2015 Season End Newsletter/Holiday Greeting

2015 SEASON AML NEWSLETTER AND

HOLIDAY GREETING

Wow seems like yesterday, our 3rd season was just beginning, but all great seasons have got to come to an end and we are already in the midst of preparations for an even more exciting upcoming year. We would like to thank everyone again for an unbelievable season and extend warmest Happy Holiday Wishes to you all

A very special Thank You!! Goes out to all of our AML guests who continue to show their passion and dedication towards making AML their choice of destination. Your loyalty, support, and referrals to friends and acquaintances is much appreciated. It is always great to see the many repeat guests and friends that make AML what it is along with the new guests that become part of the AML family each year. To us all at AML, YOU are considered part of the family and we will strive to make each year better than the last and do our best to provide experiences and memories that are never forgotten.

BRAND NEW WWW.ANDYMYERSLODGE.COM WEBSITE TO BE LAUNCHED THIS MONTH!!!!!!

The 2015 Season kicked off with a bang and with a nice, normal spring we were ready for one of the best openings of the season in years and the experienced staff AML makes it happen along with first class service once guests arrive. 2015-2016’s EL Nino ‘s mild winter and early spring predictions along with great specials and no price increases for spring/early summer bookings, along with high exchange rates and lowest fuel prices in yrs. make 2016 the perfect year to plan an early season trip! Brand new cabin #1 was completed and received outstanding reviews by all and is already quickly booking up for 2016. There are only 21 weeks in the season, please consider booking early before shows start to reserve limited amenities such as your favorite accommodations, boats, adventure trips, and especially your guides of choice to make your trip the best we can arrange and schedule it for you.

An important upgrade for those booking guided trips this upcoming season will be a fleet of new 20’ guide boats. The 2016 20’ KINGFISHER 2075 boats will allow the AML guides to fish to the best of their ability regardless of conditions while guests experience outstanding comfort and safety. With Tuffy, Kingfisher, and Lund’s the AML Pro-Staff Guide Team will be running the best and most fishable boats in the industry today. In addition to the new guide boats arriving for 2016, setting a precedent for Canadian resorts, AML will be offering along with the 17.5’ Lund Outfitters and 50 hp a limited # of 20’ Lund Alaskans with 115 hp. as personal upgrades for guests use. For the serious anglers not wanting to trailer their own boats or groups of 3-4 who want to fish together instead of separate boats this option will provide more big water range, safety, and lots of room. To ensure protection for our fleet of boats but more importantly for our guests who choose to bring their ¬¬¬personal boats new sections of dock will be added/replaced and more updates to the cabins to provide a comfortable stay for our guests. Yearly improvements are our commitment to all our guests to show we appreciate your business and our commitment to uphold the reputation of AML as Canada’s #1 Premier Fishing/Hunting Destination.


The 2015 season brought some exciting highlights for your viewing pleasure with the return of John Gillespie’s Woods and Waters to film an episode featuring AML and Eagle Lake. John’s show is sponsored by Ontario Tourism and Gerry Cariou, director of Sunset Country Tourism picked this filming as the one he personally wanted to be a part of representing NW Ontario. In his words,” I’ve always wanted to fish with you guys, knew we’d have a good time, but most importantly from past experiences with AML’S filming this opportunity would best show viewers what AML, Eagle Lake, but most importantly what NW Ontario has to offer in exciting fishing and vacationing opportunities.” This filming was viewed across U.S. and Canada and received reviews as one of the best shows seen in quite some time. It was accomplished in 2 short days with multiple trophy Walleyes 26” to 32” the first day, trophy 30#+ muskies the second, and under less than ideal conditions!! If you missed it you can view the show on www.vimeo.com/gillespiefishing website or order a copy at www.gillespiefishing.com . Great action, always some laughs, and what one can typically expect when fishing Eagle Lake through Andy Myers Lodge and its elite group of guides.
Make it a point to check out awesome footage of Muskie fishing and multi species action provided by the new and upcoming social media hit www.CastawayFishing.com , also on U Tube . Your hosts Danny Herbeck, (AML Pro-Staff Guide) and Sol Maljian are becoming well known as two of the upcoming and educational fishing duo’s in the industry today. Check out the Castaway Fishing Show shot last fall soon to be released where they (and viewers) take lessons from live bait innovator and Muskie fishing legend Steve Herbeck (AML Master Guide and Guest Fishing Instruction Coordinator) in non-stop action boat 20+ muskies in one day!!! , you won’t be disappointed. Stay tuned, more is planned and dates soon to be announced for 2016!

