For years, Aikens has been compiling some amazing pictures and footage of the lodge, the fishing, and the fun and excitement of being in camp.  Since we gave all our guides digital cameras in 2005, this database has grown exponentially!

We are going to be redoing and adding certain pages to the website (most notably in the “Services” section with proper links to our Staff Bios).  We will also be adding two exciting new pages to the website (complete with video!):

1 - 2006 PWT Celebrity Shootout

2 - 2008 Toyota Call of the Tundra

While putting together the pictures for this project, we also ran across many cool videos both recent and some dating back to 2001.  There are videos of television shows that have filmed at Aikens (In-Fisherman, North American Fisherman, North American Hunter, Full Contact Fishing).  However, we also have some very cool videos of humungous fish being caught!  We have uploaded many of these onto YouTube so that you can check them out.  There’s video of 43 & 41″ lakers, a few 46″ pike, some big walleyes, some big ones being lost at the boat.  There are also videos of the float planes, action in Big Molly’s Bar, and some wildlife as well.  Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/user/aikenslakelodge

Also, there are already members of the “Aikens Community” that have their own videos (Blake Strine and his monster pike come to mind!).  Just search for “Aikens Lake” on YouTube and you will find even more viewing fare.  I know it’s the middle of winter, but watching these videos makes spring seem that much closer!

We are now well into our marketing and sportshow season.  Our first stab at the US market was in Chicago and Kansas City a few weeks back.  The Chicago All-Canada show was well attended by the lodges and outfitters.  The crowds, although slightly down, were still very good and interest was high for Aikens.

Signs that the economy had affected many businesses was more evident in Kansas City.  Normally a huge boat and RV show (as well as a travel destination show), the show size was trimmed as many vendors were not able to make it.  While most of the lodges were there, many of the larger boat & RV dealers were not in attendance this year.  Where there are normally hundreds of floor displays, there were now less than a dozen boats!  However, the crowds were still strong and interest was good for the lodges.

This weekend, Pat and Janelle ventured to Denver for the annual International Sportsmens Expo.  This is traditionally one of the stronger markets and this year was no different.  There was incredible participation from lodges all over the globe.  Crowds flooded the aisles and Pat & Janelle reported that at some points this weekend people were stacked 4-5 deep awaiting their chance to ask them some questions about Aikens Lake!  We had a record number people take us up on our perennial offer to give them free passes to come see us the show (if you are in the area of any of our remaining shows, don’t hesitate to contact us!).  The show in Denver was stronger than ever, and the mood was very upbeat and optimistic!  It bodes well for the rest of the marketing season and upcoming summer at Aikens.  We now have a few weeks before the next show in Calgary, Alberta.

Baby update - Julie’s due date was Jan 21 but that has come and gone without any sign of the baby yet… keep an eye out later this week for a birth announcement!

Back in the familiar embrace of -40 degree weather in Winnipeg, Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge’s marketing teams returned from two successful U.S. trade shows. Gerry & Denis drove from Wpg. to Kansas City and Patrick & Janelle spent the weekend in Chicago.  We’re extremely pleased to have met numerous fishing fanatics at both shows. Also, we’d like to thank many past guests who stopped by to say hello.

In particular, we’d like to extend a special note to Steve, his son Justin, and grandson Jackson Meyer.  This grandfather/father/grandson duo visited Big Guy (Gerry) and Denis at the K.C. Boat & Sport Show. The Meyer family have been great ambassadors for the lodge since Steve and Justin first visited in 2007.  In Chicago, many people were impressed to learn that their beloved Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is an Aikens veteran.

Our sportshow circuit continues next week! Pat & Janelle will be traveling to Colorado for the International Sportsman’s Expo in Denver (Jan.22-25).If you are in the surrounding area, we’d love to see you at the show. As usual, it would be our pleasure to have tickets waiting for you at the Will Call, simply drop us a line and let us know  (fishing@aikenslake.com).

