Giant Lake Trout on the Fly in Shallow Water!

by | Feb 25, 2022 | 2021 Season, fly fishing, Lake Trout, video, Website Fishing Blog

Watch this great clip to get you pumped up about fly fishing for giant lake trout at Scott Lake Lodge. Seeing a 40″ torpedo chase and eat your fly in 2′ of water will be a memory that lasts a lifetime. Then the fight starts!

How to catch lake trout shallow:

We have our best success targeting the windward side of spawning reefs in the pre-spawn time. Whistlers and Clouser minnows on an 8-10 wt rod and intermediate sink line. Often getting your fly down to 3-5′ quickly allows for a FAST sporadic retrieve…just the kind that triggers lake trout. Cast, fast strips and watch your fly for follows. Don’t ever stop stripping, the trout will quickly lose interest. Often tucking the rod under your arm and stripping with two hands can make chasers into biters. No make sure you are not standing on your line! The fight is incredible.

To learn more about our amazing lake trout fishing visit Lake Trout Fishing at Scott Lake Lodge

2021 Angler Gift Guide

2021 Angler Gift Guide

by | Dec 15, 2021 | 2021 Season, Guides

Do you know what anglers love almost as much as having a huge fish at the end of their line? Anything that helps them get that fish at the end of their line, naturally. Take a look at the Top Ten Angler Gift Hints put together by the Scott Lake Guide Team. You will find just the right gift to put under some lucky angler’s tree. Or your own.  

Happy Holidays from the entire Scott Lake Lodge staff. We are all looking forward to an exciting 2022 season. We’ve all waited long enough. 

#10 Waterproof Duffel Bag

A waterproof bag like this will save you grief traveling the world over. They are easier to pack on small planes and protect your gear from rain or snow, unplanned dips or anything else an adventure might throw at it. When float planes are involved, luggage weight limits are too. Why use up your allotment with a heavy suitcase? Simms, Patagonia, North Face and Cabelas all make reliable waterproof bags.

#9 Glasses Cleaning Kit

Nothing is worse than dirty glasses. (Well, maybe a sharp stick in the eye.) You won’t be able to see your smiling face on the screen after dinner at the lodge. Even worse you might not be able to spot that big pike your guide is frantically pointing out! A small travel kit with a couple of microfiber cloths will take care of both your shades and your devices.

#9 Glasses Cleaning Kit

Nothing is worse than dirty glasses. (Well, maybe a sharp stick in the eye.) You won’t be able to see your smiling face on the screen after dinner at the lodge. Even worse you might not be able to spot that big pike your guide is frantically pointing out! A small travel kit with a couple of microfiber cloths will take care of both your shades and your devices.

#8 Xtra Tuff Ankle Boot

There is no reason to pack winter boots or even full size rubber boots. The key here is efficient packing, 50-70lbs should not be the norm, 30-50 is our goal for keeping weight down on the float planes. These ankle boots will take up less space and weight in your bag and keep your feet dry. From rainy days to that step off the boat for shore lunch, these are all you need.

7. Battery Power Pack

Keep your phone, camera, music or whatever you need rolling with a rechargeable power pack. These can be charged in your cabin and keep you powered up for video action of wildlife or a big fish.  We use the Goal Zero Venture 30.

7. Battery Power Pack

Keep your phone, camera, music or whatever you need rolling with a rechargeable power pack. These can be charged in your cabin and keep you powered up for video action of wildlife or a big fish.  We use the Goal Zero Venture 30.

6. Pliers and Snippers

Invest in a good set of pliers (with a lanyard so they don’t become structure on the bottom of the lake!) and good quality snippers that will cut light wire, braid and heavy leaders cleanly. Your guide will have similar options but it’s best to have a set for the cabin for rigging rods in the evening or as backup in case your guide’s pliers become structure.

5. Multitool

This is a gotta-have for every angler. With a knife, pliers, small scissors, awl and more there are infinite uses: in the boat, cutting wood for shorelunch fires, or opening a nice bottle of Cab Sav. Some of the best are made by Leatherman and Gerber.

