| Craig Wightman Wins A Family Vacation to Fernleigh Lodge, Ontario, Canada |
We had the time of our lives. This trip far exceeded our expectations. As
you know, we won a trip for two at Fernleigh Lodge that included a cabin
and a boat with motor on the beautiful Kashwakamak Lake in Ontario . I
contacted Kevin and Melissa Phillips (owners), to inquire about upgrading.
I wanted to bring my dad (Willis) as well as my 12 year old son (Willie) along
and have meals provided. They were very accommodating. I also booked a
guide for the first day because I thought that it would be in our best
interest to have someone show us what was working and where, in order to
dramatically shorten our learning curve for this unfamiliar territory. After all,
I didn’t want to lose Dad and Willies attention and enthusiasm while I tried
to figure out the 15 mile long lake and the fish that lived in it. That turned
out to be a wise decision.
you know, we won a trip for two at Fernleigh Lodge that included a cabin
and a boat with motor on the beautiful Kashwakamak Lake in Ontario . I
contacted Kevin and Melissa Phillips (owners), to inquire about upgrading.
I wanted to bring my dad (Willis) as well as my 12 year old son (Willie) along
and have meals provided. They were very accommodating. I also booked a
guide for the first day because I thought that it would be in our best
interest to have someone show us what was working and where, in order to
dramatically shorten our learning curve for this unfamiliar territory. After all,
I didn’t want to lose Dad and Willies attention and enthusiasm while I tried
to figure out the 15 mile long lake and the fish that lived in it. That turned
out to be a wise decision.
However, soon after our arrival we discovered that things would not go as
planned. As it turned out, Kevin and Melissa had become the proud parents
of a baby boy only 6 days prior. Kevin explained to me that due to the
circumstances it would be very difficult… actually impossible to take us out
for 8 hours of fishing. You see, Melissa shares in the responsibilities of the
management duties of this extensive operation and was temporarily
sidelined. They have 23 cabins with many guests to attend to including
keeping track of many things such as reservations, employees, meals,
housekeeping, boat rentals, a small general store, a bait shop, gasoline and
oil sales etc.
planned. As it turned out, Kevin and Melissa had become the proud parents
of a baby boy only 6 days prior. Kevin explained to me that due to the
circumstances it would be very difficult… actually impossible to take us out
for 8 hours of fishing. You see, Melissa shares in the responsibilities of the
management duties of this extensive operation and was temporarily
sidelined. They have 23 cabins with many guests to attend to including
keeping track of many things such as reservations, employees, meals,
housekeeping, boat rentals, a small general store, a bait shop, gasoline and
oil sales etc.
Kevin was unable to take us out on the water the first full day we were there. He supplied us
with a map of the lake, a little advice and a “Good luck”. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t
disappointed but I assured Kevin that I totally understood. I will call what we had during that
first day of fishing “limited success”. However, Kevin had told us that he would sneak away
for an hour or so after breakfast the following day and show us a few good spots and give us
an idea what was working a the present time. Although it is so phenomenally beautiful up
there that we were already enjoying our first days outing even with limited fishing success. It
would have simply been icing on the cake if the fish had been a little more co-operative. I
confidently assured my dad and my boy that it might take a couple of days but I’d have the
fishing part of this trip figured out.
with a map of the lake, a little advice and a “Good luck”. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t
disappointed but I assured Kevin that I totally understood. I will call what we had during that
first day of fishing “limited success”. However, Kevin had told us that he would sneak away
for an hour or so after breakfast the following day and show us a few good spots and give us
an idea what was working a the present time. Although it is so phenomenally beautiful up
there that we were already enjoying our first days outing even with limited fishing success. It
would have simply been icing on the cake if the fish had been a little more co-operative. I
confidently assured my dad and my boy that it might take a couple of days but I’d have the
fishing part of this trip figured out.
