We’ve had a superb Fall season at Cat Eye Outfitter.
A lot goes into running an outfitting operation as well as keeping up with Pro-Staff responsibilities (financially and physically). I know our business is better because of its association with companies whose products do make a difference for us on the water.
We’d like to thank all of our guests this year. Without your patronage we wouldn’t be in business! We hope our service met your expectations and we hope you’ll consider fishing with us again. Oh and for those thinking about the winter ice fishing opportunities on Lake Winnipeg… remember first ice is a great time to catch a giant walleye – give us a call.
Once again being a part of the guide program with St. Croix rods gave us fishing rods with the both back bone and sensitivity needed to hook-up and land some giant greenbacks this season. The 7 foot Avid Medium light action proved deadly with the end of season light biters we saw again this year. Rod repair was also a breeze with St. Croix’s rod repair/replacement program (Andy Drymalski, Dave Fischer).
A particularly loud shout-out goes to the folks at Northland Tackle who were able to get an order out to us in a week and a half – when it was really needed. The RZ and Whistlers Jigs were once again top producers bringing at least a half dozen greenbacks over 30” to the boat. I’m also thankful to the guys out there in Northern MN (Dan Rude, Kyle Waterman and Ryan Lair) for having sent up a banner that I’ll proudly display whenever giving seminars in the future. Northland Tackle is “the fisherman’s favorite”.
One great connection made this past year that had an impact upon results for our guide service has been our recent association with Team Canada Pro organization and the more direct connection it affords us to a line of product that we normally use with great success. A big thank you to Greg Shewchuk and now Andrew Galloway who lead the organization in Canada and western Canada respectively. We not only appreciate the connection to Team Canada Pro but we look forward to working even more closely with this organization in the future.
A big thank you to all of our Pro-Staff supporting companies
Thanks to Matt Johnson of Clam and the Clam organization for making some of the best product out there in the outdoor industry. This product doesn’t only have a place on ice but it can be used year-round.
Thanks to Linda Schoenborn and Jim Haas and Jiffy for their continued support. Jiffy has not sat still resting on its laurels of past product success. Instead, this company continues to forge ahead with design and innovation to create some of the cutting edge products that make a difference when out on the ice.
Thanks to Corey Studer and Vexilar for their continued support. Vexilar is a product of high quality and value. We use our Vexilars on ice and this year even more on open water. Vexilar just means more success on the water. Watch our numerous social media feeds this winter and I’ll bet that there’ll be a Vexilar in many photos with many trophy fish!
Thanks to Greg Shewchuk and Team Canada Pro for their making a Northland tackle Pro-Staff position available. Representing another company that makes a significant difference for our business means a lot for what we do. We work hard for those we believe in and those that support us – as any of our guests will tell you! We’ve also got these folks to thank for a connection with Live Target Lures – (and thanks Josh Guillon and Ben Visser for the excellent service) a proven big fish slayer on Lake Winnipeg.
And Finally the MLOA (Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association) should be mentioned here as being in the corner of an industry that has a number of pressures coming at it at any one time. From the moratorium on Outfitters on the Red River to its classified services as well as its representation of our businesses at the governmental level, the MLOA and Paul Turenne are making an effort to making the outfitting industry in Manitoba not only financially viable now but sustainable in the future.
Thanks again to all who had an impact on what we do. Being a Pro-Staffer (as I mentioned already) and an Outfitter isn’t easy work. A lot of sacrifices are made – ask my wife!! Nonetheless the reward is time with folks who have a similar passion and a work place that has no comparison.
We now look forward to first ice and the chance to get at some monster greenbacks.
A lot of folks focus on the end of the ice fishing season for connecting with giant greenback walleyes. True enough “March Madness on Lake Winnipeg” is for real for big walleyes. However, first ice can be really special for giant greenbacks too. Both seasons have a limited number of days available and booking soon means getting a date to fish one of the best walleye fisheries on earth at its peak.
If you’re interested in ice fishing any part of the south basin feel free to give us a toll free call 1-888-228-3933
