Rainy Lake a fishing gem

Sometimes it takes someone from “away” to show you what a treasure you have in your own community.
I frequently write about the bass tournaments and the great bass fishery of Rainy Lake, and I’ve caught numerous big smallmouth bass to prove my point.
Those fish always are released back in the water to have another person enjoy the thrill of the fight they display.
Pound for pound, those feisty fish can bend a rod, jump clear of the water when given any slack, snap lines if you are not paying close attention, and then make you marvel at their deep golden-brown colour when released back in the water and immediately dive to the bottom.
Last week, my son, Brendan, joined my wife and I for several days of fishing. Then my brother-in-law, Tom, and his two sons, Kyle and Ben, arrived for the weekend.
I sometimes think that fishing is slow on the lake and yet when the crew arrives for their annual September fishing trip, it always appears to be great. They caught record-sized bass, record-sized northern pike, and record-sized walleye.
The magic of cameras on cellphones is all that was needed to record our great fishery. The crew invariably leaves with lots of memories of trophy-sized fish photos every year.
For my son who now lives in Calgary, fishing and being on the water on Rainy Lake is an activity he truly enjoys. He seems to have a real feel for catching fish and hauled in many beauties.
My two nephews and brother-in-law also have many treasured moments loaded onto their cameras. My oldest nephew, Kyle, had missed out on fishing for the past two years and set out right from the start last Thursday to catch up on “trophies.”
Perhaps the weather made the weekend better. The forecast had called for winds, rain, and an occasional thunderstorm—all which would make fishing less pleasant.
But outside of an early Friday morning storm, the weather was perfect. We had a walleye chop both Friday and Saturday while the sky was filled with big, billowy white clouds.
The heat from the sun had us shedding layers of clothing until we were down to T-shirts. And the fish were snapping at the lures and baits.
My nephews and brother-in-law brag up the fishing on Rainy Lake. I will nod in agreement, and when questioned by others, will admit that fishing can be both good and poor.
I sometimes downplay the quality of the fishing on the lake hoping to keep it the best-kept secret in Northwestern Ontario.
It is hard to keep it a secret, though, and the excitement generated annually on this fishing weekend is hard to contain. Whether I catch a fish or not is irrelevant. I can sit back and enjoy the excitement of my nephews, brother-in-law, and son in catching fish.
The banter at breakfasts and suppers planning the day’s fishing, and then replaying the action, is fun.
Fishing may be the purpose for coming to Rainy Lake, but the social intercourse through the weekend is the bonus.
Next year already is in the planning stage.