Figure it out indeed! Kevin did take us out the following morning for about an hour and a
half. He showed us several spots that have traditionally produced fish and exclaimed
that leeches were a likely choice to tempt them. Again… we had limited success during
this tour. In his defense, he was so pressed for time and the fact that he wanted to show
us several spots, the time spent at any one location was more like a pit stop than a
fishing excursion. Now don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. This should not reflect badly
on Kevin in any way. The fact of the matter is that armed with the information he had
provided us with, we set out on our own to catch fish… and catch fish is what we did. Our
first stop was Bingo Bay. We had not fished it with Kevin but he told us that if we wanted
to catch Largemouth, this would be a good place to try. We caught 3 very nice ones in a
very short period of time. Enthusiasm levels were visibly rising. This was only an
indication of what was to come.
half. He showed us several spots that have traditionally produced fish and exclaimed
that leeches were a likely choice to tempt them. Again… we had limited success during
this tour. In his defense, he was so pressed for time and the fact that he wanted to show
us several spots, the time spent at any one location was more like a pit stop than a
fishing excursion. Now don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. This should not reflect badly
on Kevin in any way. The fact of the matter is that armed with the information he had
provided us with, we set out on our own to catch fish… and catch fish is what we did. Our
first stop was Bingo Bay. We had not fished it with Kevin but he told us that if we wanted
to catch Largemouth, this would be a good place to try. We caught 3 very nice ones in a
very short period of time. Enthusiasm levels were visibly rising. This was only an
indication of what was to come.
By now it was getting to be lunch time so we headed back. We had to allow a little
more travel time over the water than we had been accustomed to. You see, when
it came time to issue us a boat to use, choices were few. The boat that I chose
was a 50 year old steel John Boat with a 9.9 hp motor. It was said to weight
between 7 and 8 hundred pounds due to years of repairs and wasn’t likely to
scare any of us with its blazing speed. When I chose this boat Kevin gave me a
funny look. I didn’t know what to make of it. I responded to this look by exclaiming
that I thought this would be a far more stable platform for a guy getting along in
years, a middle aged man and a young boy to fish from than a more modern
aluminum V-Hull boat. As it turns out the look was of astonishment. I guess that I
am among one of the very few people that agree with Kevins thoughts on this
matter. He told me that he couldn’t agree more but has in the past been cursed
out for suggesting someone take one of these dinosaurs. It was becoming
evident by this time that Kevin and I thought a lot alike and were going to get
along marvelously. At any rate, we headed back to the dining hall almost 2 miles
from our current position at a blistering 8 miles per hour.
more travel time over the water than we had been accustomed to. You see, when
it came time to issue us a boat to use, choices were few. The boat that I chose
was a 50 year old steel John Boat with a 9.9 hp motor. It was said to weight
between 7 and 8 hundred pounds due to years of repairs and wasn’t likely to
scare any of us with its blazing speed. When I chose this boat Kevin gave me a
funny look. I didn’t know what to make of it. I responded to this look by exclaiming
that I thought this would be a far more stable platform for a guy getting along in
years, a middle aged man and a young boy to fish from than a more modern
aluminum V-Hull boat. As it turns out the look was of astonishment. I guess that I
am among one of the very few people that agree with Kevins thoughts on this
matter. He told me that he couldn’t agree more but has in the past been cursed
out for suggesting someone take one of these dinosaurs. It was becoming
evident by this time that Kevin and I thought a lot alike and were going to get
along marvelously. At any rate, we headed back to the dining hall almost 2 miles
from our current position at a blistering 8 miles per hour.
There was nothing special about the food we were served, other than the fact that
it was always delicious and served by the nicest people you are likely to ever
meet. Seriously the meals were good down home cooking ranging from pancakes,
bacon/sausage and eggs for breakfast to ham or turkey dinners and even a nice
steak dinner as a special treat Thursday evening. We the guests were all whining
about putting on a few pounds (several in my case) during just one week of this
wonderful treatment. This truly would have been a grand trip even if we didn’t fish
at all. Dad, Willie and I were treated to an exclusive meal prepared by Kevin. When
you book a guided trip with him, a shore lunch is included. Due to his unique
situation it was necessary that this lunch be prepared back at the lodge. This fact
did nothing to detract from the experience. Kevin prepared a wonderful meal for
us at an outdoor cooking area not far from the dining room. Bacon was cooked in a
large cast iron frying pan in melted lard. Potatoes were then cooked in the mixture
of lard and bacon grease while beans were cooking in the cans in which they
came in. After the potatoes had their turn in the pan, the walleye and bass were
covered with a layer of secret ingredients and cooked to perfection in this shallow
version of a deep fryer. Yep… it was all that!
