OUTDOOR CANADA MARCH APRIL FISHING 2023

Conventional Braids*

FEATURES FEATURES

26

GO BIG!

Working on your personalbest fish list? From Arctic char to yellow perch, here’s where to wet your line for a shot at a genuine trophy—and maybe even a record BY THE EDITORS

38

OUTPOST INSIGHT

Remote fly-in cabins offer great value for anglers on a budget—if you’re willing to work a little

BY SCOTT GARDNER

42

DUTCH MASTERS

How two novice muskie anglers from Holland caught a boatload of fish—and put a whole new perspective on muskie fishing

BY GORD PYZER

48

DOG ON BOARD

Want to bring your four-legged pal on the boat for your next fishing trip? Here’s how to make the outing safe and enjoyable for both you and your dog

BY LAWRENCE GUNTHER

50

TOP GEAR

Canadian anglers are in for an excellent year on the water with these awesome new lures, rods, reels, lines and accessories

BY GORD PYZER

57

TOP (FLY) GEAR

From tying materials to apparel to tackle, our annual roundup of the best new gear for getting Canadian fly anglers in on the action

BY WAYNE PHILLIPS

60

AGAINST THE WIND

The plan was to fish and explore the remote reaches of the N.W.T.’s historic Aylmer Lake. The unseasonal wild weather made for a different kind of adventure altogether

BY KEN BAILEY

BY PATRICK WALSH

Here’s to Gord !

MOST AVID ANGLERS no doubt know the name Gord Pyzer. Not only is he one of Canada’s most engaging fishing seminar presenters, he’s also a prolific writer about all things angling. From examining the latest trends driving the sport to simply sharing his expert tips for triggering bites, Gord covers it all. And he’s shared his incredible expertise through numerous publications, including In Fisherman, Just Fishing! and Bassmaster, as well as blogs and podcasts, such as Outdoor Journal Radio

It’s through his contributions to Outdoor Canada, though, that Gord has long reached the widest audience of knowledge-thirsty anglers. In fact, this year marks the 40th anniversary of his first official contribution. From that first article, Gord would go on to write regular features, as well as his ongoing column, culminating in becoming our fishing editor in 2001. And thankfully, he’s showing no sign of slowing down. This issue, for example, he writes about an effective alternative to trolling (page 20), the use of European pike tactics to catch muskies (page 42) and this year’s top new fishing gear (page 50), among other things.

Considering Gord is also an all-season hardcore angler—and a retired Ontario fisheries manager, to boot—it’s little wonder he has been inducted into not only the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame, but also the Canadian Outdoor Hall of Fame and the U.S.-based National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. On top of all that, he’s also earned numerous honours from the Outdoor Writers of Canada, as well as the National Magazine Awards. In Gord we trust? You bet. Here’s to many more years of him gracing our pages—and helping put anglers on the fish. OC

CONTRIBUTORS

A long-time career conservationist, Ontario contributor Robert Pye is the executive director of Watersheds Canada, which champions healthy freshwater lakes and rivers across the country. It’s a perfect role for Pye, who is also an avid fisherman. For this issue’s backpage Homage, he celebrates life as a dedicated angler.

Originally from southwest England, guest columnist Max Dickinson moved to Calgary five years ago, where he has completely embraced Canada’s outdoor lifestyle. This issue, he tackles the subject of why anglers and hunters should strive to leave behind a positive legacy. Turn to page 18 to read “Legacy lesson.”

Committed to promoting healthy fisheries through his Blue Fish Radio podcast and other projects, Ottawa’s Lawrence Gunther is also a dedicated angler—despite his lack of sight. Long accustomed to bringing a guide dog aboard his fishing boat, he offers valuable tips for enjoying a day on the water with your dog (page 48).

Ever since his first fishing trip at age five, long-time Saskatoon contributor Wayne Phillips has championed the sport of angling, in particular fly fishing. This issue on page 57, the veteran outdoor communicator and conservationist presents his annual overview of the best new fly-fishing gear for hitting the water in Canada.

ESTABLISHED 1972

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & BRAND MANAGER Patrick Walsh

MANAGING EDITOR Bob Sexton

ASSOCIATE EDITOR & WEB EDITOR Scott Gardner

ART DIRECTOR Sandra Cheung

FISHING Editor Gord Pyzer

HUNTING Editor Ken Bailey

PUBLISHER Mark Yelic

NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Rosemary Bubanovich, Dave Harkley

RETAIL AND CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT MANAGER Chris Holmes

MARKETING MANAGER Desiree Miller

DIRECTOR OF RETAIL MARKETING Craig Sweetman

AD TRAFFIC COORDINATOR Michaela Ludwig

DIGITAL COORDINATORS Lauren Novak and Blaine Willick

CIRCULATION & CUSTOMER SERVICE: Marissa Miller and Lauren Novak

CONTROLLER Anthea Williams

OUTDOOR CANADA IS PUBLISHED BY OUTDOOR GROUP MEDIA LTD.

Outdoor Canada magazine (ISSN 0315-0542) is published six times a year by Outdoor Group Media Ltd.: Fishing Special, May/June, July/August, Hunting Special, November/ December, January/February.

Printed in Canada by TC Transcontinental.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada, one year (six issues), $24.95 plus tax. U.S., one year, $39.95. Foreign, one year, $69.95. Send name, address and cheque or money order to: Outdoor Canada, 802-1166 Alberni St., Vancouver, B.C. V6E 3Z3.

MAIL PREFERENCE: Occasionally, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies whose products and services may be of interest to our readers. If you want your name removed, contact us via the subscripton contact below.

Publication Mail Agreement No. 42925023. Send address corrections and return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Outdoor Canada, 802-1166 Alberni St., Vancouver, B.C. V6E 3Z3

USPS #014-581. U.S. Office of publication, 4600 Witmer Industrial Estates, Unit #4, Niagara Falls, N.Y .14305. U.S. Periodicals Postage paid at Niagara Falls, N.Y. Postmaster: Send address changes to Outdoor Canada, P.O. Box 1054, Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14304-5709. Indexed in Canadian Magazine by Micromedia Ltd.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS: We welcome query letters and e-mails, but assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Distributed by Comag Marketing Group. ©2023 Outdoor Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any article, photo or artwork without written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.

Subscriptions and customer service 1-800-898-8811

Subscriptions e-mail service@outdoorcanada.ca

Customer service website www.outdoorcanada.ca/subscribe

MAILING ADDRESS: Outdoor Canada, 802-1166 Alberni St., Vancouver, B.C. V6E 3Z3

General inquiries (604) 428-0259

Editorial e-mail editorial@outdoorcanada.ca

Members of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and Alberta Fish & Game Association must contact their respective organizations regarding subscriptions.

GORD PYZER MARKS 40 YEARS WITH OUTDOOR CANADA IN 2023

WITH EXTENDED RANGE FOR OPEN WATER

JOURNAL

SCENE

Making the most of the dwindling daylight on a June evening, an angler completes his fifth “last cast” while fly fishing for trout on the St. Mary’s River in Nova Scotia.

NUMBERS GAME

70th

Anniversary this year of the Miramichi Salmon Association, founded in 1953 by anglers, guides, camp owners, outfitters and sporting goods merchants. The New Brunswick group’s ongoing mission is “the propagation, protection and perpetuation of the Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi River system.”

873

1,156 Species deemed “critically imperiled” by Wild Species 2020, an extensive government report released in November on the status of everything from single-celled organisms to mammals in Canada. Among the creatures at risk of disappearing are 24 mammals, including species of lemming, marmot, fox, seal and whale.

Hunter-submitted deer and elk heads from Alberta’s 2021 hunting season that tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The transmissible fatal disease was found in the heads of 984 mule deer, 164 whitetails and eight elk. Testing for the 2022 season continues.

PHOTO BY TIM MYERS

ON THE RECORD

1.98 million

Maximum annual production of salmon at three fish farms in Nova Scotia’s Liverpool Bay, if a new project is approved. That would represent a 370 per cent increase in the bay’s farmed salmon, leading to “increased genetic risks to wild salmon” in the region, says a Fisheries and Oceans review.

60

Approximate percentage of B.C.’s commercial salmon fishery shut down by Ottawa to help restore disappearing salmon stocks. Critics say the move has harmed independent harvesters and West Coast fishing communities, while concentrating quotas and licences in the hands of large seafood companies.

—Although he backs Ottawa’s plans to restrict so-called assault-style firearms and handguns via Bill C-21, Nova Scotia Liberal MP Kody Blois says he can’t support an amendment to the legislation that would also restrict certain hunting rifles and shotguns. Says Blois: “The way the amendment reads now is problematic.”

“My line in the sand has always been hunting and rifles.”

FISH FOOD

OUT OF BAIT? PET AND GROCERY STORES CAN KEEP YOU IN THE GAME

BY CRAIG MITCHELL

WHEN YOU CAN’T find what you want at your usual bait store, sometimes it pays to think outside the tacklebox and head to your local grocer or pet shop. They carry a wide variety of relatively inexpensive items that can also make for very effective—and perfectly legal—baits. Of course, be sure to first check your local bait restrictions, which vary from province to province, and sometimes from one body of water to the next. And never use exotic live fish or other critters as bait, which can devastate native populations if they survive and gain a foothold. Otherwise, a whole new range of bait options awaits.

GROCERY STORES Not just a source for canned corn when you’re angling for the likes of carp, panfish or stocked trout, grocery stores also offer a wide variety of other bait choices, from canned snails to frozen seafood. They can even be an affordable source for large dead baits, such as inexpensive frozen mackerel. Chicken livers are another cheap bait date. Want to save even more money? Ask the fish monger or butcher if you can have any scraps.

Frozen, fresh or canned sardines, shrimp, squid and other dead sea creatures of various sizes can also be used for different angling purposes. Whether you’re targeting panfish with small pieces of shrimp, trying to land a trophy pike with a mackerel on a deadstick or hooking into catfish using thawed sardines for cut bait, your options are only limited by your own creativity.

PET STORES Most pet stores carry food for a wide range of different pets, many of which have similar diets to the fish species we target. For example, reptiles love to eat a variety of live insects and invertebrates that trout, panfish and more would also happily devour. As a bonus, reptile food is also often available frozen or vacuum-sealed, making it easy to transport and preserve.

Among the potential baits available at many pet stores are crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms, butterworms, silkworms and roaches. My favourites, however, include hornworms, superworms, trout worms and waxworms. Bright blue or green in colour, hornworms are at the expensive end (averaging $1.50 each); they come in a variety of sizes, up to four inches in length. Similar to mealworms but five times larger, superworms sell for an economical $2 per dozen, while trout worms—a classic trout and panfish bait—go for $7 a dozen. As for waxworms, these small white grubs are an ice-fishing staple, particularly good for catching panfish. They cost a reasonable $3 per dozen. OC

LARGEMOUTH BASS

So many largemouth bass techniques involve stout gear to flip and pitch heavy jigs, but my buddy Matt Straw recently dialed me into an outrageously effective finesse approach instead. He starts with a 1⁄8-ounce Terminator Finesse Jig, which he dresses with a soft-plastic skirt (a quality pre-skirted jig will work almost as well). He then adds a Kalin’s Lunker Grub or PowerBait Power Grub and slowly swims the rig through emerging weed tops and along weed edges. Every so often, he twitches his rod tip—or stops reeling altogether—letting the offering fall to the bottom. Both manoeuvres cause the skirt to flare, triggering violent strikes in the process. A seven-foot six-inch mediumaction spinning rod and reel spooled with six-pound Maxima Ultragreen monofilament is ideal, with the long rod letting you make longer casts and cushioning the light line.

—GORD PYZER

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Fishing a spybait is possibly my favourite smallmouth bass technique, because when the fish want it, they’ll crave it above everything else. And while a spybait may look like a small meal, a big bronzeback will totally crush it—if you keep these key details in mind. First, spool on four- to six-pound-test fluorocarbon line. Not only is it near-invisible, it also sinks, helps you maintain speed and depth control, and doesn’t overpower the lure. Next, reel in extremely slowly. If you already think you’re crawling your spybait back to the boat, slow down even more. Finally, don’t impart twitches or any other action on the lure, even though you may think it looks static coming through the water. With spybaits, less is always more.

—GORD PYZER

HORNWORMS: NOT JUST FOR PET LIZARDS OUTDOOR SMARTS

SHUTTERSTOCK (LIZARD); WENDY NAREZNY (LARGEMOUTH BASS); CONNOR MARTIN (SMALLMOUTH BASS)

HOT SHOTS

PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES OF FUN DAYS AFIELD AND ON THE WATER

WE ENJOY SEEING pictures of your fishing and hunting accomplishments—and learning the stories behind them. Please e-mail us your images, along with any relevant details (who, what, where and when), and we’ll post them on Instagram and publish our favourites here.

While fishing with his father on Alberta’s Shiningbank Lake this past July, 11-year-old Ryker Landman of Whitecourt, Alberta, hauled in this jumbo yellow perch. Says proud dad Dane Landman, who photographed the moment: “It was a great day on the lake with his friends, and a smashing result, with his perseverance paying off!”

Beginner angler Jessica Tratnik says she’s totally hooked on fishing after catching this 19½-inch smallmouth bass this past October on Sudbury, Ontario’s Vermilion Lake. “It put up a good fight!” says the Thunder Bay woman, who was fishing with her boyfriend (and the photographer), Jason Carbone. “I can’t wait to get back out on the water.”

Chapleau, Ontario’s Max Bertrand asked a local angler to take this photo of the gorgeous Atlantic salmon he brought to hand at the famed St. Marys Rapids in Sault Ste. Marie this past August. Max says the silver beauty fell for a four-inch, split-tail soft-plastic minnow in smelt pattern, pinned to a 3⁄8-ounce swimbait jig head. OC

Two summers ago, then 12-year-old Jack Burns boated this 40-inch pike on the Rideau River south of Ottawa while fishing with his uncle, David Burns, who took the photo. “He caught the pike on a 20-year-old Helicopter Lure that was in the bottom of my tacklebox,” David says of his nephew, who hails from Havelock, Ontario. “He caught a few big fish that day on it!”

TROPHY WALL

NET WORTH

HOW TWO QUEBEC BROTHERS ARE FILLING A CATCH-AND-RELEASE NICHE

BY MARK CARDWELL

WINTER WEEKENDS HAVE always been synonymous with skiing and other outdoor sports for Antoine and William Choquette. But this winter, the Quebec brothers spent their spare time indoors making a product spawned from their summertime passion for Atlantic salmon fishing: highend, handmade wooden landing nets that are hooking growing numbers of conservation-minded salmon anglers across Canada and beyond.

Based out of the small garage behind Antoine’s home in the village of SaintFerréol-les-Neiges, 50 kilometres northeast of Quebec City, the pair currently produce three lines of landing nets, ranging in price from $250 to nearly $500 for customized versions. “Demand is crazy,” says Antoine, a 32-year-old mechanical engineering consultant. Together with William, 30, who works in marketing at nearby Le Massif ski resort, they run Frero, the small company they founded in 2020 to make and sell their nets. “We both have full-time jobs, so we have to work nights and weekends to keep up.”

Though available in a few specialized fly-fishing stores in Quebec, most Frero nets are sold via the company’s eye-catching website and Facebook page. Both feature action-packed videos and photos of the brothers—lifelong fly fishermen who were turned on to catch-and-release in their early 20s— using their nets to land fish on some of Quebec’s most popular salmon rivers.

PROTECTING THE FISH

It was the trouble they had tail-landing a massive salmon on one of those rivers, La Gouffre, that helped spawn their business venture. Concerned the knotted nylon mesh and steel frames of existing nets were harmful to fish, Antoine created his own. Using wood and non-abrasive mesh, he built a prototype with a four-foot-long handle and a 40-inch-long, 16-inch-wide hoop with a twofoot-deep net. “It was beautiful and there was nothing else like it on the market,” Antoine says of that first net, which he and William tested in 2020. “It worked perfectly. Fights were shorter, capture was easier and we lost a lot less fish.”

In early 2021, they made 20 more nets and sold them within days via Facebook. One notable buyer was Fred Campbell, founder and president of Hooké, a leading brand of fishing and hunting gear and apparel that’s popular among young Quebecers. He says Frero nets fit perfectly with the premium millennials place on conservation and sustainability.

“The kill-it-and-eat-it mentality of previous generations is giving way to the enjoyment of the challenge,” Campbell says. “It’s becoming less about the eating of the fish than it is the thrill of catching it.”

Then there’s Tyrone Buckle, the director of operations at Atlantic Rivers Outfitting, which operates two flyin fishing lodges in Labrador. He says his guides and customers rave about the Frero nets he purchased online. “They are fabulous,” says Buckle, who ordered 50 more in early 2022. “They are esthetically pleasing and made with beautiful craftsmanship.”

