2015 Annual Newsletter & Photo Journal

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Claude Nelson
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1 2015 Annual Newsletter & Photo Journal from your hosts Drake Dill & Debbie Alexander

REmembering David Dill 1955-2015 THUNDERHOOK PARTNER MINNESOTA LEGISLATOR It is with a heavy heart that we remember our husband, father and friend, David Dill of Thunderhook.

Early in life David developed a love for the outdoors while hunting ducks, geese, quail and pheasants with his family and friends in Indiana as well as spending time at their cabin on Sand Point Lake

Many of David s summers as a teenager were spent guiding fishermen for local resorts on the border lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Ontario s Quetico Park.

2 REmembering David Dill THUNDERHOOK PARTNER MINNESOTA LEGISLATOR It is with a heavy heart that we remember our husband, father and friend, David Dill of Thunderhook. David passed away August 8th, 2015, after a short battle with a rapidly growing lymphoma. David was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 7th, 1955 to Dr. Chuck and Maryrose Dill. Early in life David developed a love for the outdoors while hunting ducks, geese, quail and pheasants with his family and friends in Indiana as well as spending time at their cabin on Sand Point Lake in the heart of Minnesota s Voyageurs National Park. Many of David s summers as a teenager were spent guiding fishermen for local resorts on the border lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Ontario s Quetico Park. Between his knowledge of fishing and vibrant personality, David quickly booked and outfitted his own trips to one of the world s greatest walleye fisheries, Sturgeon Lake, in the heart of Ontario s Quetico Park. David found his true passion in life and fell in love with aviation as he watched the seaplanes come and go from Crane and Sand Point Lakes as fishermen would embark on their journeys northbound to fish walleye. David quickly began flying lessons in Indianapolis, IN and International Falls, MN. It was while on the ramp in International Falls that David met his wife, Tucky. After being married in 1978, David and Tucky moved back to Indianapolis where they started an air charter company flying auto parts, tires, cancelled checks as well as human organs to customers and recipients around North America. In 1982, they moved back to Minnesota s north country. The Dill s only child, Drake, was born in Once back in the North Country, David wasted no time keeping himself busy. He quickly started a satellite TV business which brought live television to many homes in rural northern MN, became active as the local chapter president of Ducks Unlimited, developed a large portion of Northern Minnesota s snowmobile trail system and served as the city administrator in Orr, MN. Enjoying politics, David ran for public office in David was elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 2002, where he worked until his death. While in the legislature, David was a champion for outdoor related issues and served as chairman on many committees including the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Finance Committee as well as the House, Fish and Forestry Committee. David worked to pass important legislation with others authorizing Minnesotans to carry concealed weapons, hunt the elusive timber wolf and transport uncased firearms. These are just a few of David s accomplishments. One of David s biggest honors was being selected as the recipient of one of the NRA s highest honors, the Defender of Freedom award. David was diagnosed with a rare cancer often associated with kidney transplants on July 9th, He had received a new kidney in On July 12th he was rushed to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN as his health began rapidly declining. True to his nature, David wanted to fight the cancer, as there were treatment options available. With less than a month of treatment under his belt, David passed away on August 8th, His memorial service was held one week later in the historic Backus Auditorium in International Falls, MN. Over 800 attended the service. Friends and family alike, including Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton shared memories. Those who knew David well knew he was the happiest spending his summers in Northwestern Ontario enjoying time with Tucky and Drake, being in the outdoors and sharing his love of aviation with others. We will always love and miss him.

3 NEW! Machawaian Lake Outpost We are excited to introduce Machawaian Lake as our newest outpost camp for Machawaian is our farthest North outpost camp and is located 118 miles north of our airbase. Mach, as we like to call it, offers two cabins with up to 16 beds and a screened, cooking and eating area. The lake is 9 miles in length and 2 to 5 miles wide. At Machawaian, not only do you catch lots of fish, you also catch big fish! Walleyes 2 to 5 pounds are common with 10 pounders possible. The Northern Pike action is fast and furious with many opportunities at a trophy. Rates: 4 days - $ days - $ days - $ days - $1565

The Crane Lake Connection All INCLUSIVE FISHING TRIP ON SMOOTHROCK LAKE IN WABAKIMI PARK Depart: Crane Lake, MN 10AM Arrive: Smoothrock Camp 12PM with Lunch Waiting! Driving to Crane Lake, MN Approx.

