Here is a short video with some helpful tips and reminders so that you will get to your destination safely so that you can enjoy your fishing vacation without worry.
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
Tag Archives: adventures
Prepare Your Boat For The Upcoming Season
There seems to be a direct correlation between melting snow and the increasing need for anglers to get on the water. Just consider how many countless hours you, or your friends, have spent sharpening hooks, organizing and reorganizing your tackle box, and the cash you spend on pre-season shopping for supplies.
But here’s a question: how many of you take the time to properly prepare your boat for the upcoming season? There’s no better place to invest your anxious energy than boat and trailer tune-ups and tinkering. Here’s a list of some things you should do before you hit the water this season.
Get The Engine Running
If you didn’t get your engine winterized, you’ll want to do the annual maintenance in the spring, such as: changing the oil and filters, lubricating parts, and cleaning spark plugs. If you winterized your boat, some shops will include a spring start-up in their package to ensure all is working well after the winter. Hooking up a hose to a pair of “ear muffs” or using other flushing kits will allow you to start your engine on land — always a good move before the first outing.
Check Hoses And Connections
You’ll want to check all the hoses and connections from your gas tank to your engine. Have any of the tubes cracked over the winter? Are there any signs of wear and tear visible on tubes or the gas tank? If so, replace worn parts at the beginning of the season. Don’t forget to add new gas to that tank, too, fuel stabilizers will keep gas uniform over the winter, but you want fresh gas running through the engine as soon as possible.
The Blessed Battery
Batteries are a crucial component in boats today. They power fish finders, trolling motors, lights, livewells, and the list goes on. Many guys will have both a cranking and a deep cycle battery in their boats. The cranking is strictly for starting the outboard; the deep cycle is for electronics. Both types of batteries should be charged differently, but charge them fully before your first run on the water. This is also a good time to clean grimy battery terminals with a wire, battery brush.
Working On Wires
A battery is useless without a network of wires to transport its energy to the gadgets on your boat. Check all the wiring in your boat, looking for kinks and cracks in the wiring, replacing sections of wiring if necessary. Tighten any loose connections and replace any year-old electrical tape with new product to ensure the seal will last the season. While inspecting your wiring, also consider tucking some of it away to tidy your boat. There are a variety of products available in the electrical section of hardware stores, such as plastic tie-downs, that will help you organize your boat’s wiring.
Safety Kit
You should already have the appropriate safety gear and equipment to comply with the boating regulations for the vessel you operate. Check this equipment at the beginning of the season and add supplies. This includes replenishing supplies from your First Aid kit that might have been used up over the summer. Replace weak batteries with fresh ones. Ensure you have spares for some basic boat equipment (such as fuses and spark plugs). Also return any items to your boat that you may have removed during winter storage, such as anchors or a tool kit.
Inspecting trailer tires for wear and tear, greasing bearings, and adding air to the recommended pressure levels are three key steps for spring trailer-tune up. Getting a cover for your bearings doesn’t hurt either and will keep tires grease-free.
Trailer Tune-Up
Don’t forget to check your trailer at the beginning of spring. Start by inspecting your tires, looking for adequate treads and ensure there are no cracks or bulges on the sides. Replace worn tires (if necessary) and add the proper air pressure before any outings. You’ll also want to replenish grease levels and repack your bearings if needed. Next, ensure all the lights are operating properly and check the wiring. Finally, inspect the winch and straps, tightening any loose nuts and bolts, but also checking the strap for signs of wear and tear, replacing if needed. This is important; the last thing you want is the strap snapping when you’re cranking your boat onto your trailer.
Tuning and tightening up your boat as you wait for season-opener is a smart investment of your time. It keeps your boat in good shape, but it’s also an opportunity to spot any potential hazards before they become major problems. Don’t get sidelined this season with boat problems that could have been prevented with a little spring tune-up.
Stay safe and have fun on the water this season!
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Share this:
The Sudden Storm
A true story…….
On July 4, Doug Fehler, 56, was fishing with his wife and grandkids when a huge thunderstorm swamped his boat. As told to Kristyn Brady.