5. Multitool

This is a gotta-have for every angler. With a knife, pliers, small scissors, awl and more there are infinite uses: in the boat, cutting wood for shorelunch fires, or opening a nice bottle of Cab Sav. Some of the best are made by Leatherman and Gerber.

4. Gloves

Fingerless, waterproof, insulated.
Gloves for fishing in Canada need a 1-2 punch. In the north the weather can change in an hour. You need a couple of options: fingerless lightweight sun gloves for those sunny days or just cool weather and for the really cold and wet days a waterproof glove to keep you warm and dry, yet still able to reel in a fish.  We like the Catalyst Soft Shell Glove from First Lite.

3. Lifeproof case for your Phone

It’s true, most newer smart phones are waterproof to some degree. However not totally and more importantly they are not drop proof. As there is a greater emphasis each year at Scott Lake and around the fishing industry to take better care of these amazing fish we try to keep up with the science surrounding this. It’s clear, less time out of the water the better for the fish’s health. We strive to take more underwater and in water photos at the lodge, making sure your phone is watertight is key. The Lifeproof cases also have a lanyard that is key to not turning your phone into new structure. Win for the fish and win for you with new, exciting photos and video.

3. Lifeproof case for your Phone

It’s true, most newer smart phones are waterproof to some degree. However not totally and more importantly they are not drop proof. As there is a greater emphasis each year at Scott Lake and around the fishing industry to take better care of these amazing fish we try to keep up with the science surrounding this. It’s clear, less time out of the water the better for the fish’s health. We strive to take more underwater and in water photos at the lodge, making sure your phone is watertight is key. The Lifeproof cases also have a lanyard that is key to not turning your phone into new structure. Win for the fish and win for you with new, exciting photos and video.

2. Polarized Sunglasses

This is a perennial #2 spot in our gift guide. In our professional opinion, a quality pair of polarized sunglasses should be at the top of your gift list (you can give a pair to yourself you know). Costas are probably our Guide Team’s top choice, but Maui Jim and Oakley make great glasses as well. These companies make different lenses for varied conditions, the percentage of light transmission needed to see on an overcast day or morning is different from just after shorelunch on a sunny day. Having a couple options gives you a backup as well. Copper lens with green mirror for sunny conditions and Silver Sunrise for duller light is what our Guide Team choose. 

1. All-Inclusive Trip to Scott Lake Lodge

Of course, you need a place to use these items. Why not go for the best: there is no better place to test your toys and skills than Scott Lake Lodge right on the border of Saskatchewan and the vast Northwest Territories. You or your very lucky friend will have over two million areas of exclusive water spread throughout our fifteen million acre outfitting territory. It’s doesn’t get any more exclusive than that. Enjoy world class customer service and over-the-top amenities like elegant private cabins, a hot tub, sauna, spa services, gourmet cuisine and naturally cooperative fish. Our guides average twenty seasons at Scott. They will take great care of you.

There are just a handful of 2022 spots yet open. Put one in your Christmas stocking today. Call or text our Guide/Sales Manager Jon Wimpney at 306/209-7150. Or send him an email. Yes, today.

1. All-Inclusive Trip to Scott Lake Lodge

Of course, you need a place to use these items. Why not go for the best: there is no better place to test your toys and skills than Scott Lake Lodge right on the border of Saskatchewan and the vast Northwest Territories. You or your very lucky friend will have over two million areas of exclusive water spread throughout our fifteen million acre outfitting territory. It’s doesn’t get any more exclusive than that. Enjoy world class customer service and over-the-top amenities like elegant private cabins, a hot tub, sauna, spa services, gourmet cuisine and naturally cooperative fish. Our guides average twenty seasons at Scott. They will take great care of you.

There are just a handful of 2022 spots yet open. Put one in your Christmas stocking today. Call or text our Guide/Sales Manager Jon Wimpney at 306/209-7150. Or send him an email. Yes, today.

