to the big water to fish for lake trout, unless there is another way to get down there from DHL, 2 meters is probably the absolute minimum.

Last Walleye of the Trip

2010-07-16T15:35:00.001-07:00

Here is my last walleye caught in Burns Bay.

Rocks and Props don't mix!

2010-07-16T15:33:00.001-07:00

Here is the damage from Sunday.

More shots around Deer Horn Lodge

2010-07-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

Deer Horn's boat parking is on the south side of penninsula. Water
must be down 7 feet now, although the website says it's only down 5.
Apparently they are slowing down the draining. Still, with the water
this low it could be a year or two before it's back up to full
capacity. Let's hope they have a lot of snow this winter.

Shore Lunch at Flick's Island (Burns Bay)

2010-07-16T15:18:00.001-07:00

The lone walleye we caught today was eaten on Flick's island.

Another great day of Walleye fishing

2010-07-15T15:43:00.001-07:00

Caught around 10 Walleye today between my father and I. Lost a few at
the boat, and kept 4 to finish out our limit! Catching them in 10
feet of water on worm rigs with bottom bouncers and ripping them
through the weeds. Caught another little pike in a place that we call
Snag City, one of the bays due north of Monkey Rock. Also caught a
small blue walleye. I have caught some blue walleyes here before but
they are always small.

Tomorrow we go for Trophy Pike!

Limit on Lakers

2010-07-14T18:49:00.000-07:00

Caught some more lakers today. We are now at our limit of 4 fish.

Deer Horn Lodge Heli Pad

2010-07-14T18:47:00.001-07:00

Some natural resources exploration company is surveying this section
of Quebec looking for different types of resources to exploit. I
think, once in the late 80s we saw a float plane at Deer Horn.

Fire in La Reserve Faunique La Verendrye

2010-07-14T18:43:00.001-07:00

While trolling up Sterns Pass I noticed smoke coming from the ridge on
the other side of the Big Water. Looks like a little more than a camp
fire.

Navigating through the falls.

2010-07-14T18:39:00.001-07:00

On my first trip to Deer Horn Lodge a woman that had been coming up to
DHL since the 1950s told me in the early days that this narrow section
between Baie Cox and Sterns Passage used to be a dramatic change in
water level, so much so that she called it a waterfall. Traveling
through there today, I could see how she would have throught that
because of all the huge rocks in there. We got through, although on
the way back our electric trolling motor stopped working, it won't
turn from side to side. Still get thrust though.

Le Barrage du Cabonga

2010-07-14T18:33:00.001-07:00

Another great day on the Big Water of the Cabonga. Got within a mile
or two of the dam.

The low water situation at Deer Horn Lodge

2010-07-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

Water is down around 6 to 7 feet right now and it's still going down.

Crazy as a Loon

2010-07-13T19:13:00.001-07:00

More pictures of Waskega Channel and Wa Wa Pass

2010-07-13T19:07:00.001-07:00

What little fish make you do

2010-07-13T19:01:00.001-07:00

My dad was imparting serious advise to this Walleye about never going
after a worm again. I doubt he got through to it.

Bald Eagle of Waskega Channel

2010-07-13T18:56:00.001-07:00

Threw some White fish in the water that we caught earlier but this
Bald Eagle was too skittish around us, unlike the Bald Eagle of 3/5/7
mile bay that will happily swoop down and snag a free handout with 30
feet of your boat.

Sailboat on the Big Water of Cabonga

2010-07-13T18:32:00.001-07:00

I had heard that some people are crazy enough to sail on the Cabonga
but this is the first I have actually seen it. Of course I shot this
with my 300 mm telephoto and cropped it to 4x6.

Nothing finer than a livewell full of fish!

2010-07-13T15:26:00.001-07:00

Here are some shots of all the fish we kept! I think we caught
between 15 and 20 Walleye.