MEETING THE DEMAND

Buckle also notes the arrival of Frero nets was timed perfectly, considering the pandemic led to an uptick in the popularity of salmon fishing, one of the few activities people could still do during the lockdowns. There was also an industry-wide shortage of landing nets at the time.

Plus, the growing popularity of catch-and-release for Atlantic salmon includes the use of landing nets instead of traditional tailing, which can injure fish as they’re brought close to shore. According to Myriam Bergeron, general manager of the non-profit Quebec Federation for Atlantic Salmon, Quebec anglers livereleased more than 70 per cent of their reported catches in 2021, more than double from a decade ago.

For their part, the Choquette brothers plan to continue riding the popularity of sustainable salmon fishing, and grow their company in the process. To date, they’ve made some 200 nets, with brisk sales leading to the recent hiring of a part-time employee. They plan to double production in 2023.

“It’s a lot of work,” says Antoine. “We’re not skiing as much as we’d like to these days, but we’re having a lot of fun, and we’re very proud of what we’re doing.” OC

FRERO FOUNDERS WILLIAM (LEFT) AND ANTOINE CHOQUETTE

THE KAYAK EDGE

A BENEFICIAL WAY TO GET MORE WOMEN INVOLVED IN FISHING

BY IAN KENNEDY

AS POWERBOATS SPEED across Lake St. Clair, Jamie Stevenson quietly glides into the southern Ontario lake’s untapped corners in her kayak. From the unique vantage point of her sleek Hobie Pro Angler, the Sarnia, Ontario, 41-year-old has been reeling in trophy fish since falling in love with the sport in 2018. She has also rapidly ascended the competitive ranks of kayak fishing, joining the Ontario Kayak Bass Trail and representing Canada at the 2019 Pan American Bass Kayak Championships. Now Stevenson wants others, especially women, to give kayak fishing a try, offering the following advantages about joining this growing angling community.

PRACTICAL BENEFITS “One of the reasons I chose fishing from a kayak is to keep it simple,” Stevenson says. “I fished out of a boat for a few years, but I enjoy the ease of throwing a kayak into the back of my truck and launching from any waterway.” In particular, she uses Google Maps to look for access points to fishing grounds that are otherwise inaccessible by motorboat. “Whether it’s the Great Lakes, or a small river on a back road, putting a kayak in the water is easier in many ways than a boat.” Access and ease of transport aside, Stevenson says other benefits of kayak fishing include the relative affordability of kayaks themselves, and the minimal maintenance and storage requirements.

HEALTH BENEFITS While fishing from shore or a boat can be relaxing, Stevenson says kayak angling comes with added health benefits. “One of the main reasons I love fishing out of a kayak is the exercise,” she says. “It combines my love for the outdoors with physical activity. I’m truly at peace when I’m on the water. After a stressful day at work, I can completely unwind.” The way Stevenson sees it, the plentiful mental and physical health benefits make kayak fishing an enticing self-care option for anglers.

EMPOWERMENT BENEFITS According to Stevenson, kayak fishing also offers opportunities for more women to challenge norms on the water and get involved in angling. “There are a lot of trailblazing women who are starting to break down barriers,” she says, herself included. For women new to the sport, she recommends reaching out on social media to women already involved with the “inclusive” kayak community, which is always open to helping newcomers. “There is absolutely nothing stopping women from learning to fish,” Stevenson says. “We all start from the beginning, regardless of age or gender. I think kayak fishing is a great way to get more women involved in the sport.” OC

DOG SENSE

DIVER DOWN

When crippled ducks hit the water, they impulsively dive to avoid capture.

Retrieving these elusive birds is challenging, even for experienced gun dogs, but it can be especially confusing for young pups. That makes it important to teach dogs to spot and outsmart subsurface swimmers before the hunting season begins, using training gear such as the Dokken Diver dummy (above) to simulate a lively downed duck.

THE CHALLENGE Survival is priority number one for a wounded duck. When a retriever closes in, the duck will dive, then resurface a short distance away. If the retriever persists, the duck will switch tactics and dive longer, only surfacing to catch its breath; often, only its bill will be visible. That’s when it becomes important to train your dog to watch for wounded ducks swimming low in the water, and even dive to retrieve them.

THE TRAINING If you’re also an angler, the training can be as much fun for you as it is for your dog when you employ gear such as the Dokken Diver, which works like an oversized floating crankbait. Using a heavy rod and reel spooled with high-test, non-stretch line, you cast out the duck-shaped dummy, reel it in a short distance underwater, then let it surface. Once your circling dog locates the Diver, you simply release it with a sharp jerk of the fishing rod. As the dog’s confidence grows, you can add more dives and increase the distance of the underwater retrieve. For added realism, have a partner shoot a shotgun as you cast, which also helps train the dog for steadiness and marking.

—LOWELL STRAUSS

FOR THE BEST TIMES TO FISH AND HUNT, CONSULT OUR SOLUNAR CHARTS AT WWW. OUTDOORCANADA.CA/TIMES.

(STEVENSON); MANUFACTURER (DOKKEN DIVER); LOWELL STRAUSS (DOG)

JAMIE STEVENSON IS A COMPETITIVE KAYAK ANGLER

SEINE SYSTEM

HITTING THE WATER WITH TV’S FISH’N CANADA SHOW

BY ANGELO VIOLA & PETE BOWMAN

NORTHERN ONTARIO’S ATIKOKAN area could easily be classified as an unsung hot spot when it comes to fishing destinations. We say that because to the west lies Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods, to the north is Lac Seul, and to the east is Lac des Mille Lacs and Lake Nipigon. And that’s to name just a few of northern Ontario’s famed fisheries. But while it may be lesser known, the Atikokan area features a bevy of smaller fish-filled lakes and rivers offering a multitude of different gamefish. And sure, it may be somewhat off the beaten path, but ah, the solitude!

On a recent Fish’n Canada shoot, we ventured to Atikokan’s Seine River system, setting up our base of operations at Branch’s Seine River Lodge on Banning Lake. From there, we also had access to Calm, Perch, Chub and Little McCauley Lakes, all of which offer excellent fishing opportunities; we concentrated on Calm Lake to film our program.

In particular, we targeted an area towards the main part of the lake just as you clear Banning Narrows. That’s where lodge guests had reported seeing a spectacular display of smallmouth bass busting the surface while crashing into big balls of ciscoes. We just had to check it out, of course, and ended up having an amazing day of fishing.

All of the stories were true. Not only did we see the odd ravenous school of smallies piercing the surface, we also saw the bass slicing into giant bait balls thanks to our LiveScope sonar unit.

Our lure of choice was the one-ounce Yo-Zuri 3DB TwitchBait, which we knew would be a multispecies slayer—and it was. We pounded the smallies, catching them on practically every cast. It was just amazing to spot the schools at the surface, as well as all the way to the bottom, then slide and glide our TwitchBaits right through them. What a fishery! OC

GETAWAYS

LAC MONTGOMERY

Lying some 400 kilometres northwest of Montreal, Lac Montgomery is one of 30 lakes you can fish within a 272-square-kilometre private territory leased by family-run Wapus Lodge. My fly-fishing friend Nicole Tracey Lewis says she had the time of her life there catching four-pound-plus brook trout, noting that assorted small wet flies were the ticket. You can also catch walleye, pike and lakers. 1-888-949-2787; www.wapuslodge.com

—GORD PYZER

BOUNDARY DAM RESERVOIR

Saskatchewan’s only bass lake, Boundary Dam Reservoir receives the hot-water discharge from nearby Estevan’s power plant, allowing for ice-free fishing throughout much of the year. The long growing season produces largemouth bass weighing up to eight pounds, walleye up to nine and northern pike topping 15. Angling educators Jason and Jeff Matity can provide good local intel. www.getfishing.ca

–GORD PYZER

PRINCE RUPERT

Although Prince Rupert, B.C., marks the end of the Yellowhead Highway, it’s also the gateway to spectacular saltwater fishing in the Hecate Strait. All five species of Pacific salmon feed their way through here en route to their spawning grounds, but the waters are best known for giving up huge chinook. Enormous halibut and other bottom fish are also on tap. (250) 624-5637; www.visitprincerupert.com

—KEN BAILEY

VIOLA (RIGHT) AND BOWMAN DIALED IN THE BIG SMALLIES

FOR THE GLASS

With its aromatic blend of peach, melon and fennel, Beronia’s silken Verdejo from the Rueda region of Spain pairs well with this recipe’s fish, cheese and asparagus. Serve well chilled.

WALLEYE PR I NCESSE

BAKED BACON-WRAPPED FILLETS WITH PROVOLONE AND ASPARAGUS

RECIPE & PHOTO BY CAMERON TAIT

WALLEYE IS ONE of the most versatile freshwater fish when it comes to culinary creations, making it a great choice for the classic “princesse” presentation, meaning to garnish with asparagus. Surprise your guests with this gastronomic delight, and you’re certain to receive rave reviews. Serves 4

1] Start with one fillet, cutting it in half lengthwise; butterfly each half, cutting it lengthwise 90 per cent through so it opens like a book. Slightly overlap the halves, and season with salt and pepper.

2] Lay 1 slice of cheese on top of the overlapped fillet halves, then place 3 asparagus spears and ¼ of pepper slices in the middle. Starting at the tail, tightly roll the fillet, cheese, asparagus and pepper together.

3] Lay one bacon slice on a cutting board, place rolled walleye on top and snugly roll together; use a skewer to hold everything in place.

• 4 walleye fillets (3 to 4 oz each)

• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

• 4 slices provolone cheese

• 12 spears fresh asparagus, cut 6 inches long

• 1 red pepper, thinly sliced

• 4 slices bacon

TOMATO RELISH

• 3 cups halved heirloom tomatoes

• 2 whole garlic cloves

• ¼ cup olive oil

• Pinch kosher salt and pepper

• 6 thin slices jalapeno, seeds removed

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tbsp roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley

4] Repeat the first 3 steps with the other 3 fillets.

5] Place all the tomato relish ingredients into a saucepan, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low for 20 minutes.

6] Preheat oven to 375°F. Place the 4 walleye rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for roughly 20 minutes.

7] Place cooked walleye rolls on individual plates, slice in half and serve with tomato relish. OC

SHARP SHOOTER

WEATHERBY’S LIGHTWEIGHT MARK V HUNTER IS DEADLY ACCURATE

BY MARK HOFFMAN

WEATHERBY HAS BEEN on the leading edge of cartridge technology for three quarters of a century, having developed trail-blazing cartridges and some mighty fine rifles. While many of those rifles showcase Weatherby’s innovative cartridge technology, the company wisely did not ignore the many other standard and proven cartridges hunters have grown to love. That tradition is reflected in the 2022 introduction of the Mark V Hunter, with Weatherby staying the course by chambering the rifle in seven of its own magnum cartridges, as well as 10 others.

While the Hunter is a standalone model with a new stock design, it includes many of the attributes of the Mark V Backcountry series Weatherby introduced in 2021. The stock features the same trim flat-bottom forend, ambidextrous palm swells, aluminum pillar construction and Urban & Black Speckle finish.

Mechanically, the Hunter utilizes Weatherby’s signature multi-lug bolt system, which the company touts as the “world’s strongest action.” It comes in both standard and magnum action sizes, with the standard utilizing a six-lug design, while the heavier magnums use the traditional nine locking lugs that can handle the hottest commercial cartridges on the market.

The Hunter also offers several safety features, including three rings of steel around the base of the cartridge, a fully enclosed bolt shroud and three gasrelief ports in the bolt body to vent dangerous pressure should there be an unlikely cartridge failure.

For maximum foul-weather protection, the barrel, receiver and trigger guard are finished in cobalt Cerakote, while the bolt, bolt knob and safety are finished in graphite black Cerakote. The deeply fluted bolt has a removable bolt knob that, with its 54-degree throw, offers quick follow-up shots and maximum scope clearance.

The Hunter is also equipped with a Triggertech trigger that provides a zerocreep break, and extremely short over-travel. It is externally adjustable, and with its precision-cut stainless steel components, it ensures safe, reliable and consistent trigger pulls from shot to shot. Finally, the barrel is threaded ½ x 28 for the potential installation of a brake.

TEST RESULTS

Despite its advertised weight of 6.2 pounds, my test Hunter in 6.5 WBY RPM tipped my postal scale at a paltry six pounds. With Talley lightweight mounts and a Hawke Frontier 2.5-15x50 LR scope, the total weight was seven and a half pounds, the standard weight of many non-scoped rifles.

The factory-set trigger pull weight of three pound four ounces was a touch

heavier than I wanted, so I adjusted it down to a consistent two pounds 12 ounces. The mighty fine Triggertech trigger lived up to its billing, with no identifiable creep or over-travel.

I also liked the rifle’s clean lines, as well as the palm swells and the textured grip on both the swells and the forend. The larger, pear-shaped bolt knob also added visual appeal, along with user-friendly practicality.

As for ammunition, I included two factory loads and nine handloads for my test, although I took a different approach with my handloads this time. Rather than experimenting with a number of different powders, I instead used H1000 for every load owing to its consistent sub-MOA performance in a previously tested 6.5 WBY load.

Despite past successes with a number of Weatherby rifles, I wasn’t sure what kind of accuracy to expect from the Hunter, possibly because of its light weight or barrel contour, or the combination of both. I needn’t have worried, as seven of my handloads bettered MOA, with a couple hovering at or under 0.5 inches. Weatherby Select 140-grain Hornady InterLock also delivered 0.51-inch accuracy. For hunting, I would consider either a handload with a 140-grain Nosler AccuBond bullet and H1000 powder, or Weatherby Select 140-grain Hornady InterLock ammo. Both provided 0.5-inch accuracy.

I was impressed with both the rifle and scope. For their price points (MRSP US$1,499 and US$899, respectively), they delivered on all fronts. With its simple clean lines, accuracy, weight, balance, fit and finish, the rifle bettered my expectations. As for the scope, it ticked every one of my requisite feature boxes, while providing optical clarity well beyond its price tag. The pairing was a true bang-foryour-buck duo. OC

THE SPECS

• Calibre: 6.5 WBY RPM

• Overall length: 45"

• Length of pull: 14"

• Weight: 6.2 lb

• Barrel length/contour: 24"/#1

• Twist rate: 1" to 8"

• Magazine capacity: 4+1

• Drop at comb: 0.625"

• Drop at heel: 0.3"

FIREARMS REVIEW

ADDING A HAWKE SCOPE MADE FOR AN IMPRESSIVE COMBO

SOLAR SAFETY

FISH WITHOUT FEAR FROM THE SUN’S NASTY UV RADIATION WITH THIS PROTECTIVE GEAR

BY THE EDITORS

IT’S NO SECRET the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation poses a sig nificant danger to anglers, even on overcast days—the adverse effects on the skin and eyes accumulate over time, ranging from cosmetic to disabling to deadly. Thankfully, blocking the sun’s harmful rays is simple: diligently apply sunscreen, wear proper sunglasses and keep your skin covered, even when it’s hot out. This new gear for anglers is designed for just that.

BRUSHLINE BUCKET Sunday Afternoons, www.sundayafternoons.ca

Key features: Lightweight, breathable and crushable; water- and stainresistant; mesh ventilation; adjustable sizing; integrated sunglasses holder. The promise: “Keep your head cool and comfortable.”

safe for fish and coral; water-resistant; fragrance-free; safe for sensitive skin; won’t sting eyes. The promise: “Protects your body while preserving the ecosystems you love.”

WOMENS REEL ON LEGGINGS (US$70-80)

Huk Gear, www.hukgear.com

Key features: Moisturewicking, anti-microbial and quick-drying stretch fabric; side and waistband pockets; available in five sizes and eight colours. The promise: “Super-soft, comfortable and breathable.”

Lightweight, cooling, breathable and quickdrying polyester-spandex blend; perforated synthetic suede palm; cuff closure. The promise: “Release heat while providing durable grip and protection.”

REEFTON PRO ($340) Costa Del Mar, www.costadelmar.com

Key features: Polarized, scratch-resistant lenses; 100 per cent UV protection; adjustable nose pads; side shields; comes in three frame and six The promise: “Keep your frames on your face, your eyes on the fish.”

ISLAND HOPPER SHIRT (US$109)

Patagonia, www.patagonia.ca

Key features: Cotton and recycled polyester blend; cooling vents; ease of movement when casting; chest pockets; hemostats tab; hidden sunglasses cleaner. The promise: “Hot-weather essential with angling-specific features.”

SPF 15 SUNSCREEN LIP BALM ($7.95) Pelagic, www.pelagicgear.com

Key features: Specifically developed for anglers; protects and moisturizes lips in harsh environments; comes in four flavours. The promise: “Tested by the world’s top sport boat captains.”