5 Kansas City, MO 707 11 Indianapolis, IN 792 13 Denver, CO 1185 18 Crane Lake Smoothrock Camp Sioux Falls Mpls/St.

4 The Crane Lake Connection All INCLUSIVE FISHING TRIP ON SMOOTHROCK LAKE IN WABAKIMI PARK Depart: Crane Lake, MN 10AM Arrive: Smoothrock Camp 12PM with Lunch Waiting! Driving to Crane Lake, MN Approx. Mileage (mi) Approx. Drive Time (hrs) Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN Green Bay, WI Des Moines, IA Milwaukee, WI Chicago, IL Kansas City, MO Indianapolis, IN Denver, CO Crane Lake Smoothrock Camp Sioux Falls Mpls/St. Paul Green Bay Milwaukee Des Moines Chicago Denver Kansas City Indianapolis Note: Rental Cars and Shuttle Service may be arranged for transportation to Crane Lake, MN. The closest airports with commercial air service are Hibbing, MN (HIB) and Duluth, MN (DLH). Thunderhook has an exciting new trip to the Smoothrock Camp that we are offering to all of our anglers. Starting next summer Thunderhook is adding an option to begin your fly-in fishing trip from Crane Lake, MN. The Crane Lake Trip is likely the closest departure point to a great Ontario Fly-In Fishing Trip anywhere in the lower 48 states. Crane Lake, MN is a hidden gem nestled between Minnesota s famed Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Voyageurs National Park. Crane Lake is only a 4 hour drive from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan area of Minnesota and a 9 to 10 Hour Drive from the Chicago, IL Metropolitan area. Accessing Canada via Crane Lake is also nearly an hour shorter than driving to International Falls, MN/Fort Frances, Ontario, and there is no wait at the International Bridge Crossing. Crane Lake, MN is only six miles from Sand Point Lake, Ontario where there is a Canadian Port of Entry which is accessible only via water. Guests choosing our Crane Lake Trip will leave Crane Lake, MN on a privately chartered commercial boat and arrive at the Canadian Border in less than 10 minutes. After clearing customs fishermen can simply step on the airplane and head for Smoothrock Camp. Anglers simply need to bring their clothes and fishing rods. Note: We also have fishing equipment at the lodge for those who do not have fishing equipment or would prefer not to bring their own. This is the perfect trip for fishermen on a tight schedule where time constraints are a major consideration or for those looking to shorten their travel time.

Sample Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Arrive in Crane Lake, MN for overnight stay,

(Optional) Day 2 - Depart for Canada Border Crossing at Sand Point Lake,

Smoothrock Camp for Sand Point Lake, Ontario.

Rates: 4 days / 3 nights - $1995 5 days / 4 nights - $2195 * Minimum group of

5 Sample Trip Itinerary Day 1 - Arrive in Crane Lake, MN for overnight stay, dinner, and drinks. (Optional) Day 2 - Depart for Canada Border Crossing at Sand Point Lake, Ontario, fly to Smoothrock Camp for Shore Lunch and fishing. Flight is approx. 1.2 hours. Days 3 & 4 - Breakfast, Guided Fishing, Shore Lunch, Dinner Day 5 - Depart Smoothrock Camp for Sand Point Lake, Ontario. Arrive back in Crane Lake, MN to your vehicle by 11AM. Rates: 4 days / 3 nights - $ days / 4 nights - $2195 * Minimum group of 6 ** We provide all meals, lodging, snacks, beverages, bait, and one guide per group while at Smoothrock Camp. *** Liquor is available but not included *** 80lbs maximum weight limit per person For more info check out our webpage:

Thunderhook outposts The summer at Thunderhook outpost camps got off to a fantastic start fishing wise. Unlike last year, we were not struggling getting the camps opened up as the ice did not linger.

One of our parties found large walleyes while bobber fishing along a cliff in Moonshine Lake. We learn something new every summer!

After fishing it personally, I believe it offers the best Walleye and Northern Pike fishing of any of our outposts! We are looking forward to finishing up this new location this spring!

