I promised last week that today’s column would take a look at our recent fishing trip to Saskatchewan’s Wollaston Lake. We had a marvelous time as we caught hundreds of trophy-sized fish, but I need more time to put all of it together in an orderly manner. I’ll go with a two part series of columns. Next week I promise! In the meantime, I’ll tell you about where I fished the day before we left for Saskatchewan.

With all the South Dakota fishing I have done, I had never before fished the Belle Fourche Reservoir commonly known as Orman. That all changed on June 21st. My partner was Art Jones, a good friend and Spearfish resident. You might recall that Art is the same guy who introduced me to ice fishing this past winter on Pactola’s Jenny’s Gulch. Art would also be my boat partner in Canada the following week.

The Orman or Belle Fourche Reservoir has its own unique regulations when it comes to walleyes. I’ll quote the 2019 SD Fishing Regulations handbook. “Walleye – only those less than 15” or 18” or longer may be taken; of those, no more than one may be 18” or longer.” Like the remainder of South Dakota, the limit was four walleyes apiece.

Orman lies just northeast of the Highways 212 and 85 junction. The 6000 acres of pristine water lie on rolling prairie where you just might catch pronghorn antelope kids frolicking at the water’s edge. The beautiful Black Hills tower on the western horizon.

Art and I caught and released numerous walleyes that went 17-1/2 to 17-3/4 inches, but we never took an 18”+ fish that day. We did manage to catch some nice keepers that measured just under 15” in length – what I’d call nice eatin’ size. I thoroughly enjoyed my Orman experience, and you might consider combining Orman with a Black Hills trout expedition.

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A Mitchell column reader recently made an observation that I found quite thought provoking. You might recall that in 2005 Hurricane Katrina caused $125 billion in damages to the Houston, TX area. The same reoccurred in 2017 with Hurricane Harvey. President Trump justifiably questioned how many times our country could afford to rebuild the stricken area of Houston.

We have a similar scenario in South Dakota. Like Houston, we are experiencing “Climate Change.” Rebuilding the flooded Francis Case North Point campground is expensive. How many times will our SD Game, Fish, & Parks Department be able to afford this expense? I’ve been thinking about this, and going to the high ground on either side of St. Francis Bay might merit some consideration. Many of the campers would still have a waterfront campsite. St. Francis already has a swimming beach and boat ramp. My question will be deemed as outrageous, but I’ve always been a devil’s advocate. Your thoughts?

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Because my father once owned a machine shop where a very young Roger spent some time at a lathe, I have often wished that I could go back in time and visit the old Winchester factory where long gone craftsmen and artisans turned out those classic rifles and shotguns that I covet. That New Haven, CT factory once employed 30,000 machinists, engravers, barrel, and stock makers. Just imagine the giant water wheel or steam engine that turned a maze of leather belts suspended from the ceiling that powered those lathes and milling machines! I often dream of this when I inspect my classic Model 1886 lever-action.

The Forest City Reality Trust Company of Cleveland, OH has developed a unique urban renewal project with help from the owners of Winchester, Yale University, and the city of New Haven. Some of that venerable 700,000 square feet of Winchester factory is now 158 lofts or rental apartments. If and when I get back to New Haven, I hope some kind tenant will permit me to step inside of the building. If not, I can still circumvent the building and put my imagination to work.

See you next week.