Picking Up Where We Left Off: My Bear Spring Camps Stories
Ron Churchill, owner of Bear Spring Camps in Rome, said employees maintaining his camp's lakeside cabins had seen the man thought to be the hermit in the past. Churchill said his business has lost propane containers to thefts, the latest of which were discovered on Wednesday.
Despite Maine's harsh winters, during which temperatures sometimes struggle to get above To stay warm he would bundle himself in multiple sleeping bags, authorities said. The trooper said that the case of the North Pond hermit sometimes seemed a "myth" that might go unsolved and bringing it to a conclusion is "amazing".
It was not clear whether he had a lawyer. Knight had attended a high school in Fairfield, about 20 miles 32km away. Why he decided to disappear in the woods remained a question on Wednesday. Attempts to reach relatives were unsuccessful.
Order by newest oldest recommendations. Show 25 25 50 All. Threads collapsed expanded unthreaded. Three Lakes Camp is not an angling licence vendor. We will be busy with several ongoing and new building projects this spring. It is exciting and fulfilling to renovate original buildings with so much history in their walls. The camp is now in its 6 th decade of accommodating fishermen and their families… if those walls could talk!!
Happy New Year to all of you; our family, friends, guests! We sincerely hope that holds new beginnings, small moments of joy, and peace in each of your lives. In this ever-changing fast-paced life we are living, it becomes ever more important to enjoy the simple moments and to focus on family and friendships. Insert thoughts of idyllic moments in a boat on scenic Jan Lake with your favourite people here!! We had a wonderful season last year brought to an abrupt end with several feet of debilitating snowfall in early October. But a new year provides for new opportunities and come spring we will be busy as beavers.
I will be sending out confirmation emails and accepting deposits in February. We can still be reached at info threelakescamp. Late summer fishing on Jan has been excellent. Interestingly several Pike brought into the Fish Plant lately have been full of eggs. Water levels remain high, although some receding has been noted. This summer, First Narrows was flowing into Jan for a good part of the season and the Deschambeault Falls were a rushing sight to see. A wicked storm with high winds battered the community over the August long weekend making for a bit of an obstacle course departure on the Monday as a few trees had fallen across our main community road.
Also noted on the lake was the appearance of a new island! A large floating mass of lake reeds easily feet across must have detached from shore in the wind and was sighted by several folks floating around the big lake. Nobody knows where it eventually ended up! To date, we are still picking wild blueberries and have not seen a bear in our area for quite some time. What a bounty of berries this year; in both size and quantity. Lots of wildlife sightings out on the lake this summer including black bear swimming between islands, caribou peeking out from shoreline vegetation, eagles overhead, and otters in the water.
Thanks to all the considerate visitors who enjoy Jan Lake and try to keep it a pristine paradise. Garbage removal, the dousing of shorelunch fires, catch and release of breeder-size fish species; these practices are all so appreciated and necessary to maintaining a safe and beautiful environment. Now this is summer at the lake… pack up the family for a day of cruising on the pontoon boat.
Itinerary includes catching a few fish before noon, shorelunch at McCluskey Beach, and then a swim to cool off. Water temp is hovering near 72 degrees, and water level is nearing high water marks. Fishing slowed a few weeks ago during the fish fly hatch, but has picked up and remained steady despite the summer heat. The North route has been popular heading through Otter Narrows. Blueberries are unbelievable this year, although take caution when heading back into the woods, as the bears are enjoying the bounty too.
In late June we had a couple of flare-ups in the area due to lightning strikes which garnered speedy response from fire base. Maybe even time for a paddle in the bay as the sun sets. The sun is shining and the fish are biting, just call and ask! Actually we have been overcast and rainy for the last few days at Jan Lake. It is welcome moisture and contrary to popular belief, the fish are not hiding under rocks trying to stay dry!! The spring fishing has been awesome, tons of action for both Walleye and Pike.
Depth is around feet right now, with bottom bouncing and jigging being the techniques of choice for most. We carry frozen minnows and live crawlers in our store. This spring we had Pike days on the docks where everyone who came in had a crazy story to report about a voracious Northern biting into the fish they were already reeling in, or jumping clear out of the water beside the boat. One guest caught his limit in his first cast! He literally reeled in a stringer of recently caught Walleye, all still alive and kicking. All the fish stories at Three Lakes Camp are verified and true.