6 Thunderhook outposts The summer at Thunderhook outpost camps got off to a fantastic start fishing wise. Unlike last year, we were not struggling getting the camps opened up as the ice did not linger. Once again the fishing at many of our lakes was simply spectacular throughout most of the summer. Large Walleye and Pike were caught at all of our outpost camps. One of our parties found large walleyes while bobber fishing along a cliff in Moonshine Lake. We learn something new every summer! The highlight of the summer was adding the Machawaian Lake Outpost to our fleet of outpost camps. After fishing it personally, I believe it offers the best Walleye and Northern Pike fishing of any of our outposts! We are looking forward to finishing up this new location this spring! Smoothrock Camp We arrived at Smoothrock Camp this spring to find it much as we had left it the previous fall. Typically something interesting happens over the winter whether it is a squirrel getting in a cabin, a dock coming loose or a partridge standing on the dock to greet us! Over the course of the summer the crew was able to finish up many projects at the camp with more to be completed this spring. We are excited to offer our Crane Lake Connection trip again this summer. If you would like to avoid the drive to Armstrong, this may be a great option for your group. Most importantly, the fishing remained consistent throughout the summer. The highlight of the summer, incidentally, was not the large walleye or northern pike that were caught (lots of them!) but rather the trout fishing. Several of our long time return customers were pleasantly surprised at the number of large lake trout caught at Smoothrock! Everyone is looking forward to wetting his or her line again this Spring! Moose Hunts Into the books went another successful moose hunting season during late September and early October. For those of you that have inquired about our hunts it is truly a spectacular time of year to enjoy the cooler weather, fantastic fishing and GREAT HUNTING! We are making some major changes to our moose hunt offerings for If you are interested in a hunt, please call or us for our 2016 Moose Hunting Packet. TV & Advertising We are continuing to run segments on Midwest Outdoors, Butch Furtman and other TV shows. We will also be making some changes to our website, blog and Facebook pages. If you have a fishing picture you would like to share with us and others, please do not hesitate to post it on our Facebook page or it to us. Facebook: info@thunderhook.com

New for 2016 New Yamaha 4-Stroke 9.9 and 20HP Motors Again, we are in the process of replacing many of our outboard motors at many of our fly-in destinations. We are proud to offer Yamaha 4-Stroke 9.

7 New for 2016 New Yamaha 4-Stroke 9.9 and 20HP Motors Again, we are in the process of replacing many of our outboard motors at many of our fly-in destinations. We are proud to offer Yamaha 4-Stroke 9.9, 15 and 20HP motors at our fly-in destinations. Also, no guest will arrive to an outboard motor that is more than three years old! We feel strongly that our guests must have the most efficient and reliable motors as part of their Canadian fishing vacation. Also, a kind reminder to prewire your depth finder with alligator clips that can be directly connected to the motor battery. Online Fishing Licenses As most of you know, the Ontario Fishing license system is now completely automated and online. Although the system does have some glitches, it is the way the province has elected to issue licenses. We ask that all guests purchase their fishing licenses online prior to arrival at our airbase. There is a link to the Ontario Government Website from our website Weight Allowance We would like to remind everyone that there is a specific weight allowance to each camp that we operate. This summer many fishing parties came in underweight while the majority came in overweight. Parties that are overweight will be charged for the extra baggage at the dock at a rate of $1.00 per lb. We always mention the baggage allowance in the newsletter, as we do not want there to be any surprises at the dock. We ask that you continue to pack with diligence for your upcoming Canadian fishing vacation. Tip: A great way to save on weight is to pre-order all beverages directly from us well in advance of your arrival date into camp Sport show Schedule Throughout the winter, Debbie, Al and I will be attending a variety of sport shows throughout the United States. We always look forward to seeing our current guests and enjoy the opportunity to visit with new clients as well. The All Canada Show has added a third show in Shakopee, MN for We are excited to attend this new sport show, as it has been several years since the All Canada Show was in the Minneapolis area. Free Tickets! If you are planning on visiting us at one of the sport shows we will be attending please info@thunderhook.com and we will arrange for you to receive free passes to the show(s) of your choice. You may view our current sport show schedule at sportshow-schedule. Come visit us and talk about a 2016 fishing trip with the Thunderhook crew! 1. All Canada Fishing & Vacation Show Jan 14-17, 2016 Pheasant Run Resort St. Charles, IL 2. Minnesota Sportsmen s Show Jan 14-17, 2016 St. Paul Rivercentre St. Paul, MN 3. All Canada Fishing & Vacation Show Jan 21-24, 2016 Radisson Conference Center (Oneida Casino) Green Bay, WI 4. Kansas City Boat & Sport Show Jan 21-24, 2016 Bartle Hall Kansas City, MO 5. Chicagoland Fishing & Outdoor Expo Jan 28-31, 2016 Schaumburg Convention Center Schaumburg, IL 6. All Canada Fishing & Vacation Show Feb 4-7, 2016 Canterbury Park Shakopee, MN 7. Duluth Boat, Sport and Travel Show Feb 17-21, 2016 The DECC Duluth, MN 8. Omaha Boat, Sports and Travel Show Feb 25-28, 2016 Century Link Center Omaha, NE 9. Madison Fishing Expo Feb 26-28, 2016 Alliant Energy Center Madison, WI 10. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sport Show March 2-6, 2016 Wisconsin State Fair Park West Allis, WI 11. International Sportsmens Expo March 10-13, 2016 University of Scottsdale Scottsdale, AZ 12. Northwest Sport Show March 30 - April 3, 2016 Minneapolis Convention Center Minneapolis, MN

