Penn’s Outdoors

Spending time this past weekend at the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show, I was reminded how difficult it can be to get good information on fishing trip destinations.  This was an article that I had posted on a previous blog that talks about how lodge owners should respond to an email.

Ok, I admit it. I can be somewhat annoying at points in trying to get information for a fishing trip. I ask a lot of specific questions. I understand that lodge owners sometimes get inundated with emails from annoying people like myself and am empathetic that replying to these emails can get frustrating when the person doesn’t reward their effort by booking a trip.

I recently emailed a lodge with three specific questions about the lodge. The response that I received simply said “Call us”. If I would’ve wanted to call, I wouldn’t have emailed. Still this is better than about 50% of the lodges or guides that I email where I simply get no response. Others don’t answer or only partially. I realize that many lodge owners and guides prefer to talk to customers by phone but then don’t give me an email option.

A couple of months ago, I was looking into a trip to Gullrock Lake to sample some of its incredible walleye fishing. The only problem is that it is over a 24 hour drive or a very expensive plane trip to reach from south central Pennsylvania. So, getting good information was key. I did my research on the potential fishing trip and then emailed several lodges. Here is the reply I received from Five Lakes Lodge. I have posted it in its entirety as I think it may benefit anyone considering a trip to Gullrock Lake.

If I can ever find a way to make the expense of the trip, I am looking no further than Five Lakes Lodge. This email answers my questions (they are at the bottom) directly and then gives me a lot of other information.

Hi Chris: Thanks for emailing. With regard to your questions:

1. We will gladly offer you the Family Special rate for you, your two sons and their grandfather.

2. We still have openings during two weeks in July and three weeks in August. I don’t really know how quickly these openings will fill, as we are getting increased inquiries and bookings recently….probably because of the large number of Sportsman’s Shows going on right now in many of the northern states.

3. Perch are a really under-utilized species in this area. I love to fish (and eat) Perch but for some reason, very few local fishermen target this fun sport fish! Generally speaking, Perch fishing in the Red Lake area remains quite good all summer. Shallow weed beds and mouths of small creeks tend to produce lots of Perch in this area. Our remote lakes are all within a 1 or 1½ hour drive from camp. Some contain populations of Walleye and Northern, while others contain only Northern. Fishing tends to be very good year round on these lakes as they don’t get a lot of fishing pressure.

Please let me give you a little background information:

Five Lakes Lodge is a completely modern drive-in fishing resort located on the shores of Gullrock Lake which is 8 miles south of the town of Red Lake Ontario. Gullrock Lake consistently produces many trophy size Walleye and Northern. There are a total of five lakes that can be fished directly from our docks (hence the name Five Lakes Lodge). Gullrock, Two Island, Keg, Ranger, and Red Lakes are all easily accessible by boat. Each of these lakes provide superior habitat to hold large fish year-round.

We have nine (9) housekeeping cabins varying in size from 3 beds per cabin to 11 beds per cabin (you can view pictures of our cabins on our website. All cabins are fully modern (with electricity, electric heat, washrooms, showers, etc.) and all have full cooking facilities (stoves, grills, deep fryers). You can find most amenities as well as lots of activities for kids a short drive away in the town of Red Lake.

If you would like to give me your home mailing address, I’d be happy to mail you an information package outlining many of the summer activities available in the Red Lake area.

As a summary;

1.  
   • July 1^st is Canada Day (similar to July 4^th in the USA) – there are many activities geared toward families and children during the day/evening.
   • There is a beautiful 18-hole golf course located about 10 miles from Five Lakes Lodge – green fees are free for our guests!
   • There are several incredible sand beaches (public) in the area.
   • Float plane sightseeing rides can be arranged for a very reasonable cost.
   • There are a number of nature hiking opportunities in the area.
   • Some additional information is available at www.red-lake.com ; www.visitredlakeregion.com ; and www.tourismredlake.ca

I’ve attached a 2007 Rate Sheet, as well as a general information sheet, and a brief letter which introduces my family and me as the new owners of Five Lakes Lodge. I’ve also included a reservation form at the bottom of this message for your convenience.

For more information, please visit our website at www.fivelakeslodge.com or call Everett and Helen toll-free at 1-888-875-1859.

Please give us a call at your convenience – we’d love to have you come fish with us this year!

Sincerely, Everett and Helen

Here’s my initial email:

From: Chris

Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 9:41 PM

To: fish@fivelakeslodge.com

Subject: A Few Questions I hope you don’t mind a few questions as I am very interested in a trip to Gullrock Lake. Would you consider a grandfather, dad and two sons (ages 12 and 9) as eligible for you framily package rate? How far in advance do you typically book up for the months of July and August? Finally, how is the perch fishing? We would be coming mostly for the walleye but I would like to have a backup option for the kids if the walleye and pike are off. How is the fishing on your remote lakes? Thanks so much, Chris

This is the way it should be done.  Every lodge I know can show big fish pictures that will make you drool but not all lodges will provide quality service to you on your vacation  Don’t be afraid to ask questions and specific questions.  If their responses give you a gut feeling that something isn’t right, find a different place to go.