Lake level is moderate. While we strive to keep several rocks and reefs marked out there on the water, please be cautious. As of today, we are not on fireban; enjoy your shorelunch out there and remember to douse that campfire. It seems to be a spectacular year for wildlife sightings including nesting Eagles, Loons, Pelicans, Mama Mallard with sixteen ducklings this year, Caribou, Bear and of course the friendly camp woodchucks. Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff and volunteers who helped us open camp in May.
Because of all the helping hands, we completed the lifting and renovation of two more waterfront cabins, the installation of a new roof on the motel, and all the regular spring chores. Ice off the bay May 2 nd and summer-like temperatures helped matters immensely! We are so excited to be starting a new season at Jan Lake. These beautiful spring days make opening camp such a joy. This morning was overcast with light showers; much appreciated moisture as we all have last summers forest fires top of mind.
One of the old tales you hear about Northern Saskatchewan is the "fish running at Puskwakaw river". The lore goes that the walleye would be so thick that you could walk across the river on their backs. Hundreds of fishermen would line the shore elbowing their way into a spot. It was said you could literally catch fish with a bucket and a quick hand. We were reminded of this spring run while picking up a load of lumber from the Bednarz sawmill Three Lakes Camp's chosen master lumberjacks. So on the way back up to camp we stopped at Puskwakaw and saw these little walleye hanging out taking a break from the raging torrents.
At least a dozen within sight from the one spot on the shore. Fishing here at one time was so popular that it was decided long ago to close this waterway to fishing so the walleye could spread out down stream. It's not necessary to cross the ocean to discover new things or to relax in a beautiful place. Drive to Jan Lake and and explore a piece of Northern Saskatchewan's boreal shield lakeland. Ever see a bald eagle pick a fish out of the water on the fly? Or a black bear swimming across a channel?
Check out a pelican flotilla, try bottom-bouncing for a walleye. Ever tried paddle-boarding, or filleting a fish? Have you ever made coffee in an old-fashioned perk? Ever tried fly-f ishing for a pike or learned to use a compass? Explore an island and appreciate the raw rock formations and intense color of lichen that grows there.
Cruise along any shoreline on a calm day and meditate on the reflections. Let nature be your therapy Shout-out to our Colorado fishing friends, congrats on the Bronco's win! It's February and we are gearing up for Sport Show season. Stop and chat with us at the Lloydminster Showcase on the Exhibition grounds April 1st to 3rd. Don't forget Saskatchewan Environment is offering fr ee fishing February for Family Day long weekend! Although we are closed for the hard-water season, this winter the ice fishing throughout the province has been fantastic!
The following is an excerpt from a submission to our Jan Lake History project by a wonderful group of guys who've been exploring Jan since the 80's. While a lot of change has occurred at Three Lakes Camp since then, on the lake itself, you will be treated to a sense of timelessness. Since there is no other development on the lake outside of our little community on Doupe Bay, one can truly get away from it all and get back to nature out there on the water We learned about it from a couple of school teachers that had been going up with their father and knew George. They allowed us to tag along.
Our first trip was something to remember—central shower and toilet facilities, generator power and big fish to name a few. We have continued to make the trip every other year since The group has changed, but this enthusiasm and excitement of the trip have not. Our group hails from a small town— Yutan, Nebraska, near Omaha. We drive for 22 hours to get to TLC. We keep getting older and the drive keeps getting longer, particularly on the way home. We enjoy Jan Lake, trying to navigate it and finding the hot fishing spots.
Each time we come we learn some new spot or some new information. Our typical day consists up getting up, eating breakfast and making sandwiches, crawling in a boat and fishing until noon, having shore lunch of sandwiches, fishing until 6: When we get back, we clean fish, eat supper, play cards and go to bed. Our supper consists of fish every nite but the last, when we enjoy a large, oversized steak. We also include cocktails at the evening card game to deal with the snoring that the cabins seem to cause.
