Looking to plan that dream fishing trip? Looking for a way to shave some cost off said adventure? We’re please to offer you our special Prepayment Discount! This promotion which runs till February 28th allows you to save 5% off our listed pricing when you prepay your 2010 trip in full. This unique opportunity not only saves you money, but it gives you and your group first rights at your desired dates and cabins! To take advantage of this proposal please contact us at fishing@aikenslake.com  or call toll-free 1-800-565-2595.

For those of us that live in Manitoba, the social is a way of life!  We use this medium to raise money for important life events, most notably for weddings!  For those of you outside of our great province, you may not have heard the term before.  Essentially, we have a huge party with all the proceeds from tickets, liquor sales, and silent auction prizes going to the bride & groom to help defray the costs of their upcoming nuptials.

This Friday, January 22, Pat and Janelle will be hosting one such event!  We are very proud of these two.  They met while working together at Aikens and the rest, as they say, is history!  Many people from within the Aikens Community have stepped up to donate some fantastic social prizes.  One of the grand prizes will be a fishing inspired package which Toyota and Aikens combined on.  In it are multiple rods & reels, tackle boxes, lures, rod cases, accessories, and clothing included in the package.  Another of the big prizes is the sports package, which features signed jerseys from the Chicago Blackhawks (Jonathan Toews), Manitoba Moose (team), Winnipeg Goldeyes (team), and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Milt Stegall).  A special thanks to our connection in the NHL office (you know who you are!) who also sent in a 3/4 length parka worn exclusively by the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers during the “Winter Classic” played at Fenway Park on January 1st of this year.

The social will be held at the Norwood CC.  If you don’t have your ticket and would like to attend, you’d better act fast!  They are $10 each and they are almost all sold out of the 400+ tickets!  You can email or call us for tickets.

We would like to pass on some sad news to the Aikens community today.  Past Aikens Lake owner Gerry Lavergne passed away on December 13, 2009 at the age of 80.

   

Gerry was born in Saint-Pierre Jolys, MB. He attended Saint-Boniface College and earned his Bachelor of Arts. An avid sportsman, he excelled at hockey and played with numerous teams and leagues, and for a time played professionally (including a stint with the Detroit Red Wings). Gerry was a loving, good family man with an outgoing personality. He had the spirit of an entrepreneur and formed his own company, Triple L Construction. Later he ventured in the fly-in fishing business known as Aikens Lake Lodge. In his retirement, Gerry greatly enjoyed golfing with his best friend, Peewee.

   

With our focus pointed towards the Aikens era, Gerry loved every minute of his 15 years at Aikens Lake.  In 1974, Gerry Lavergne and his partner Antoine Frechette bought Aikens Lake Lodge. The partnership dissolved in 1980 and Gerry continued with the help of his family. Gerry’s construction background came in very handy while at the lodge.  One of the most popular meeting places at Aikens is directly attributed to his handy-work…  The Big Molly’s Bar addition to the main lodge!  This unique room was built in the mid-80’s and is home to countless hours of late evening story-telling and merriment every season!  Gerry also constructed his own residence, the Orion cabin.  This served as the main office and the heart of camp until 2007.  Today, it is where Pat and Janelle call home every summer.  Gerry’s handiwork can also be found in many other locations throughout camp, including the Caillebo.  Caillebo was originally built as the central shower for the original Wilderness Trail cabins, and the back half was also the main laundry facility.  While we don’t need it as a shower and laundry anymore, the building is still in full use for storage.  He also built up many of the shorelunch sites we have today.  While many of the BBQ pits are now redone with masonry work, there are still a few spots where you can have shorelunch using the original cinder block BBQ pits.

    

One very important legacy that Gerry passed on was his knowledge of Aikens Lake and its incredible fishing.  His son Chris was still young when the Turenne/Lavack partnership began in 1989.  However, when Chris finished high school he came on board and worked his way up to become our head guide from 1996 to1998.   Chris still comes up every now and then as a contract guide and helps us out when the camp is busy, thus ensuring new generations of guides and guests enjoy the bounties of Aikens through Gerry’s teachings.  His nephew Denis also got to bring some of that knowledge to Aikens.  Denis was the Aikens Lake bear outfitter, GGO manager, guide, and jack-of-all-trades until 2008.  The entire Aikens community would like to commemorate Gerry Lavergne for his incredible contributions.  Aikens is a place we all hold close to our heart, and we know that Gerry always held a very special place for Aikens in his heart as well.  Thanks, Gerry.

Attention all fishing aficionados, the Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge marketing team is on the move. We open our annual tradeshow circuit this week! Two duos will be heading out for the first pair of shows in Denver and Kansas City. Come visit the Aikens booth to enjoy a chat about the finer points and benefits of fishing at Aikens Lake. Here are the hours for next weekend’s events:

Denver International Sportsman’s Expo - Denver,CO.

Patrick & Turbo

Colorado Convention Center (Booth #2400)

700 14th Street Denver, CO 80202

Thursday Jan.7: 12pm - 9pm

Friday Jan.8: 12pm - 9pm

Saturday Jan.9: 10am - 8pm

Sunday Jan,10: 10am - 5pm

Kansas City Sportshow - Kansas City, MO

Gerry & Lorraine

H. Roe Bartle Hall (Booth #539)

301 W. 13th St. Kansas City, MO 64105

Thursday Jan. 7: 2pm - 9pm

Friday Jan. 8: 12pm - 9pm

Saturday Jan. 9: 10am - 9pm

Sunday Jan. 10: 10am - 5pm

If you are in the area for one of these functions and would like to attend, please contact us at fishing@aikenslake.com or toll-free at 1-800-565-2595 for complementary passes. The only catch is that you stop by the booth to say hello! We look forward to meeting you at the show and to share a glimpse (or a good memory) of what makes Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge the foremost fly-in experience north of the border. Hope to see you there!