We would like to thank all of our guests who return year after year and all the new guests who joined us for the first time in 2019. We had an incredible season and we look forward to seeing you next year!
Honouring a Legacy
On May 7th, 2019 at the age of 86, Ron Williams passed away. Ron was a Chartered Accountant (CPA) who graduated from United College and the University of Manitoba. In 1968, after partnership with Peat Marwick Mitchell, he mixed his love for nature and the outdoors with business by purchasing Sabourin Lake Lodge. Ron and Shirley built Sabourin Lodge to what it is today.
Ron’s vision of excellence in customer service and northern hospitality lives on at Sabourin. We will continue to honour his legacy.
Everyone enjoyed seeing the rejuvenation of the forest this summer after the 2018 fires. Sightings of moose and bear were almost a daily occurance.
Most of our season was spent dealing with what Mother Nature gave us. The water levels remained extremely low and the bush was tinder dry.
On July 5th, we woke up to smoke from fires burning around Job Lake to the north. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) landed by helicopter at 1:00 PM to inform us that the fire had changed direction. It was about 8 kms away, travelling 1 km/h and was tracking towards Sabourin. We were advised to evacuate. Susan and a number of staff remained behind and fortunately by that evening, the winds changed direction and the crisis had been averted.
We are extremely grateful to Adventure Air for their assistance and professional service in evacuating the lodge. On July 8th, we had guests return to camp and our season resumed. To all our guests and staff who experienced the evacuation, thank you for your patience and support. We have since invested in 2,400 feet of fire hose, 51 sprinklers and 5 fire pumps and feel much more secure if another fire threatens us in the future.
We continued to clear fallen trees from the property in order to reduce the fire hazard and we also invested in a sawmill to make use of all the potential lumber. Coleton and Donovan set the mill up and we hope to be able to use our own wood in our planned expansion of the lodge next summer.
We were excited to have broken the 2,000 mark for trophy pins presented this year! It continues to show how our catch and release policy has guaranteed the health of our fishery. Thanks to the guests and staff who practice conservation so that future generations can enjoy fantastic fishing.
The breakdown of the pins presented:
1061 Northern Pike for fish 36” and over ( 218 awarded for Pike 40” and over)
273 pins for Walleye 24” and over (33 pins given for fish 27” and over)
638 pins for Smallmouth bass 15” and over (155 Bass which were 17” and over)
35 Perch caught and released that were 12” and over
64 Triple Crowns were awarded. These are presented to anglers who catch and release trophy size fish in three different species. We will also be adding twelve names to the Grand Slam Board. These anglers caught and released trophy fish in 4 of the 5 species at Sabourin: Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, and Perch.
Congratulations Fred and Susan Penner on their retirement!
Fred began working at the lodge in 1972 and Susan in 1979. Over 3 different terms at the lodge, Fred worked 25 seasons and Susan 16 seasons.
Although they have retired, they will forever be a part of the Sabourin family. There are no words to truly express our sincerest thanks to them for all their hard work and dedication over the past years.
We wish them all the best in health and happiness as they spend more time with their family and await their next adventure.
Introducing Wayne and Pureza Letkeman
We are excited to welcome Wayne and Pureza Letkeman, who will be joining us as Camp Managers in 2020!
Both Wayne and Pureza have extensive experience in the lodge industry working in both Manitoba and Ontario.
You might recognize Wayne as your pilot in previous seasons flying into Sabourin Lake. He has been flying with Adventure Air for a number of years.
We’d love to see you next season!
For rates, availability and to book your next fishing adventure, please call 1-888-722-6874 or email us at info@sabourinlake.com.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season! Our New Year’s wish is that you get to spend more time doing what you love to do!
The Williams Family