In early July 2011 lightening storms blanketed the area in and around KaBeeLo Lodge and ignited several small fires about 20 miles due east of our main base on Confederation Lake. On July 11th the Ministry of Natural Resources Fire Team approached us (and other lodges in the area) requesting meals and lodging for personnel assigned to fight the fires. Over the ensuing 45 days we provided these services to a few of the fire fighters, a few support staff, a few engineers, some pilots and ground crews in addition to our guests. Once the fire was declared "under control" [meaning all fire teams left the area] the Ministry of Natural Resources announced human effort numbered in the thousands at a cost of millions of dollars. At KaBeeLo Lodge we lost two cabins (Jeanette & Carillion) to the blaze, were unable to access seven outpost lakes during the height of the fires, evacuated six groups of people off the threatened lakes and incurred some financial losses due to trip cancellations and outpost damages. While insurance will provide some coverage for the losses it remains our goal to move forward with needed renovations, repairs, up-grades, clean up and rebuilding. In fact, in the latter part of the 2011 season our son Erik joined us at the lodge and provided much needed help with building designs, supplies and equipment procurement, logistics for air transportation, land clearing and cabin construction. We are most happy to announce that with his invaluable assistance we now have two new cabins - one on Jeanette Lake and the other on Perrigo Lake. Remember: in booking your trip for 2012 season please realize that we have virtually all new outpost cabins (nine of the thirteen lakes have cabins less than five years old) on lakes teeming with walleye and northern pike. Also, you should be aware the forests around several lakes were partially impacted by the fires, however, the fisheries (see further explanation later in this newsletter) and cabins remain intact. Outpost lakes that experienced some impacts from the fires include Jeanette & Carillion Lakes (cabins burned down) while Bertha, Dead Dog, Ruddy and Seagraves lakes experienced varying degrees of "insult" to the surrounding forests (cabins on all of these lakes remain in excellent to near-excellent condition!)

On July 22, 2011 we sent an inquiry to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Red Lake District Office asking the question: Will forest fires affect the fisheries in the lakes impacted by the forest fires? On July 25, 2011 the biologist (Lesley Barnes) responded: "...fire is part of the natural landscape around here so I don't expect that there would be any long term negative effects from this fire ...[it] has been an integral part of the environment for eons, the adaptive response is built in." The short answer - fires are a natural part of the forest; they have been happening for centuries; and, fires have little impact on healthy aquatic systems.

As noted in the previous section on fishing & fires it is true forest fires have been part of the landscape for centuries with minimal impact on the fisheries and wildlife. However, in contrast to fisheries, animal life exists on the landscape where habitat could be subject to direct fire damage and/or destruction and thus reduce the number of hunt sites for moose or bear hunting purposes. With the 2011 hunt we encouraged two parties to delay their hunt to a subsequent season due to the loss of hunt site options. For the 2012 season, hunters will elect from a variety of options designed to optimize opportunities for a positive outcome with the individual hunts.

From our 2010/2011 newsletter we quote: "Jeanette Lake received a complete interior remodeling during the 2010 season." Update – in September 2011 a new cabin was built on Jeanette Lake some 250 yards west of the old cabin site. We took this action because the "old" cabin was burned to the ground due to forest fires (see Forest Fires in this newsletter). Our rebuilding efforts underscore our commitment to our guests – outstanding service and accommodations at an affordable price. Have a look at Jeannette Lake to see what is in store for those choosing Jeannette Lake as their next fishing destination.

With our continuing commitment to up-grade and modernize the outpost cabins we decided, in early June, to build a new cabin on Perrigo Lake. With the resulting forest fire on Jeanette Lake we were "forced" to build not one, but two new cabins during the 2011 season. Pictures and more details about the changes can be found at the Perrigo Lake page.

The government of Ontario has instituted new procedures and practices for obtaining fishing licenses, effective immediately. To purchase on-line, access the following website and follow the prompts: https://www2.on.wildlifelicense.come/start.php Please have a credit card available to complete the transaction. CAUTIONARY NOTE: KaBeeLo Lodge may have fishing licenses available at the main base. Needed equipment for on-line issuance has been ordered by the MNR but has NOT BEEN tested on our communications system. Accordingly, we strongly encourage all of our guests to purchase their license prior to arrival at KaBeeLo. From the Canadian border to KaBeeLo Lodge there are several license issuers that will be able to fill your order including 4 Seasons, Pit Stop and Smitty's in Ear Falls.

While the 2011 USA economy remained in the doldrums its effects were compounded by the presence of forest fires in our area in NW Ontario. This combination of variables forced us to re-visit our 2012 pricing schedules and resulted in a raise in the majority of package prices by 4%.

From 1972 – 2012 KaBeeLo Lodge has been providing our customers with the very best "fly-out" fishing adventures in NW Ontario Canada. Opening for business in 1972, KaBeeLo was purchased by the current owners, Ann and Harald Lohn, in 1983. At the onset, a "fly-out" adventure has meant you drive into the main lodge, hop aboard a floatplane & fly-out to a remote lake in the Canadian wilderness. Designed as an affordable adventure package for those on tight budgets but loving to fish, KaBeeLo set the "bar" pretty high with its all inclusive #1 Fly-Out Special. We want to continue this proud 40 year tradition again this season by offering the following: Beginning on July 1, 2012 children ages 11 – 16 will receive a 40% discount on the package price. (A timely reminder: children up to 10 years of age get a 50% discount on package pricing). This offering is good for the 2012 fishing season and is one way of saying THANK YOU to all of those that have made KaBeeLo Lodge their Canadian fishing destination over that past 40 years. From us at KaBeeLo – THANK YOU!

Quality service starts out with quality personnel. At KaBeeLo Lodge we pride ourselves in finding and attracting some of the finest individuals working in the tourism industry in Canada. We are fortunate to have "seasoned" staff members as well as the opportunity to introduce and train new workers in the art of service. Our staff comes from the far reaches of Canada (British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, and Alberta) to spend a season at KaBeeLo Lodge and perfect the art of service. Given the lodge operates seven days a week the staff (and owners) meet each and every day with a ready smile, a warm welcome and "thanks for coming" to each guest. Challenging? Yes, of course. Rewarding? Probably. Fulfilling? No question about it. Where else can you work with guarantees of lots of exercise, plenty of fresh air and opportunity to meet some of the very finest people in the world – you, the guest at KaBeeLo Lodge.

• Kansas City, KS:  January 19-22, 2012
J. Bartle Hall
• Des Moines, IA:  January 13-15, 2012
Iowa Event Center (tentative)
• Omaha, NE:  February 24 – 27, 2012
Qwest Center
• Minneapolis, MN:  March 24-28, 2012
Minneapolis Convention Center

• NOT ALLOWED into Ontario: handguns, live minnows, leeches, dog food, potatoes, radar detectors.
• When sending photos for brochure consideration send up to your five (5) best
• Did you know the KaBeeLo kitchen is collecting recipes? If you have a favorite please send it along, especially fish recipes.
• REMEMBER – passports are required
• Bringing a child along? Get a "letter of permission" from the other parent which acknowledges travel destination
• "Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn." Chuck Clark

Web address:  www.kabeelo.com
E-mail:  kabeelo@integra.net
Toll-free:     1-800-233-2952 (year-around)
Winter #:     952-447-2952
Summer #:  807-222-3246