The boys, Carter, 9, and Charlie, who’s just 5, were casting for perch, while Kristye and I put out jug lines for catfish on Oklahoma’s Broken Bow Lake. We had made the trip up from Texas for a Fourth of July getaway. We’d been fishing for maybe 30 minutes when the sky rumbled. I looked around and saw a huge thunderhead, followed by a lightning flash. It had been a scorcher of an afternoon with a few scattered clouds, and the marina parking lot was packed less than an hour earlier when we launched my 15-foot bass boat, a restored 1980 Caddo, toward a series of small islands. But with the lightning, I thought it best to get off the water.
As we motored toward the edge of the cove, the storm cloud had grown and the sky darkened. The wind picked up, but we’d had more shelter than I realized before our boat cleared the last island, where we were spit out into some of the roughest open water I’ve ever seen. The wind howled and waves slammed into the side of the boat, spilling inside. Without notice, a 7-foot swell crashed over our heads. I struggled to turn us into the oncoming wind and waves, soaked but holding on. Fortunately, we were already wearing our life vests.
Wave after wave crashed over the bow, but I didn’t even notice the water rushing past my feet because I was so focused on keeping the boat straight and running. I heard Kristye yell from the rear, where she was sitting with Charlie. I looked back to see him sitting on the floor with water up to his armpits. He didn’t seem to understand the danger, and just looked back at me expectantly. I could tell Carter was scared, but he was quiet and clung to the rail next to me.
I started to panic. It had been less than 10 minutes, but it felt like we’d been battling the waves much longer. The gas tanks were floating. The cooler had escaped over the side. The battery was under-water. That’s when the engine died.
Without the engine, we were being pushed toward a rocky bluff. If the boat had turned broadside to the waves, the next one would have capsized us. I was just about to jump in to try and pull us to shore when I heard a ski boat speeding toward us. They were able to drag our craft—the transom end completely underwater—and beach it nearby. I stayed with my boat, bailing out, while the driver of the ski boat took Kristye and the boys to the marina. As they left, Charlie was crying in Kristye’s arms, and I couldn’t help but worry that splitting up was the wrong decision. They got some bumps and bruises on the rough ride back, but we were reunited an hour later on the dock, where we all shed a few tears.
My boat’s tri-hull design was not built for those conditions, but I knew that. I would never purposely steer into waves that size. We were blindsided. Carter still doesn’t like to talk about that afternoon, and he hasn’t been on a boat since. I’m hoping that will pass. The whole thing has kept me awake a few nights. I go over the experience in my head, thinking what was at stake. It still gives me chill-bumps.
Survival Analysis
Because one cannot fault Fehler’s actions once his boat was caught in heavy water—he made sure everyone was wearing a PFD, kept the bow pointed into the waves, and navigated toward safe harbor—the only question of right and wrong here concerns the decision to cross open water. The family probably could have weathered the storm in relative safety among the islands, and Fehler’s decision to leave is one I am sure he would like to have back.
This situation reminds me of an antelope hunting trip I made with my brother on Montana’s Fort Peck Reservoir, where we found ourselves separated from the dock by a mile-wide channel. Like Fehler, we didn’t have a boat seaworthy enough to meet the conditions once the storm broke. Unlike him, we were able to see how far conditions had deteriorated, so the decision to shelter on a spit of land was a no-brainer. We ended up being trapped by weather there for three days.
The survival lesson here is not so much to be prepared to brave the devil water, but to be prepared to stay, which makes a safe decision much easier. Always check the weather forecast ahead of time, and carry a radio, cellphone, distress flags, and signal flares, as well as a survival bag. Do not forget extra dry clothing, and make sure the book in your dry bag is a long one.
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
TESTIMONIALS BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Share this:
About Wawang Lake
![cabinsc1c4 [640x480]](https://wawangresort.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/cabinsc1c4-640x480.jpg)
No Other Resorts, Homes or Cottages on our lake – just us & YOU! As a matter of fact our nearest neighbors are 28 miles south of us. Our post office is further yet at 50 miles south of us. So if you’re getting the impression we are secluded – you would be right.