it was always delicious and served by the nicest people you are likely to ever
meet. Seriously the meals were good down home cooking ranging from pancakes,
bacon/sausage and eggs for breakfast to ham or turkey dinners and even a nice
steak dinner as a special treat Thursday evening. We the guests were all whining
about putting on a few pounds (several in my case) during just one week of this
wonderful treatment. This truly would have been a grand trip even if we didn’t fish
at all. Dad, Willie and I were treated to an exclusive meal prepared by Kevin. When
you book a guided trip with him, a shore lunch is included. Due to his unique
situation it was necessary that this lunch be prepared back at the lodge. This fact
did nothing to detract from the experience. Kevin prepared a wonderful meal for
us at an outdoor cooking area not far from the dining room. Bacon was cooked in a
large cast iron frying pan in melted lard. Potatoes were then cooked in the mixture
of lard and bacon grease while beans were cooking in the cans in which they
came in. After the potatoes had their turn in the pan, the walleye and bass were
covered with a layer of secret ingredients and cooked to perfection in this shallow
version of a deep fryer. Yep… it was all that!
Before I get back to the fishing I just have to mention another highlight
of this trip. Immediately upon our arrival we had the pleasure of meeting
“Andy”. I believe that he told us he is 74 years old. He never gave us his
last name but it was obvious at the first instant we met him that he was a
special person. He was so eager to be of assistance to anyone and
everyone. He would ready our boat, supply us with safety equipment, fill
the boats fuel tank, get our bait or fill any need that we could possibly
have. He even went to town and did a little shopping for us… TWICE!
Andy went so far above and beyond that I had to make special mention of
it. He is so much like myself in that he feels the smile of someone whom
he has helped is his reward and/or pay.
of this trip. Immediately upon our arrival we had the pleasure of meeting
“Andy”. I believe that he told us he is 74 years old. He never gave us his
last name but it was obvious at the first instant we met him that he was a
special person. He was so eager to be of assistance to anyone and
everyone. He would ready our boat, supply us with safety equipment, fill
the boats fuel tank, get our bait or fill any need that we could possibly
have. He even went to town and did a little shopping for us… TWICE!
Andy went so far above and beyond that I had to make special mention of
it. He is so much like myself in that he feels the smile of someone whom
he has helped is his reward and/or pay.
reluctantly accepted a modest tip for his many deeds. I would have liked to have been there when he received
the more adequately proportioned tip we left for him at the office when we set out for home. I can’t help but
think that after he got done being mad, he would feel pretty good knowing how much he is appreciated.
“Thanks Andy!”
I was so enjoying the experience of meeting such wonderful people that at times I had to remind myself that
this was a fishing trip. After a slow start, we caught fish… a lot of them. When we would come back for a meal
everyone would be eager to hear how others had faired fishing and to tell of their own experiences. Everyone
would tell how many fish that they caught, where, and what was working for them. It seemed that no-one was
having the success that we were. When we were asked how many fish we caught, we couldn’t tell them an
accurate figure. This was due to the fact that we were catching and releasing fish at such a rate that we didn’t
bother to keep track. I think that some people may have been a little skeptical. On Thursday we decided to
keep track. We had a great deal of success catching smallmouth at one particular spot on the lake. We had it
figured out to the degree that we could go to one co-ordinance on the GPS and catch numerous smallmouth
bass between 10 and 12” in length. Go to another waypoint a few hundred feet away and catch numerous
smallmouth in the 2 to 3½ lb. range. You’ll never guess where we spent most of our time. Dad and I were
eager to explore other options such as walleye and pike at different locations on the lake but a 12 year old boy
doesn’t have the patience required to invest the time necessary to possibly become successful in such
endeavors. It was never long before we ended up back in the area where the smallmouth bass were trying to
jerk our poles from our hands. They would go deep with a furious fight and when that didn’t work they often
flew repeatedly through the air. It wasn’t hard to understand why Willie was so reluctant spend (waste… in his
eyes) a lot of time investigating other areas of the lake trying to figure out how to catch other species. The
one time that we did count fish, we caught 44 smallmouth bass and one 14 ¼” perch between breakfast and
lunch.
Kevin did get to break away 2 more times, once before breakfast and once after dinner for 1½ - 2 hours. He
showed us a few very promising spots for walleye and pike. I hope to get a chance to explore those places in
the future. As you can see by the photos, we caught largemouth, walleye, pearch, one pike and a lot of
smallmouth bass. The scenery was beyond beautiful and the people were so friendly that it was like leaving
long time friends behind as we drove away. I didn’t have to wonder if Dad and Willie were getting sick of me
saying how much I was enjoying this experience for they were constantly displaying the very same sentiments.