Most guys swear that they do not snore. We have seen a lot of changes to TLC over the years. The bathrooms and showers were a major improvement. Microwaves, coffee makers and other modern conveniences have also been nice. The deck over the dock house and floating docks are also signs of progress. Padded seats in the boats were welcome and this year depth finders have been added to all the boats. We were one of the first ones to use the new fish plant. The fish limits and amounts of fish have been reduced over the years. On our first trips there were no size limits or trophy fish.
I think that we could take home 10 walleyes, then 8, then 6 and now 4. They need to experience the lake and TLC to understand what the allure is. To me there is nothing like getting on the lake, feeling the lake and taking in the fresh air and pristine waters. Navigating the reefs, islands and rocks add to the challenge. Two of us have made every trip to TLC. Two others have made all but 1 or 2 trips. I have taken my father in the past and now take my son. We have a great group of guys that get along amazingly well for a week in a 20 X 20 cabin. We all enjoy each others company, the desire to fish, and the challenges that the lake provides us with.
Its always nice to get back to the docks and have the TLC people tell you how big your fish are and how good of fishermen we are The photo gallery is up on our website! Click on the Photos Button to check out a day in the life at Jan Lake…. While we already are dreaming of blue skies and sparkling water A roadtrip to Jan Lake in December gifted us with neighbourly help and hospitality, peacefulness in the still landscape of a frozen bay, and the bubbling excitement to get back at'er come May!! Before we know it the fish will be jumping and you will be savouring those days out on the big lake.
Thanks to all of you who join us at Three Lakes Camp each year; for your continued patronage, and your enthusiasm for Jan Lake. We wish you a lovely winter season Dock activity on a calm August evening at Three Lakes Camp. Grandpa teaching his little grandson how to cast, a couple with their new baby watching the sunset, laughter and splashes as a family jumps in the lake and plays on the paddleboards. A group lounges on the big deck visiting under the big sky until dark when the fireworks start. Come visit us at Three Lakes and enjoy the simple pleasures the lake has to offer.
Long-term forecast for the month is looking decent with highs steady around the degree mark. It has been windy over the long weekend, making for rough rides across the big lake, however many have had luck shooting the North route and fishing anywhere between the North end of Doupe Bay and Otter Narrows.
Second Narrows and in amongst the islands is always popular. August is a time for longer stays check out our week package. Lazy days of summer rules apply…. Three Lakes Camp is open for business! Depending on wind direction, we are experiencing smoke from fires burning in the province. At times, it has been fairly thick making for reduced visibility, however today with a wind from the North, we are clear. Hwy Hanson Lake Hwy is open and reports good driving conditions. Please feel free to call us anytime at for current updates on smoke conditions in the Jan Lake area.
We also recommend the following links: Summertime has arrived at Jan Lake Today hit 30 degrees and tomorrow is supposed to do the same. We are again experiencing a smoky haze as winds from the West push La Ronge smoke our way.
A new fire ban is in effect for Northern Saskatchewan, including Jan Lake. Lake levels remain on the low side; about a foot and a half lower than this time last year. While the fish are scattered all over the lake, there sure have been some nice catches. Again nothing fancy is needed to lure a bite. Good day and greetings from camp. Things are hopping around here! Docks are extremely busy with rental boats and private boats coming and going all day long; keeps our boat guys running!! Our fishplant is a hubbub of activity come suppertime; juicy fillets are dispatched from the fish shack directly into the frypan.
Water levels remain low, and the bush is still extremely dry around here. While the fire ban has been lifted, we do urge extreme caution when it comes to any open fires out on the lake for shorelunch. Fish tubs also make good water vessels for dousing a campfire. Yesterday winds from the South and West pushed heavy smoke through Jan Lake from forest fires in those areas of the province. A smoky haze has settled in today; but we are hopeful for some showers tonight to clean the air.
From prospectors jumping on a float plane and flying away from our docks for a day of work in the bush to family group photos taken by a drone! Thanks Ron for sharing some truly amazing overhead shots of camp!! We heard the best 25lb Northern Pike story… a father and son manage to land the beast in their boat but not without a struggle!
The fishplant was once again turned art space for the afternoon while we created numerous fantastic fish prints. Thanks again Terry for your artistic inspiration!! Water levels remain low, so be careful out there. The first cool day in over a week and the fishing turned on with a vengeance. Everyone on the water today reported unreal Walleye action!! The fish seem to be hungry. If the fish stories are true, there have been a couple of amazing catch and release monsters.