SOL TACTICAL HOODY (US$119)

Skwala Fishing, www.skwalafishing.com

Key features: Designed for casting comfort; cooling knit fabric; stretch material in high-wear areas; scubastyle hood; three flush pockets. The promise: “Keeping you cool and protected from UV rays.”

C-TUG R

Made of UV-protected plastic, the C-Tug R cart (US$169.99) is designed to fit a wide variety of kayaks and canoes weighing up to 220 pounds. It features widthadjustable, 20-inch-long, non-slip rails, as well as rubber-tread wheels, stainless steel reinforced axles, and a kickstand. It’s easily disassembled for storage. Railblaza, 1-866-610-7931; www.railblaza.com

BLADE SHARPENER

Leatherman’s handy Blade Sharpener ($19.95) includes a carbide sharpener and ceramic hone for regular blades, and a fine-grit, diamond-coated rod for serrated blades. Impressively, it also lets you tailor how much material you want to remove from your blade, for both light and heavy sharpening jobs. Leatherman, 1-800-847-8665; www.leatherman.ca

RECHARGE

DELUXE AERATOR

WOMEN’S ISLE SHIRT (US$74.95)

Simms Fishing Products, www.simmsfishing.com

Key features: Lightweight, woven polyester heather fabric; fast-drying; tailored for a feminine fit; sunglasses chamois; roll-up sleeves; zippered hip pocket. The promise: “Cut for ease of casting movement.”

HONCHO STRETCH UTILITY PANTS (US$79)

Aftco, www.aftco.com

Key features: Water-repellent, two-way stretch material; hand and back pockets; thigh pocket with invisible zipper; reinforced pliers pocket. The promise: “Clean aesthetics with ultimate functionality.” OC

Frabill’s portable ReCharge Deluxe Aerator (US$69.99) can turn any waterproof container into a functional baitwell. Equipped with a water-resistant gasket and anti-backflow check valve, it promises to keep bait alive lon ger. The rechargeable lithium battery offers 45-plus hours of use, making it ideal for shore fishing or fly-in trips. Frabill, www.frabill.com

QUICK SILVER

Available in two sizes and 12 colours, Williams newly redesigned Quick Silver ($6.99) is a proven winner for salmon, as evidenced by the earlier model’s four first-place showings in the Lake Ontario Chinook Classic. And though designed for salmon and trout, the spoon can be equally effective for pike and walleye. Williams, (819) 563-2115; www.williams.ca

BY GEORGE GRUENEFELD

BY MAX DICKINSON

BY GEORGE GRUENEFELD

Legacy lesson

WHY A USED FLY ROD SHOULDN’T BE THE ONLY THING YOU LEAVE BEHIND

IAM A self-confessed bargain hunter, or what my friends fondly refer to as a tight-ass. I regularly scour buying-and-selling sites, such as Kijiji and eBay, long before I ever dream of buying something new. If I see a handwritten sign with the words “garage sale,” I am down that back alley faster than you can say, “Selling any fishing gear?”

With masses of people flocking to the outdoors during the pandemic lockdown, I’ve been particularly eager to see if those weekend warriors would stick with their new-found hobbies, or if there would be a mountain of lightly used, marked-down equipment flooding the online markets. Fortunately for me, the latter has been the case.

Oh, what a time I’ve been having, scooping up half-price gear from people happy to have the clutter out of their homes now that the lockdown is in the rear-view mirror. All was good in my frugal world until a recent transaction had me rethinking my entire attitude about the outdoors.

It all happened when I responded to an online ad about a used fly rod for sale. Making my way to an open garage down a back lane, I hopped out of my truck and was met by a comely woman in her fifties. “Was it a hobby that didn’t stick?” I asked with an air of callousness as I scrutinized the rod laid out in front of her.

The woman looked disappointed. “My husband passed away recently,” she replied mournfully.

I awkwardly handed over the agreed upon cash and bashfully left with my tail between my legs. She wasn’t the first widow I’d encountered during my bargainhunting forays, but she was the first to leave me contemplating the life cycle of the average outdoors person.

Who was this fly-fishing gentleman? He certainly had good taste in rods, but he was obviously more than that to the people in his world. Was his hobby an escape from an otherwise hectic lifestyle? Had he enjoyed companionship

during his outings, or did he prefer solitude on the water?

Whether he was a weekend patron of the local stocked pond or an intrepid backcountry explorer, I was certain the guy was the salt of the earth—I just couldn’t bring myself to picture him any other way. Maybe it was because I was now using his fly rod, my only connection to the man, that I created this lofty image of him.

The whole encounter got me pondering the legacy I would leave behind as an angler. What would I pass on, along with my gear, once I am gone? I hope I won’t be remembered as someone who was disrespectful and uneducated in regards to the natural world, but rather as a discerning fellow with a passion for conserving the wild places he had so much enjoyed.

From now on, then, I will strive to make sure I can proudly anoint myself with that description without opposition, and hopefully represent the hunting and angling community as having compassion and kindness. These days, there are far too many outdoorsmen and women—and here I use those terms loosely—who have no problem littering, breaking the law and generally tarring the image of angling and hunting with an ugly brush. For the most part, we are a caring crew of men and women who disdain that type of behaviour, but there will unfortunately always be the few who sully the reputation of our sometimes controversial sports. We must always counter that.

Also from now on, every time I cast that second-hand fly rod, I will be reminded that life is short, fleeting and precious. Hunting and fishing have taught me many things, but the one perspective I am grateful for is that one minute you are here, and the next you could be gone. We should never take life for granted, the same way we should never stop conserving the wild places we love.

When the day finally arrives that I leave behind nothing but a pile of old, yet still useful gear for sale, I hope the new owners can continue to enjoy it in the same wilderness I did.

For a reasonable price, of course. OC

CALGARY WRITER MAX DICKINSON AIMS TO LEAVE BEHIND A PROUD LEGACY.

THE AUTHOR WITH HIS NEW-TO-HIM FLY ROD

On the mark

FORGET TROLLING. SPOTTING, STALKING AND SNIPING IS MORE EFFECTIVE

NOT THAT LONG ago, if I were looking for a school of lake trout or walleye, the odds were good I’d troll to find them. And once I found the fish, I’d weave around them if they were spread out, stopping to cast only if they were concentrated. How quickly things have changed. Over the past few years, my trolling frequency has dropped like a lead downrigger cannonball. Instead, I now spot, stalk and snipe the fish. Why? Not only is this technique much more efficient and effective, it’s also a lot more fun.

SNIPING LAKERS

To help you understand why I changed strategies, imagine you’re with me trolling for lakers, puttering across an expanse of open water—or around a hardbottomed feature—at a relatively slow speed. When the sonar unit marks a fish 20 feet up off the bottom in 65 feet of water, we keep advancing because our lines are trailing behind the boat. At that point, all we can do is hope the trout will spot one of our lures when they catch up, then follow it and strike. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll slowly swing the boat around, retrace our path and zigzag over the same spot, again hoping for a hit. It’s a tried-and-true plan, but consider this alternative.

We’re on the same lake with the same fish in the same location, but this time we’re moving two to four times faster, watching our sonar unit like hawks. I’m driving, and you’re at the ready to snipe, holding a rod rigged with a heavy tube jig, spoon or Jigging Rap-style lure. Now when we spot the trout on the sonar, I pop the throttle into reverse and back up over the fish. At the same time, you open the bail on your spinning reel and let the lure plummet straight down. The trout sees it falling, rockets up and engulfs it before I’ve even popped the motor into neutral.

This tactic is frighteningly effective because you’re in total control of your lure—it isn’t just somewhere behind the boat. And because the boat has backed up over the trout, you can watch on the sonar screen how the fish behaves, then react accordingly. If the trout sits tight and doesn’t race up to intercept the lure, for example, I like to stop the lure a few feet above the fish’s head, making it act like a startled cisco or smelt getting ready to flee. The trout then can’t resist the

subsequent panic-stricken flight of your bait, and you can watch all the action unfold on your sonar screen.

As a bonus, for this tactic there’s no need for downriggers, leadcore line or other trolling systems that require special equipment. In fact, you likely already have everything you need—a medium- or mediumheavy rod, and a reel spooled with 10- to 12-pound line. A chartplotter is obviously also required, but most anglers have at least a basic model these days. And when you have two people in the boat, you can both get in on the action by switching driver and sniper positions after every couple of fish.

SNIPING BOTTOM FEEDERS

Targeting bottom-dwelling walleye, as well as black crappies and yellow perch, is even more fun because they’re often schooled up, giving you more fish to target. Here I like to cruise at approximately nine to 12 kilometres an hour, slowing down when I’m weaving over high-percentage structure. I also like to keep my sonar unit on split-screen mode, showing either down-scan and sidescan views, 2D and down-scan, or 2D and zoom.

My favourite way to snipe big walleye—especially when I’m targeting one or two specific fish—is a technique called “power-corking.” For this, add a bobber stop to 10- to 12-pound gel-spun line, then slide on a big slip bobber (I use pike floats). Next add a heavy 3⁄8- to 5 8-ounce sliding tungsten sinker, a barrel swivel, and an 18-inch, eight-pound mono or fluoro leader. Complete the rig with your favourite 1⁄8- to 3⁄16-ounce walleye jig tipped with a leech or half a nightcrawler.

Although you’re using a slip float for this technique, it’s not finesse fishing. Rather, it’s a pure reaction bite. Once you see a walleye on your sonar screen, back up and flip the rig under the transducer. When the bobber hits the stop—the depth doesn’t have to be precise, as long as the jig is just above the fish—hold on and get ready for a big strike. Then spot, stalk, snipe and repeat. OC

TURN TO PAGE 50 FOR FISHING EDITOR GORD PYZER’S NEW TACKLE ROUNDUP.

TARGET INDIVIDUAL FISH FOR BIG RESULTS

BY SCOTT GARDNER

BY SCOTT GARDNER

Worm wisdom

SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE, WIGGLERS DESERVE A PLACE IN YOUR FLY BOX

MANY DEDICATED FLY anglers started out by fishing for trout when they were kids, dunking nightcrawlers in their local creeks. Some of us, it seems, never grew out of our worm phase, although our taste now runs to wigglers that are smaller and inorganic. They still fool a lot of fish, however. Here we’re talking about worm flies, and they’re not just for trout, either. Pretty much any gamefish that will eat something small and wiggly—in other words, most fish—will eat a worm fly. That’s why these simple flies work from New Zealand to the N.W.T, and why they’re a good choice on unfamiliar waters, or when you’re not sure what the fish are eating. If you’re not up to date on annelid zoology for fly anglers, here’s a primer on worm flies.

FORAGE

Anglers have long known that trout eat worms, but there was never much of an attempt to imitate worms until fairly recently. There seem to be two general reasons for this. One is a traditional fly-fishing aversion to lures that are icky or smack of live bait. Secondly, until serious scientific analysis of trout waters began 50 or 60 years ago, we really didn’t know how many worms they held. Turns out, they’re pretty common. Many rivers, especially siltier ones, are home to aquatic worms, while rain and winter runoff add terrestrial worms to the mix. So, although they’re generally thought of as early-season fodder, worms can be in the water all season long. As a bonus, worm flies also resemble plus-sized caddis larvae, another major riverine food source.

FLIES

Developed in the U.S. southwest in the 1970s, the San Juan Worm (pictured above) was the first fly of its type to gain wide popularity. Featuring just an inch of red chenille (a type of fuzzy yarn) lashed to a small hook, with loose ends extending past the bend and the eye, it’s brilliant in its simplicity. A more recent version is the Squirmy Wormy, which replaces the chenille with gummy soft-plastic material.

Both patterns can also be tied with a bead for extra weight, and the colour palette has expanded to include pink, brown, tan, yellow and lime. You’ll see worm flies ranging in size from one to three inches in length, tied on hooks from size 16 up to 4. Just match the size of the fly and hook to the size of the fish

you’re targeting, and you’ll be in the game. I do happen to think the softplastic Squirmy looks more lifelike in the water, especially in large sizes, but I’ve never observed any preference from the fish.

FISHING

A worm fly looks so unlike typical insect or baitfish imitations that it can leave you scratching your head about how to fish it. To simplify things, think of it as a nymph. Similar to an immature aquatic insect, a worm drifts helplessly with the current, perhaps wiggling a little in a tragic and ineffectual way. So, dead drift a worm fly naturally at the speed of the current, typically close to the bottom, either with or without an indicator. You can also use a worm as the deep fly in a hopper-dropper double-fly rig. And they’re a solid choice for high-sticking, where you drift the fly on a short, tight line close to the bank.

Finally, if you’re new to the whole idea of worm flies, and not deeply immersed in fly lore, it might come as a surprise to you to learn there are anglers who view these patterns as distasteful. Their criticism seems to be that imitating a worm, rather than a delicate and sparkling mayfly, is somehow debased or impure.

There’s plenty of room in fly-fishing for many different viewpoints, and I try to be tolerant of them all, no matter how ridiculous or snooty. But as renowned fly-fishing writer Tom Rosenbauer has sensibly pointed out, you can’t blame worms for being born into the wrong order of invertebrates. I’d also note that the fish are choosing to eat worms, and it’s not my job to police their diet—any more than I want some nosey brown trout giving me the stink eye if I take a second slice of pie. OC

ASSOCIATE EDITOR SCOTT GARDNER IS A LIFELONG LOVER OF WORMS.

THE SAN JUAN WORM ORIGINATED IN THE U.S. SOUTHWEST IN THE ’70S

TUESDAY 10:00 PM

SUNDAY 6:00 PM

FRIDAY 10:00 AM

SATURDAY 9:30 PM

(EST)

Hit the water

STAY IN THE GAME DURING SPRING AND SUMMER BY TARGETING FISH

BOWHUNTING FOR SMALL game doesn’t get the credit it deserves. For starters, pursuing small, living targets is a great way to improve your accuracy and shooting form. And unlike big-game hunting, it can provide a plethora of shooting opportunities in a single outing. Then there’s bowfishing, which opens the door to even more possibilities, not to mention off-season archery practice. And as a bonus, bowfishing is also a great way to help control populations of invasive species, such as Prussian carp in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Just be sure to check your local fishing regulations to make sure you’re good to go, then follow these tips to get in on the action.

GEAR

Any compound bow will do, and a high draw weight isn’t necessary. Since you’ll be shooting a lot during a day of fishing, however, you’ll want something lighter than what you’d use for big game. For the reel, I prefer the bottle style (pictured above) loaded with 50 metres of 80-pound braided line. It allows for drag-free shooting, but you will have to handline in bigger fish.

To prevent the fishing line from tangling with the bowstring or the bow, which can cause the arrow to dangerously fly back, be sure to attach a component called a safety slide to your arrow. It holds the line in place, ahead of the bow. For my fletchless arrows, I use 1,200- to 1,500-grain fibreglass shafts with barbed tips. Along with a sturdy arrow rest, this set-up will deliver a penetrating punch—even on a 30-pound bow.

SPECIES

Bowfishing opportunities across Canada are mostly limited to targeting carp and suckers, which can be found throughout most of the country, as well as invasive species. There may be exceptions in some jurisdictions that allow bowfishing for other species such as northern pike, but again, carefully read the local regulations.

LOCATION

Carp and suckers can be found in the shallows during spring when the water is still cool at around 10°C and the spawning season begins. To find fish, walk along shorelines or move stealthily though the water using any type of watercraft that’s suitable to stand in. Watch for swimming fish, swirls and debris that’s been churned up off bottom by spooked fish. I recommend wearing

polarized sunglasses that are tight to your face to avoid messing with your anchor point.

Carp will also sometimes remain stationary when sunning their backs or resting in spawning grounds. And after they spawn later in the season, they can be found swimming around vacuuming food off the bottom. Carp are schooling fish, so when you find one, there will almost certainly be others around.

Suckers can also be found in schools, but they seek warm water with structure and nearby deep water. Common places to search for these bottom-feeders include manmade channels, beneath bridges and along piers.

TECHNIQUE

Carp and suckers generally swim by slowly, so you don’t have to lead them at all. Typically, shots are taken within five metres of the fish when you’re wading, or shooting from a creekbank or watercraft. When targeting fish cruising through a channel, shots from docks or piers rarely exceed 15 metres, which is long for a low-poundage bow projecting a heavy arrow attached to a line. Bowfishing isn’t a finesse sport, as the arrow trajectories are terrible, making it important to shoot close. Fortunately, the opportunities are plentiful.

Aiming points can vary vastly from shot to shot, depending on how deep the fish are. Keep in mind that sunlight hitting the water at an angle refracts, making fish appear higher in the water column than they actually are, so avoid shooting too high— a common beginner mistake. If the fish is right at the surface, you don’t have to compensate for refraction at all. The deeper the fish, however, the greater the refraction and the lower you have to aim, sometimes well below the body of the fish.

