Minipi Camps Web Log

Welcome to the Minipi Camps Web Log.  This is a major new addition to the Minipi Camps web site requested by many anglers who wished to share their Minipi experiences, stories and photos with others.  We welcome your posts and enthusiastic participation in these Web Logs.  You are helping expand the Minipi family to others who have always dreamed of the magic of Labrador and the thrill of landing an enormous Brookie on a dry fly.  Happy blogging… BL

Last season Sage introduced two new fly rods: The Largemouth and the Smallmouth Bass rods. Also new to this upcoming season to match this duo, they have a new kid on the block—the Bluegill.

There are no bass in Labrador so why am I writing about a bass rod?  Sure there are monster Northern Pike, and yes a bass rod would work great for casting frogs and poppers to hungry pike. In fact it’s perfect, even the Sage website says so. But it’s also perfect for casting big bushy #2 deer hair mice and lemmings to big brookies. I tried one last season expecting something better than great. I was right. To be able to pick up a line, and I mean a LOT of line with a big wet mouse on the end, and then be able to fire it right back out there with one false …

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What’s in your bag? It’s no secret that sometimes when you travel, you get to your destination but your checked bags don’t. It’s all part of the fun, isn’t it? I mean if you were sure that your checked bags would arrive on time there wouldn’t be any adventure right?

Being prepared is key. But nowadays, packing your fishing gear in your carry on bag is just not acceptable. But don’t worry, I have you covered. If you’re traveling to any of the Coopers’ Lodges rest assured, we have a great assortment of top-of-the-line rental gear, and its FREE for you to use if you have delayed baggage. The latest breathable waders, wading boots, rods from the major makers, and reels and all the flies you’ll need. Just make sure to pack your rain jacket in your carry on pack, and whatever you need to keep yourself entertained …

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Once upon a time, flying was elegant. A beautiful flight attendant would serve you fine cocktails and hot meals in a shinny aeroplane. Today air travel has morphed into an experience that is far from elegant. Now airlines feel that providing you a beer and a cup of instant soup in exchange for $17 cash is fair. Yeah, air travel isn’t what it used to be, or can be.

There are some tricks that can help you put some fun and elegance back into air travel. And make that cross-country trip to fish for those big beautiful brookies just a little bit sweeter.

The first is a little website called the http://www.seatguru.com. This place can help you pick an optimum seat whether you’re traveling economy or executive class. On this site they have a really exhaustive list of airlines and all of their aircraft with …

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We have had a few calls and emails lately concerning the airfares to Goose Bay. In particular the fare for the Halifax to Goose Bay leg. Some travel websites and even the Air Canada website will show fares that can sometimes top $2k from the U.S!

There is help though. Canada One Travel in Winnipeg, MB, Canada have great fares to Goose Bay. For Example $601 USD Harrisburg PA return, $692 USD Atlanta GA return, $807 Los Angeles CA return, and $807 from Portland OR return. They also don’t charge the Canadian Goods and Services Tax for US citizens.

These guys have the best deal. Hands down. You can check them out on the web at http://www.canada-one.com , or by phone toll-free at (866)401-9900.

See you this summer.

Robin Cooper

Ed Quigley’s new book In the Company of Rivers: An Angler’s Stories & Recollections has three chapters (out of 25) on the Minipi experience: With Penelope on the Minipi, The Last Place on Earth and Minipi Memories, plus an interesting sidelight on Lee Wulff on the Minipi in the chapter titled Catch & Release.  Click on the following link to Ed’s website:  edquigley.com Click the link to amazon.com on his site to read reviews, and peek inside the book. And, hey, buy a copy—Quigley still has his student loans to pay off.

Just a note to tell everyone that my son Joseph and I have just completed the IGFA application for a new Junior World Record. On 7/9/07 Joseph landed a beatiful 7lb male brook trout at “Ten Pound Cove” on a #10 Grey Wulff. Joe shattered the existing World Record of 6lbs, 8oz.! Special thanks to guide Kelly Groves. As always, many thanks to Jack, Lorraine and Robin Cooper.

Parrie Willette Jr.

The first week of the season is now under our belt, and what a crazy week it was. Camp start-up is always hectic and last week’s unseasonablely hot weather coupled with the rash of forest fires threw a wrench into the gears of our logistics machine. As some of you may already know, a forest fire seriously threatened Minonipi Lake Lodge, but I am happy to let you know that all is well, and the fire is now fully extinguished.

Then we had nearly a whole week of bright sunshine and scorching temperatures reaching into the high 90’s. This dropped the water on average 9 inches a day and slowed the action. We had 4 anglers at Anne Marie Lake Lodge, and the insects were hatching everywhere, but few brookies were moving until yesterday when Richard Schriber booked a 5 3/4#, a 5 1/2# female, and a 5 …

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