Scott Lake Lodge - Index

Scott Lake Lodge - report - Index

Background Photographs: © Denver Bryan
Fishancial Statement
Lake Trout
Northern Pike
Arctic Grayling
ToTal
Number of Guests:
Average Trophies:
Management Discussion and Analysis
As detailed in the Year in Review article, this was a very good year.
On the operations side the year ran as smoothly as a ball-bearing Calcutta.
With just one exception, the changeovers went like clockwork; the dining
received rave reviews; the guide team performed at top levels; the maintenance
crew kept everything running and the new management structure
with department heads meeting every five days kept management on top
of every customer service issue. There were problems with water in the
gasoline on flyout lakes early in the season. This was corrected with additives
that will be used with all flyout fuel in the future. On the fishing side
the cold weather from mid-August to the end of the season depressed the
trophy count a bit but it still was the third highest on record. The trophy
per angler dropped from an average over the past five years of 4.0 to this
season’s 3.8 but the number of shorter duration trips (two three-day trips
and several four-day trips) negatively affected that number. On a trophiesper-days-of-operation
basis, the 2007 season was second highest on
record at 17.3 trophies per day, just slightly under 2006’s record 17.4,
both way ahead of averages for 1999 through 2005. It was a record year
for lake trout over 40" and just under the record for grayling over 18".
The new manager, John Gariepy, did an outstanding job in his first year at
the helm. Owner, Tom Klein, complained a lot about not getting very many
guided fishing days but overall did an adequate job. Both will be retained
for 2008. The only down side of the 2007 season was the disappearing
US dollar. When the company business plan was put together in March
of 2007 a US dollar bought $1.18 in Canadian currency. By the end of
the season the currencies were at par and still dropping, raising havoc
with the business plan. This is anticipated to be an even greater problem
in 2008. Customers should gird their loins in anticipation of future price
increases or a conversion to pricing in Canadian dollars. The ROI (Return
on Investment) was not up to Shareholder’s expectations measured by
traditional standards of income returned but was extraordinarily high
measured by the highly respected new technique of the fishing lodge
owner’s “Satisfaction Index”. Those interested in joining the Shareholder
group should first seek counseling then apply to management for the rare
opportunity to feel great while not making any money.
For the Fishing Season Ending September 11, 2007
Trophy Fish Released
June July August September ToTal
62 105 126 27 320
262 262 179 51 754
28 206 265 77 576
352 573 570 155 1,650
99 127 161 44 431
3.6 4.5 3.5 3.5 3.8
Footnotes to Fishancial Statement
1. Summary of Significant fiShing policieS:
Trophy designation is issued to pike that measure at least 40 inches,
lake trout that measure at least 35 inches and grayling that measure at
least 15 inches.
Barbless hooks must be used while fishing on Scott or Wignes.
Catch and release is practiced religiously.
Trophy recognition occurs only when a fish is in the cradle or boat and
measured using a certified fish measuring tape or any tape the guide happens
to have in the boat.
Risks and uncertainties occur in any day of fishing. Uncontrollable
weather patterns, such as cold fronts and water temperature changes, can
have an impact on fishing success. In other words, pray for warm, sunny
weather.
2. trophy triple
A guest receives the coveted Trophy Triple Hat by catching a trophy fish
of each species: pike, lake trout and grayling. Trophy triple hats have to be
earned and cannot be purchased. Customers attempting to bribe guides
will be asked to include management in their bribe offer. No bribes were
recorded.
3. 100+ club
New in 2002, the 100+ Club was given a new level of recognition in 2003
with the 100+ Club Vest, a custom vest featuring the angler’s name and
length of their three trophies. This season 30 anglers earned their vest.
Fishancial Statement Certification:
The above information had been compiled based on fish captured by
anglers and measured by certified professional fishing guides in accordance
with Provincial standards as established by the Northwest Territories
and Saskatchewan governments. I have heard their stories and viewed
the photographs related to each of the above catches. In my professional
opinion they accurately support the above compiled Fishancial Statement
for the season ending September 11, 2007. Congratulations to anglers on
a whale of a year.
Mike Hauser, CPA