If my budget would allow, I would spend a great deal of time at the Fernleigh Lodge. Until my ship comes in, I
will make an effort to at least make annual trips to this wonderful place. In the 2 days we’ve been home, a
woman overhearing Dad describing his recent adventure and how much he enjoyed it, asked for contact
information and vowed that she was going to book a trip for her husband as a birthday gift. My son who is
stationed in Fort Knox KY also said that he wants us to book a trip for next Sept. (this is when he is scheduled
to return from Iraq).
If you have ever considered such an adventure but didn’t want to become one of those horror stories in
which the experience didn’t measure up to expectations (especially after wrestling with yourself about
whether or not you can justify spending the money)… Fernleigh Lodge comes very highly recommended. Give
Kevin and Melissa a call and see if I’m wrong. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Craig Wightman
8-14-06
Kevin, Melissa Phillips
Fernleigh Lodge
1796B South Rd.
Cloyne, Ontario
K0H 1K0
613-479-5566
866-459-9099 Toll Free
the more adequately proportioned tip we left for him at the office when we set out for home. I can’t help but
think that after he got done being mad, he would feel pretty good knowing how much he is appreciated.
“Thanks Andy!”
I was so enjoying the experience of meeting such wonderful people that at times I had to remind myself that
this was a fishing trip. After a slow start, we caught fish… a lot of them. When we would come back for a meal
everyone would be eager to hear how others had faired fishing and to tell of their own experiences. Everyone
would tell how many fish that they caught, where, and what was working for them. It seemed that no-one was
having the success that we were. When we were asked how many fish we caught, we couldn’t tell them an
accurate figure. This was due to the fact that we were catching and releasing fish at such a rate that we didn’t
bother to keep track. I think that some people may have been a little skeptical. On Thursday we decided to
keep track. We had a great deal of success catching smallmouth at one particular spot on the lake. We had it
figured out to the degree that we could go to one co-ordinance on the GPS and catch numerous smallmouth
bass between 10 and 12” in length. Go to another waypoint a few hundred feet away and catch numerous
smallmouth in the 2 to 3½ lb. range. You’ll never guess where we spent most of our time. Dad and I were
eager to explore other options such as walleye and pike at different locations on the lake but a 12 year old boy
doesn’t have the patience required to invest the time necessary to possibly become successful in such
endeavors. It was never long before we ended up back in the area where the smallmouth bass were trying to
jerk our poles from our hands. They would go deep with a furious fight and when that didn’t work they often
flew repeatedly through the air. It wasn’t hard to understand why Willie was so reluctant spend (waste… in his
eyes) a lot of time investigating other areas of the lake trying to figure out how to catch other species. The
one time that we did count fish, we caught 44 smallmouth bass and one 14 ¼” perch between breakfast and
lunch.
Kevin did get to break away 2 more times, once before breakfast and once after dinner for 1½ - 2 hours. He
showed us a few very promising spots for walleye and pike. I hope to get a chance to explore those places in
the future. As you can see by the photos, we caught largemouth, walleye, pearch, one pike and a lot of
smallmouth bass. The scenery was beyond beautiful and the people were so friendly that it was like leaving
long time friends behind as we drove away. I didn’t have to wonder if Dad and Willie were getting sick of me
saying how much I was enjoying this experience for they were constantly displaying the very same sentiments.
If my budget would allow, I would spend a great deal of time at the Fernleigh Lodge. Until my ship comes in, I
will make an effort to at least make annual trips to this wonderful place. In the 2 days we’ve been home, a
woman overhearing Dad describing his recent adventure and how much he enjoyed it, asked for contact
information and vowed that she was going to book a trip for her husband as a birthday gift. My son who is
stationed in Fort Knox KY also said that he wants us to book a trip for next Sept. (this is when he is scheduled
to return from Iraq).
If you have ever considered such an adventure but didn’t want to become one of those horror stories in
which the experience didn’t measure up to expectations (especially after wrestling with yourself about
whether or not you can justify spending the money)… Fernleigh Lodge comes very highly recommended. Give
Kevin and Melissa a call and see if I’m wrong. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Craig Wightman
8-14-06
Kevin, Melissa Phillips
Fernleigh Lodge
1796B South Rd.
Cloyne, Ontario
K0H 1K0
613-479-5566
866-459-9099 Toll Free