Give a gift that will make memories for a lifetime

Schedule Your Trip

Happy Thanksgiving 2021

Happy Thanksgiving 2021

by | Nov 24, 2021 | 2021 Season

Alot To Be Thankful For

Time has flown by faster than a Thanksgiving turkey putting distance from a guy with a shotgun. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been two months since our construction crew closed-up the lodge for the year. Now Thanksgiving and the Holiday season are right in our lap. We have a lot of thanking to do: first, thanks to our nine-person crew that spent the past two summers making what was a very nice fishing lodge into a northern Shangri-la; and thanks to our loyal customers who have waited so patiently for their trip to the north; and thanks to our top manager (Jason, that’s you) for holding everything together in these challenging times. For everyone the wait will be worth it. We have a total focus now on making 2022 the best season in our 25-year history. We just have one more winter to get through.

Winter’s Work Has Begun

And winter’s grip is tightening in the far north. Despite a mild fall, Scott Lake begin freezing over November 17th and was completely locked up by last weekend. It’s amazing that so much water can go from soft to hard in less than a week. For most of our guests from the lower half of North America, cold like we get at the lodge isn’t even comprehensible. Winter is a waiting time, but our fish are patient. Like our anglers, they wait for spring, soft breezes, warm water and the return of the sub-arctic sun. After two years of loafing around, they need some stimulation! If we don’t give them some exercise, who will?

The Scott Lake team, though, is doing more than waiting. The planning season (there is no offseason) is already in full swing: we are working hard to get tons of fuel and supplies to the island by June of 2022 and take care of every detail needed to offer our world-class customer service. Most importantly, we are thankful that our entire guide team will on the dock greeting our guests on June 9th; and that nearly all the kitchen and maintenance teams are returning as well, with only a couple of new smiles on the hospitality team. Our staff has stood by us over these last two years just as you, our guests, have. On this Thanksgiving Day we have a lot to be thankful about.

Video Treats for the Holidays

When regaling your awestruck friends about your Scott Lake Lodge fishing tales, we’ve included this video to help you paint the picture.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel so as not to miss any updates or cool videos.

And speaking of not missing anything, we post frequently to Facebook and Instagram, so check us out there too. Its a great way to keep in touch.

Last Call

As we mentioned the patience and loyalty of our guests has been tremendous, leaving only very limited openings for the 2022 season. While this is great news for us, we want to make sure everyone has a chance at the trip of a lifetime.

Even though we added two new weeks in September, we have only a handful of open spots. Get in touch with Jon Wimpney, our sales manager/guide to see if you can grab one TODAY. Why not today? It isn’t even a holiday in Canada. 

Also, he can help with new program: a 2023 wait list. We’ve never had one. We have always honored our right of first refusal policy for booking on the island and that will continue, but why not be first in line next summer if we don’t fully re-book the week you want.

You can be an early bird as well for any 2022 cancellations—we always get a few. Don’t delay! You will thank yourself when you are pulling in trout and pike in one of the most pristine fishing destinations in the world.

Give our Sales Manager and guide extraordinaire, Jon Wimpney, a call at 306/209-7150 or email him. 

We Want to Hear From You

Have any questions, comments, suggestions? Fishing story to share or just want to chat? You can hit us up here:

Tom Klein, Managing Partner (406) 539-5245

Jon Wimpney, Sales Manager (306) 209-715

Jason Hamilton, General Manager (306) 812-9788

Hell, call us all if you want. We love nothing more than talking to customers and future customers.

September 2021 Check In

September 2021 Check In

by | Sep 3, 2021 | 2021 Season

Reflections on Fall

by Tom Klein, Managing Partner

The calendar is showing September but the weather here at Scott Lake, smack dab on the 60th parallel, is showing summer. Typically, at the flip of the calendar from August to September there are blustery skies, cool temperatures and the definite feel of fall, but today the skies are clear and blue, the lake is flat and the temperature is in the mid-70s. There are signs that change is in the air—like the thousands of geese that passed through about a week ago when a north wind gave them a free ride south. Or the birch trees that are starting their turn from green to yellow. And the mosses that are turning the ground into a rich russet carpet. But it still feels like summer! Not typical but we’ll take it.