Refraction can be quite deceiving when you first start bowfishing, so begin by aiming low. If you miss a few times at first, don’t get discouraged. Just set your aiming point even lower and you’ll eventually connect—and be well on your way to becoming an avid bowfisher. OC

NUTTALL (BOW ANGLER); KEN BAILEY (WATERFOWLER)

BEAUMONT, ALBERTA’S GORD NUTTALL CAUGHT THE BOWFISHING BUG IN 2014.

CLOSE SHOTS ARE KEY WHEN BOWFISHING

BY KEN BAILEY

Back to nature

HUNTING SHOULD INVOLVE FAR MORE THAN JUST THE PURSUIT OF GAME

MOST OF US hunters grew up as nature lovers. We were the kids who came home with seashells and bird’s nests in our pockets. We assembled home menageries of whatever wild and wacky animals we could convince our moms to allow through the door. And we spent our summers camping and hiking when other kids our age were consumed by more urban activities. The drive to explore the natural world is in our DNA, which led us to evolve into hunters.

Far too often today, unfortunately, I encounter hunters who’ve lost their zeal for the broader natural world they once embraced. They’re singularly focussed on whatever game they’re pursuing, to the extent they fail to appreciate and fully enjoy all that surrounds them—and that’s a pity.

OBSERVE AND LEARN

I, for one, have never lost my fascination with wild places. I’m forever checking my reference books to confirm the identity of the creatures I’ve seen in the many landscapes where I hunt. Learning about, and understanding, the relationships between the myriad mammals, birds, insects and plants gives me a greater appreciation of how various ecosystems work. In turn, that appreciation has enhanced my overall outdoor experience, while also making me a better hunter.

Some of my favourite hunting memories, in fact, have nothing to do with the animal I was targeting. One time, for example, a cougar strolled past my blind at 30 metres, right after I heard it scream at my deer decoy. I can only assume the big cat was trying to jar the inert deer into action.

From the comfort of my deer blind, I’ve also often watched fishers, martens and weasels hunting mice and squirrels, and black bears and coyotes hunting for whatever they could find. And I’ve seen lynx on the prowl, searching the thick underbrush for snowshoe hares.

I recall one memorable morning watching a ruffed grouse shuffling about the forest floor as I waited patiently for a deer to show up. At one point, it hopped up onto a log and I thought I might get the chance to see it drum. Unfortunately, for the grouse at least, it had no sooner settled into place when a goshawk smashed into it in an explosion of feathers—a classic case of the quick and the dead.

BOND WITH NATURE

Sometimes, mere observation can transform into unexpected interaction with wild creatures. One frosty October morning, I was hunting ducks with a friend, hidden along the shore of a small pond. A pair of mallards sailed in from the north and my partner stood and swung on the drake, dropping it neatly in the middle of the pond. Seconds later, we watched with amazement as a great horned owl glided silently out of a nearby tree and settled firmly on the downed duck. Grasping the mallard in its talons, the owl paddled to shore and calmly began plucking it like he’d earned it.

Being opportunists and acutely aware of your presence, predatory birds will often take advantage of the largesse hunters provide. They’ll also sometimes send you a not so subtle message. Sneaking along a bush line while looking for a whitetail buck one afternoon, I almost jumped out of my pac boots when a northern hawk owl swooped over me from behind, tickling my toque on its way past. In no uncertain terms, it was telling me I was in his territory, not mine.

At other times, it’s as though I’m working in unison with the wildlife around me. I like to hunt the big water for ducks, for example, and that’s provided me with countless encounters. From my boat blind, I’ve watched peregrine falcons and minks hunting the same ducks as I was after. I’ve observed otters dipsydoodling as they chased fish, deer and moose feeding in the shallows mere metres away, and countless beavers, muskrats and shorebirds going about their daily business—all seemingly oblivious to the fact they had me as an audience. Such experiences, as much as the prospect of shooting another bluebill, keep me returning to the marsh.

So, the next time you’re in your stand in the woods, hiking the prairies or the mountains, or sitting on the shore of a marsh, revisit your roots by taking the time to enjoy all that your surroundings have to offer. It will help remind you why you’re out there in the first place. OC

HUNTING EDITOR KEN BAILEY AIMS TO NEVER FORGET HIS OUTDOOR ROOTS.

OBSERVE AND LEARN FROM WILD PLACES

BY THE EDITORS

GO BIG! GO

WORKING ON YOUR PERSONAL-BEST FISH LIST?

FROM ARCTIC CHAR TO YELLOW PERCH, HERE’S WHERE TO WET YOUR LINE FOR A SHOT AT A GENUINE TROPHY AND MAYBE EVEN A RECORD

HOW DO YOU boost your chances of catching true lunkers?

Go where they live. That may seem obvious, but with so many excellent places to fish in this great country, it’s not always that simple. Enter our annual hot spots guide. This year, we scoured record books, mined the internet, consulted with contributors and drew on our own experiences to pinpoint where exactly to catch the biggest of Canada’s most popular sportfish. Now that you know where to go, the rest is up to you!

STAY LEGAL

AS ALWAYS, BE sure to check the local regulations and seasons before heading to any of these waters, especially the sometimes precarious West Coast salmon fisheries. You can find a full list of all provincial and territorial regs on our website at www.outdoorcanada.ca/fishingregs.

#1 ARCTIC CHAR TREE RIVER, NUNAVUT

WHY It was on the Tree in 1981 that Jeffrey Ward caught the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) all-tackle world record char, weighing in at a whopping 32 pounds nine ounces. This remote Far North river continues to produce what are widely considered to be the planet’s largest Arctic char.

BONUS Intrepid anglers can take a daring dip in the Arctic Ocean at the rivermouth, and earn a T-shirt honouring their accomplishment.

MORE INFO

www.plummerslodges.com

WHY It’s been 31 years since the commercial cod fishery ended, but recreational anglers can still catch these tasty fish—and giant ones, at that. Head to Notre Dame Bay, where Steve Peddle hauled in a 50-pounder in 2021. For a video of his catch, see www.outdoorcanada.ca/bigcodcatch.

BONUS A prime whale-watching area, Notre Dame Bay is also a good destination for iceberg viewing, if you time your visit just right.

MORE INFO

www.newfoundlandlabrador.com

WHY The IGFA all-tackle world record grayling—a freshwater sailfish weighing five pounds 15 ounces—was caught on the Katseyedie back in 1967. But it’s the surrounding waters of Great Bear Lake at the rivermouth that hold the promise of even bigger fish.

BONUS When your arms finally tire of catching grayling on practically every cast, the stark and remote landscape makes for stunning photos.

MORE INFO

www.plummerslodges.com

WHY How hot is this river? Flowers River Lodge boasts 20- and 30-pounder clubs, for starters. And just in 2020, the river served up two world-record fly-fishing catches in IGFA’s eight- and 12-pound-tippet categories. Plus, the exceptionally clear water makes for great sight-fishing.

BONUS The river bottom is smoother than on many other Labrador rivers, making it more wader-friendly, and ideal for those not so sure on their feet.

MORE INFO www.flowersriver.com

#4 ATLANTIC SALMON FLOWERS RIVER, NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

#2 ARCTIC GRAYLING KATSEYEDIE RIVER AREA, N.W.T.

#3 ATLANTIC COD NOTRE DAME BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

PLUMMER’S ARCTIC LODGES (2); STEVE PEDDLE (3); HEATHER CROSBY (4); GORD PYZER (5, 6);

BLUE SHARK FISHING CHARTERS (7); ANDREW BUNKER (8); BRADLEY THORNE (9)

WHY Mostly known for its huge muskies and northern pike, Wabigoon also has a healthy crappie fishery, serving up good numbers and sizes of fish all year long. Ice fishing is one of the most effective ways to target slabs on this northwestern Ontario lake.

BONUS Wabigoon also offers good fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch; lake trout can be found on surrounding lakes.

MORE INFO

www.northernontario.travel

WHY Blue sharks weighing up to 500 pounds have been caught in these waters outside of Halifax Harbour, with fights often lasting for hours. Every blue shark is measured and tagged before it’s released, allowing anglers to help contribute valuable citizen science.

BONUS Blues are the most common shark species here, but porbeagles and makos can be also caught. You’ll see plenty of other marine wildlife, too.

MORE INFO

www.bluesharkcharters.com

WHY Way back in 1915, northern Ontario’s Nipigon River produced the reigning world record brook trout, a 14½-pound beauty caught by Dr. W.J. Cook. These days, however, Lake Nipigon is the place to go for a chance to catch a true trophy, with recent catches approaching 10 pounds.

BONUS Aside from brookies, this giant lake also has great fishing for lake trout, trophy pike and massive walleye.

MORE INFO

www.superiorcounty.ca

WHY A few years back, Outdoor Canada fishing editor Gord Pyzer and his fishing buddy Mark Stiffel caught three absolute monsters fishing out of this world-renowned port for tuna charters. While their bluefins weighed a staggering 850, 900 and 950 pounds, even bigger fish await.

BONUS Post-angling attractions include the island’s beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, famous hospitality and all things Anne of Green Gables.

MORE INFO www.tourismpei.com

WHY In 1994, angler Richard Matusiak was fishing on the shores of Lake Ontario at Mississauga’s Lakefront Promenade Park when he caught the province’s current record brown trout, a 34-pound 6.08-ounce behemoth. The lake continues to give up huge browns, with the promise of a new record.

BONUS Once you catch a trophy brown, you can target the lake’s numerous other big fish, including salmon, lakers, walleye and pike.

MORE INFO

www.ontariofishcharters.ca

#7 BLUE SHARK EASTERN PASSAGE, NOVA SCOTIA

#9 BROWN TROUT LAKE ONTARIO, ONTARIO

#5 BLACK CRAPPIE WABIGOON LAKE, ONTARIO

#6 BLUEFIN TUNA NORTH LAKE, P.E.I.

#8 BROOK TROUT LAKE NIPIGON, ONTARIO

BULL TROUT LOWER KANANASKIS LAKE, ALBERTA

WHY Home to Alberta’s record bull trout, a 17- pound 15-ounce beast caught way back in 1947, Lower Kananaskis Lake continues to regularly produce big bulls. No wonder this mountain lake is so popular with anglers during both the open-water and hardwater seasons.

BONUS Anglers also have the chance to catch rainbow and cutthroat trout amid stunning mountain scenery that’s nothing short of majestic.

MORE INFO

www.optimumanglingco.ca

WHY With the Red River running through it, Selkirk, Manitoba, touts itself at the “Catfish Capital of the World,” and for good reason. The stretch of river between Selkirk and Lockport is world famous for its population of trophy-sized channels cats, with 20-pounders considered average.

BONUS This stretch of the mighty Red also has opportunities for catching the area’s renowned greenback walleye.

MORE INFO www.citycats.ca

WHY Saskatchewan’s largest natural waterbody, Last Mountain Lake is also one of the province’s premier fisheries, complete with hefty, double-digit burbot. The best time to catch these fish is during the icefishing season, although they can also be targeted once the ice is out.

BONUS Opportunities for trophy walleye, northern pike and carp are also on offer at this long, narrow prairie lake.

MORE INFO www.getfishing.ca

SALMON RIVERS INLET, B.C.

WHY In 2021, seasoned angler

Gayle Gordon boated a complete tank of a chinook here, then promptly live-released it without official verification. Based on the fish’s measurements, it weighed more than 100 pounds, enough to pip the existing world record of 97 pounds four ounces from Alaska.

BONUS Along with the opportunity to catch other species of wild Pacific salmon, the area’s scenery and wildlife viewing are spectacular.

MORE INFO

www.riversinlet.com

#10

#12 CHANNEL CATFISH RED RIVER, MANITOBA

#13 CHINOOK

#11 BURBOT LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE, SASKATCHEWAN

CHUM SALMON EDYE PASSAGE AREA, B.C.

WHY Located between Prescott and Porcher Islands south of Prince Rupert, B.C., Edye Passage is where the current world record chum was caught in July 1995.

Angler Todd Johansson was using herring as bait when he landed the giant 35-pounder, which stretched the tape to 38½ inches.

BONUS There are also opportunities to catch other Pacific salmon species, as well as a variety of groundfish, while taking in the pristine natural beauty.

MORE INFO

www.hellobc.com

WHY Although the 31-pound Canadian record coho was caught in Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Bay area way back in the 1940s, it’s still possible to tackle big fish here if you know where to look. The best bets include nearby Porlier Pass, Sansum Narrows and Pender Bluffs.

BONUS The bay’s like-named Cowichan River, said to be one of B.C.’s finest trout streams, offers fly fishing for steelhead and introduced browns.

MORE INFO

www.tourismcowichan.com

#16 COMMON CARP LAKE ERIE, ONTARIO

WHY Angler Allen Babakhani (pictured) caught the current Ontario record for common carp on Lake Erie near Crystal Beach in 2018. He landed the 41-pound 14-ounce lunker while fly fishing, also earning him IGFA’s world record in the eight-pound tippet category.

BONUS Lake Erie is also a worldclass destination for largemouth and smallmouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, walleye, yellow perch and more.

MORE INFO

www.canadiancarpsociety.com »

#14

#15 COHO SALMON COWICHAN BAY AREA, B.C.

WHY Weighing in at 9.9 pounds, Alberta’s record cutthroat trout was caught by angler Ernest Brazzoni on the South Castle River in 1990. Access is limited here, so you can expect to see few others as you walk and wade. The lower reaches of the West Castle, on the other hand, are more accessible.

BONUS Besides the solid fishing on offer, the scenery is spectacular. It’s also a good river for paddling, tubing, birdwatching, wildlife viewing and hiking.

MORE INFO

www.crowsnestcafeandflyshop.ca

WHY The 10 biggest goldeye recognized by Manitoba’s Master Angler program were all tackled in the Saskatchewan River, making it a good bet for catching record fish. The largest was a 21¼-inch bruiser, caught and released by angler Robert G. Lake (pictured) in October 2021.

BONUS The Saskatchewan is also home to walleye, sauger, perch, pike, whitefish, goldeye, burbot, rainbows, browns and lake sturgeon.

MORE INFO

www.huntfishmanitoba.ca

WHY In 1993 off B.C.’s Langara Island north of Haida Gwaii, California angler Doug Lavallee reportedly caught the biggest halibut ever landed on a rod and reel in Canadian waters. The 320-pound leviathan succumbed to a white scampi tail on an eight-ounce lead jig head.

BONUS Several lodges and outfitters offer fishing trips around Langara for a wide variety of species, from salmon to abundant groundfish.

MORE INFO

www.hellobc.com

WHY The Yukon River watershed’s inconnu may migrate up to 1,500 kilometres to spawn and, as result, grow much bigger than their lakebound cousins. Also referred to as sheefish, this largest and fastestgrowing species of whitefish typically weighs four to 22 pounds, but much bigger fish await.

BONUS The Yukon River watershed is also a prime fishing destination for several other species, including grayling, northern pike and trout.

MORE INFO www.travelyukon.com

#19 HALIBUT LANGARA ISLAND, B.C.

#18 GOLDEYE SASKATCHEWAN RIVER, MANITOBA

#17 CUTTHROAT TROUT CASTLE RIVER, ALBERTA

#20 INCONNU YUKON RIVER WATERSHED, YUKON

ANDY SWEETLAND (17); ROBERT LAKE (18); GORD PYZER (19); DALTON TRAIL LODGE (20); PLUMMER’S ARCTIC LODGES (21); JUSTIN GIRARD (22); BOB IZUMI (23)

WHY This is hands down the place to go for the biggest lake trout on the planet. After all, it was on Great Bear in 1995 that angler Lloyd Bull boated his 72-pound giant, the IGFA all-tackle world record. And the lake continues to produce trophies, including most of IGFA’s other laker category records.

BONUS Remote Great Bear also features outstanding fishing for trophy northern pike and abundant Arctic grayling.

MORE INFO

www.plummerslodges.com

WHY Georgian Bay may lay claim to the Ontario record whitefish—a 14.77-pounder caught in 1995—but Lake Simcoe appears to be producing more trophies these days. Most are caught by ice anglers during the winter, which is when the vast majority of the lake’s whitefish action takes place.

BONUS This large southern Ontario lake also has a great fishery for smallmouth and largemouth bass, perch, pike and lake trout.

MORE INFO www.destinationontario.com

BASS ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, ONTARIO

WHY Named one of North America’s top 10 bass waters in 2021 by Bassmaster magazine, the St. Lawrence River may be best known for its smallmouth fishery, but it also holds huge largemouth bass—and in big numbers, as witnessed at recent fishing tournament weigh-ins.

