When the season ended, it was very hard for me to leave the Lodge. Even though I wanted to close-up and head home, the beauty of the river made me want to stay. I am back home now and have started planning for the next5 season. Already I wish I were back on the Cobham River.

When we opened the camps the second week of May we were met with perfect weather and no rain. Water levels were high most of the season with fishing again great all season. The largest northern pike was over 45 inches long and the largest Walleye was over 28 inches long with many Master Angler fish caught and released last summer.

Through the 30+ years in the Lodge business I have seen many swings in the exchange rate of the Canadian Dollar but never one as drastic as the last few years. After hitting a peak of 1.64 Canadian Dollars for 1 US Dollar it is now .90 cents Canadian Dollar for 1 US Dollar. Many Lodges are changing their payments to Canadian Dollars for the first time in history and demanding full payment as a deposit. The sad thing is many Lodges will not even be opening their doors in 2008 due to the exchange problem. I am going to continue my rates in US Dollars at the Cobham River Lodge and Hidden Lake and ask for a normal deposit from my guests as in past years.

I will however make a major change for the 2008 season and that is our season will be shortened to 6 weeks from May 31st until July 15th. This will help utilize our charter flights much better and reduce must expenses. If these dates do not work for your group, please call me and I will do everything I can to work out dates for you. By shortening the season the camps are filling much faster for 2008 so give me a call as soon as possible if you are planning a fishing trip next summer.

During the 2007 season we completed many projects to further upgrade my camps including a new metal roof for the Lodge and upgrading one bathroom. I also flew in all new Yamaha outboards into Hidden Lake before opening the camp for the season. The guests were all happy to see new motors on their arrival all season. During the 2008 season our main project will be power washing both camps and a new coat of stain. Also I want to start upgrading the Lodge with new 16 foot Lund boats for my guests. By continuing to upgrade my camps and by keeping them as clean and modern as they are, we know our guests will return year after year. We already know the fishing will more then exceed what your group expects.

I want to thank all the many guests I have had on the Cobham River over the last 30+ years and hope you all return again to fish the Cobham River. Have a great winter

Dick Hebel