No question the Walleye are exceptionally beautiful this spring. Bottom bouncing and drift fishing will net good results. We're into the swing of things now! Cabin 6 reno wrapped up just in time for it's first guests, boats are in the water, docks are out. We had 25km winds yesterday which made for a rough ride across the lake, but still some nice fish came in. Nice eater Walleye, a couple impressive Pike. Impressive girth on them! Red and white stripe Len Thompson spoons are killer right now. Apparently Roughrider spoons are a close second.
Get your tackle box ready, start the car!! Jan Lake is where you want to be! If you want to keep an eye on the weather up here, check out. We will be in camp for good on May 1 st and shortly thereafter will commence ice updates regularly on our facebook page. We do have dry gravel in our yard already and a small bit of open water showing around the shoreline.
The long-term forecast is looking just fantastic for our spring start-up projects! We will have a couple of cabin renovations completed by opening this year, as well as the usual dock work and spring cleaning. Just a reminder that we are not vendors of angling licences; they are available at. If you have any issues with obtaining your angling licence online, we recommend calling the help line at We are so pumped to get this season started!!
We look forward to greeting each and every one of you at check-in, making sure you are comfortable in your accommodation, and untying your boat as you leave the dock. Jan Lake is a special place that so many people return to year after year, or decades later for that matter! Once you leave our docks, and take off across the bay, you will experience a type of euphoria… wide open wilderness and water all around. When George Horne named Three Lakes Camp, he said he was looking at it from a bush pilot point of view. The three lakes refer to Jan, Pelican, and Mirond.
Back in the day George not only built and operated two fishing camps; he also maintained several outposts. Did he realize the acronym of TLC? In this present day, we pride ourselves on providing the same care that has been delivered at Three Lakes Camp since it was built in the sixties. We invite you to stay with us at Jan… let us be your cabin at the lake!
Spring-like temperatures, birdsong, and bright sunshine turn our thoughts to the lake, and make us itch to get out of the city. The countdown to May is on in our household! It was our pleasure to attend the Saskatoon Sport and Leisure show once again. If you are in the area March , be sure to stop by and check out our booth. We will make another road trip at the end of the month to Lloydminster for the Exhibition, so come on by March A pleasure to catch up with friends and to make new contacts. Practice catch and release, savour a fresh catch rather than freezing, pack out any garbage….
We really liked their fish handling and the cool underwater release shots. Freshly caught Pike makes for an excellent panfry, BBQ, or chowder feast. Check out the latest video by Fishingsaskatchewan. This fall, it was our pleasure to host Steve and Smitty from Fishingsaskatchewan. Here is the finished product of their Jan Lake expedition! You may recognise the guide who accompanied them It seems they were very careful to protect Garry's secret spots.
We don't even know where they were! Six years ago, we took over operations of Three Lakes Camp. While we had some idea of what we were in for, we certainly could never have predicted the escapades we were to experience as outfitters. This has been our best year yet, and we would like to thank you; our family, our friends, our guests. We continue to meet the best people, and make the best friends with big hearts and adventurous souls. It is a wonderful thing to spend our days at beautiful Jan Lake doing what we love. Thank you all for your support, and we look forward to opening again in May !
Jan Lake is a place for gathering with friends for a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Even with the cooler temperatures of our fall season, many folks have visited us here in camp for the fishing, for the opportunity to read a good book, for the taste of fresh Walleye and Northern Pike.
Come for the solitude, or come to spend quality time with your family. Come to Three Lakes Camp to enjoy days that are simple… log cabin, lake view, loons call. Berry-picking, shore-lunching, and fish-rubbing include some of the extra-curricular activities enjoyed by our guests lately. The fishing has steadied out since the weather cooled off about three weeks ago.
Gold jigs and spinners have been popular as of late. We look forward to catching the Walleye and Pike episodes filmed on Jan. Camp is open right till the end of the month; pack your tackle box and head up the Hansen Lake Highway! Explore an un-named island, and make it your own; share a shorelunch with friends and family. Fantastic recipe for Seafood Chowder from Fishingworks. Bring to boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 min or until veggies are tender. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, fish and shrimp.