Transforming the Island

The summer work team is loving it. After a full day spent in the lake with water right on the edge of your waders rebuilding a dock, the thought of some evening fishing in warm weather is very appealing. It’s been a long summer for this crew. While there has been some fishing and fun, mainly it’s been just a long slog of hard work. So for them this return of summer has been a gift. This is the second consecutive summer when instead of guiding guests to pike, trout and grayling, many of our guides have been guiding boards and planks onto just the right spot. Led by General Manager Jason Hamilton, the team (currently Steve Yanish, Mike Demyen, Graham Coulombe and Paul Hamilton) is finally close to wrapping up the dozen or so projects that have transformed this island. A few other Scott team members (Greg Hamm, Amelia Gunn, Dawson Sawchuk and Dani Grunberg) left a couple of weeks ago. Collectively they did one hell of a job. Their accomplishments are the one silver lining of the whole Covid Catastrophe for us. Our guests arriving next June will be blown away with the improvements.

It’s wonderful here with all of Scott Lake at my doorstep. I don’t have to check “the board” to see what part of Scott Lake is customer-free. It’s all wide open, as are the two dozen fly out lakes. It’s a boyhood dream realized. Very soon thousands of lake trout, resplendent in their vivid fall colors, will rise to the shallow reefs in their annual spawning ritual. It’s a capstone of the fishing season here. The fishing is great, but the company is even better. Our team here operates efficiently and smoothly: cooking together, rolling out free ranging conversations, playing cards some evenings and the enjoying the solid satisfaction of having created a real community, even if it’s for a few months.

While this is all great, something big is missing; there is a void on the island. It’s you! This place just isn’t the same without the enthusiasm, energy, and goodwill of the guests from all over North America who fill Laker Lodge every evening with their stories and laughter. For most, it’s tough to separate their love of angling from their love of sharing that experience with like-minded people, but they all shed the pressures and pace of their urban worlds and absorb the peace and serenity of this pristine wilderness. For most of our guests their days at Scott are precious, providing memories that fuel their daydreams for the rest of the year. It’s just that kind of place.

But there is something missing… it’s you!

In a few words, WE MISS YOU AND WISH YOU WERE HERE. Judging by the dozens of emails and phone calls I’ve received over the past three months, you have missed us too. We all need to put the past two lost seasons in the rearview mirror and look to 2022 with hope and optimism. We will again stand on the lodge deck engaged in pleasant conversation, watching the lingering sunsets, staring at the deep blue water stretching miles to the south. We will again enjoy the simple pleasures of a shore lunch, the thrill of a big pike engulfing your lure, the sound of the waves lapping against the side of the boat, the taste of an elegant dinner and the absolute joy of all being back together again. We will.

Beyond Fishing

by Jason Hamilton, General Manager

A huge shadow turning into a massive Northern Pike darting across a crystal-clear shallow bay to grab your lure boat side. Saying “I’m snagged” when a giant lake trout stops your line dead in its tracks. Watching an arctic grayling sip your caddis fly from the surface in a wild northern rapid. The haunting call of a loon in the lingering twilight. The nostalgic smell of a campfire as shore lunch is being expertly prepared by your guide. These are the sensory impressions of the fishing experience here at Scott Lake Lodge. They are incredible and leave a lasting impression on our visiting anglers. Chasing our three species of fish in the wilds of northern Canada with an experienced guide is quite memorable. Actually, based on how many of our guests choose to return each year, IT’S ADDICTING! We have 9 million acres of untouched wilderness bounding 2 million (yes that’s a real number) acres of exclusive water. This is an amazing private fishing playground, a breathtaking backdrop to live out your fishing dreams. But wait, there’s more…

Time spent at Scott Lake isn’t limited to fishing. Investing some time to experience the flora and fauna of the far north on a guided hike around our Tundra Trail is a great way to get a feel for this unique landscape. The trail follows an esker, a glacial formation, around a small lake with some amazing views of Scott Lake. About an hour circuit provides you the opportunity to see the northern boreal forest, evidence of our local animals and maybe even glimpse a moose, marten or wolf. Ask owner and in-house naturalist Tom Klein and he will make this just a genuinely cool experience. Plan it before or after your fishing day. With the seemingly endless daylight, an evening hike is a perfect cap to a Scott Lake day.

