The Sands Volleyball and Softball Club

this is a trial version of our KISS website  but all information is accurate


 

Canadian Island Rental

Five O’Clock Island, Rainy Lake, Ontario

 

Five O’Clock Island is a full service island.  You are fully responsible for your own service. If you cannot handle some responsibility, we suggest staying at a commercial camp.  If you enjoy tranquility and independence, Five O’Clock Island is a great place for families and fishermen to “rough it” comfortably.

Five O’Clock Island is located in the middle of Rainy Lake, fifteen miles north of Fort Frances, Ontario and International Falls, Minnesota. Our “family camp” is designed to be used by families seeking relaxation and groups of up to eight fishermen.  Early camps like the President’s Camp David and the Great Adirondack camps of the Vanderbilts and Morgans feature separate sleeping cabins and a dining/socializing/dancing lodge. (We are located north of the posted “dance boundary” so no dancing). Our little camp follows the model but not the scale or cost.  The owners of Camp Casual on Five O’Clock Island are Mike Sprecher, Greg Noble, Rick Crampton and Jim Hall.

The Roost (original 16’ by 16’ cottage pictured below) is perfect for the kids or two adults.  There are two full sized beds and one twin bed bunked, personal storage and a small table.  The kids are secluded but observable from the new cottage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are two tent platforms on the north shore. The north tent deck is a perfect place to do some stargazing and hope the northern lights fire up.

    
     The Dock is equipped with eight Adirondack chairs, map table, large cooler plus a two-room shower tent. On the east shore there is a place to light a fire.  Grab a cocktail and a boat cushion then pick a rock.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A second cottage (Deck Haus) is under construction.  The first floor of the new cottage will have shower room, freezer room, kitchen, eight person dining room with fireplace and mini-bar.  The second floor will have two bedrooms with decks. The east bunkroom gets three twin beds bunked. The west bedroom now has a queen and a twin bed.  As of October 2010 the building is enclosed, log siding is on and interior work has started.  The building is usable but far from finished.  Since the ground floor is still under construction we are cooking and eating in the “east bedroom”. We currently clean up in the shower tent by the dock. The camp works and we enjoy it. When the kitchen and dining room are finished, “under-roof” beds will increase from five to eight. (Below are construction photos of the new cottage: north face (2010), west face (2009) from lake and view from west bedroom). Current pricing and progress updates are at www.DesMoinesFun.com.

Rainy Lake is a clear water lake famous for its smallmouth bass fishing.  We also catch northern pike and some walleye. Reportedly “slab” crappie are also in the area. Tackle, personal gear lists, maps and GPS are available for your use.

For us a typical day starts with coffee around 9:00.  We usually have a solid breakfast after 10:00 and plan the day over breakfast.  Some will want to pack a lunch and go fishing or sightseeing.  The Northshore is a beautiful place to read a book and take a nap.  Dinner is served when the fishermen return around dark (10:00). Walleye feed in low light an hour before and after sunset or sunrise.  Northern and smallmouth keep more reasonable hours. After dinner, depending on the weather and the bugs, we might head to the dock, build a fire, play some cards or just hang-out.  If the northern lights start dancing, everyone heads to the Northshore.  The last campers are in bed sometime after 2:00.

On Five O’Clock Island there is one clock with an alarm. The only time we wake anybody up is if the northern lights are dancing. People come and go as they please.  If you want to fish…fish. If you want to go kayaking or canoeing…go.  Want to read a book and take a nap…fine. If it is hot go swimming or ride Ski Bob (tow toy in the shed).  You are on vacation.

In July and August we have experienced highs in the 90s and lows in the 40s. Seventies and fifties are average. The water temperature will probably be in the 70s in midsummer. 

 Keep in mind Five O’Clock Island is in the Canadian bush. There are no flush toilets; we happily poop in the Moose (open air outhouse). The wives are campaigning for a lady’s “powder room” but it is not there yet.  The wives & kids have a port-a-potty for nighttime needs. There is no electricity unless the generator is running.  There are plenty of Coleman, propane and oil lamps to meet your lighting needs.

Rainy Lake will impress the whole crew.  There are big fish to be caught and tranquil vistas to enjoy.

  (Civilization is behind us, dock is ahead)           (Upper cascades into Rainy Lake)

 

 

Five O’Clock Island is designed to be enjoyed by fishermen as well as those that want to read a book and enjoy the beauty of the North woods. We encourage you to nap, fish, explore, kayak, swim, relax and enjoy the company of those that are with you.  Prepare a favorite dinner with fine wine and grill hot dogs. As they say in Canada, you are on “holiday”. Enjoy the experience.

 

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PERSONAL PACKING LIST

notes

 

2

shoes

Tennis shoes and sandals?

 

2

long pants or jeans

I pack a pair of light lounge pants

 

3

shorts

 

 

1

swimming suit

 

 

4

underwear

 

 

5

socks

 

 

1

rain suit

Ponchos = wet crotch

 

1

hat

sun & rain protection

 

2

short sleeve T-shirt

 

 

1

long sleeve T-shirt

 

 

2

light long sleeve shirt

With roll up sleeves

 

1

heavy long sleeve shirt

 

 

2

short sleeve shirt

 

 

1

light jacket

Water resistant

 

1

fleece jacket or sweatshirt

 

 

 

boat bag (waterproof)

holds rain suit, fleece jacket, shorts & misc. (a tall kitchen garbage works fine)

 

 

trip home clothes

packed separately (I leave mine in the truck)

 

 

tooth brush & paste

 

 

 

hair brush or comb

 

 

 

soap in box & shampoo

 

 

2

bath towels & washcloth

 

 

 

Sheets and pillow case

1 Queen, 2 full, 2 twin beds

 

 

sunscreen

 

 

 

insect repellant

100% DEET pump

 

 

Flying insect spray

2: 1 for cabin + 1 for Moose

 

 

medications

 

 

2

Sun glasses

one for the lake

 

 

Birth Certificate

Certified copy

 

 

Driver's License

 

 

 

Passport

Required in 2009

 

 

Parental Permission letter

If traveling with minors