BONUS With its diverse range of aquatic habitats, the St. Lawrence is also home to a wide variety of other fish, including muskies, pike, perch and walleye.

MORE INFO www.destinationontario.com

#21 LAKE TROUT GREAT BEAR LAKE, N.W.T.

#22 LAKE WHITEFISH LAKE SIMCOE, ONTARIO

#23 LARGEMOUTH

WHY According to long-time gar aficionado Andrew Bunker, the Ottawa River is home to “Canada’s biggest and baddest longnose gar.” And the record books back up his claim—in July 2014, the river gave up the current Ontario record, a 21.2-pound, 51½ -inch rocket caught by angler Steve Grail.

BONUS Other popular sportfish in the Ottawa include walleye, sauger, smallmouth and largemouth bass, pike and muskies.

MORE INFO

www.destinationontario.com

WHY Over the past couple of years, several 60-inch-plus muskies have been caught in the St. Lawrence at the outflow of Lake Ontario. Despite a recent decline, the river also boasts Ontario’s fastest-growing muskies, and it’s one of fisheries expert John Casselman’s candidates for producing the next world record.

BONUS The “Larry,” as locals call it, is also a prime fishing destination for a host of other species, including bass, perch, pike and walleye.

MORE INFO

www.destinationontario.com

WHY Located in the northwest corner of Saskatchewan and the northeast corner of Alberta, Lake Athabasca is the eighth largest lake in Canada. And with such big water comes big fish—the Saskatchewan portion routinely serves up giant northerns, with trophies pushing 55 inches.

BONUS Athabasca also contains 23 other species of fish, including hefty lake trout, walleye, whitefish and yellow perch.

MORE INFO

www.lakersunlimited.com

WHY Four IGFA record pinks have come out of the Kitimat, more than any other Canadian waterbody. In August 2014, Sherrell Carter caught the two-, four- and eight-poundtest category records, while Zane Andrews notched up a Junior World Record with a 10-pounder in 2015.

BONUS Along with the incredible scenery and wildlife, the productive Kitimat also has abundant steelhead, chinook, coho and chum.

MORE INFO

www.nicholasdean.com

WHY Hardcore angler Sean Konrad caught the IGFA all-tackle world record rainbow here in 2009, a beastly 48-pound triploid that topped his twin brother Adam’s 43-pound 10-ounce record (pictured). The Konrads say Diefenbaker is still producing giant ’bows, including a 24-pounder they caught last year.

BONUS Fishing for other species in the lake includes burbot, lakers, northern pike, sauger, walleye, whitefish and yellow perch.

MORE INFO

www.lakediefenbakertourism.com

#27 PINK SALMON KITIMAT RIVER, B.C

#28 RAINBOW TROUT LAKE DIEFENBAKER, SASKATCHEWAN

#24 LONGNOSE GAR OTTAWA RIVER, ONTARIO

#26 NORTHERN PIKE LAKE ATHABASCA, SASKATCHEWAN

#25 MUSKELLUNGE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, ONTARIO

#29 SAUGER SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN RIVER, SASKATCHEWAN

WHY Although complete details of the catch aren’t well documented, this is where a seven-pound 13-ounce fish earned Saskatchewan’s sauger record back in 1990. The South Saskatchewan remains a popular destination for anglers targeting sauger, typically using the classic pickerel rig.

BONUS There are many other fish to also go after here, including goldeye, lakers, pike, rainbows, walleye, whitefish and yellow perch.

MORE INFO www.scpo.ca

#30 SOCKEYE SALMON HARRISON RIVER, B.C.

WHY While many of B.C.’s sockeye fisheries have been experiencing dwindling runs in recent years, the Harrison River continues to enjoy a decent fall return, with plenty of big fish. Mid-September to November is the time to catch and release these chrome beauties.

BONUS After a long day of productive fishing, you can relax and enjoy the natural hot springs and spa at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort.

MORE INFO www.bcsportfishinggroup.com

#31 SMALLMOUTH BASS LAKE ERIE, ONTARIO

WHY Lake Erie’s smallmouth bass grow very big, as evidenced by the brute Ohio angler Gregg Gallagher (pictured) caught on the Canadian side in November last year. The biggest smallie ever recorded on Erie, the 10.15-pounder topped Ontario’s 9.84-pound record, caught by Andy Anderson on Birchbark Lake in 1954.

BONUS Lake Erie is also an awesome sportfishery for largemouth bass, walleye and yellow perch.

MORE INFO www.ontariofishcharters.ca

#32 SPLAKE ALGONQUIN PARK LAKES, ONTARIO

WHY Ontario regularly stocks 27 lakes in Algonquin Provincial Park with splake, the hard-fighting hybrid spawn of female lake trout and male brookies. Many of the stocked lakes are along the Highway 60 corridor running through the south of the park, making for fairly good access.

BONUS Algonquin boasts an impressive system of trails, canoe routes and camping sites for all levels of outdoor adventurer.

MORE INFO

www.algonquinpark.on.ca

#34 STEELHEAD KISPIOX RIVER, B.C.

WHY Located north of Hazelton in northwest B.C.’s Bulkley Valley, the Kispiox River is widely regarded as home to some of the largest native steelhead in the world. Fish pushing 20 pounds are common, but there’s also the chance to wrestle with steelies topping 30.

BONUS Within a half-hour’s drive, anglers can also enjoy excellent fishing in the Babine, Bear, Bulkley and Skeena Rivers.

MORE INFO

STRIPED BASS MIRAMICHI RIVER, NEW BRUNSWICK

WHY Long considered one of the world’s best Atlantic salmon rivers, the fabled Miramichi has also become a premier destination for tackling big striped bass. An estimated 1,000,000 fish enter the Miramichi system to spawn each year, making for countless opportunities to land a lunker.

BONUS When you want a break from casting, you can make your way to the Atlantic Salmon Museum in Doaktown for fix of local fishing lore.

MORE INFO

www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca

www.chromersportfishing.com

TWIN LAKES, MANITOBA

WHY As Manitoba’s top fishery for tiger trout, Twin Lakes has produced more Master Angler tiger awards than any other waterbody in the province. The largest Twin Lakes tiger on record is a 28-incher, caught and released by ice angler Garrett Bettker in April 2017.

BONUS Nearby Roblin, the Fly Fishing Capital of Manitoba, hosts the Bug Chucker Cup, a popular still-water tournament for fly anglers held each May.

MORE INFO

www.swanvalleysportfishing.com

#36 WALLEYE LAKE WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

WHY In just one late-winter weekend on Lake Winnipeg, it’s said that ice anglers catch more walleye than on all of Canada’s other lakes combined throughout the entire winter—and that includes Ontario’s famed Bay of Quinte. The current record greenback is a 34-incher iced, in 2015.

BONUS Not just a winter fishery, Lake Winnipeg is also a proven producer of big walleye during the open-water season, too.

MORE INFO

www.huntfishmanitoba.ca

#35 TIGER TROUT

#33

#37 WHITE STURGEON FRASER RIVER, B.C.

WHY Every year, anglers catch and release mammoth white sturgeon from the Fraser River’s carefully regulated fishery. The current rod-and-reel Canadian record is an incredible 11.65-footer (pictured), landed on the Fraser last year by anglers Pete Peeters and Jake Driedger. BONUS The Fraser is also home to numerous other fish, including varied runs of chinook, coho, sockeye, chum and pink salmon.

WHY This widened portion of the St. Lawrence River between Cornwall, Ontario, and Quebec’s Salaberry-deValleyfield regularly serves up numbers of jumbo perch. In 2020 on Lake St. Francis, angler Dominic Touchette (pictured) caught the current Ontario record, a chunky 2.52-pounder.

BONUS Covering 272 square kilometres, this is a huge multispecies fishery with opportunities for bass, muskies, pike, trout and walleye.

BY SCOTT GARDNER

OUTPOST INSIGHT OUTPOST

REMOTE FLY-IN CABINS OFFER GREAT VALUE FOR ANGLERS ON A BUDGET—IF YOU’RE WILLING TO DO A LITTLE WORK

“WOW, THIS BAY looks perfect,” said my pal Wes Nelson, smiling. “And it only took us two days to find it.” That made me laugh, because it was the closest bay to our outpost cabin, yet we’d passed by it numerous times without making a single cast.

Exactly 48 hours earlier, we’d been dropped off at remote Whittle Lake, about 70 kilometres north of Nakina, Ontario, by Leuenberger Air Service, a northern institution that’s been flying anglers to its lodge and outpost camps since the 1960s (see “Air time” on page 41). Along with the third member of our group, Don Willoughby,

THE WHITTLE LAKE CREW (FROM LEFT): DON WILLOUGHBY, THE AUTHOR AND WES NELSON

SCOTT GARDNER

we’d been racing all over the lake, using our contour maps and sonar to target fishy-looking spots.

As with other outfitters, Leuenberger supplies boats and motors, but we’d chosen to bring our own customized fishing kayaks. They’re terrific vessels, but not really suited to running and gunning. Yet in our excitement at basically owning the lake for an entire week last June, that’s just what we’d been doing. While we were catching pike and walleye, they were smaller and scarcer than we’d expected.

Finally, it dawned on us that we were fishing in the wrong places. Regrouping during an evening strategy session, we decided to eschew structure, and instead look for fish cruising the wide, shallow, sandy-bottomed bays, especially the ones fed by creeks.

Entering that nearby bay the next morning, our hunch was proven correct. On our first, second and third casts at the mouth of an inflowing creek, we landed some decent pike and walleye. Then we drifted across the bay in about two feet of water, casting among the sparse emerging weeds. Minutes later, Wes called out that something had inhaled his beloved Johnson Silver Minnow.

“Need a hand?” I called back.

“Not sure,” he replied. Then he finally saw the fish. “Oh man, it’s a pike, and the dorsal and the tail are, like, two feet apart.”

Don and I converged on Wes to watch the excitement and—as anglers

FOR TIPS ON SELECTING A FISHING OUTFITTER, GO TO WWW.OUTDOORCANDA.CA/FINDANOUTFITTER.

often do—enthusiastically offer pointless and conflicting advice. Although he hasn’t been fishing that long, Wes knew enough to mostly ignore us, and focus on the fight. Big northern pike are always exciting, but handling one by yourself in a small boat is bare-knuckle stuff, somewhere between a bull ride and a roller derby.

Finally, Wes laid his hands on the beast and hoisted it up for a quick photo. His paddle was floating away, and his rod and reel were dragging behind in the water, but he had the fish—43 inches of thick, well-fed northern Ontario pike. It was the biggest fish he’d ever seen, let alone caught. Outpost trips demand planning and work, but moments like this make it all worthwhile

There’s also no more affordable way to expe rience fly-in fishing. On these trips, the outfitter supplies the cabin, boats and floatplane flight to the lake, but the cost is kept down because you bring your own food and do your own cooking, cleaning and guiding. If you’re up for trying this uniquely Canadian angling adventure, here are some tips to make it a success.

GETTING THE DETAILS

It’s easy to focus on the fishing ahead of all else, but once you’ve booked an outpost, learn everything you can about your cabin and its amenities. This is crucial for planning what to bring, and potential participants may want to know about any creature comforts before signing up.

Conveniences can vary widely, but most cabins are equipped with a propane fridge, cooktop and barbecue; many also have an oven, running water and some electrical outlets. Our palatial spot on Whittle Lake had all of that, plus the ultimate luxury—an indoor shower with hot water. The number and type of bedrooms are also important, especially if your group includes couples who might want

a little more privacy. When it comes to your cabin, knowledge is comfort.

ASSEMBLING THE GROUP

When recruiting anglers, consider their personalities, bearing in mind you’ll be together for a week, often in close quarters. Make sure everyone knows they’ll be helping with chores (if possible, bring a sport like Wes who’s enthusiastic and mildly obsessive about cleaning). Attitudes about fishing are also important—some anglers like to go hard all day, while others prefer to take it easy. You don’t all have to be on the same page, as long as there are comfortable parings, and a willingness to compromise.

Finally, be firm and transparent about the costs. Decide early on how you’ll split the expenses, and make sure everyone knows. And if you’re the trip organizer, make it a condition of joining the group for members to immediately pay their share of the deposit. People can often sound serious, only to ghost when it comes time to pony up.

PLANNING THE MENU

Floatplanes have strict guidelines on the weight and amount of gear you can bring, and operators charge extra (sometimes a lot extra) for exceeding them. Carefully consider what you plan to bring, particularly food and drink, which can add up quickly. To get the amounts right, plan a full menu in advance. The redoubtable Don handles this for our groups, and shares his menu beforehand so everyone can comment. Our grub

leans heavily on barbecue proteins, with a few easy, one-pot meals for rainy days or when the blackflies around the grill become intolerable. We also plan on a few fresh fish dinners, but throw in an extra pack of hot dogs in case the fish don’t cooperate.

I often see groups toting cases of bottled water, which is a huge waste of space and weight. Instead, filter lake water using a modern lightweight system. I have a gravity filter that purifies four litres of water in five minutes; it weighs mere ounces and packs very small. One way to handle other beverages is a quota system, with group members using up their share with whatever drinks—hard or soft— they deem essential.

Dry goods are easy to pack in boxes or lightweight bins, but perishables are trickier, especially when there’s a lengthy drive to the floatplane base, or a night in a motel. First of all, freeze anything that can be frozen, especially meat. When packed tight in a lightweight cooler, it will easily survive a day or two without ice. If you’re really worried about perishables, try dry ice. It melts from a solid directly to a gas, reducing the overall weight without soaking your food.

Also, when loading the floatplane, two small boxes or duffels are always easier to pack than a single larger one; this holds true for all your gear. And since you have to fly your trash out, remember to bring some sturdy bags, and avoid cans and bottles. Finally, to save even more weight, transfer canned food into plastic containers or sealable bags. Even if it feels a little déclassé, this may also be the time for boxed wine, and pouring liquor into plastic bottles.

SELECTING THE GEAR

If you’re a one-tacklebox-doesit-all angler, packing is easy. For those of us who love tackle, however, paring down can be tough. To make it easier, I follow two guiding principles. First, I only pack what I’ll probably need, not everything I could ever need. And second, I only bring tackle I enjoy using. If you don’t like baitcasting outfits or bottom bouncers, for example, don’t waste the space—something else will work just as well. In two decades of backcountry trips, I’ve yet to encounter fish I’d consider fussy. And it takes fewer baits than you think to cover the various scenarios. For example, spoons and spinners in a variety of colours and sizes can be fished quickly or slowly in shallow or deep water for a wide range of species.

No matter where or how you plan to fish, do not scrimp on terminal tackle. As Wes learned vividly last summer, any cast could be the fish of a lifetime. Over the years, I’ve heard many stories of lost trophies due to mangled wire leaders that obviously came from the bargain bin. Take only premium snaps, swivels and leaders, and swap out hooks for sturdier ones.

Every angler should also bring at least two rods and reels, if only because accidents happen. On that count, spare tip-top guides, super glue and duct tape can save your trip, as well. And you’re tempting fate if your rods aren’t packed in cases, which don’t have to be fancy—you can make your own for $10 using materials from a hardware store.

Sonar units and batteries are heavy, but they’re immensely helpful. If I had to, I’d leave behind

half my tackle (and all my beverages) for one. Since I always plan to catch—and release—a lot of fish, I also like to bring my own net sporting conservation-friendly mesh. As well, walkie-talkies are handy for keeping in touch with your group out on the water. Finally, it’s essential to bring a comfortable PFD you’d actually wear, rather than rely on one supplied at the cabin.

RESEARCHING THE WATERBODY

The whole reason we spend time and money getting to an outpost is because the fishing is so much better than at home. That said, the more you prepare, the more successful you’ll be on the water. Obviously, there’s no substitute for actually being there, but find out as much as possible before going. Tips from past visitors are helpful, but just one piece of the puzzle.

For me, nothing beats a good map. Backcountry lakes rarely appear on mapping chips, but there are a surprising number of old-school contour maps available. Google Earth is also helpful, revealing the surrounding landscape, plus weedbeds, sandy beaches, reefs and even drop-offs. It’s not impossible for anglers to get a lost on strange water, so I always print maps for everyone in the group.

FOLLOWING THE GAME PLAN

No matter the season, region or fish species, there are some strategies you can follow to ensure fishing success. Most importantly, know what you want. Do you want to fish every corner of the lake, or just find a couple of honey holes?

I’m afflicted with wanderlust, for example, always compelled to see what’s around the next point. Similarly, do you want numbers or trophies? These goals demand different tactics, and you usually can’t do both, so make an informed decision. You don’t want to wake up on the last morning and feel as though you’ve missed out.

Also, stay mobile. There are lots of fish in these remote lakes, but the old axiom about 80 per cent of the fish being in 20 per cent of the water still holds true. If you’re not catching anything, there’s nothing there. After 15 or 20 minutes without a hit, I change spots, often heading to the next one highlighted on my map.

