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High Temp.
6 F
Low Temp.
-11 F
Wind
NW 20-25 MPH
Miles Traveled
11
Hours Traveling
4
New Snow 0
(since last update)
People
Seen 4
(since last update)
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March 9, 2003 Lake Winnipeg
Click To Enlarge
After the day's nets have been hauled in, the fishermen must
work together to clean the fish for market. |
Lake
Winnipeg has had its share of surprises during the previous
week. For the past few days, the infamous winds of this lake have
been blowing steadily. We're beginning to realize why the voyageurs
considered Lake
Winnipeg to be the most treacherous, dangerous, and intimidating
lake in the Interior of Canada. |
| We've been traveling along the shoreline to keep from perpetually
getting blasted by the howling winds. |
On Friday night we came across a fishing camp near where
Warpath Creek enters the lake. There wasn't anybody home, but we decided
to set up camp anyway.
Long after dark, we could hear the distant drone of an aging Bombardier
slowly making its way closer to camp. We thought, "Maybe it's
the people who live here?" Although we both agreed that it was
awfully late for fishermen to still be out on the lake. |
Click To Enlarge
Gouley hard at work. He's been a fisherman on Lake Winnipeg for
his whole life. |
Click To Enlarge
Tiny Tim took us for a ride in the Bombardier. It was loud and
very bouncy, but we couldn't stop laughing at how much fun it was. |
When the Bombardier
rolled up, it was indeed the fishermen. They had had a long day,
and their nets were heavy with the day's catch of whitefish, northern
pike, and walleye. After informal introductions, Dave stayed up
into the late hours, talking about fishing as our new friends, Junior,
Tiny Tim, Arlen, and Gouley, got to work cleaning their day's catch.
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| The next morning proved to be far too windy to travel.
The tops of the surrounding spruce
and birch
trees were swaying, and the fishermen advised us against traveling.
Before leaving to take their fish to market, we asked if we could
take a ride in their Bombardier, the un-armed tanks of northern Manitoba. |
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Tiny Tim was heading out to fill up the camp's water jugs, so he
invited us to go along.
When we got to the water hole, Tim cleared away the few inches of
new ice that had formed overnight.
Then to our amazement, he filled up the water jugs in freezing cold
water without gloves on. After working as a fisherman for most of
his life , Tim's hands have become so tolerant of the cold water,
he barely flinches.
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Click To Enlarge
Tiny Tim fills the jugs up bare-handed in the icy water. He's
got tougher hands than I do. |
| Throughout this adventure, we have met many commercial fishermen.
They are always a captivating bunch, ready with an arsenol of stories
and advice to share with us. It's inspiring to meet so many people
whose lives are so closely tied to the natural environment. Have you
ever thought of working at a job that relies on the forest, lakes,
and animals? Why is this job important, interesting, or unusual? Post
you comments on the Message
Board. |
The Wilderness Classroom Organization
4605 Grand Ave.
Western Springs, IL 60558
(630) 204-0420
info@wildernessclassroom.com
All content copyright (c) The Wilderness Classroom, 2002. All
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