Client Experiences

Milton and Joyce Arnold

It was the early 60's when I visited Squaw Lake . The same cabins, lodge, log cabin and other sundry buildings still stand today, but only as the framework for the renovated buildings.  The new buildings have electricity, running water, and other amenities and are great.  But that is not the reason (and I believe many others) return year, after year to Squaw Lake .  Our time is our own to do as we please whenever we please.  Squaw is beautiful. It is something you feel, Mother Nature provides us with the full spectrum of her wonders, her crystal clear waters, always in motion, sunsets, clouds, the loon's mournful call, wild mushrooms, flowers, blue/rasp/blackberries, ospreys, gold/house/red finches, hummingbirds to name a few of the many species, deer, moose, black bear, wolves, fox, , and many other animals, and old and new friends and OOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE TROUT FISHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Les Harding

I had just started my teaching career in 1970-71 when a colleague (Neil Stehower) approached me and asked if I wanted to go fishing with him.  We had exchanged fishing stories during the year and I knew he was a passionate fisherman.  I asked, "Where are we going to fish?" .  Squaw Lake he said.

 

Our school principal Mr.. Ron Sharp was from Shawville and it was his influence that brought all of us to Squaw Lake.  So it began.  My pilgrimage to Squaw Lake has continued annually ever since.  I now go to Squaw Lake four times a year.

There was a time in the late 1970's and early 1980's when the teachers and administrators from our school board took over the entire lodge on Victoria Day weekend including the camp site on the island located on the way to mud bay.  We had banners on  the balconies of cabins 1 to 6 including the log cabin.  On some trips we also took over the American camp.

At that time the catch limit was 6 trout, I remember one weekend catching 27 trout myself.  Catch and release was our motto then and remains the same today.  Keep a few to eat and take your limit home.  If you cannot catch your limit in this lake the problem is with the fishermen not the fish.  It is interesting to note that you can still catch fish in these numbers thirty years later.

This lake has only one outlet but is fed by a multitude of streams and springs. This combined with numerous bays and inlets and a bountiful supply of fresh water plankton makes Squaw Lake one of the most fertile lakes.

There are monster fish in this lake however the young fish are so active that the bigger fish do not get to the trolls. We have seen a 24 lb. trout come out of this lake and historically some have been caught around 30 lb.

In terms of our own group the largest so far is 16 lb.

When you visit a fishing spot for over 30 years you see many changes and you come into contact with many different people.

In the early years the road from Otter Lake (Piconoc) was a gravel road.

From the Piconoc to the lodge the road was more of an "oxen trail". On a good day it it took 30-45 minutes to navigate this trail (it now takes 5 minutes!). It seemed like the trip from Otter Lake to the lodge took longer than the trip from Montreal. There was no electricity. Propane fridges-propane stoves and wood stoves for heat but you you made it knowing you had arrived at an oasis. Aluminum boats were available and motors{less than 9 1/2 H.P.} were available for rent.My 1957 5 1/2 Johnson was my motor back then and continues to be my motor today. It takes a little longer to get from A-B but who is in a hurry? (by the way one of the best fishing spots is directly across from the lodge) A million thanks to Bill and Aline Davies for the years they dedicated to the lodge. What wonderful people they were.

Ownership changed 12 years ago and "CHAP" and his beautiful wife LISE took over the lodge. Under their leadership and patience we witnessed the arrival of electricity, the modernization of all cabins. new wharfs, new motors, new boats, and a continuance of the "DAVIES" philosophy that the customer was paramount. The passion they exhibited for the lake was contagious.

The lodge has changed hands again and the new owner (Danielle Marchand) is committed to maintaining tradition while at the same time putting her personal touch to the beautiful lodge she has acquired.Things will unfold as they should and the fish await us all.

You will see our group in Cabin 6 each spring and fall. We are Dale Blakely-George Frew-Garth Ryan and Les Harding and we continue to enjoy:

A special thanks to "Maurice" who over the years has always been there to help with motor problems, gasoline, boats,minnows,docking,etc and always with a smile!

See you on the lake!