Fishing the Waskega Channel

2010-07-13T15:19:00.001-07:00

After getting skunked yesterday we made up for it today. Last night's
rain storm shook things up and we caught somewhere between 15 and 20
Walleye today. Kept 8, in the 18 to 24" range weighing between 2 and
4 lbs!

First Fish - First Pike

2010-07-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

Caught this little pike off the docks at Deer Horn this morning.

More fishless pictures

2010-07-12T18:32:00.001-07:00

If you haven't figured it out by now, we got skunked.

Driving back in the rain

2010-07-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

Wicked rain storm on the way back to Deer Horn Lodge.

Godzilla vs Monster X

2010-07-12T18:25:00.001-07:00

Clouds are looking more threatening

Godzilla in the clounds

2010-07-12T18:19:00.001-07:00

Coming back from Sterns Pass, interesting cloud formation, pre cursor
to the big rain storm this afternoon

7lb Walleye

2010-07-12T17:57:00.001-07:00

8lb Lake Trout

2010-07-12T17:56:00.001-07:00

Laker Trout and Walleye

2010-07-12T17:54:00.001-07:00

Great day of fishing on Sunday! First Laker was a throw back but the
second laker was 8 lbs. The Walleye was 7 lbs. My larget walleye,
yet.

Big Water of the Cabonga

2010-07-11T19:10:00.001-07:00

Le Barrage Barrier

2010-07-10T19:21:00.001-07:00

There is a lot of water being let out of the reservoir, something like
2.5 inches per day. The water is already down 5 feet. Getting into
some places that we like to fish out will be tough.

29 KM of pure Hell

2010-07-10T19:15:00.001-07:00

From the Transcanadiene Highway (Rt 117) to Dearhorn Lodge is a 29 KM
or 18 miles of the worst road in the world, especially pulling a boat.
In the last picture, you come down this big hill and you cross over a
dam that is currently discharging water out of the reservoir.

Watch out for Moose!

2010-07-10T19:11:00.001-07:00

I think that is what the sign says. Here are a few shots between Mont
Laurier and the infamous rock road, of the 29 km of hell.

Quality Inn at Mont Laurier

2010-07-10T19:05:00.001-07:00

We got to the hotel Friday night kind of late, 12 midnight. A couple of logistical issues occurred along the way like trying to buy beer knowing that by the time we got up to Mont Laurier it could be too late to buy beer. On the second attempt to get off the highway and drag the boat around the outskirts of Montreal looking for a grocery store. The other thing we needed were worms and we found that you can buy them just about anywhere, so we got them at the gas station.

548 miles down

2010-07-10T04:48:00.001-07:00

We arrived in Mont Laurier last night at Midnight. Staying at the Quality Inn on the north side of town and really like this place.

Now starts the worst part of the trip, the last 18 miles of the trip down the rock road.

Back to Cabonga!

2010-07-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

Headed back to the Cabonga Reservoir and Deer Horn Lodge this week to fish for Walleye, Pike, and Lakers. It's going to be interesting because the intell from Walleye Central from those that have already visited Deer Horn in the past weeks is that the reservoir is down as much as 5 feet! Yikes! The last time we saw it down that low must have been around 1999.

The Map above shows every area we have fished since we started going to Deer Horn Lodge and the Cabonga Reservoir since 1981. Of course we haven't be there every year since then. I think in the span of 29 years we have been there some where 16 times. One year we went twice, or it was more of a do over because my father had a herniated disk. We got there on Saturday and went home Sunday night.

With our 2nd boat and a much larger engine (90 hp) we now have far greater range to strike out for places like the big water (depths between 105 and 250 feet), Baie Dixie, and beyond the Lumber Camp. With the bigger motor, I think it takes 30 minutes to get to Sterns Pass when it took over an hour with our 25 hp and the Tracker. Although, this time around with the low water, we'll see where we can get to.

This could be the last year we go up with kids because my daughter who is 9 now has expressed an interest in coming next year but I don't think she is prepared for a week of no TV, limited internet, and fishing all day. I plan on posting daily fishing reports and lots of pictures provided there is still internet service at the camp and it works well enough.

