Greetings from Blind River where once again we are enjoying a fresh dump of snow after a January thaw and rain. We now re-qualify for the title of ‘Great White North’.
Happy New Year to all and hope everyone is healthy and happy and anticipating another fun season at the cottage on beautiful Lake Matinenda.
I noticed in my travels around the lake last summer and fall, green, numbered signs posted in front of various cabins. These were provided by the Town of Blind River (free) for identification in case of fire, 911 emergency and serious medical problems. This last point is important because some cottages might be in an area or have an open spot where a helicopter could land in the event of a medical emergency. If you feel you have helicopter access, please contact the town and they will make note of it on their records and maps.
This past fall some of the Cottagers Association executives met with officials of the town (at the landing) to discuss possible changes to docks and upgrades to the general appearance in and around the landing.
No decisions were made at that time and the outcome or strategies will be brought to the general membership at the annual meeting this summer. All members will be frisked for weapons (just kidding).
There were rumours flying around town that new changes in the fishing regulations would affect trout limits and slot sizes….. well, that’s all it was… Rumours. The major change was the expansion of our zone which is huge. In the regs it is #10 and covers from Wawa in the West to a boundary east of Sudbury and as far North as Chapleau.
Remember all them rocks, reefs and other foreign objects sticking out of the water last summer? They all disappeared this past fall as October was a wet month and lake levels rose slightly above what the MNR call normal.
Deer hunters had no problem navigating Big and Little Moon creeks in their quest for winter meat. It was a good hunt and the success rate was up over previous years. Milder winters have helped increase the deer population. The deer I shot at had a bullet proof vest on and flipped me the hoof as it went over the hill to safety. My cousin Scott was a better shot and got his first deer…. was he excited??? …You bet.
We have had lots of snow and cold weather at the beginning of last month and the south end of Matinenda from the landing froze over quickly. Snowmobiles were running the lake by mid December on 4 to 6 inches of ice. The 3rd week of December, ice thickness increased from 9 to 11 inches.
A couple of young guys on very, fast machines made it over the winter portage but didn’t go too much farther as Bakers Bay had a big section of open water. The first week of ice fishing didn’t produce any fish…..they just weren’t biting. But that changed a week later and most of the fishermen were at Stovers which proved to be the hot spot. Some areas of the lake are still questionable for travel, especially on the North and the West Arms (Bay 68) but ice conditions should change for the better as we have colder weather moving in.
In the past month, we have lost ‘Matinenda Friends’ and we acknowledge them now, through this update and for those who knew them and had their friendship and love of the lake in common.
Garnet MacGilvary (Bacardi on the CB) passed away last November. He was in his 80’s and came to the lake by way of his sister Jessie McLeod, Lloyd and Gary. They spent summer vacations at Jessies’ cabin until property across the bay became available. Saw Garney at the landing as they were heading home after closing camp. He shared with me his feelings about the lake. "We got it made" he said "Matinenda is the best and we are lucky to have it".
Roland (Rolly) Villeneuve passed away suddenly in December. Rolly and his wife Vivian built a cabin in Sullivans Bay (Now owned by Tony Heppler). The Villeneuve’s were bitten by the Matinenda bug and even after they left the lake, carried with them special memories of family outings and fishing trips. He was an avid golfer and such a ‘gentleman’. His twin grandsons started hockey this year and Rolly loved to watch his boys either at practice or during games.
Marjorie Luxon (Marg) of Roys Northland Camp left us on Dec 28th 2007. She had suffered a bad fall, breaking her leg and complications set in following surgery. Marg was always at the other end of the CB radio to pass on messages to cottagers that ‘company was at the landing’ or that her hubby Mike ‘would be right over’. Marg was an animal lover and many visitors to Roys were greeted with big, sloppy kisses from the dogs, who always came down to meet the boats. There will be a special memorial service this summer at Roys Northland to ‘celebrate her life’ and all are welcome to join the family. A notice will be posted when the date is set.
Stan Ritchie was another Matinenda Oldtimer and he passed away at Blind River Health Centre in December. Stan’s camp was located right across from the flashing signal light in the narrows. His family enjoyed watching the boat traffic going by the front door but he especially loved the many sunsets right from his front window.
Last Friday Rudy Wildman passed at his home in Blind River. He shared his love of the lake with Mel and Faye Lees and their children. Their cabin was located in Teachers Bay. I have to say Rudy had one of the neatest boats when he traveled to the cabin. And I mean everything was tucked away in order and each box in its own special place. He knew how to pack a boat. Rudy was a cabinet maker/finish carpenter and perfection in his work was what he did best.
It’s sad to say goodbye to our friends who have passed on but we can be comforted by the fact that these friends are still with us in memory.
Let’s all show that Matinenda Spirit when we meet each other at the landing this year. A big ‘howdy’, a big hug or handshake because we all have something in common…. we all belong to the ‘Matinenda Family’.
Take good care, love to all and God Bless…….. trapper pete