Along the same line, question your assumptions, and beware of falling into a rut. Don, Wes and I mostly fish rocky Canadian Shield lakes, plus we do a lot of bass fishing. As a result, we tend to focus on structure and shorelines. Despite all our experience, it took us a couple of days to grasp that boggy, soft-bottomed Whittle wasn’t that kind of lake, and we needed a new plan. Sure, it was a setback, but that’s part of the adventure. When things do come together, there are few angling experiences more satisfying than convincing a new lake or river to share its secrets. OC

ALSO SEE PAGE 22 FOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR SCOTT GARDNER’S REGULAR FLY-FISHING COLUMN.

AIR TIME

Based in Nakina, Ontario, Leuenberger Air Service offers 14 outposts and a fullservice lodge on Kagianagami Lake (a.k.a. Kag), as well as charter flights for anglers and hunters organizing their own trips. All of the outposts feature walleye and pike fishing, with some also providing opportunities for lakers and brook trout. For more info, visit www.leuenberger.ca.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR CABIN’S AMENITIES, AND PACK ACCORDINGLY

BY GORD PYZER

MASTERS DUTCH DUTCH

HOW TWO NOVICE MUSKIE ANGLERS FROM HOLLAND CAUGHT A BOATLOAD OF FISH—AND BROUGHT A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE TO MUSKIE FISHING

FEW THINGS IN muskie fishing surprise Charlene Snow, the general manager of Eagle Lake Island Lodge in the heart of northwestern Ontario’s Sunset Country. She has seen it all over the years, but when two guests arrived from the Netherlands last September and immediately starting boating bruiser muskies, she confesses to sitting up and taking notice. Muskies are, after all, the fabled fish of 10,000 casts, and the Dutch duo had never seen one before, let alone caught one.

By the end of their 10-day stay on Eagle Lake, the pair had netted eight muskies measuring up to 50 inches, along with multiple prodigious pike. Even more impressively, they caught every

DUTCH ANGLER ARJAN BIEMOND WITH ONE OF HIS MANY MUSKIES

muskie on the retrieve—not a single one was hooked on a figure eight. They were obviously doing something very different, and in the process, making it look just a little too easy.

After reading Snow’s daily Facebook posts about the pair’s impressive catches, I just had to learn more. With that, she put me in touch with one of the anglers, Arjan Biemond. Here’s how he and his partner, Sybe Mellema, approached fishing a lake they’d never visited before, for a species they’d never seen. Learn from their experience, and your next muskie trip is bound to be a success, too,

#1 STUDY THE WATER

“Eagle Lake is so breathtakingly beautiful,” says Biemond, who hails from naval port city of Den Helder in the Netherlands. “The diversity of depth, bottom composition and aquatic plant growth gave us so many opportunities to try so many different lures and techniques.”

So, rather than become overwhelmed by the completely different habitat, the pair embraced the challenge. And not only did they intend to try their hand at using local lures and tactics, they also wanted to see how the same tackle they use back home for pike would fare. In particular, they wanted to troll crankbaits and cast hybrid jerkbaits from Sybe Baits, a tackle brand that Mellema himself owns and markets in Europe.

Listening to Biemond chronicle the considerable differences between Canadian and Dutch waters only makes it all the more impressive the pair were able to put together a winning game plan in such a short period of time. “We don’t have muskies in the Netherlands. Our top predator is the northern pike,” he says. “Our waters are also murky with much less visibility, so the fish have only a few seconds to decide

if they are going to eat your bait. The absence of rocks in our lakes also means that we can fish with much lighter tackle.”

According to Biemond, they catch their biggest pike—longer than 50 inches—in open water adjacent to features. “Our lakes are typically shallow, so we troll the slopes of the dredged waterways that are used by commercial watercraft. Our canals are also featureless, so we only cast lures around bridges, locks and weedbeds.” Different habitat, indeed.

Sybe, ‘Wow, this is easy. What’s all this 10,000 cast nonsense?’” he says, chuckling. “Of course, I was wrong, and our initial trolling success was short lived. Trolling just stopped producing big fish.”

Nonetheless, they continued to cover water and scout each morning by trolling, allowing them to locate subtle rock piles and weedbeds adjacent to 20-footplus water. Then in the afternoon, they’d return and cast Sybe Baits’ hybrid jerkbaits around the most promising spots. After four days, they had identified a good number of productive locations, where they rarely saw other anglers.

#2 PINPOINT PRODUCTIVE SPOTS

The Dutch duo’s first smart move was to hire a local guide for their first day to get a feel for the lake, and to learn about the types of structure and cover that typically harbour muskies. Unfortunately, the fishing was terrible owing to a cold front that shut down the action. Instead of getting discouraged, however, Biemond says he was buoyed to learn about the types of spots he needed to look for during the rest of the trip.

So, each morning that followed, he and Mellema (above) trolled a different area with their prized Dutch crankbaits to locate the features. On the first morning, they thought they’d “cracked the puzzle” when they caught a 43-inch pike and a 45-inch muskie during their first two hours of trolling. “I remember saying to

#3 TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT

If you’re starting to get the impression Biemond (above) marches to a different drummer, wait until you hear about the rods, reels, lines and lures he and Mellema used to catch their fish. As with most anglers heading to a marquee muskie destination, he spent hours online researching and purchasing traditional muskie tackle. When it came time to use the lures, however, he found most of them too bulky and

heavily wired, with hooks that were much too stout for his liking.

“When I was preparing for the trip, I bought two muskie rods so I could cast 12-ounce soft-plastic baits—I used them for all of five minutes,” he says. “It is just not for me. Fishing is supposed to be pleasant, but casting large softplastic lures and trolling huge crankbaits requires heavy gear. The same applies to bucktails. I know anglers use them to bring a lot of fish to the boat, but I find it unexciting and backbreaking to cast a lure all day with a steady retrieve, then follow up every cast with a figure eight.”

Biemond also had a revelation after watching and listening to his guide the first day, and comparing notes with other guests at the resort. He figured the best way to trigger muskies into biting was by imparting sudden quick and erratic movements. So, that’s when they started fishing in the afternoons with the same setup he uses in the Netherlands to trick trophy pike: a three-ounce rod paired with a fast 7:1 ratio reel spooled with 40-pound braid, and modest-sized 2½- and threeounce Sybe hybrid jerkbaits.

“With big traditional soft-plastic muskie baits and large spinners adorned with flashabou, you have to strike hard to set the hook,” Biemond says. “You don’t have to do that with hybrid jerkbaits.” Instead, you can cast them a long way, and since they have much thinner Gamakatsu 13B trebles, he explains, it’s not hard to get a good hookset. “It is so easy to hook a muskie with them once it clamps down.”

And since you impart a fast, erratic action with the hybrids, Biemond notes, the fish don’t follow them. Instead, they either bite or leave them alone. Every muskie he caught on Eagle Lake, for example, struck during the middle of the retrieve, far away from the boat. As well, being able to quickly reel in and never make a figure eight meant he could cover a lot more water, and pick off active fish more quickly. (Also see “Dutch treats.”)

#4 VERIFY THE RESULTS

For a first-hand Canadian take on the Dutch anglers’ performance, I asked Snow (above) about the short morning she spent fishing with the anglers. “I fell in love with Sybe’s lures,” she says, noting the anglers gifted her with a couple of the baits. “They are so beautiful that I was actually torn about putting them in the water. But Sybe said they are meant to be fished, not hung on a wall.”

Snow took the pair to a couple of spots close to camp and Biemond almost immediately caught a nice muskie. “The lures they use are extremely wobbly, and I think the quick darting motion explains why they caught all of their fish away from the boat,” she says, confirming the pair never once had to figure eight. “The action of their lures reminded me of a Believer, but they presented them as though they were jerking Suicks, with the lure performing the side-to-side walk.”

The other thing that surprised Snow was how Biemond and Mellema never used their boat’s bowmounted electric trolling motor. Instead, they relied on the tiller to either backtroll or quickly move forward while they casted. As for their tackle, Snow says she was impressed by Biemond’s short, super-light rod, which she tried. “It was amazing,” she says. “It was so much easier to cast.”

DUTCH TREATS

“THERE ARE PLENTY of crankbaits designed to catch pike and muskies,” says Dutch angler Arjan Biemond. “And they all work. But there are only a few in a class of their own. I use three trolling baits that out-fish everything else by a wide margin.” Two of those cranks are manufactured by Holland’s Sybe Baits, owned by Biemond’s fishing buddy Sybe Mellema. While the lures were designed for European pike fishing, the pair put them to good use while targeting muskies last summer on northwestern Ontario’s Eagle Lake.

First is the De Spok, which resembles Musky Mania’s Li’l Ernie, but which fishes very differently. “It is extremely buoyant, so when you’re trolling and make a turn, it rises quickly and triggers strikes,” he explains. “It will out-fish most other baits three to one. It is my favourite trolling lure, so I always have one tied on at least one rod.”

Next from Sybe Baits is the De Schurk, which is Dutch for “villain.” According to Biemond, Sybe Baits hand-makes and airbrushes each lure. “We gave one to our guide the first day because he liked the action, and he told us later that he

DE SPOK

DE SCHURK

PIKEFIGHTER

SYBE MELLEMA (BIEMOND); ARJAN BIEMOND (MELLEMA); CAL RITCHIE (SNOW)

There are so many important takeaways from the Dutch duo’s muskie mastery that it’s hard to know where to begin. The most obvious is the realization that on most waters, fish are bombarded daily by the same steady roster of baits and lures—often in the same colours—so they quickly become conditioned to avoid them. So, any time you can be one of the first anglers to show fish a new bait, lure, tactic or technique they’ve never seen before, do it. The pair also showed how it can actually be a huge advantage

when you’re on an unfamiliar lake. That’s because you’re less likely to target community holes or spots that have produced in the past, and instead find all-new fish-holding areas. Just as much as they trolled a different section of the lake each morning to catch fish, they were also on the lookout for subtle bottom features, which they would return to in the afternoon to meticulously pick apart with their hybrid jerkbaits.

Muskie anglers are obsessed with bigger baits, but Biemond put on a clinic casting his smaller offerings. In short, his modest, bite-sized jerkbaits produced more fish because he could retrieve them much faster and more erratically. He demonstrated that, after depth control, speed control is the most important part of the presentation.

Finally, always fish to your strengths. You may hear, for example, that double-bladed bucktails are the ticket on the lake that you’re fishing. If you’re like Biemond and have more confidence and skill ripping a jerkbait, however, it’s probably your best option. And on that point, I will give him the last word.

“I tried a lot of new-to-me muskie lures and techniques in order to figure out why they were being used, and how they were supposed to be presented,” he says. “I was trying to understand why they were successful. Then I took that knowledge and tweaked my normal style of fishing.” And judging by his success, that strategy certainly worked. OC

ALSO SEE FISHING EDITOR GORD PYZER’S COLUMN ON PAGE 20.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SYBE BAITS, GO TO WWW.JERKBAITKOPEN.NL.

THE

WEBSITE IS IN DUTCH, BUT USING GOOGLE CHROME, YOU CAN RIGHT CLICK AND CHOOSE “TRANSLATE TO ENGLISH.” NOTE THAT CRANKBAITS (PLUGGEN IN DUTCH) WILL BE LISTED AS “PLUGS” IN THE TRANSLATED VERSION.

#5 APPL Y THE LESSONS

Continued from page 45 raised four muskies with it one day.”

As for Biemond’s third go-to crank, it’s Spro’s Pikefighter. “Unfortunately, they stopped making it last year, so it is hard to find,” he says. “But it is a fantastic trolling bait.”

When it comes to casting, again Biemond’s top choices come from Sybe Baits, in this case hybrid jerkbaits. A cross between glide baits and diving cranks, they have a distinct wobble or uncontrolled movement on the retrieve. To trick muskies on Eagle, Biemond says he relied on his three favourites: the Striker, Flat Sybride and Sybe Boy.

“Weight is incorporated into each lure to enhance its wobble,” he says. “I have Strikers that are neutrally buoyant, and others that sink slowly. Normally, they go down four to six feet on a fast retrieve, but if I want to fish deeper, I just wait a few seconds longer before I start my retrieve. Regardless of the model, the important feature is that you can impart an erratic motion when you retrieve them at high speeds.”

What I found so intriguing listening to Biemond explain the attracting and triggering qualities of his hybrid jerkbaits is their apparent ability to hunt for centre. The steady, rhythmic throbbing of most muskie baits is the reason the fish put their noses behind the lures and follow them to the side of the boat. Muskie anglers like to believe the fish are so smart they’re looking for flaws. But what they’re really doing is looking for positive cues to suggest the lure is worth eating. That’s why anglers entice so many strikes on the subsequent figure eight, which makes the baits look more alive.

Lures that hunt for centre behave that way naturally—and uncontrollably—during the entire retrieve or troll. They move left, right, up and down in myriad ways, and it drives muskies berserk. That’s a characteristic muskie anglers are always looking for in their lures. It’s a totally random and uncontrolled action, with the lure veering off to one side and wobbling crazily, returning to a

straight running path, then veering off to the other side and similarly going berserk. Either a lure has that coveted quality, or it doesn’t. There’s no doubt the Dutch hybrid jerkbaits have it.

BODY TYPE?

STRIKER

FLAT SYBRIDE

SYBE BOY

ON ON

for your dog, drape a beach towel over the passenger console and the backrest of the passenger seat. And don’t forget to bring a water bowl, unless you’ve trained your dog to drink directly from a water bottle. If you know it’s going to be an extremely hot day, though, do your dog a favour and leave it at home. The same goes for stormy weather— yes, dogs can get both sunburned and seasick.

BY LAWRENCE GUNTHER

BOARD DOG

OVER THE PAST 40 years, I’ve owned a half-dozen guide dogs for the blind that I depend on to get around—including when I go fishing. A lot can go wrong with a dog on a fishing boat, but the experience can also be enjoyable for both you and your pooch. Hey, as long as your dog is having fun, why not bring it along? Just be sure to follow these six tips to keep everyone safe and happy out on the water.

1 Bathroom breaks can be a challenge for both beast and boater. To keep your dog comfortable, limit its meals for eight hours before you push off from the dock. Also make sure the dog has plenty of opportunity to relieve itself prior to heading out. Mishaps can still occur on board, of course, especially if it’s hot out and the dog is drinking copious amounts of water. With that in mind, bring along paper towels, a cleaning solution and a garbage bag, just in case.

2 What dog doesn’t like to hang

its head out the window of a moving car or truck? By the same token, they also like to catch the wind off the side of a moving boat. To prevent your pup from being flung overboard, make sure it always keeps all four paws on the cockpit floor. It’s not necessary for the dog to lie down, as dogs are better at balancing when standing.

3 To avoid mishaps and potential injury, train your dog to stay off the casting decks while you are actively fishing. Trips and tumbles can result if the dog gets in the way during an epic fish battle, for example, or if it steps on the electric motor pedal and causes the boat to suddenly lurch. Also be sure to use lure wraps on your rigged and ready rods so the dog doesn’t get accidentally hooked. Training your dog early to keep off the decks is better than it learning the hard way.

4 On hot days, it can be a challenge to keep your dog cool, especially when it’s been relegated to staying on the cockpit floor, away from the cooling breeze. To create a tented shady area

5 Personal flotation devices for dogs, such as the Skippy from Canada’s Salus Marine, offer several benefits along with keeping your pup afloat. For starters, if your dog should go overboard, the Skippy sports two handles and supportive belly padding to simplify hauling your dog back into the boat. This avoids pulling in your sodden dog by its collar, which can be especially tough on heavier dogs. The Skippy also features a secure grasping point for boat hooks, just in case your pooch decides to head for shore. If your dog continually jumps or falls out of the boat, secure a dock line to the PFD to simplify getting it back aboard.

6 Most dogs will have a natural inclination to go after a lure. Think about it: when you cast, your arm follows much the same motion as when you throw a ball, only now the “ball” is also swinging enticingly on a string. Plus, it has hooks. To train your dog not to leap for lures, start by removing the hooks from a bait and dangling it in front of the dog’s nose, all the while issuing stern warnings to leave it alone. Also, go through the motions of casting, and discourage the dog whenever it shows any signs of interest in the lure. Nothing will put a stop to a fishing trip faster than a dog with a mouth full of hooks, so take this seriously, and the dog will, too. OC

WANT TO BRING YOUR FOUR-LEGGED PAL ON THE BOAT FOR YOUR NEXT FISHING TRIP? HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE OUTING SAFE AND ENJOYABLE FOR BOTH YOU AND YOUR DOG

TO WATCH THE AUTHOR AND CNIB TRAINERS INTRODUCE YOUNG GUIDE DOGS TO BOATING AND FISHING, GO TO WWW.OUTDOORCANADA.CA/BOATDOGS

BLIND SINCE CHILDHOOD, PRO ANGLER LAWRENCE GUNTHER IS THE FOUNDER OF THE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION BLUE FISH CANADA.

