Thank you Mollies & Dollies!
mai 22, 2009
A tradition at Aikens extending 21 years added another edition last week. Last Saturday, 35 volunteers and friends of the lodge arrived for a week's worth of work, fun and cheer. Aptly named the Molly Week, these people generously donated their time and effort to help to get the lodge all spiffed up for the great season ahead. The frenzied pace of skilled labour sees many projects come to term in record time.
For instance, this year, in only 6 days Grant, Alf and Bernie J. built the entire new workshop (hereto known as The Beaver) from the ground up. It is a large structure that sure to please all tradesmen at Aikens for years to come. Located in the woodyard, it is to become the nerve center of all building activities. Great job fellas!
All the cabins got their yearly spring cleaning thanks to the diligent work of our valued Dollies. The grounds were raked (and shoveled after the blizzard!), the kitchen is humming with Chef Élise and sous-chef Sarah serving up generous helping of mouth-watering meals.
Annika and Martin helped Patrick get all the Lunds ship-shape for their captains.The new wood-chipper took care of dispatching the slab coming off the mill that Phil and his crew manned all week.
But all work and no play make Jack a dull boy... Big Molly's Bar was hopping in the evenings. Annual cribbage tournaments, fueled by perfectly poured fresh draught (serviced by Gerry), settled scores that loomed since last year. The fishing steadily improved as the week wore on. The dock bite, always a Molly favorite provided some nice slot fish, a few laughs and some great late night snacks. Shore supper was held Tuesday evening at Great Gray Owl, and everyone ate to their heart's content. The week's fishing was topped off with the first Master Angler of 2009 on Thursday night. Grant Watson, one of the Skilled Mollies (also the tallest), boated a healthy 41" pike at Split Rock. Amidst a steady trolling bite for Walleyes, Grant looked back at his Guide B.J. and said "You better slow down, this is the biggest one of the night!". A successful netting rewarded Grant with the prestige of beginning this year's trophy count. Congrats!
A great big thank you goes out to all of our volunteers for such a great week. You folks are an integral part of what makes Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge one of the foremost fishing destinations. With your departure, we now await our staff and guests with the assurance of knowing everything is just as it should be here at the lodge. Have a great summer and we'll see you next spring!