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Not long aer casting toward a shallow weed bed in the middle of the lake, Papa hooks into one. It's a different fight than we experienced with the walleyes. Papa handles the battle well. He adjusts his drag to allow the fish to peel off line as it powers away from the boat. Our guide assists with the net and lands a 33-inch northern. It's not Carl, but it has energized us to cast for more. e next hours are spent casting, retrieving and landing numerous small pike. We eagerly anticipate the answer from Carl. Steve and Rob are working a shoreline farther away from us when we hear a familiar cheer go up. We can see a larger bodied fish being held by Rob. We motor over to witness his catch. He poses with a beautiful 36-inch northern. Steve does a masterful job getting photos and returns the fish back to the water. With a sudden burst of its tail, it splashes Steve as it swims off to fight another day. Hospitality and encouragement What a first day. e conversation around the dinner table at the lodge echoes the same thought. As we enjoy a delicious dinner of Chicken Oscar, complete with apple pie and ice cream, we continue to reflect on it all. e staff at Guardian Eagle not only pamper us, but they encourage us to get on the brag board before our trip is over. "Any northern over 36 inches or any walleye over 24 inches is recorded on the poster boards by the cocktail reception area," says Suzanne Favot, the owner of Guardian Eagle. She goes on to explain a third board for unique "wall-pike" honors. "You'll know it when it happens. You've got that perfect size walleye fighting its way up to the surface and BAM here comes a monster northern pike to try and make off Guardian Eagle Founder's Legacy Lives On Like Walt Disney, Dick Davidson had a dream of creating a destination resort. His vision was preserving 75,000 acres of pristine, exclusive waters of Ontario, Canada so others would come to enjoy a very special experience. In the early 1990's he designed a plan to build a quality "fly-in only" lodge and resort. His dream became a reality with the help of Tourism Ontario, the local government and the trust of his business partner. ree years later, Guardian Eagle Resort was born! Visitors from around the world have touched down on the 3,200-foot concrete landing strip at Guardian Eagle. Guests enjoy some of the best walleye and northern pike fishing in all Ontario, if not all of Canada, while experiencing a truly native land with moose, deer, eagles and other wildlife. Relax in the luxury of log homes and being treated by a top notch team serving up delicious meals and extraordinary hospitality. Dick Davidson passed away at the end of the 2012 summer season, but his dedication is deeply etched into the very fabric that is Guardian Eagle Resort. Many former guests will tell you Dick's presence can be felt everywhere. Every season is dedicated to him. e staff believes he is now the guardian eagle watching over them, and all who come to fish and spend quality time with family and friends in this dream destination. ■ {continued}