Late to the game here, but I’ll add my 2 cents.
The last few years, Sept weather has been pretty warm when I’ve been there. In ’17 there were a few days where that got into the 70s and the bugs definitely “woke up” on calm days, or in sheltered bays.
Our group has been going to Rainy since 1981, and you’d be hard-pressed to find any better service or operation than the Dougherty’s run at Rainy Lake Houseboats. Tommy and Billy are top-notch, and the kids have been involved as well, and are equally as great.
As for the Thunderbird…our experience until 2017 was wonderful. The first night we arrive to RLH, we always had dinner and tied a couple on at the lodge. In 2017, the service was sub-par (we are pretty easy going as well, so lets ignore the service aspect, there was clearly an operations change, and hiccups will happen). The menu changed, also minor, but a tradition of ordering the Walleye with the pork chop and applesauce has always been part of the trip. It was nowhere to be found in ’17, and the waitstaff looked at us like we all had third eyes when we ordered. Eventually, they figured it out.
Onto the food, the walleye was always, always top notch and fresh. In ’17, it two orders weren’t even de-boned. When we did some digging, found out it was ordered from sysco or somewhere similar. That should be a crime given the quality of fish that come out of the very water on which the Thunderbird sits. Prices went up quality went down. We aren’t cheapskates when it comes to this trip, not by a longshot.
That being said, all of the staff were still extremely nice, as always. The T-Bird is clean, overall decent place, but there has been a dip in form compared to prior years. In ’18, we are going to try something new and cook for ourselves the night before we launch. The T-Bird rubbed us wrong in such a way that we are breaking a 37 year tradition.
RL fishing is world-class for numerous species, the scenery can’t be beat, and it’s a trip I wouldn’t trade for the world.
If it’s just you, the wife, and the dog; looking into one of the smaller houseboats would be an option. I know people say they are expensive, but, honestly, it’s on par with a decent hotel room for a week and the experience is 100000000000000000 times better. Tow your boat and explore the lake. Can’t be beat. September fishing never disappoints. Get a good map and navi card. Watch for rocks. Beware the Brule, matey. lol
Hope this helps!