BY GORD PYZER

GEAR

CANADIAN ANGLERS ARE IN FOR AN EXCELLENT YEAR ON THE WATER WITH THESE AWESOME NEW LURES, RODS, REELS, LINES AND ACCESSORIES

EVERY YEAR, I can’t wait to check out the latest gear unveiled at the major angling trade shows—and look for interesting new trends in the process. One of the most exciting recent developments is the increasing reach of Canadian-made tackle. Just a few years ago, it was shocking to see a product from Canada capture attention at the likes of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, or ICAST. Today, though, the spotlight shines brightly on several innovative upstarts from the Great White North, and they’ve made my list of 2023’s best new tackle for Canadian anglers.

FOR PRODUCT PRICES AND AVAILABILITY, PLEASE CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURERS. ALSO SEE PAGE 57 FOR OUR ROUNDUP OF NEW FLY-FISHING GEAR.

BEST WAKEBAIT ROZANTE PERJ 95F

How cool is this? The newest wakebait from Duo Realis features three segments attached by ball-bearing swivels, allowing the body to rotate and twist from side-to-side like a struggling minnow on the water’s surface. Equipped with three razorsharp treblehooks, the 3¾-inchlong, half-ounce lure comes in five realistic colours. If this wakebait works anywhere near as well as the terrific spybaits from Duo Rea-

GEN II CONCEPT Z SLD

On most baitcasters, you have to open a side plate or fiddle with knobs to change the brake tension, so it’s not often used. On this reel, however, the brake is easily adjusted via a thumb slider positioned perfectly next to the spool. This allows you to adjust the tension on the fly so you can cast into the wind one minute, then with the wind the next. Novices will appreciate this feature, as will pros who constantly switch between heavier and lighter baits. 13 Fishing, www.13fishing.ca

BEST CHATTERBAIT SLOBBERKNOCKER

Featuring a blade pivoting on an axle running through the jig head, the one-of-a-kind Slobberknocker is unlike any other chatterbait. The unique design delivers a consistent vibration, while also ensuring the bait runs through heavy cover. Completing the package is a supersharp Fusion19 hook and a handtied silicone skirt infused with Berkley’s PowerBait scent. Available in 12 stunning, chip-resistant finishes, the Slobberknocker is sure to be a runaway winner. Berkley, www.berkley-fishing.com

bucktails jigs is a deadly way to catch walleye in and around weeds, and this Mepps offering is made for just that. It comes in quarter- and ⅜-ounce weights—the only two sizes you need for this particular technique—and eight chip-resistant colour combos, all with a touch of flash. Black and red is my all-time favourite bucktail colour, but when the fish are targeting perch, the chartreuse, orange and yellow patterns reign supreme. Brecks Inc., www.mepps.ca

Lunkerhunt’s latest offering marries the fish-catching action of a crankbait with a blade bait. The square bill up front gives this cool-looking hybrid the diving, deflecting, rolling action of a crank, while the bladed back half delivers the vibration. Fish have never seen, felt or heard anything quite like this three-inch lure. Weighing a halfounce, it comes in eight colours. I can’t wait to throw it for trophy smallmouth bass this coming fall. Lunkerhunt, www.lunkerhunt.com

»

BEST BLADE BAIT GLITCH BLADE

BEST ELECTRONICS MEGA LIVE TARGETLOCK

Winner of ICAST’s Best of Show award for electronics, this system is a game changer for anglers running a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor. Mounted to the motor’s shaft, the device keeps your forward-facing MEGA Live beam fixed on a specific desired loca tion, even as the boat changes directions. Previously, the beam pointed in whatever direc tion the trolling motor was facing. It’s pretty amazing technology. Johnson Outdoors, www.humminbird.com

BEST FROG

ULTIMATE FROG

Most topwater frogs sport silicone skirts to mimic legs, but not this Kermit. It has actual legs that launch out in a realistic kicking motion when you jerk the bait forward, then pull in under the body when the lure’s at rest. The result is a frog that floats, dives and kicks like the real thing. Available in either a popper model with an internal rattle, or a silent finesse version, it comes in eight detailed colours, as well as in two- and 2½-inch sizes. Livetarget Lures, www.livetargetlures.com

BEST PANFISH/TROUT SOFT-PLASTICS

MICRO FINESSE BAITZ

Z-Man has revolutionized softplastics with its neutrally buoyant, virtually indestructible ElaZtech material. Now it’s available in the Micro Finesse BaitZ series for panfish and trout anglers. I spent a day fishing with a single StingerZ, and after landing more than 50 crappies, the bait still looked unused. The series also includes the LarvaZ (above), Micro TRD, Tiny TicklerZ and Shad FryZ, in 10 colours. These baits are simply amazing. Z-Man Fishing Products, www.zmanfishing.com

UNRIGGED SWIMBAIT

I’m a sucker for swimbaits because they catch everything that swims, so when I saw Bass Mafia’s latest offering, I was instantly hooked. Designed by Chris Zaldain, a Bass master Elite angler renowned for his swimbaiting skills, this anatomi cally accurate soft-plastic features an oversized paddletail for maximum vibration. Made for rigging on jigs or hooks, it comes in sixand eight-inch sizes and five handpainted patterns, complete with for ward-looking holographic eyes. Bass Mafia, www.mafiaoutdoors.com

BEST PANFISH JIGS ¼ OZ TUNGSTEN

At long last, there’s now a panfish-style tungsten jig big enough for trophy-sized crappies, yellow perch, stocked trout and fussy walleye. Tungsten jigs this heavy simply didn’t exist until Big Sky Flies in Medicine Hat, Alberta, designed its custom mould. Half the size of comparable lead-head jigs, they sink quickly and balance perfectly with bigger soft-plastics and natural baits. Sporting a size 4 hook, they come in six gorgeous colour patterns. Flies & Jigs, www.bigskyflies.ca

BEST COOLER P88-MK

Winner of ICAST’s overall Best of Show award, this sturdy Alaskamade cooler features three compartments allowing for simultaneous hot and cold or dry and wet storage. It includes a compartment for Pacbak’s 18-volt battery-oper-

BEST LANDING NET

WITNESS WEIGH NET

With Frabill’s latest landing net, there’s no excuse for not getting an accurate weight of your catch. After netting a fish in the tangle-free Micro-Mesh webbing, you simply turn on the built-in scale, hold the net in a vertical position to cushion the fish and check the weight on the LED read-out. There’s even a 30-inch ruler on the handle for measuring the length of your catch. No wonder the net was named the Best of Show fishing accessory at ICAST. Frabill, www.frabill.com

BEST SPINNING REEL STELLA FK

If you want the Rolls Royce of spinning reels, check out the Stella FK. Along with incorporating Shimano’s existing top tackle technologies, it’s the new features that really set this reel apart, such as the InfinityXross gear toothing, DuraCross drag and Anti-Twist Fin line tensioning. The first time you turn the handle, you’ll see why it won ICAST’s Best of Show award in the freshwater reel category. It’s available in five sizes, from 1000 to 5000. Shimano Canada, fish.shimano.com

BEST MAPPING TOOL LAKEMASTER VX

I rely heavily on my current Lakemaster map chip to help me find fish, so I was excited to see the new VX version. It offers three chart presets, shallow-water offset and Smartstrike. With the latter feature, you input your target fish species, the season and the weather, and it then highlights places on the map that should hold fish. I’m most excited, however, about the new customizable depth-range feature that lets you shade contours in four different colours. Johnson Outdoors, www.humminbird.com

BEST

FLIPPING LURE

FLUTTER NYMPH

Designed by California bass pro Bill Siemantel, the 4¼-inch Flutter Nymph is perfect for finesse flipping and pitching, while the 3½-inch version should prove deadly on a Ned rig in open water. When the mayflies are hatching, smallmouth bass and walleye are going to devour these four-winged, paddle-kicking creature baits. They come six to a package, in a choice of eight colours to cover a multitude of fishing scenarios. FishLab Tackle, www.fishlabtackle.com

BEST MADE-IN-CANADA LURE CHASER GOBY

Following in the footsteps of his father Shawn Galea of Advanced Taxidermy, Ontario’s Chase Galea has designed the most anatomically correct soft-plastic goby imitation imaginable. Bound to crush giant lake trout, bass, walleye, whitefish and pike, the four-inch Chaser Goby comes in six stunning colours. Pin this splay-finned devil on a jig or weighted hook, fish it close to the bottom, and hang on. Other soft-plastics are also available. Chaser Hand Poured Soft Body Baits, www.chaserhandpouredsoftbodybaits.com

BEST SPINNERBAIT SPEED FREAK SPINNERBAIT

Freedom Tackle founders Michael and Nick Tamburro have done it again, this time designing a unique keel-headed spinnerbait that won’t blow out, no matter how fast you burn it. Equipped with a willowleaf blade and Freedom’s new Kilter Blade, it also promises unprecedented flash and vibration. Other features include premium swivels, razor-sharp hooks, silicone skirts and lifelike colours. The Speed Freak comes in quarter-, half- and ¾-ounce sizes.

www.freedomlures.com

BEST BASS RODS LEGEND TOURNAMENT

BASS SWIMBAIT RODS

St. Croix has added three sturdy swimbait sticks to its technique-specific family of rods. They feature numerous advancements, but the most obvious is the GRASP reel seat. It’s designed to keep your wrist in a more natural position, reducing fatigue when fishing big, water-resistant lures and heavy swimbaits. There are three models: a seven-foot 10-inch heavy action, a sevenfoot 10-inch extra-heavy and a whopping eight-foot six-inch extra-extra-heavy. St. Croix, www.stcroixrods.com

BEST BIGFISH HOOKS

BLADED

1X STRONG ROUND BEND MUSKY TREBLE

Bass, walleye and trout anglers went gaga last year doctoring their lures and jigs with VMC’s new bladed trebles. At the time, I wrote that VMC needed to give pike and muskie anglers the same option—and someone was clearly paying attention. The bladed trebles now also come in size 5/0 with a choice of Colorado, Indiana or willowleaf blades, allowing anglers to precisely customize their toothy critter baits for more flash and vibration. VMC, www.rapala.ca/vmc

BEST FISHING LINE PROMIX BRAID NEON LIME

When the fish are biting softly, you can double your chances of a hook-up by closely watching your fishing line for subtle movements, a task made easier when the line is coloured. I field-tested this new high-vis Sufix line last year, and it was still as brightly coloured at the end of the season as it was on opening day. Super-sensitive, lowstretch and abrasion-resistant, ProMix is available in all of the popular strengths, from six- to 80-poundtest. Sufix, www.sufix.ca

BEST YOUTH RODS GRASSHOPPER

Kudos to Kistler for designing a premium fishing rod for kids. Instead of using an economy blank, cheap foam handle and inferior guides, this four-foot, six-inch, one-piece stick is a scaled-down version of Kistler’s top-of-the-line adult-sized baitcasters—complete with the same premium components. Available in medium and medium-heavy actions with a fast tip, it’s perfect for the upand-coming pro in your family.

Kistler Custom Fishing Rods, www.kistlerrods.com

BEST ICE ROD

ICE ROD

Technique-specific rods are popular with open-water anglers, and these Meegs rods aim to become equally popular on the hardwater. They’ve been designed by wintertime whitefish and lake trout specialist James Meger to perfectly present nose-heavy jigs, those lethal lures that attract fish and trigger bites by tapping into the bottom silt. Sporting full cork handles and fashioned

BEST KNIFE

R12 HEAVY-DUTY LITHIUM FILLET KNIFE COMBO

Rapala’s latest fillet knife is lighter, stronger and longer-lasting than previous battery-operated models, promising 80 minutes of continuous use. It cuts at twice the speed and with three times the torque of an electric kitchen knife, promising to quickly plow through thick crappie and salmon bones. Equipped with a bright LED beam for low-light tasks, it comes complete with two lithium ION batteries and a charging base. I’m putting one of these right in my boat. Normark Canada, www.rapala.ca OC

ALSO SEE PAGE 42 FOR FISHING EDITOR GORD PYZER ’S FRESH TAKE ON HUNTING FOR MUSKIES.

BY WAYNE PHILLIPS

( FLY )

GEAR

BEST ACCESSORY MAGNIFLY

For many of us as we age and our eyesight diminishes, it becomes more difficult to tie tiny flies to fine tippet. To the rescue comes the ingenious MAGNIFly featuring a precision glass lens with three-power magnification. Designed to rotate 90 degrees and swivel 360 degrees, it clips easily to pack straps, waders, caps and more. Simply flip down the lens to tie on a fly, then flip it back up out of the way. The device even has two magnets to hold flies while they dry. Artisan Angler, www.artisananglerllc.com

BEST TIPPET MATERIAL VALUE PACKS

FROM TYING MATERIALS TO APPAREL TO TACKLE, OUR ANNUAL ROUNDUP OF THE BEST NEW GEAR FOR GETTING CANADIAN FLY ANGLERS IN ON THE ACTION FOR PRODUCT PRICES AND AVAILABILITY, PLEASE CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURERS.

WITH PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS behind us, there was a distinct air of excitement at the most recent International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, held in Salt Lake City, Utah, to showcase the latest products in the world of fly fishing. A big shout out goes to Patagonia, which donated its entire display area to non-profit groups and activists working to protect our fisheries. There were also many organizations at the show promoting forwardthinking conservation solutions, all of which gives me hope for the future of both fly fishing and our wild places. Here are my favourite new products for Canadian fly anglers.

Long known for its high-performance tippet and leaders, Frog Hair has introduced combo Value Packs for trout, salmon/steelhead and warm-water fish. Each pack includes a tapered leader and three 30-metre spools of tippet, each sized for their respective species. While providing superior knot strength, the tippet and leader material is ultra-supple and shockand abrasion-resistant, with plenty of strength for its diameter. Frog Hair, www.froghairfishing.com

BEST FLY ORGANIZERS

OUTTA THE BOX, VEST PATCH, DO-ALL PATCH

Along with excellent fly boxes, Brook also now makes three silicon fly patches that are impervious to the weather. The small Vest Patch [A] attaches to your pack or vest with Velcro or via a lanyard, while the medium-sized Do-All Patch [B] and the large Outta the Box [C] are ideal for mounting in boats or on the outside of gear bags. Equipped with both slits and bars, the handy patches can securely store a large number of flies of different sizes. Brook Fishing Equipment, www.brookfishingequipment.com

BEST FLY ROD R8 CORE

Sage’s exceptional new R8 Core rod series uses a proprietary aerospace composite for a stiffer, stronger backbone with a more sensitive tip. With this versatility, these rods fish dries, nymphs and streamers equally well. The line includes 19 models, from 3- to 9-weight, with lengths ranging from eight feet six inches up to 10 feet. One rod designer describes the R8 rods as a combination of science and art. After casting one, I know exactly what he means. Sage, www.sageflyfish.com

BEST WADERS MOXIE CHAMELEON

Women wanting properly fitting waders will love Miss Mayfly’s MOXIE Chamelon chest waders. Cut for the female form and based on traditional dress sizing, these medium-weight breathable waders come in sizes 6/7, 8/9 and 10/11 for slim, curvy, full and plus body types. They also come equipped with suspenders, an elastic wading belt, a fleece hand-warmer pocket, gravel guards, neoprene booties and two zippered pockets. The new line includes wading pants, as well. Miss Mayfly, www.missmayfly.com

BEST FLY LINE ELITE WARMWATER PREDATOR

With a short, powerful front taper and a rear-loaded head to drive out large flies, this latest innovative line from Rio is designed for catching bass and tropical fish species. It also has a low-stretch core and a tough SlickCast finish, and to avoid confusion with your other lines, the model number is printed right on it. The line comes in 6- to 10-weight sizes, as well as floating, intermediate-sinking and sink-tip versions. Rio Products, www.rioproducts.com

full brim for sun protection. Other features include a comfortable elastic inner band, a black underbrim to reduce glare and an adjustable chin strap. Wearing this hat supports conservation, too—since launching in 2011, RepYourWater has donated more than US$400,000 to North American non-profits promoting healthy fisheries and outdoor recreation. RepYourWater, www.repyourwater.com

BEST PACK ROD SAGI

Until now, reel-less tenkara fly rods were intended primarily for small trout. Enter the 13-foot sixinch Sagi. It has a powerful butt section, and the flex and strength to handle salmon, steelhead, northern pike, carp and bass. Roughly equivalent to a 7-weight, it can cast ultra-light tenkara lines as well as standard lines up to 40 feet in length. The rod collapses down to 25 inches, and comes with a spare tip, rod sock and travel case. Zen Tenkara, www. zentenkara.com

BEST TYING MATERIAL

KAPOK DRY FLY DUBBING

Kapok is a buoyant natural fibre that’s long been used in life jackets, and now as dubbing for dry flies. Expanding on this, Semperfli has developed a dying method for Kapok featuring 28 colours, including fluorescent hues. Half the diameter of other dubbing materials, Kapok absorbs water very slowly, making it ideal for small, delicate dry flies with slender bodies. It’s available in single packs, as well as in 12- and 22-colour dispensers. Semperfli, www.semperfli.net

BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORY

CRC FLY ROD

CARRIER V2.0

Trxstle’s CRC represents a whole new concept in rod carriers. Designed to mount to the exterior of vehicles, the carrier can enclose two entire rods and reels sitting face up to protect their various delicate components. Made of anodized aluminum with closedcell EVA foam padding inside, the CRC telescopes from four to 10 feet in length, and weighs 15 pounds. It mounts to vehicles with the included clamps; it can also be easily removed and used as a portable case instead.