New for 2016!! In conjunction with our fishing instructors, guides, and colleagues, Steve will be doing video clips of THE AML TIP OF THE WEEK through the off season for fishing the waters of Eagle Lake and NW Ontario. These will be followed by AML’S EAGLE LAKE AREA FISHING REPORT OF THE WEEK when season opens. These will be only hours old when posted on our Facebook page, U Tube, and our exciting new interactive website www.andymyerslodge.com which will be launching this coming month.
There you will find pictures from 2013 – 2015, 2016 pricing packages, and all the info to help plan your trip. Check it out and get involved with the new updated message /fishing info/blog board. Facebook is a great venue for having some fun keeping in touch socially with all, daily events and happenings while the message board is there for real in depth questions, answers, and dialog about fishing and hunting, planning your trip, experiences, etc. that the Pro’s, Guest Fishing Instructors, and the frequent guests at AML with their 25+ yrs.’ of experience on Eagle Lake can provide for you.

One of the aspects that has always set AML apart is the guest fishing instruction seminars and instructors that freely share all the latest up to date patterns, presentations, and hotspots with all our guests whether guided or not. So with great honor we’d like to proudly announce the addition of legendary Hall of Fame angler Spence Petros to the line up of guest fishing instructors, guides, and pro’s that call AML their home. Spence has been a long time friend to both Julian and Steve and has over 35 yrs.’ of experience on all sections of Eagle lake. He is a multi -species expert, Musky Hunter field editor, University of Esox instructor, frequent guest on many tv shows, and one of the original founding fathers of many of the concepts that shaped structure/pattern fishing and techniques as we know it today. As Steve put it,” Spence is one of the anglers that I most highly respect and who greatly influenced the way I developed as a fisherman and educator throughout my life. We shared and collaborated on many innovative ideas, thoughts, and experiences for over 25 yrs... To finally spend time, work, and fish together towards the benefit of AML and for guests to be able to learn from and rub elbows with a true ambassador to the sport is really exciting stuff.” Along with walleye pro Tony Puccio, multi species experts Rob Manthei, Ron Barefield, and other pros to be announced trying to fit a trip into their schedules and a more in depth itinerary this unique aspect at AML will be brought
to a new level for 2016. Watch for dates, they will be posted soon. Come and be a part of it.