2016 Fishing Rates Smoothrock Camp Resort SMOOTHROCK CAMP AMENITIES Cabins 4 and 5 6-8 person capacity / 4 minimum Cabin 6 10 person capacity Cabin 7 8 person capacity Cabins 9 and 10 8

propane grills, screened in fish cleaning house. Most have screened in porches, sand beaches, new 16 ft Lund boats, 20HP Yamaha 4-Stroke motors, and swivel boat seats.

Thunderhook Outposts Shab Island Cabins (fully modern) 6 person capacity / 4 minimum Shabuskwia South (fully modern) 10 person capacity / 6 minimum Almos Bay 10 person capacity / 6

minimum 4 days / 3 nights - $1050 each 8 days / 7 nights - $1195 each THUNDERHOOK OUTPOST AMENITIES Thunderhook fully equipped outposts feature 14 and 16 ft Lund boats and 15hp 4-stroke

Fully equipped kitchens, screened house or porch, propane grill and fish cookers, hot and cold running water and showers. Guests provide sleeping bags and towels.

days/7 nights) 2nd Trip Special Come on a 2nd trip in the same year and pay just $1095 per person!

8 2016 Fishing Rates Smoothrock Camp Resort SMOOTHROCK CAMP AMENITIES Cabins 4 and person capacity / 4 minimum Cabin 6 10 person capacity Cabin 7 8 person capacity Cabins 9 and 10 8 person capacity Cabin person capacity We provide full time staff catering to your needs: clean, modern, shorefront cabins with electric appliances, fully - equipped kitchens, propane grills, screened in fish cleaning house. Most have screened in porches, sand beaches, new 16 ft Lund boats, 20HP Yamaha 4-Stroke motors, and swivel boat seats. All beds have fresh linens ready for your arrival. Thunderhook Outposts Shab Island Cabins (fully modern) 6 person capacity / 4 minimum Shabuskwia South (fully modern) 10 person capacity / 6 minimum Almos Bay 10 person capacity / 6 minimum 8 days / 7 nights - $1345 each Funger Lake 10 person capacity / 6 minimum 4 days / 3 nights - $1225 each 8 days / 7 nights - $1345 each Moonshine Lake 10 person capacity / 4 minimum 4 days / 3 nights - $1050 each 8 days / 7 nights - $1195 each THUNDERHOOK OUTPOST AMENITIES Thunderhook fully equipped outposts feature 14 and 16 ft Lund boats and 15hp 4-stroke motors, swivel boat seats, boat cushions, life jackets and landing nets. Fully equipped kitchens, screened house or porch, propane grill and fish cookers, hot and cold running water and showers. Guests provide sleeping bags and towels Fly-In Fishing Specials (From Armstrong Station, Ontario) $1095 Fall Special Any available date after September 1st Smoothrock Camp, Almos Bay, Moonshine, and Funger Outposts (8 days/7 nights) 2nd Trip Special Come on a 2nd trip in the same year and pay just $1095 per person! A Kind Reminder If you are considering a trip to Thunderhook, we highly recommend that you make your plans without delay. Dates throughout the season fill quickly as the sport show season gets underway. Thank You! We want to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting us in beautiful Northwestern Ontario, Canada. We consider it an honor and privilege to serve you. We liken it to the sign in our office which says, Come as guests leave as friends! WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! Drake, Debbie, Mike, Becky, Al and the rest of the Thunderhook Team!

9 2015 Photo Journal

10 GREATEST anglers IN THE WORLD

12 Summer 527 Highway Armstrong Station, ON Canada, P0T 1A0 Winter P.O. Box 321 Orr, MN

ThunderHook Fly-Ins 2014 Annual Newsletter & Photo Journal From Your Hosts - The Dill Family & Debbie Alexander

ThunderHook Fly-Ins 2014 Annual Newsletter & Photo Journal From Your Hosts - The Dill Family & Debbie Alexander www.thunderhook.com The Crane Lake Connection All INCLUSIVE FISHING TRIP ON SMOOTHROCK LAKE