Trxstle, www.trxstle.com OC

CONTRIBUTOR WAYNE PHILLIPS ALWAYS LOOKS FORWARD TO HIS ANNUAL VISIT TO THE INTERNATIONAL FLY TACKLE DEALER SHOW.

THE WIND

THE PLAN WAS TO FISH AND EXPLORE THE REMOTE REACHES OF THE N.W.T.’S HISTORIC AYLMER LAKE. THE UNSEASONAL WILD WEATHER MADE FOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF ADVENTURE ALTOGETHER

TEN MINUTES INTO the flight out of Yellowknife, I’m reminded why I’m continually drawn to Canada’s subarctic. Below is a rocky, rolling landscape of greys, blues and a full palette of greens. There’s the dark hunter green of the spruce forests, the Kelly green of the fens, and the olive green where the granite grudgingly allows the intrusion of lichens and moss. The blue is more uniform, a dark sapphire wherever lakes and rivers have carved a permanent home into the bedrock, itself a varied backdrop of grey.

The scene below is at once rugged, desolate and imposing, yet beautiful and bewitching. To the south, I see the north shore of Great Slave Lake, sliding further away with every passing air mile. Soon, we’re over the transition where the mosaic of the taiga landscape turns to tundra, and I know we’re nearing our destination—Aylmer Lake.

Although 1,700-square-kilometre Aylmer is the N.W.T.’s seventh largest lake, I didn’t know anything about it until five or so years ago. Located some 360 kilometres by air northeast of Yellowknife, the lake had seen little human

activity until 2000, when a caribou-hunting lodge was built on its east end. That operation was shuttered just five years later, however, when the area’s caribou hunt was closed.

Then in 2012, the husbandand-wife team of Kevin and Patti McNeil took over ownership of the lodge, and transformed it into a fishing destination. Before that, there had been virtually no sportfishing on Aylmer Lake. Nor had there ever been a commercial fishery, or a First Nations sustenance fishery. As a result, these are pristine waters in every sense, and in discussions with Kevin, I learned that his guests seldom venture more than an hour away from the lodge—all the lake trout and Arctic grayling they could ever want can be found without travelling far.

That gave me an idea, and after running it by Kevin, he agreed to rent me and my friend Dave Kay a boat and motor to explore Aylmer’s unspoiled, historic waters for eight days on our own early last August. Did we find the untapped, virginal waters we’d dreamed of? Let’s just say that after leaving the lodge in Rockness Bay that first morning, we didn’t see another person or boat until we motored back into the lodge bay a week later. As for the fishing itself, the weather gods had plans of their own.

IIN THE 1830S, Sir George Back was one of the first Europeans to lay eyes on Aylmer—the headwaters of the Back River, named in his honour, are a mere kilometre from Aylmer’s north end. Then in 1907, Ernest Thompson Seton, the renowned wildlife artist, author and co-founder of the Boy Scouts, led an expedition across the lake, leaving behind a handful of cairns as the only signs he’d visited; he described his exploration of Aylmer in his 1911 book, The Arctic Prairies. Since then, few have traversed the lake, other than a handful of adventurous canoeists, the odd geologist, and McNeil’s team, so Dave and I were keen to be among the first anglers to explore it. As it turned out, that was easier said than done.

Dave and I were both well aware that Arctic weather can be

(BAILEY); KEN BAILEY (CAMPSITE); KEVIN MCNEIL (CAIRN)

ON AYLMER (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT): THE AUTHOR AND A NICE LAKE TROUT; ONE OF THE PAIR’S WINDSWEPT CAMPSITES; A CAIRN ERECTED BY EXPLORER ERNEST THOMPSON SETON

unpredictable, but we’d intentionally selected a time of the year when a high pressure system typically sits over the region, bringing warm, stable conditions. Unfortunately, the timing of our adventure coincided instead with what Kevin would later describe as the windiest week he’d experienced since buying the lodge.

We had expected our biggest challenge to be the flesh-loving blackflies and mosquitoes, and we’d come fully prepared, loaded to the gunwales with bug spray, bug jackets, head nets and Thermacells. That all ended up being little more than ballast, however, as the winged annoyances hunkered down out of the wind throughout our entire visit.

I suppose a lot of trips are born the way ours was, conceived at a kitchen table out of nothing but maps and dreams of big fish, quiet water and sunny days. For some reason, those dreams always leave out details such as bad weather, mechanical breakdowns and other barriers to a utopian experience. I assume that’s a natural defence mechanism, our brain doing what it does best. I mean, what’s the point of dreaming if the hero doesn’t get the girl in the end?

In any case, after a night at the lodge and a hearty breakfast of French toast the following morning, Dave and I had loaded up the 16-foot Lund and were heading west by 9:30 a.m. The skies were overcast, rain fell periodically and the wind was up, but that mattered little as we had already designated it as a travel day. Onward we went, motoring within emergency distance of the shoreline, vigilant about the risks on the vast Arctic lake, including hidden rocks and rogue waves.

Early in the afternoon, we pulled out of the wind and into the mouth of one of Aylmer’s

many tributaries, drifting in the shallows while we had a quick bite and watched Arctic grayling cruising all around us. Though tempted to pull out the rods, we pressed on, knowing we still had many kilometres to cover.

By early evening, we’d reached the mouth of the Lockhart River, Aylmer’s largest tributary, 70 or so direct-line kilometres from the lodge. It’s hard to say, given what Seton accurately described as Aylmer’s “ambiguous” shoreline, how far we actually travelled in the wind and waves, but we arrived tired. With that, we set up our tents, ate dinner, talked about the next day’s plans, and hit the hay.

crawl back into my sleeping bag, but it was a fitful sleep; I couldn’t shake the image of what had just happened, imagining the consequences had my tent flown away across the open tundra.

Our enthusiasm to fish and explore the Lockhart was dashed at daybreak when Dave and I looked out from our beach encampment. Even in our little bay, there were whitecaps, and the wind howled across the open landscape. We were windbound, going nowhere. So, after further anchoring the corners of my little tent with hefty rocks to avoid a repeat of the previous evening’s escapade, we settled in and waited. Occasionally, we’d hike out to explore the tundra and look for berries, but that never lasted long in the bitter cold and wind. The highlight of our day was watching a lone muskox bull feed lazily just a few hundred metres away.

II’M NOT SURE whether it was my flapping tent or the too many cups of tea I had before bed that woke me, but suffice it to say nature’s call found me struggling out of my sleeping bag at 4 a.m. Groggily, I took just a few steps from the tent onto the sandy beach and commenced what I had to do. Not five seconds later, a gust of wind launched my tent skyward. In desperation, I managed to grab one corner of the airborne shelter with one hand, while simultaneously trying to manage my chore with the other. Unable to cease midstream what nature had demanded of me, I struggled to hang on to the wind-inflated tent buffeting above me—I’m just thankful there was no one there to witness my struggle. Eventually, I managed to get everything back where it belonged, re-anchor the tent and

The following morning, we woke to more wind and waves, but they had abated enough that we could carefully cross an open stretch of water to reach the protection of the Lockhart River valley. We motored upstream until our progress was halted by large rapids, where we beached the boat and began casting spinners on our light rods. Over the next hour or two, we hooked numerous grayling as long as 18 inches and a handful of small lake trout in the turbulent water.

We also took the opportunity to stretch out in the warming sun where the wind couldn’t find us. Later, back at camp in the cold and wind, I donned all of my warmest clothing—where the hell the expected Arctic high was, with its 20°C to 25°C temperatures and mere whispers of wind, I had no idea.

Thinking we were finally due for a break in the weather, we were instead in for a shock. The next day was colder yet, with plunging temperatures and constant wind. Despite the conditions,

AYLMER LAKE IS HOME TO ABUNDANT ARCTIC GRAYLING

we packed up camp and headed east—a huge part of the lake remained, and we were determined to see it come hell or high water. And high water it was. At one point, breaking waves nearly crested the gunwales.

Drenched, we cautiously continued to our planned destination of Williamson Island, one of the largest of the hundreds of islands sprinkled liberally throughout Aylmer. Along the way, we stopped for a warming cup of soup and a sandwich on one of the few sheltered shorelines we found—thank the gods for our Jetboil portable cooker. By day’s end when we reached Williamson, I was chilled and soaked through, welcoming the opportunity to make camp on a secluded beach littered with muskox and wolf tracks. By then we’d had several days on the lake, with very little fishing to show for it.

knew for certain the stories we’d heard about Aylmer Lake and the remarkable fishing were true.

an outboard that decided to go on strike, regularly going into limp mode and dropping our speed to a mere troll. We’d rest the motor for a few minutes and it would resume operating normally, only to soon repeat the sequence. Trying to maintain control in the strong winds under diminished power made it all the worse.

HHAVING ALREADY RESIGNED ourselves to the fact the weather wasn’t going to play nice, it was no surprise when the dawn greeted us again with overcast skies, temperatures only a few degrees above freezing, and a steady wind. Dave and I putzed around camp until late morning, then decided to brave the swells and troll around the island.

It wasn’t long before we discovered every windswept point held lake trout—and big ones, at that. We experimented with several different lures, including Bondy Baits, Williams and Len Thompson spoons, and Cisco Kids, and they all produced, catching several fish in the low 40-inch class and too many to count in the mid- to high-30s. At times, the wind made landing the fish a bit of a rodeo, but we couldn’t have cared less—it never ceases to amaze me how a boat is always warmer and drier when the fish are biting. By the time we returned to camp, I

We kept one small trout, and that evening enjoyed a traditional shore meal of fresh fish, beans, potatoes and onions. As we ate, a cheeky glaucous gull entertained us, gobbling up the fish’s entrails while concurrently warding off the competition. It was a special evening. The weather was no improvement over what we’d been experiencing, but the great afternoon of fishing, a wonderful hot meal, and the remote, unspoiled vista brought a certain warming peacefulness.

Was that rewarding evening a harbinger of better weather ahead? Not a chance. The next day, the temperature hovered around 4°C, the wind continued to rage, and it rained much of the time. Most of our gear was already soaked through, so in some respects it mattered little. Determined not to let the conditions beat us, we pulled up camp and made the long, cold trek up Sandhill Bay toward the extreme northern end of Aylmer.

We couldn’t travel quickly because of the waves, and our struggles were compounded by

By mid-afternoon, we’d had enough and found a campsite, where we set up just one tent, crawled in and made soup; it’s amazing the difference in your disposition a little warmth provides. The weather softened a little, too, and as if a symbolic signal of better days to come, a solitary white wolf loped by across the uneven tundra. Encouraged, and needing to stretch our weary limbs, we hiked a kilometre or so to a small feeder creek and enjoyed a welcome respite, casting flies to little grayling in the shallow water.

SSURE ENOUGH, THE next morning greeted us with hope and promise. The skies had broken and the sun occasionally peeked through, while the wind eased to a manageable level and the temperature soared to a relatively balmy 10°C. Taking advantage, Dave and I headed off for the northernmost end of Sandhill Bay—even the now-cooperative outboard seemed to have been rejuvenated.

We arrived a couple of hours later and beached the boat before hiking over the continental divide to Sussex Lake and the headwaters of the Back River. From that point northward, all waters drain to the Arctic Ocean. We couldn’t stay long, as we were expected back at the lodge that evening, but we threw a few luckless spinners, ate a packed lunch, then trudged back to the boat to begin the long run back to the lodge.

Along the way, we stopped at

DAVE KAY WITH ONE OF HIS SEVERAL CATCHES

KEVIN MCNEIL (GRAYLING); KEN BAILEY (ANGLER)

a couple of promising-looking areas to fish and caught lakers at each, including several in the high 30- to low 40-inch range. Arriving back in Rockness Bay late in the afternoon, we bumped into a guide and his client trolling for dinner. We joined in on the fun and in mere minutes put a couple of eaters in the boat. Despite the paucity of fishing we’d been able to enjoy throughout the week, it was still evident there’s simply no shortage of fish in Aylmer.

Returning to the lodge meant a hot shower, a hot meal at a proper table, and a warm, dry bed off the ground, and I embraced it all that evening. At dawn, I arose revived and expecting to get in a last few hours of fishing before our flight back to Yellowknife. Alas, it was the windiest day yet—dangerous winds, in fact, if you were out in an open 16-foot boat. I guess it was unreasonable for us to have expected anything else.

Soon enough, Dave and I were on the road, driving through the night from Yellowknife to our homes in Edmonton. While he dozed, I reflected on our week on Aylmer. We’d ventured there to explore, to fish, and to inhale a hearty helping of the Arctic. It

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

would have been easy to focus on the miserable weather we’d endured, or the fact we weren’t able to fish as much as we’d hoped; I never did wet a fly for lakers. But my mind didn’t go there.

Instead, I thought of the wildlife we’d encountered, from muskox and caribou to wolf and fox, and the varied bird life, including peregrine falcons and two species of jaegers, those iconic birds of the Arctic. I also thought about how we’d walked in the footsteps of renowned explorer-adventurers Seton and Back, across landscapes that few others have seen. And I recalled our evenings in camp, fireless in that treeless land, but warm with tales, new and old, and an abundance of wry humour.

The fish will always be there should Dave and I return one day, but it’s unlikely we’ll ever replicate the experience we shared that week. It’s a truism of fishing that eventually we forget the fish we caught, but we forever remember the lakes and rivers where we caught them. In that respect, by every meaningful measure, our Aylmer Lake adventure was a memorable success. OC

ALSO SEE PAGE 25 FOR HUNTING EDITOR KEN BAILEY’S REGULAR COLUMN, IN THE FIELD.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AYLMER LAKE AND THE LODGE AT WWW.AYLMERLAKELODGE.COM.

KEN BAILEY

THE LODGE PROVIDED A COMFORTABLE END TO THE ADVENTURE

BY ROBERT PYE

The fishing life

WHEN IT COMES TO WETTING A LINE, THIS IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOU T

MY OWN FISHING life traces back to an old army haversack. For generations, it has carried worms and keepers, with cold fingers digging for another nightcrawler as peat moss and dirt spilled over the last fish to take the bait. My haversack is part of the trout stream experience, where the sights and sounds of nature bring more rewards than a limit of fish—just like the fishing life itself.

The fishing life is resourcefulness. We anglers often overcome unfavourable weather, equipment breakdowns and all kinds of unexpected challenges to reach our destinations. We also strive to learn and improve. We read how-to articles, listen to the pros, build our tackle collections and study our fisheries.

The fishing life is a pledge for conservation. We stand up for watersheds and woodlands that need protection from plans for more plazas and pavement. We have a first-hand understanding about the true value of nature, and we promise to help others share in that understanding through fishing.

The fishing life is personal wellness. It’s an escape from worries and isolation. Waterways are the best medicine for waves of stress, with lures washed and fish reeled in during long periods of mindfulness. Fishing slows life down, and provides time for calm reflection.

The fishing life is our past. For me, it is proudly portrayed in dust-covered albums of black-and-white family memories. Century-old photographs were developed when smiles for the camera were frowned upon, but not so with vintage fishing pictures. Even in the old days, it was hard to hide our fishing pride.

The fishing life is our future. Grinning alongside a rainbow trout he caught, my eldest son bears an uncanny resemblance to his great-grandfather, a Second World War veteran who wore a haversack overseas, as well as on the trout streams we fish today. And that’s all I need to see to keep my own fishing life going strong. OC

ROBERT PYE TAUGHT HIS SONS JACK AND CHARLIE (ABOVE) TO FISH ON THE ONTARIO TROUT STREAMS OF HIS YOUTH.

FEATURING CANADA’S MOST TRUSTED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PROGRAMS FREE PREVIEW! MARCH 1-31