Week 5 in Review: A Tale of Two Weeks

Trophy Sized Pike

It was the best of weather, then it was the worst. During the weekly orientation speech, we always encourage our anglers to bring their rain suits and extra clothes.  The weather on the 60^th Parallel can turn on a dime. The first three days of the fifth group were idyllic, sun light winds, fishing was out of this world. Then, on partway through day four, a front came roaring off the tundra, bringing heavy rains and wind to our lakes.  Fishing didn’t stop its fast pace, just got more difficult to be out there. The final day was a time for packing, naps, hot tubs and some dice games…it was downright miserable. Winds gusting near 40 knots and sideways rain challenged even our guide team’s fishing ability to get enough pike for a lodge shore lunch; they came through nicely. With the changeover in peril, alternate plans were starting, then as if on cue, the winds dropped, and slowly the sun made an appearance. The departing guests, as well as those arriving, were treated to a perfect evening in the north.

While the sun shone, fishing was superb. 162 total trophy sized pike, lakers and grayling were landed by our anglers. Only 4 trout in the super-sized category were found, Gerry O’Brien was top trout angler with a 41”er on his way to the season-leading tally in our 100+ Club at 104.5”  His fishing partner, Andrew Troop also earned a Trophy Triple cap, catching trout, pike and grayling trophies.  The pike stole the show this week again, with a jawdropping 18 fish over 45” coming to the big catch and release nets. Jim Kusar led the way with a massive 48” fish, as part of his 10 (yes 10) trophy pike day!  Darin Williamson and Mike Wiebolt Jr. both landed 47” northerns, while Jim Kusar and Jim Kloote added some 46” ers…that is incredible fishing.  It seemed once the guides found the fish, the big ones were concentrated, allowing for many quotes of “best day fishing…ever” to be overheard at dinner.  Jim Kloote, Ron Juergens, along with Bruce and Steve Kozlowski all had days with 6 fish over 40”. Seeing these big predators in shallow water creating wakes as they chase down that fly or spinner never gets old. Set the hook and hold on!

The weather will always be a tough one for us to control, fishing also, we can do our best to control the level of service our guests receive, and the staff showed up this week again in an amazing way.  This is where Scott Lake shines, a culture of customer service and community in the wild north of Canada.  This is why so many of our guests want to come fishing with us again. For this, we are truly thankful.