On behalf of everyone involved in the “Aikens Experience”, we wish you the very best in the New Year!  With the holiday season wrapping up, we’d like to take this occasion to thank you all for being a part of what made 2008 a year to remember. In 2008, we celebrated our 60th anniversary of operation, making Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge one of the longest-standing tourism destinations in Manitoba! Since 1948, when Mr. Carlson originally opened the lodge for business, we’ve worked extensively to better the services and product each of our clients enjoy at the lake. And that is why each season is our best one yet!

With Christmas in the air; Pit, Julie, Annika and Martin opened their home to the “Aikens Family” which includes staff and volunteers of 2008 for a year-end shindig. With standing room only, dozens upon dozens of happy Aikens fellowship members bid each other a wonderful holiday season. The party, true to form, lasted till the wee hours of the night and our transportation was graciously provided by our friend at Ô Tours. Some great door prizes were handed out, and our camp engineer Léo Nolette was the big winner scooping up three gifts!  Some of our staff returned to Winnipeg after spending a few months studying abroad to reunite with familiar faces and, of course family. Thank you to the Turenne family for having us and for such a great evening.

In 2008, the expanded guide crew (now ten full-time guides) probed new waters and angled new catches to further the already extensive Guide’s Playbook. With their Lund Alaskan boats and unique Aikens savvy, they aptly showed hundreds of outdoorsmen (and women) the bounties of Aikens. Whether it was jigging up countless schools of hungry Walleyes, trolling deep for  big Lakers or launching big hand-tied flies for monster Pike, the summer provided numerous memorable trophies.

We were very proud to host a few large events last year. Notably, we hosted a large contingent of representatives from the Komatsu Corporation. Their first visit to Aikens proved to be quite special. Great fishing and camaraderie made their trip one to remember. Who could forget Lightning-Fingers Ronnie tickling the ivories in Big Molly’s bar each night of their stay? Also, the “Call of the Tundra” promotion by Toyota’s Prairie dealerships was a resounding success. As many of you have already witnessed on the DVD copy we sent you, the tournament format was a perfect fit for Aikens. That being said, we are very happy to announce that we are hosting this event again in 2009! (Keep your eye on the newsletter for tournament dates).

Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge is always trying to minimize the environmental impact it has on our pristine surroundings. Our new wood-fired hot water system (which feeds the entire peninsula) reduced our consumption of propane to virtually nil. New recycling procedures and and plans for alternative power generation will further our “green” mantra, thus ensuring a healthy eco-setting for years to come.

Lately, the office has been abuzz with phone calls, mail-outs and planning for the sportshow season.  Next week we kick off our tour to numerous cities all over North America! Here is a listing of our shows:

 2009 Sportshow Dates 

-Kansas City: Jan.7-11 (Gerry & Denis) @ H.Roe Bartle Hall *booth #431*

-Chicago: Jan.8-11 (Pat&Janelle) @ Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center

-Denver: Jan.22-25 (Pat&Janelle) @ Colorado Convention Center *booth #2400*

-Calgary: Feb.12-15 (Pat&Janelle) @ Roundup Center

-Phoenix: Feb.27-Mar.1 (Pit&Julie) @ Cardinals Stadium (Glendale)

-Montreal: Feb.26-Mar.1 (Gerry&Pat) @ Place Bonaventure

-Minneapolis: Mar.12-15 (Pit,Julie&Pat) @ Minneapolis Convention Center *booth #1154

-Toronto: Mar.18-22 (Pat&Janelle) @ Natl. Trade Center,Exhibition Place *booth #908

Aikens would like to thank all of its guests and staff for their presence at the lodge in 2008. We hope your time at the lodge was as memorable for you as it was for us. We anticipate yet another great year for 2009. Despite the economic woes, the operation schedule is already forming up for next summer. Our season which runs from May to September has been  booking steadily. It seems that the allure of relaxing and going fishing is the perfect remedy to escape from one’s demanding schedule. If you’re looking for a way to unwind and enjoy a truly a world-class fishing adventure or are planning a return trip to our notable establishment, please don’t hesitate to let us know.  Also, if we’ll be in your neck of the woods during our sportshow circuit, we’d be happy to purchase tickets for your admission (just drop us a line).

Again, we send you, our readers,our best for 2009 and we’ll be sure to save a seat for you in a Lund this summer!