A fishy situation
We would fly off Cold Lake, Ethel Lake and Moose Lake depending on who was available to fly, there was a pontoon raft on the lake, all you had to take was a small motor to get you around and we would camp on the island. It was the last weekend in June Friday when flew off Moose Lake. After unloading, Glen said he would return Sunday at 12:30 pm to fly us out. We found some awesome walleye fishing bringing in 7 & 8 pounders. Sunday morning the wind was up and the lake was fairly rough, even so I caught a 21 pound northern pike which we decided to bring home as the plane was arriving shortly. Well 12:30 came and went, there was no 182 yellow bird in the sky, by 8:30 still no plane. I knew it was a good few hours to walk out, but I had never done it or even knew where the trail was. Two of the fellows were from Edmonton and should have been at work Monday morning, so we decided to hike out. We left the bulk of our gear and the motor with the raft. I loaded the 21 pound fish in my backpack and we set off heading east, we were not long into the bush when the trail turned into waist deep muskeg, we had no choice we had made the decision to walk out, coming out the other side not only were we soaking wet but all sorts of brown muskeg fibre was hanging off us, unable to wash off we just carried on. For the next few hours we hiked along in the dark just following the trail, we came to a good sized creek flowing at a good pace. Again we had no choice; although this time we took our clothes off and held them above our heads keeping them dry attempting to prevent any further chafing, we forded the creek fish and all, on the other side we dried off rested a while then continued on. By 8:00am we passed an old trapping shack and figured we were close to the road... NOT. Three hours later we popped out on the primrose highway. Unknown to us two things, First the wind was to strong and wave were to high for the plane to take off Sunday noon, by the time the wind was down the pilot was not in shape to fly, second, Pat’s Girlfriend went to the Grande Centre police when we didn’t show up Sunday afternoon, and they must have gotten a hold of Glen on Moose Lake. First thing Monday morning, Glen flies into May Lake and finds only our gear, he alerts the police saying we must have walked and to check along the Primrose highway, which is where we eventually were picked up, not that much worse for wear after an adventurous and sleepless night in the woods. After a few explanations and phone calls letting everyone know all was well, we headed back to Ministikwan Lake where we froze the fish, as we were going to bake it in the fire the following weekend. July 1 weekend for many, many years was always a “Christie”, family and extended family gathering they came mainly from the surrounding area, some from Lac La Bich, Edmonton and beyond, always a happy group out on the lake fishing, water skiing or just kicking back with a cool one. On Saturday, I had thawed out the May Lake fish. We had it laid out in the glass display cooler. Denis had just come in from fishing when he saw the fish laid out there, he wanted to take the fish so he could show off his catch of the day. Off he went parading around the campground showing off his big catch, at some point he dropped the fish getting it dirty he went to the bathrooms to wash it off. Hearing the water running in the ladies shower, he just headed right in, moved the woman over and proceeded to wash off the fish with this naked lady watching totally exasperated, too shocked to even move. He finished and just left fish in hand. The May Lake fish was enjoyed around the camp fire that evening, ending its odyssey, until now. |
