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2003 Hunting/Sportfishing Report and 2004
Sport Show Schedule
Sportfishing:
The past season was outstanding at McKenzie River
Lodge. Our fishing guides went as far as to suggest
this was the best year ever. Landlocked Salmon
were present all season and brook trout fishing
was exceptional with some large fish released.
Water levels were good for the most part and warmer
weather presented prolific hatches. I feel this
contributed in a large way to the super fishing.
While water levels were good for fishing, as
usual lower water levels in the later part of
the season made traversing the river somewhat
difficult. Next year we are planning to cut a
trail the entire upper part of the river, that
we typically fish, and position our boats on the
sections where it is possible to operate easily.
Further work was carried out on Smallwood Lodge
this past season and we will be ready to accept
guests there in 2004. We anticipate taking some
huge fish on the big waters of Smallwood Reservoir.
The bottom 5 miles of McKenzie River, as it empties
into Smallwood Reservoir, looks very inviting
for flyfishing.
Caribou Hunting:
Warm temperatures were the norm for early fall
caribou hunting. Migrations occurred early and
the herd dispersed over a large area. Warm temperatures
meant the animals traveled very little causing
them to stay in a given area until temperatures
cooled. Consequently, outfitters who were fortunate
enough to have animals in their area had them
for most of the season and those who did not had
to range further afield. 2003 was a season when
hunting was essential. For the most part hunting
was good. Our Schefferville hunt was the most
productive therefore we moved some of our Remote
hunters there to fill their tags.
Caribou finally got their act together in early
November when they commenced their migration in
a southerly direction. When they decided to move
they moved in a big way. In a one week period
they traveled in excess of 300 kilometers (190
miles) and arrived on our doorstep in a hurry.
What a spectacle to witness. They arrived in Churchill
Falls in the thousands and from there dispersed
in smaller groups throughout Labrador. For a 2
-3 week period hunting was easy and all hunters
tagged out within a couple of days. After the
migration split up hunting became a little more
difficult and hunters were forced to leave the
main road system.
If you are planning a winter hunt, it is advisable
to get in the hunting area as soon as the migration
strikes to ensure success and to head off cold
weather and the possibility of being unable to
travel due to poor ice conditions.
It was a pleasure hosting all our repeat customers
and we welcome our new guests. We want to thank
everyone for your patronage over the past season
and look forward to seeing you again.
If you are in the area of our trade show circuit
please drop by and see us. Give us some advance
notice and we can arrange tickets.
Ruby and I will be attending the following Trade
Shows in 2004. If you are in any of these areas
drop by and see us.
2004 Sport Show Schedule
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Denver,
Colorado
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ISE Sport
Show
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January
22 - 25
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Reno, Nevada
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SCI Annual
Convention
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January
21 - 24
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San Mateo,
California
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ISE Sport
Show
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January
28 - February 01
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Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania
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Eastern
Sport Show
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February
07 - 15
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Springfield,
Massachusetts
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OSEG Show
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February
19 - 22
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Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
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NRA Show
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April 16
- 18
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Good hunting and fishing for 2004
Wayne and Ruby Watkins
CLICK
HERE FOR 2002 HUNTING/FISHING REPORT
Toll Free: 877-601-3733
Fax: 709-944-3860
e-mail: Wayne
Watkins
Mail: 321 Curtis Cr
Labrador City,NL
Canada A2V 2C1
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