Another way to get the blood pumping is our fitness center. A variety of cardio machines, free weights and a Smith machine appoint the best stocked gym on the 60th parallel. Loosen up for a day of fishing, keep up on your healthy lifestyle or make room for tomorrow’s shore lunch. Our wood fired sauna is a guest favorite: throwing some water on the hot rocks will bring on a good sweat and leave you refreshed. Think you might be up to a polar plunge? Head out of the sauna and straight into the lake. Your guide can radio ahead we will have the sauna hot for your return to the island. The hot tub on the Laker Lodge deck is another great place to relax and soak in the scenery. A hot tub under the northern lights? This mid-August to early September tradition is not one to miss.

Being in a near constant tug of war with the fish on Scott and our 22 other flyouts lakes can take a toll. An easy way to keep in top fishing form is a visit to the Stone Haven Spa, where our resident massage therapist will loosen up those tense muscles from fighting too many fish. Deep tissue, hot stone and Swedish techniques are all employed to help you stay limber and relaxed for the next day’s adventure.

Many of our guests relish their time on the water. There is a lot of it to see! If the nine-hour fishing day isn’t enough, explore the coves and islands surrounding the lodge in our fleet of canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards after dinner. It’s a quiet way to enjoy the wonders of Scott Lake. The many islands and points offer great protection from wind and waves.

Sitting right on the 60th parallel, the Scott Lake landscape includes trees, but we are near the northern limits of the forest in this part of the world. After a short flight north you encounter the tundra, the “land of little sticks”, a unique ecosystem that is incredible to visit. Our popular Tundra Tour involves a sightseeing flight north for an aerial tour across this seemingly endless landscape. Caribou and muskox are frequently seen on these flights as they live on the lichens, moss and dwarf willow blanketing the arctic floor. A picnic lunch on an esker with views for miles is followed by some of the best walk and wade grayling fishing anywhere. Flowing from Rennie Lake, the Elk River (no there are no elk there, but an early explorer called caribou “elk”) offers incredible scenery and grayling fishing to match. This is a bucket list experience.

What else can you do besides fishing? Ask your guide, owner Tom Klein or General Manager Jason Hamilton. They are ready and waiting to make this a trip of a lifetime. Want to learn to prepare shore lunch? Hike to the top of that hill? Learn to mix craft cocktails with our bartender? We want your Scott Lake Lodge experience to be unforgettable in every way. Our goal is for you to hook fish and for this place to hook you, so that you make a trip to Scott Lake an annual affair.

Now Is The Time

If the above sounds interesting, you should get going. We have just completed “resettling” our 2021 guests. In an amazing demonstration of Scott Lake loyalty, 95% opted to roll their trip into 2022 rather than taking a refund.

But there is still room for you. To absorb the demand we have added a new week for 2022 at the end of the season and are ready to take new bookings. We currently have openings scattered throughout the season, but they will not last long. Make 2022 the year that you discover the Scott Lake Experience.

Give our Sales Manager and guide extraordinaire, Jon Wimpney, a call at 306/209-7150 or email him. Jon has spent two decades at Scott and will help you find just the right week for your fishing interests. No customer ever leaves our lodge disappointed. We make sure of that. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone!

2021 Season Update with Owner Tom Klein

by | Jul 23, 2021 | 2021 Season

With deep regret, knowing we tried our best to make a truncated season happen…we have to make the decision to cancel 2021 in its entirety. Travel issues, border doubt, short timelines and the lack of confirmed guests just made the risks too great to bear.

Owner Tom Klein, gives a brief update about 2021 and how we’ve switched gears to focus on 2022. We have the place almost entirely full. If we are interested in a spot for 2022 now is the time to act! Contact j5@scottlakelodge.com to get one of the few remaining spots.