Terry came to this magnificent area in 1969 and I soon followed a few years later. One day he said to me, “We should build a resort’. What he didn’t know about me and soon would learn is that when I have a goal – I’m relentless and will see it through. So – Wawang Lake Resort is here today because of our efforts and shear determination – it couldn’t be any other way..
Now let me tell you a little about our lake and our resort…….
Wawang Lake is a 5,000 acre spring fed lake with miles of irregular shoreline, which offers the fisherman great fish habitat to explore, such as sandbars, shoals, weed beds and islands and many of these areas are adjacent to deep water making them attractive and popular fishing spots for both walleye and pike & perfect for exciting fishing for the fisherman.
Our lake is easy to navigate and offers a variety of lake structure that is excellent for both walleye and northern pike and better yet it’s nearly stress free for mishaps for those that bring their own boats.
We have seven cabins that have a spectacular view of our magnificent lake. You will be sure to enjoy the beauty of our 1,500′ tropical like beach with gradual incline, and, the resort’s shoreline bottom is all sand for an afternoon swim or just relax tanning on the beach. Our lake also has many other sand beaches that are perfect for a private swim, or the traditional shore lunch.
Upon your arrival we offer a detailed map of the lake and will highlight areas showing where the successful fishing has been prior to your arrival. Our main objective for the angler is to catch fish. Our main objective for the hunter is to be successful.
Wawang Lake is well-known for its trophy sized walleye and northern and over the years has brought many great memories of the action and the numbers of these large fish have offered. For instance, the largest walleye caught & released was 37” 15 1/2 lb, and, the largest northern also caught & released was 52.5” 38 1/2 lb. Guests have stated that they have caught and released many trophy fish during their stay in fact our records show that one guest caught over 40 trophy fish in three visits to Wawang Lake. Nice!
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
TESTIMONIALS BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Share this:
Keeps away flies, wasps …
Zip Lock Baggies………..who knew?
We went to a restaurant and sat in the patio section. We happened to notice zip lock baggies pinned to a post and a wall. The bags were half filled with… …water, each contained 4 pennies, and they were zipped shut. Naturally we were curious! The owner told us that these baggies kept the flies away! So naturally we were even more curious! We actually watched some flies come in the open window, stand around on the window sill, and then fly out again. And there were no flies in the eating area!
Below are comments on this fly control idea. I’m now a believer!
Zip-lock water bags: #1 Says: I tried the zip lock bag and pennies this weekend. I have a horse trailer. The flies were bad while I was camping. I put the baggies with pennies above the door of the LQ. NOT ONE FLY came in the trailer.The horse trailer part had many. Not sure why it works but it does!
#2 Says:Fill a zip lock bag with water and 5 or 6 pennies and hang it in the problem area. In my case it was a particular window in my home. It had a slight passage way for insects. Every since I have done that, it has kept flies and wasps away. Some say that wasps and flies mistake the bag for some other insect nest and are threatened.
#3 Says:I swear by the plastic bag of water trick. I have them on porch and basement. We saw these in Northeast Mo. at an Amish grocery store& have used them since. They say it works because a fly sees a reflection& won’t come around.
#4 Says:Regarding the science behind zip log bags of water? My research found that the millions of molecules of water presents its own prism effect and given that flies have a lot of eyes, to them it’s like a zillion disco balls reflecting light, colors and movement in a dizzying manner. When you figure that flies are prey for many other bugs, animals, birds, etc., they simply won’t take the risk of being around that much perceived action. I moved to a rural area and thought these “hillbillies” were just yanking my city boy chain but I tried it and it worked immediately! We went from hundreds of flies to seeing the occasional one, but he didn’t hang around long.
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
TESTIMONIALS BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Share this:
Boat Trailering Tips
Here is a short video with some helpful tips and reminders that you will get to your destination safely so that you can enjoy your fishing vacation without worry.
