The cabins are closed up. The boats are on their way to Kenora to received new engines for 2021. All but the most senior staff have gone home. And we are calling an end to the 2020 season. The shock is slowly wearing off and the only thing left to do is to prepare for the next season.
We were able to host several Canadian fishing guests over the summer and that allowed us to work on our new hygiene and meal service protocols. The response from guests was strong. A few admitted that they missed the camaraderie and social atmosphere of eating breakfast and supper in the lodge but others enjoyed eating on their cabin deck. They all understand that social distancing just would not work in our dining room.
Several guide’s families visited this summer including Gouws’ Dad, Dr. Werner Oberholzer. Dr. Oberholzer had a great visit and at the end we talked about Covid 19 issues. His opinion is that a fishing trip to Silver Water Wheel Lodge is probably one of the safest vacation options available. The lodge and staff are isolated from the outside world. We control who comes up to the lodge and our screening process is very similar to what is in place to enter his hospital to work. Anglers stay in their cabins with their families or fishing buddies and they are out in the fresh air on the lake fishing. I agreed and explained that we know that we can’t eliminate all risk, but we intend to provide as safe of an angling adventure as we can.
There is no way for me to talk about 2020 without admitting a gut wrenching and emotional loss. I expected to hear the same heart break from many of our guests who missed their annual fishing trip to the Wheel. At the same time, I was surprised at the level of support and concern that so many guests expressed. And we Thank you.
As a company policy, I have informed all guests that I have talked to, that their 2020 deposits are safe. I have and will continue to give all booked guests the option to transfer their deposits to 2021 or I will send a check and refund deposits. The vast majority of groups have chosen to transfer their deposits to 2021. The up side for them is that they lock in their dates for next season.
With Covid and the related economic downturn, we know that there will be a few more cancellations and schedule changes for the upcoming season. We have already begun to work on many requests and will continue to do so as we move to the next marketing season. Like 2009 and 2010, this next season will likely have a few more options for the guests on our waiting list to find a spot in the schedule.
I am going to remain optimistic and ready for the scientific and medical breakthroughs over the Fall and Winter that will result in the lifting of the border closure. We have spent the summer of 2020 preparing for next season:
~ Cabin 5 was moved up the hill and is being remodeled to become Brett’s new home at the Wheel.
~ Removed all overhead power lines.
~ Spent most of the summer training our 3 new first year guides.
I am hoping that it is like watching your kids grow up. You don’t see them get bigger on a daily or weekly basis, but the changes over a year can be huge. I sincerely miss having guests at the lodge. Trust me, Silver Water Wheel in the summer just isn’t the same without you. When you do return, we want you to know that as a crew, we have been thinking about you and we have been planning on how to put on the best show possible in 2021.
Looking forward to a New Season,
Mike Willems
Silver Water Wheel Lodge