Whether you come to Eagle lake to chase Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Muskie, or a bit of everything you will one of the most dynamic and diverse fisheries in NW Ontario. Eagle Lake is and has been literally exploding in numbers and has reached a point where it considered by the MNR to be in the top 10 of all fisheries in NW Ont. and worthy of it’s World Class designation. All one has to do is go thru the past few seasons postings on AML’s Facebook, website, videos, U Tube, pics, and most importantly correspond with past repeat guests to see it is an undeniable fact. Walleye fishing was even better last season than 2014’s banner year just when we thought, really guys, how could it possibly get any better? In a weeks guided stay it was not uncommon at AML for a boat to catch 600-1000+ walleyes from 16-30” + with a high avg. size of 18-25” and enough 25”- 30” + to keep you nervous with every bite. It’s something we thrive on helping our guests achieve, along with a photo of their personal best. The largest boated was 33.5” 12# with enough 27-30” to reasonably expect to catch one on any given day. Diehard Smallmouth Bass fishermen had an outstanding season. They are also a specie that has been experiencing a remarkable boom in populations with a large avg. size of 16-18”, heavily built with 20” a fairly common occurrence. The largest reported last season was 23.5” and 7#’s! Many bass fishermen are now secretly and specifically targeting Eagle Lake’s Smallmouth fishery. While the best recommended times have always been end of May thru June and mid Sept thru mid Oct. for numbers of trophy fish guest instructor Ron Barefield, one of the best smallmouth fishermen in country, and John “Stoney” Stone recently have unlocked the late summer patterns and presentations on Eagle and along with remote lake opportunities good catches can now be expected all season long. The largest pike in camp taped out at 46” and approx. 27# but there were a lot of 36-42” ers. from 15-20# and while the pop. doesn’t seem to be increasing it is very stable and with a self-imposed no kill policy over 27.5” the avg. size and trophy potential has gone up considerably in recent yrs... Target end of May and end of Sept. for best trophy casting opportunities and surprisingly lots of 40” + are boated walleye fishing the reefs end of July thru early Sept... Same with Lake Trout, stable populations and chances at fish 20#+ fish with avg. sizes of 6-15#. Largest in the net last season taped out at 41” and approx. 28#’s. With self-imposed camp policies of c/r on walleyes over 18”, pike over 27.5”, lake trout over 6#, and c/r on bass the future is bright not only for all repeat guests but many generations coming up.

Whenever the topic of Canadian Muskie becomes a discussion two things are always make the conversation; Andy Myers Lodge & Eagle Lake, Ontario. Before the Fall Muskie Hunt even began the first week of October 60+ plus 50” + or better were boated by our guests for one of the highest trophy catch ratios in the province. Eagle has always been known as a trophy fishery but the pop. explosion in recent yrs. has made 2-6+ fish days a common occurrence. Our Fall Muskie Hunt which was extended this year to 3 weeks instead of 2 because of high demand saw 63 anglers target this trophy specie and the numbers boated were 119 with 19 reaching the 50” + mark and 5 going 53+. The largest was caught by special guest and good friend Bill Hedden which was a whopping 53.75”. Carl Lilienthal 53.5 (Personal Best), Eric Elwer 53 (Personal Best), Mike Parmentier 53 (Personal Best), Dan Kendzoirski 51 (Personal Best). He will receive the Free Mount Award presented by AML each year for the biggest Fall Muskie Hunt fish boated, so congrats to Bill Hedden. Now for the Exciting News ………….

AML FALL MUSKIE HUNT WILL RUN 4 EXCITING WEEKS IN 2016!!!!!!

Yup, you read it right. There is now the capacity for 18-24 guests in newer fully winterized cabins and the Lodge so we can go as late as we want regardless of the weather! With the policy of limiting the numbers of guests per week for the Ultimate Guided Plan experience and potential for boating a Jumbo during the Trophy Muskie Hunt, the demand has reached more than can be accommodated without sacrifice of service and accommodating with specialized musky guides so we are going to extend the hunt thru the entire month of Oct. We don’t like to quit like most everyone else does when we can have the lake to ourselves during prime fall trophy time. For the hard core angler this is YOUR TIME to catch your personal best. Be sure to call soon or email if interested in this exciting late fall fishing opportunity with limited availability.

The Goose/Duck/Grouse /Fishing Cast and Blast combo hunts were full and had good shooting with daily limits by 10;00 the norm rather than exception, then off to an upland shoot or out onto the lake with a guide in waiting and some fishing. With the relatively mild Sept. weather and southerly winds that prevailed the local birds hung around for longer than normal and were nicely supplemented by the birds coming south from the periodic N/NW wind fronts. Greater Canadians, Mallards, Teal, and some Pintail dominated the bags. Grouse are at a high level in their pop. cycle and Sept. fishing was very good especially for Walleyes, Bass, and Muskies.