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
TESTIMONIALS BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Share this:
Prepare Your Boat For The Upcoming Season
There seems to be a direct correlation between melting snow and the increasing need for anglers to get on the water. Just consider how many countless hours you, or your friends, have spent sharpening hooks, organizing and reorganizing your tackle box, and the cash you spend on pre-season shopping for supplies.
But here’s a question: how many of you take the time to properly prepare your boat for the upcoming season? There’s no better place to invest your anxious energy than boat and trailer tune-ups and tinkering. Here’s a list of some things you should do before you hit the water this season.
Get The Engine Running
If you didn’t get your engine winterized, you’ll want to do the annual maintenance in the spring, such as: changing the oil and filters, lubricating parts, and cleaning spark plugs. If you winterized your boat, some shops will include a spring start-up in their package to ensure all is working well after the winter. Hooking up a hose to a pair of “ear muffs” or using other flushing kits will allow you to start your engine on land — always a good move before the first outing.
Check Hoses And Connections
You’ll want to check all the hoses and connections from your gas tank to your engine. Have any of the tubes cracked over the winter? Are there any signs of wear and tear visible on tubes or the gas tank? If so, replace worn parts at the beginning of the season. Don’t forget to add new gas to that tank, too, fuel stabilizers will keep gas uniform over the winter, but you want fresh gas running through the engine as soon as possible.
The Blessed Battery
Batteries are a crucial component in boats today. They power fish finders, trolling motors, lights, livewells, and the list goes on. Many guys will have both a cranking and a deep cycle battery in their boats. The cranking is strictly for starting the outboard; the deep cycle is for electronics. Both types of batteries should be charged differently, but charge them fully before your first run on the water. This is also a good time to clean grimy battery terminals with a wire, battery brush.
Working On Wires
A battery is useless without a network of wires to transport its energy to the gadgets on your boat. Check all the wiring in your boat, looking for kinks and cracks in the wiring, replacing sections of wiring if necessary. Tighten any loose connections and replace any year-old electrical tape with new product to ensure the seal will last the season. While inspecting your wiring, also consider tucking some of it away to tidy your boat. There are a variety of products available in the electrical section of hardware stores, such as plastic tie-downs, that will help you organize your boat’s wiring.
Safety Kit
You should already have the appropriate safety gear and equipment to comply with the boating regulations for the vessel you operate. Check this equipment at the beginning of the season and add supplies. This includes replenishing supplies from your First Aid kit that might have been used up over the summer. Replace weak batteries with fresh ones. Ensure you have spares for some basic boat equipment (such as fuses and spark plugs). Also return any items to your boat that you may have removed during winter storage, such as anchors or a tool kit.
Inspecting trailer tires for wear and tear, greasing bearings, and adding air to the recommended pressure levels are three key steps for spring trailer-tune up. Getting a cover for your bearings doesn’t hurt either and will keep tires grease-free.
Trailer Tune-Up
Don’t forget to check your trailer at the beginning of spring. Start by inspecting your tires, looking for adequate treads and ensure there are no cracks or bulges on the sides. Replace worn tires (if necessary) and add the proper air pressure before any outings. You’ll also want to replenish grease levels and repack your bearings if needed. Next, ensure all the lights are operating properly and check the wiring. Finally, inspect the winch and straps, tightening any loose nuts and bolts, but also checking the strap for signs of wear and tear, replacing if needed. This is important; the last thing you want is the strap snapping when you’re cranking your boat onto your trailer.
Tuning and tightening up your boat as you wait for season-opener is a smart investment of your time. It keeps your boat in good shape, but it’s also an opportunity to spot any potential hazards before they become major problems. Don’t get sidelined this season with boat problems that could have been prevented with a little spring tune-up.
Stay safe and have fun on the water this season!
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
TESTIMONIALS BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Share this:
The Swedish Torch – Campfire
This is a great idea for small spaces and uses less wood too! Ideal for cooking on or simply enjoying the atmosphere. So on your next trip to the outdoors give this one a try.
