NOVEMBER 2008
Air Ivanhoe Limited has purchased and will be operating some of the camps in 2009, and some will be resting in 2009. Most of you are probably familiar with my brother George, his wife Jeanne and son Joel. They will be operating the following camps from Ivanhoe Lake, which is 45 miles east of Chapleau. Bonar Lake, Schewabic Lake, Nemegosenda Riverside, Biggs Lake and Rice Lake. I forwarded all the reservations for 2009 to Air Ivanhoe, who have contacted all parties that have a tentative reservation for 2009. For all other parties Air Ivanhoe will be sending a 2009 brochure in late November or early December. New prices for the camps are already on Air Ivanhoe's website for 2009. I encourage all my customers to patronize Air Ivanhoe Ltd. Contact Air Ivanhoe: 1-800-955-2951 or 1-705-899-2155 ,
Website: http://ww.air-ivanhoe.com
,E-mail: info@airivanhoe.com
I didn't pick the most opportune time to retire with the state of the economy in recent years but I am anyway..I thank all of you who came, especilly those of you who came most every year, some of you for more than 30 years.. I may see you at Ivanhoe Lake, if they need a week-end pilot.
I'll provide some more news in the not too distant future.
Cheers,
John
Cheers,
John
September 2008
We finally got some nice weather in August. May, June and July all had above normal precipitation and below seasonal temperatures. The nicest weather of the year was around the Labour Day weekend, but it’s still early September and Fall has settled in already. I only watered my garden once all year and that was August 15th. Nothing grew much except the peas. The plentiful rainfall provided an abundant berry crop so there were no nuisance bears around. They didn’t have to bother the tourists or wander into town for leftovers.
I still haven’t finalized the sale of my business but there’s a good chance someone else will be running the camps next year. I will know for sure in a month or two.
I thank all of you who came this year during these times of economic problems in the United Sates, where most of our customers come from. Hopefully the economies of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania will start to improve soon and that some of you who haven’t made a trip up here recently will come again. The fishing was pretty good this year despite the not so good weather.
John, Roger, Melissa, Cosmo and Lila (Lila is a 5 month old German Shepherd, the latest addition to the crew).
JUNE 2008
It's officially summer but still doesn't fell like it yet. It's been mostly cool and unsettled all spring. The water level was very high this spring but has been going down slowly. The fish don't seem to mind the weather as they have been biting pretty well. It's past mid-June and still no mayfly hatches yet. The dragonflies are just starting to hatch. Everything is about 2 weeks behind normal proceedings. We won't have to worry about low water levels for a while.
The exchange rate on U.S. currency is still at par. The price of fuel has gone up 30 percent but our rates have remained the same. There will be no fuel surcharge here as many airlines have implemented.
To clarify the boating license requirements mentioned in the April news, the present requirement is actually for anyone born after April 1, 1983 to have a boating certificate. A U.S. coast guard certificate is good. The requirement for everyone else doesn't come into effect until September 15, 2009. It won't be necessary for next year unless you come after mid. September.
The passport requirement will come into effect on or about June 20, 2009. Right now anyone entering the United States just needs photo I.D. and a birth certificate.I think August will be good fishing this year the way it is shaping up. If you're thinking about a trip this year, please give us a call for information. We have the best rates and value for your hard-earned vacation dollar.
Cheers,
John, roger, Kathy, Melissa and Cosmo send regards.
APRIL 2008
Spring is almost here..still snow on the ground and ice on the lakes, but it's only mid-april and opening week isn't for another month..we had a long old-fashioned type winter this year, unlike the mild winters and early springs we started getting used to in recent years...the water levels should be high in may this year, unlike last when they were low in may and high in july.
There are no major changes in Regulations this year ..passports are not required until june,2009..but US residents will need photo id and a birth certificate to get back into the united states this year though..another new reg for '09 will be a requirement for anyone operating an outboard motor to have taken a boating course and posess a certificate of competency..now it only applies to people born after march 30, 1984.
The US and canadian currencies have been around par so far this yeqr and it is not expected that will change very much in the near future..we will put a monthy update on the site to let US residents know what to expect.
There are still openings this year most weeks, if you are contemplating a fishng trip in 08...and if you are already booked, we'll see you soon.
Cheers,
John, roger, Kathy, Melissa and Cosmo send regards.
JANUARY 2008
Winter has been off and on with 3 significant snowfalls but 2 rain events as well..it looks like winter is here now and another 6-8 inches of snow are forecast today, january 17, might be finally enough to groom the snowmobile trails.
The US border crossing requirements have been pushed back to June 2009. This year you will only need photo id and a birth certificate. The US and canadian dollars are at parity currently and not much change is expected soon, according to the "experts".I plan to attend 2 sportshows this year. London, Ontario is February 22-24 and Grand Rapids , Michigan is March 13-16. Hope to see some of you there.
Kathy, Roger, Cosmo and myself all plan to be back in Chapleau May 1 for another fishing season..We hope to see many of you up north this year.
September 2007
Another fishing season is winding down. Fishing and weather were generally good again this year. We had a few hot weeks and a few cool wet ones but temperatures were mostly normal. The water levels started out on the low side in May because there was less snow last winter than usual but the rain started in mid May and by mid July, we had received 10 inches. Since then we have had little rain so the water levels are a bit on the low side now. The river systems fluctuate about four feet but the lakes only around one foot on a normal year.
The exchange rate we gave on the U.S. funds was 5% this year, while the banks were giving around 3%. The currency exchange at the border wasn’t giving any exchange most weeks because they operate on about 5% commission. We did not increase our rates for next year, 2008. The price will be the same in Canadian dollars but the exchange rate could be different.
Roger and his crew did a major face lift to the camp at Rice Lake this year. No running water but it looks better now than it did new in 1976. The walleye fishing has been excellent there for several years now. The lake was stocked with walleye in 1970 and they have taken over, with many in the 20-30 inch range being caught each year.
As it stands now, passports will be required for U.S. visitors to Canada in January 2008. A bill delaying the requirement until July 2009 has passed the house but has not been signed into law yet. I will keep you posted on my web site as to any new developments.
With economic woes in Michigan and Ohio, business isn’t quite what it used to be, but I have to thank my die-hards who come back every year no matter how bad the economy or exchange rate gets. Retirement is still “on-hold” and I fully expect to be back for another season in 2008. If we haven’t seen you for a few years, please come back!
Cheers,
John, Roger, Kathy, Melissa and Cosmo
