From the border, we drove 5 hours deep into Ontario, to the small town of Nakina. Our accommodations are a post in and of themselves. Suffice it to say we didn't get much sleep, particularly since we had to be at the seaplane base by 5 am EDT (4 am for us).
Here Sam supervises the loading of our gear.
The sun was just beginning to peek up as we boarded and readied for take-off.
The boys had never flown before, so they didn't quite know what to expect. I don't think I've ever been in a float plane.
23 minutes after take-off we landed on Meta Lake.
After breakfast and gearing up, we were on the lake. Within an hour of hitting the water, Sam latched on to this large pike.
Not to be outdone, Sean brought in a salad with his.
We were mainly going after walleyes though, and they did not disappoint.
We stopped for a shore lunch and a quick swim. It was kind of hazy out, but the sun was noticeable and hot.
It's not a fishing trip without a picture of Sean peeing out the side of the boat.
The first two nights provided beautiful sunsets. I happened to catch Sean here fishing into twilight just as he was trying to heave up a big northern on the dock (it got off).
Our cabin is second from left, back behind the trees. Great accommodations - electricity, running water, rustic bunk houses.
Day 2 started with a hook through my thumb. It embedded near my nail while releasing a fish, and I had to push it all the way through the meat of my thumb to get at the barb. I was not happy.
Ara Lake was absolute glass for much of the day, and we could jig without anchoring.
We caught so many fish that the boys quickly became pros at netting and releasing them.
Sam caught the largest and smallest fish of the trip.
We were allowed to bring home 4 walleye on the license, so we stalked some larger ones on Day 3. Sam did a decent job cleaning his first fish.
It finally rained a bit towards the end of our last full day and overnight. Sam got to ride in the copilot seat on the way home.
Sean was less than thrilled by that.
Nothing a video game couldn't cure - back to "civilization".