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
TESTIMONIALS BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Share this:
Kayak PIKE Fishing
If you’re a fan of fishing for pike and own a kayak, blending the two together is an excellent way to access phenomenal fishing opportunities.
Many large pike roam waters off limits to anglers with powerboats, and getting into back lakes or small- to medium-sized rivers is easy with a kayak. More often than not, these unpressured fish are willing to hit baits with unbridled predatory aggression, only heightening the fun of kayak angling!
Kayaks let you access lakes and rivers off limits to powerboats, which often equates to phenomenal angling action.
A Bit About Kayaks
Kayak fishing is booming in North America. The growing popularity exists for several reasons. Being able to access waters cut off to powerboats is one. In a kayak any public access spot on shore is a launch site. Then it’s just a matter of paddling to biting fish. Another reason kayak fishing is growing is their low-cost advantages. No motor or trailer means lower fuel costs with these small boats. The ability to customize kayaks into fully functional fishing machines is another reason more anglers are taking up kayak fishing. Lastly, kayak fishing is fun! You’re closer to the water and battling even smaller-sized fish can be a blast in these low-profile paddleboats.
Kayaks Access Prime Pike Waters
There is no wrong time to target pike using a kayak. Look for pike around creeks and bays where they’ll recover after spawning in spring. Come summer and autumn, bays and weed lines are good areas to paddle and cast baits.
As kayaks glide through extremely shallow water, use this to your advantage and work shallow, weedy, and sand bays off the beaten track. Also, don’t be afraid to explore up small rivers or lake tributaries. Sometimes these connect to lakes with undeveloped shorelines. It’s spots like this where non-stop pike action is common as fish aren’t likely to see very many lures in their lifetime.
Top Kayak Pike Gear
Fishing pike from a kayak begins by having the proper gear. Medium-heavy to heavy bait cast or spinning rods are good. Some prefer longer rods of at least 7 feet to help them control fish and keep them a safe distance from the boat until they’ve played them sufficiently and safely, and it’s time to land them. Use braid starting at 30-pound-test and either use wire or heavy-duty fluorocarbon leaders of at least 60-pound test to prevent bite-offs.
Kayak Pike Baits
As you’re fishing much closer to the water, try and use lures featuring single hooks, or pinch down barbs on trebles. This makes releasing fish easier, but also lessens the chances of an angling accident.
Good top water lures include frogs and buzz baits. Soft-jerk baits rigged on single hooks are excellent to twitch around weeds or wood for pike as well. Spinner baits are another great single-hook option and are always pike magnets. To work the bottom or along weed edges, buck tail jigs bulked up with twister tails are my favorite choice.
The Right Release Tools
It’s important to carry all the necessary release tools when fishing out of a kayak. This ensures you can quickly remove the hooks from a fish and resume fishing. The longer you take to land and release a fish at boat side the greater the chances for mishaps. Pliers are a must, and floating models are available. Keep them on a lanyard so they’re always within reach and carry a spare set. Jaw spreaders are important for pike as well to quickly open a fish’s mouth and remove a lure. A net is also a good tool to carry in the boat. Many handles easily stow in flush mount rod holders. If targeting big fish, it’s often best to angle with a partner so assistance is nearby for landing and removing hooks.
Fishing pike from kayaks is exciting. These predators often aggressively hit lures and back lake fish are sure to be more aggressive than ones found on pressured waters regularly angled and exposed to plenty of boat traffic. Whether you own one or not, if you enjoy pike fishing, try angling them with a kayak.
You might be surprised how much fun it is, not to mention the size and number of fish you’ll like catch if you get on less pressured waters.
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
TESTIMONIALS BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Share this:
Beautiful Northern Lights
Nothing is more spectacular than the northern lights and these can be viewed as early as late June depending on the season’s climate. The cooler the better for the ‘lights’ to make their presence known. Enjoy a campfire, watch the bright, twinkling stars and wait for the northern lights to appear ……beautiful!
Follow our HUNTING BLOG
WEB RATES FISH HUNT CABINS PHOTOS
TESTIMONIALS BROCHURE HUNT BOOKLET
Wawang Lake Resort 