Elliot Fishing with Pop Pop

2010-07-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here are some old pictures that I forgot to post of Elliot Fishing with his Pop Pop about three years ago. Unfortunately, Pop Pop is not with us anymore but we will always remember his easy going attitude and willingness to help others.

Back to fishing!

2008-06-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

I wasted $20 on a fishing license last fall when I started taking Katie and Elliot out in the canoe. After the first trip they wanted to try fishing and if they are going to fish, then I want to fish! So, we went out a second time, and third time, but caught nothing.

As some of you may know we got a new boat and twice before took it out but couldn't get the main motor started. I got a little help earlier this week on what to do and it started right up on the first try.

So, I took the family out to Lake Lilinonah for a little fishing. We motored up to a cove in Brookfield for lunch but didn't catch anything. Then we headed back down towards the inlet where we launched and fished in another little inlet and had a lot of fun.

Brodie fell asleep in Michele's arms and I worked with the kids to catch sunnies. Nothing beats worms! Elliot caught his first fish and not only did Katie catch fish, but she is turning into a really good caster.

After Brodie woke up from his "nap" he didn't want to fish nor did he want to do anything we asked him to do. In fact while we were heading back to the launch he kept trying to crawl under my leg to get under the console.

It was a fun day but a lot of work. I got my line in the water but didn't get much fishing done because I was too busy baiting hooks, casting to the "right" spot, and trying to keep everything organized.

Below, Brodie is trying his rod out for the first time. I just put a bobber on the end of his line, casted it out for him, and let him reel it in.

Elliot caught his first fish! It was a sunny. We were fishing in Sunny beds because I figured with worms, that would be a sure fire way to catch something.

Brodie asleep in Michele's arms

Katie with a fish she caught by herself

I told Brodie that he couldn't climb under the console so he tried any way. He is a stubborn little guy

Katie and Elliot

Katie, Elliot, and that's Brodie trying to crawl underneath the console.

Brodie wasn't feeling very photogenic

Elliot's Birthday Videos Part II

2008-02-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

Elliot's Birthday Videos Part I

2008-02-03T11:48:00.000-08:00

The present that made the biggest hit for Elliot and more so with Brodie is the one from Grandma Teddie which was the Bug Hotel. As some you may or may not know, every fall hundreds and hundreds of Lady Bugs like to winter in our house, mainly in the door jambs and window sills. We generally have lots and lots of red and black polka dot visitors through out the winter. This year, I decided enough was enough and vacuumed up many, filling a vacuum bag, yet I did not get them all. For Christmas, I got a handy vac to police up the stragglers. Of course, Brodie, our youngest goes nuts when ever sees one. He calls them "BBs" but he is learning to call them Lady Bugs.

Today's warm weather brought many "BBs" out and we scooped as many as we could find and gave them a new home, Elliot's Bug Hotel.

Katie's second day on the slopes

2008-01-30T17:50:00.000-08:00

Elliot Running in Vermont

2007-07-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

On your marks? Get set. Go!

Me at Harriman Dam

2007-06-30T02:03:00.000-07:00

2007-06-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

Technorati Profile

Family Photos

2007-05-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Boys on the Stairs

2007-05-10T17:58:00.000-07:00

Brodie's New Home

2007-05-10T17:56:00.000-07:00

2006-10-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Me at Blue

2006-07-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

2006-04-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

2006-04-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

2006-04-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

2006-04-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

2006-04-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

2006-04-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:43:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:15:00.000-07:00

2006-04-25T19:13:00.001-07:00

2006-04-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

Tiffany's wedding, the rehearsal dinner

2006-04-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

2005-09-10T11:59:00.002-07:00

Daddy, can't you see I am busy!!

2005-09-10T11:59:00.001-07:00

One happy Elliot

2005-09-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

Family

2005-09-10T11:58:00.002-07:00

Hint, hint