As Alain and I flew back from Land`s End late yesterday we saw heavy cloud on the horizon that signalled the arrival of a low front and some nasty weather. Upon checking today`s forecast on the internet Alain announced that we may be grounded and we headed to bed last night with storm clouds all around us. As I headed to my cabin Alain, ever vigilent, went down to the dock to make sure everything was properly tied down for the night. Sure enough, I woke at midnight to the sound of an incredibly strong wind testing the strength of the cabin walls and sheets of rain pounding on the roof. It got heavier through the night and at 4 am I heard the geologists in the cabin next door talking outside. I got up to ask if they needed any help but they were nowhere to be seen and I found out over breakfast that they had to re-anchor their helicopter that had been turned by the high winds. When I finally woke at 5:45 the storm was still in full throttle and I knew that it was going to be a day to work on the computer (the camp has a reliable satellite internet connection) and catch up on my reading.
It is worth noting that the weather is the one variable over which camps have no control and it can be a `roll of the dice` that makes or breaks a trip. However, unlike hurricane season in the Caribbean which is somewhat more predictable, experienced travellers and anglers know the weather in Canada`s far north – or anywhere for that matter – can change on a dime. Reputable fishing lodges like Rapid Lake do their utmost to ensure an enjoyable trip but when it comes to safety, fishing is always secondary to the well-being of the clients and staff so make sure you pack a good book, a tying vice or a deck of cards… just in case!
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