Return to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer min or until fish flakes easily. Sprinkle with parsley and lemon peel. Are you all tired of hearing how good the fishing on Jan is? How many remarked last year it had been one of their best? Well, as far as size and numbers, this season is turning out to be even better. We are loving the new LF Len Thompson spoon… chartreuse with orange diamonds… check it out!
But the sun was shining today and that makes all the difference. Park the boat on the sheltered side of an island and cast into sparkling waves. Hello Northern friends and visitors! Diana and I would like to compile a Jan Lake History book because as time goes on, this history will be lost forever. So we are needing your help to achieve this task. If you could write about your experiences such as what year or how long you have been coming, your travels to Jan, your stay, how was the fishing, what improvements you have seen since first c These are just guidelines, as we would appreciate any information or accounts.
Also if you have any pictures to share, we would be most appreciative! This will be an ongoing project for us, but an interesting one If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask; we will be glad to help as much as we can. We are looking forward to your story, Thank you Diana and Jasmine.
Good morning, a bit overcast today, but completely calm. The lake is like glass and the reflections are amazing. Ducks, Loons, Greebs, and Chickadees belong to the early morning orchestra playing as I sip my coffee. The ice on the big lake is thin and patchy. Between the bay and the big lake the water temperature difference is a stunning 8 degrees. Around camp, despite having a late start, we got our new fishplant online last night. I know that some of you are going to miss standing in a puddle as you fillet your fish…. The ice is on its way off the bay! Whew… what a marathon spring!
We will be putting docks and boats in the water today. Bring on the fishing season!! As far as the surface of the bay goes anyways… we do remain hopeful however, that things clear up in the next day or two. We want to get a boat in the water so we can check out what the big lake is looking like. North end towards Otter Narrows could very well be open.
Will keep you posted…. That darn ice is still holding on people!! Less than a foot of thickness to go, open water along the shoreline, cracks forming, and looking pretty dark and rotten. Up to date photos can be found on our facebook page… the fishes are under there!
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- Three Lakes Camp news of walleye and northern pike fishing in Saskatchewan Canada..
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- Teenage Love?
I for one will savor that first morning coffee up at Jan in May with the sun on my back, while studying the ice melt on Doupe Bay. Daily Facebook reports will commence early May, and we will keep this page updated periodically as well. Waterfront cabins are still available for opening weekend. If you are thinking about bringing the family up this summer and taking advantage of our week package deal, we still have openings starting July 21 st.
Hermit caught after 27 years in Maine woods | US news | The Guardian
We are literally chomping at the bit to get up there, and get camp opened! Look forward to seeing all of you!! Simply put, the fishing is hot on Jan Lake this season! Returnees keep commenting that this is one of their best years yet. The fish must be hungry as lake levels are low. For this reason, use caution out there; watch for rocks and reefs! The sun is shining and the fish are biting! Lower lake levels and late ice-off have attributed to fantastic fishing conditions right now.
McMillan Point is coming up a lot in conversation; some nice walleye being caught in the area, as well as many bear sightings. What are they biting on? Nothing fancy; pink jig, white double-tail. Minnows and crawlers are working well. Nights have been cool, mornings have been calm. Daytime temps have been in the low twenties. Ice went off the bay May 14 th… thank goodness… we were getting tired of looking at it day after day! Weather has been gorgeous over the last couple of days. Trees are budding out and the Cranes are flocking overhead.
Lots of fish in the bay, amazing northern light shows at night, Loon calls echoing across the water. Spring is taking hold slowly but surely. Temperatures have been in the twenties for three days now. We have been enjoying blue skies and hot sun; today the wind has picked up slightly.
From what we hear Jan is doing better than a lot of the southern lakes. It is totally possible for the ice to be gone if the weather holds.
We have not been freezing at night and there is some open water appearing around the shoreline. Spring is in the air!
Time to dig out your tackle box and fishing rod to be sure everything is in order. You know that 30 pound Northern Pike of your dreams? Reeling in that feisty, glittering, perfectly plump 20 inch Walleye will start your mouth watering for shore lunch. The cold, clear water of Jan Lake produces gourmet fillets second to none. Ask us about our shore lunch kit which contains everything you need to enjoy a rustic meal on the rocks. Excitement abounds as we prepare to head back up to the lake and open camp.
