Blue Water Aviation

03/01/2026

We’ll 💙See You Around💙
to our valued employee’s and customers👇🏻

It’s with full and grateful hearts, we want to extend our most sincere thank you to each and every one of you who has stood by us and supported our little mom & pop atmosphere throughout the generations.

You embraced our growth.
You shared in our heartaches.
You helped carry us through Mother Nature’s many challenges.

Through it all, you remained our foundation, our encouragement, and our extended family. We will never forget our BWA Family.

This decision was not made easily. It comes after much reflection and many heartfelt conversations. We have realized it is time to allow more space for what matters most — spending valuable time with our aging and growing families, and yes… sitting around a campfire after 9 p.m. without watching the clock.

We’ve also come to understand that we have more years behind us than ahead of us, and we want to make the most of the ones still to come.

If you’re passing by, please stop in for coffee. We’re not going too far — besides a few plane rides and finally cashing in on some long-promised fishing trips.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in us, supporting us, and becoming part of our story.

With love and gratitude,
The Gaffray’s…
Stephen/Carrie, Tyler/Stefani/Wrenley, Dallas/Bryan, Laci/Travis, Easton/Keirra, Lee and Art/Andrea💙

01/14/2026

This week's member highlight is Lake Wilderness Lodge!

Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge is a luxury fly-in fishing lodge. Nestled in the wilderness of the boreal forest, we offer our guests a flawless mix of award-winning service, world-class amenities and an unmatched premier fishing experience.

Aikens Lake is a veritable walleye factory! We are a world renowned fishing destination for trophy walleye, northern pike and lake trout. Pro-staff guides, paired with top grade boats, motors and tackle, are all part and parcel of your experience on the water. From the dock to the lodge, and on the lake, our team will make your vacation an unforgettable stay. Personal and tailored service sets Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge apart in the fly-in industry. Our award-winning staff constantly aims to exceed expectations.

We are conveniently located 2 hours from Winnipeg, in the south end of the Atikaki Provincial Park. Our turnkey packages get you and your party to and from the lake in expedited fashion. Same-day travel and flexible schedules, allow for even the most time-sensitive getaways.

Book your “Aikens Experience” today!

Contact Information:
Aikens Lake Lodge
Ph: 204-237-5253
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.aikenslake.com/
Youtube: Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge

12/12/2025

Today in Aviation: 12.12.1951 - First Flight De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter

The DHC-3 is a single-engine, high-wing STOL utility aircraft, designed primarily as a larger alternative to the DHC-2 Beaver, intended to provide air services to remote communities in Canada. Seating a maximum of 11 passengers, it was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial, though many would later be re-engined with PT-6 or Garret TPE331 turboprops. The fixed taildragger undercarriage could be replaced by floats.

The aircraft was popular with both civilian and military operators, and a number remain in service, especially in Canada and Alaska.

Photo: Mark Zerafa, 9H Media

12/12/2025

First Flight of the Otter!

On this day in 1951, the first DHC-3 Otter took flight. It went on to become one of the most versatile aircraft of its time, trusted for decades in some of the toughest flying conditions in the world.

The Otter’s durability still inspires us today and reminds us of our strong roots in Canadian aviation.

11/22/2025

This week’s member highlight is Gammon River East Outcamps

The Gammon River East Outcamp is a fly-in only outpost located on the Gammon River in the Atikaki Provincial Park in Eastern Manitoba. Plenty of Walleye and Pike fishing awaits our guests on the Gammon River system as well as the connecting body – Carroll Lake. The outpost is a fully equipped cabin on a remote island completely outfitted for your stay including solar power, running hot and cold water, (4)- 14’ Lund boats with 15HP Suzuki outboards, a filleting shed and separate cookshack building for deep frying your catch and BBQing your other foods.

Offers to Guests:
Fishing
Accommodations

Amenities:
Boats and Motors included with camp rental

Address:
Gammon River East Outcamps
Box 267
Falcon Lake, MB
R0E 0N0

Contact Information:
Ph: 204-792-8746
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.gammonriver.com

11/06/2025

Boreal forest regeneration in Manitoba after a wildfire involves natural processes like the release of seeds from fire-adapted trees.

08/11/2025

08/07/2025

August 7 update from Aikens Lake

We know it’s been a while… thank you for your patience! On our last post, we had hoped things were trending in the right direction, but this last week reminded us just how unpredictable wildfire season can be.

Many of you have been following the NASA FIRMS fire map and saw those red spots growing. To answer the big question: No, the lodge or the peninsula didn’t burn!

That said, it got close. The fire made it all the way to the Back Bay, just across from our dock. It was a tense few days, with our crew working tirelessly to keep pumps running and everything thoroughly soaked.

With the heroic actions and expertise from the Manitoba fire crews, they were able to cut the fire off before it reached the peninsula.

We’re not fully out of the woods yet, but for the first time in weeks, things are feeling more stable. And with a healthy dose of rain in the forecast this weekend, we’re finally feeling a bit of hope again. We look forward to posting photos of the rain soon!

07/23/2025

July 22 : Latest news from Aikens Lake
A quick update for you all today. We are still actively monitoring the wild fires near Aikens. The rain yesterday and today have slowed down the spread, but we are not out of the woods yet, with the closest fire being under a mile away from the main peninsula.
Again, a huge THANK YOU to the Manitoba Wildfire Service Crews that are landing at Aikens daily. They are servicing our three camps and are making sure things stay wet.
We will provide more updates when we can. Thanks again for all the kind messages of support. ❤️