There were diehard water fowlers and sportsmen from as far away as Mexico and Europe who have hunted all over the U’S. and Canada and we heard many stories about some unbelievable hunts but one thing that always came up at the end of their stay was something like” we’ve been to a lot of places but nowhere have we experienced the total pkg. of both good shooting AND fishing, there is never a dull moment, this is really unique”. With high repeat and one group booked per 4-6-day shoot for a quality experience the availability is very limited each season so if interested for 2016 or 2017 get on the phone or e-mail and get your spot locked in sooner than later.


The Deer hunts went well considering the bad winter and some kill experienced in 2012-13. We have gone through these ups and downs several times in the past 20 yrs., it is nature’s way in the North Woods. With more than 15 yrs. of mild winters the numbers of does and juveniles had gotten proportionally out of hand in the 1 buck per 15-20 or more does in many areas. On camera and scouting last season a more desirable 1-5 ratio and jump up in avg. weight, more antler mass, good upcoming bucks, and more predictable rutting sign and activity was observed. We are keeping this quiet while reducing the number of hunters booked the last 2 seasons by ½ and will continue for a couple more to ensure a quality experience and high success while leases rebound. 12 hunters harvested 8 bucks for a 75% success rate. Some of the warmest weather experienced in Nov. as long as anyone can remember so some of the biggest bucks on camera never showed up during daylight hrs... Because of this and the large number of 1 ½- 2 ½ yr. olds coming up, the 3 ½ + yr. olds we know about, along with the limited number of hunters we will book, an excellent hunt is expected next season.




A new look 2016 BROCHURE may be downloaded here (post link) or at www.andymyerslodge.com with pricing, activities offered, some SEASONAL SPECIALS and a schedule for this winters SPORT SHOWS 2016. We encourage everyone to check the dates for the 2016 sport shows in your area and please come by and say hello, talk fishing/hunting, share some laughs and let us help plan your 2016 adventure. Regardless if you are an existing or potential new guest give us a call or email as to which show you are coming to see us and we’ll be sure and get you a FREE PASS.

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE RESERVATIONS PENDING FOR 2016, REBOOKED UPON LEAVING, OR INDICATED PLANNING ON RETURNING IN 2016, PLEASE PERSONALLY CONTACT US ASAP TO ENSURE EVERYTHING IS CORRECT REGARDING DATES, PACKAGES AND REQUEST BEFORE WE HIT THE SHOWS AND THE HECTIC BOOKING SEASON GETS UNDERWAY.
IF YOU’RE PLANNING A TRIP AND HAVEN’T YET CONFIRMED OR MADE RESERVATIONS, PLEASE GET A HOLD OF US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN BE SURE AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH YOUR FIRST CHOICE OF DATES, ACCOMODATIONS, BOAT UPGRADES, ADVENTURE TRIPS, AND FAVORITE GUIDES. WITH LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT. WE WILL ALWAYS DO OUR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR EVERY WISH AND SHOW YOU AN ADVENTURE LIKE NEVER BEFORE BUT IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO GET YOUR RESERVATIONS AND SPECIAL REQUESTS IN
EARLY AS POSSIBLE. BOOKINGS ARE COMING IN FAST FOR 2016 WITH SOME WEEKS ALREADY FILLING UP, GIVE US A CALL OR E –MAIL TODAY AND LET’S GET YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE LOCKED IN!


We again encourage you to go to www.facebook.com/AndyMyersLodge follow us through the off season, share, enjoy, contribute, like, share, and dream about next seasons adventure. We have currently just broken over 10,000 likes on our Facebook page.  Through the winter we will regularly be posting pics and video from 2015, special events for the upcoming season, as well as show date reminders, and what’s new for this season! There is never a bad time to call or e mail with any questions or concerns. If we are in a bad service area, on the other line, or busy talking with someone at a show and miss you we’ll be sure and get right back to you.

Again, Happy Holidays! Julian, Nicky, Calix, Paisley, London, Remington and the entire Andy Myer Lodge Staff wish you all the best in 2016 and thank you for a wonderful season and the memories of 2015!!!!