Back in Saskatoon now, we are still taking last-minute bookings, and gathering supplies for our list of spring jobs! Please be advised that we will not be selling fishing licences in camp this year. Check out the vendor listing or purchase online at http: Thanks again to the folks at the Wildlife Federation… another fantastic show!
Thanks to all who stopped by the booth to check out our camp. Three Lakes has been catering to fishermen and their families for over 50 years. Fish stories big and small! Told by those young and old! Some stop by to trace the route to their favorite fishing hole on our map, others lean in close hoping to glean a few secrets! We are always on the ready for your stories and photos. Hello all, hope everyone is enjoying their winter.
We love hanging around in our booth all weekend visiting with friends and promoting the camp.
Hermit caught after 27 years in Maine woods
Come on out and say hi! S o if deep freeze temperatures and overcast skies are getting you down lately, take a moment, close your eyes, and envision that perfect moment on Jan Lake. Sunlight reflecting diamonds on the water as you head for your favorite fishing hole. Drop a line, and slowly start to unwind as you drink in the astonishing scenery that surrounds you.
Now we've got you thinking! We are in the process of collecting deposits for the season. We can also be reached by emai l. Here is our mid season summary! We have been really caught up with our facebook business page facebook. It has been a phenomenal season for walleye and pike. Many have commented that this year has been their best fishing on Jan yet.
Though they may have been harder to find there were some trophy sized pike caught fairly early in the spring. The fish spread out all over the lake quite early as compared to previous years with walleye coming out of Otter Narrows as early as the end of May.
Another peculiarity was that, despite the heat, walleye were still being caught in the shallows. Fishing in five feet of water at the south end of Harpers Island was still popular and successful into July. Not exactly where we would advise the July fisherman to go but what do we know anyway. One group we had early in the season brought in more perch than we normally see all year but despite much interrogation would not reveal their secret perch hole or techniques. This mystery spot has since been dubbed the black hole and is open to interpretation as to its whereabouts.
The fishing off the dock has been notable this year with a regular gathering on the camp docks and downright competitive atmosphere on the government dock. Lots of walleye caught right close to home with unconfirmed reports of a 14lb walleye being caught off the government dock. As one who sells gas I still maintain that the only fish on this lake are 14 miles away at the second narrows and all these fish being caught in the bay are just isolated flukes. This kind of fits with what we have seen following high water years. We fully expect this to continue into the fall season.
We lost a small un-named island North of Schwitzer Island last week due to fire. Cause is unconfirmed however there was a firepit spotted on the rocks; likely a shorelunch was cooked, and the firepit did not get properly doused. Add to the excitement, a forest fire that flared up just behind our camp on the same day around noon. Thanks to the rapid response of many in the Jan Lake Community, of the water bombers from La Ronge Airbase, and of firecrews out of Pelican Narrows and Deschambeault, the threat was quickly under control.
Best place to be right now is out on the lake bobbing around in a boat, nice breeze blowing from the West This year, the fireworks show off our docks in celebration of Canada Day was second to none. Too much firepower to be set off near the boats we loaded a barge and launched from out on the water.
Didn't see much myself as I was on the lighting crew but I am told it was quite spectacular. It reminds me of when I was working up here for George. Lots of adventures and funny stories. At the risk that they might read this I have to say that we really have an all-star staff this year.
Also Cam was a big help this spring. Finally some shorts-and-tee-shirt weather!! Just had to take some time this afternoon to sit on the deck and soak up some sun. Fishing is awesome up here! Doug and Joe from Edmonton caught and released the fish of a lifetime in the Narrows yesterday. There must be a school or two hanging out in the bay, as fishing off the end of the docks has become an engaging evening pastime even after spending the whole day out on the lake!
First anglers of the season were reeling them in under overcast skies. Lots of Pike ten pounds and better. Feisty little Walleye kept us busy with the pliers. The Birch and Poplar are just starting to leaf out adding color to the lakeshore. Have been getting drizzle for the last couple of days, and with more precipitation forecast, there is currently no fire ban. Have had a couple of delicious fish feeds since opening thanks to our dedicated staff who love to get out on the water in their free time.
Ice off the bay! We can safely say I lost the pool as the ice was officially off the bay yesterday.