Week 5 In Review: A Tale of Two Weeks

Week 5 In Review: A Tale of Two Weeks

Week 5 in Review: A Tale of Two Weeks

 

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 60th 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.

Week 4 in Review: What a Ride

Week 4 in Review: What a Ride

Week 4: What a Ride!

You never know when it will happen in a season, some weeks the weather and the fish line up and things turn on. The 4th week seems like it could be an early leader in the productivity department. Wildlife sightings graced the photo essay each evening, the crew enjoyed the lodge, played games, raced Kart and the fishing…was on fire!

The smiles and stories of the anglers coming back to the docks each day told of incredible fishing. Shallow pike, lots of them and big ones at that! This week offered our anglers many chances at the spot-and-stalk fishing that we all dream of.  The guides, so adept at discerning these shadowy shapes from the dark bottom, direct traffic from their perch in the splash wells. “…there 30ft, 3 o’clock…cast.”  Out flies a lucky lure, and what looks like a log, certainly too big to be a fish, turns and engulfs it. The fight is on! Our anglers fought and landed an astounding 227 trophy fish. 202 pike, 4 trout and 21 grayling.

Our youngest angler led the pike parade, Coyen Kristo hauled in a giant 4-foot Northern Pike.  Coyen’s fish set a high bar; close on his heels was Rory Wright with a 46.5” last day beauty, to add to his 46 from earlier in the week. Joe Novicki and Andrew Godden took 46’s, as did Andre Lechowicz, who tagged a pair on an incredible day with wife Mira…they had a day that will be a lifelong memory. Our anglers landed two dozen fish in the 44-45” range, which is exceptional fishing anywhere!  Grayling started making their way onto anglers’ agendas also, as the spring runoffs recede, the chance to tangle with the arctic sailfish becomes more viable.  John and Matt Kracum scored on big Grayling to help them into some Trophy Triple caps, while Joe Novicki and Loki Johnson joined the 100+ Club.

The revelry and camaraderie each evening were special, no competition (…well, some friendly wagers), just enthusiasm for anglers, young and old. The guests and staff had a multi-evening Mario Kart tournament in the Last Cast, skidding and laughing, but most importantly, making memories in this unique northern wilderness.

 

Week One in Review: The Kickoff Party

Week One in Review: The Kickoff Party

Week One Blog: Kickoff party!

The First Fishermen of the Year

The spring construction crew stepped off the helicopter mid-May onto an island still in the grip of winter. There was ice and a lot of snow…unusually late, even for the 60th Parallel. As they got to work, the weather showed signs of improvement, then all of a sudden it got downright hot, in the mid 80’s, another unusual twist that melted the snow and ice and let the Week Oners trip come to fruition. After the heat came some much-needed rain and a few days of cold and snow, this weather pattern settled in for the first 10 days of June and greeted our first anglers when they stepped off the float planes. The good news, after about a day and a half the sun peeked out…once it started, the fish started coming shallow and were hungry! It was one heck of a kick-off to the fishing season. All the dreams of the shallow bays and sight fishing that keep our anglers charged up in the winter came to fruition.

There is something about the anticipation of the first week that brings anglers back often. The first cast to fish after a long winter, the first fishermen to fly into a lake for the season…it’s exciting stuff! A total of 136 trophies hit the nets over the first five days, a lofty bar so shortly following ice out.  Pike action dominated the photos each night during the aptly named Fish Porn, which highlights the big fish and wild adventures of the day. While only 10 big trout of trophy status were landed, these were some beauties.  Top trout honours went to Jim Stickley with a jumbo 42”er, followed closely by David Klein at 41”. Next came Harry Moulopoulos with a 40” specimen, and Mikey Betz added a 39.5. Those big trout on casting gear will plumb wear you out.

Pike began to move shallow and soak up the sun, offering the truly unique experience to stalk and sight cast to them in crystal clear shallow water.  Derek Shelt led the way with a giant 46.5” northern, Peter Myhre, Chase Masuga, Benny Russert and Rob Shaffalo were hot on his heels, all setting the hook into 46”ers.  As they often do, the big pike came in bunches; water temperature dictates where they will be holding. When our anglers found the warm water, they found the big pike! Peter Myhre had some incredible days of multiple trophy pike. Paul Hanna ended the week with seven over 40 on the last day. What started out with wind and rain ended in a pleasant summer evening. Week One was in the books, it was a good one, and each guest chose to book again for next year.

Week 19 Recap: A Perfect Ending

Week 19 Recap: A Perfect Ending

“A PERFECT ENDING”

Another Fishing Season in the Books

One would think, after 90 consecutive days of managing, guiding, cooking, serving, cleaning and fixing, that the Scott Lake team would be tired, listless and ready to call it a close to the fishing season. Not the case. Maybe it’s like the horse who smells the barn and races back to its stall after a long ride: it knows the end is near and gives it his all. Whatever the inspiration, the Scott crew doubled down on their service commitment for the final group of the fishing season, or maybe they were just playing off the high energy of this fun-loving group (you know who you are) who brought to our island an incredible level of enthusiasm and excitement for the closing session of the season. They came to have fun and to catch fish, in that order. They accomplished both magnificently. It was a lively bunch who traveled from many hot spots in the lower 48 to enjoy the cool temperatures of the 60th parallel in September. They were energized. The sauna, hot tub, spa and our two bars (especially the bars) were jumping all week. This group had it all: great fishing, northern lights viewing, impressive wildlife sightings and interesting dining. There was a strong “let’s have a party tonight” vibe for the entire week, even when on Day 4 vicious winds shut down fishing for the day. Few ventured out that day in some very heavy waves. If they did, they didn’t go far. No trophy fish were landed that day (lowering the week’s trophy total significantly), but a black bear did make an appearance so at least one pin was handed out after dinner that night. (The lodge recognizes some wildlife encounters by awarding “trophy” pins for spotting black bear, moose or muskox.)

And there were plenty of actual fish pins handed out too. The week ended with 130 trophy fish landed, heavily leaning toward northern pike and Arctic grayling. While the lake trout did start their annual migration upwards toward the shallow reefs, they were late this year, probably due to the still warm surface water temperatures. Hundreds of smaller lakers were in the shallows but the big ones were still in deep water. Only four trophy lake trout were landed for the week, the biggest a 37.5” laker off Scott Lake taken by James Abell who landed big trophy fish in all three of our species, earning the 100+Club jacket. The big trout were generally still deep and with great pike fishing on Scott and the fly out lakes not too many guests spent time doing the deep trolling needed to bring them up. The pike fishing was just too good. Our northern pike were feeding heavily on windy, rocky shorelines and in the remaining weed beds. There were many hundreds of pike caught with 77 hitting the 40-inch or over trophy category, not our best week of the season but not shabby either. Tom Granneman, Francis Sun and Dan Spielman caught pike of 44-inches. Dan also got a 45-incher along with Jim Ward. The biggest pike of the week was on the line of James Abell, a beautiful 46-incher. There were many of pike in the 40- to 43-inch range with Collen Clark, Tom Granneman, Clay McCain, Mark Graf and Frances Sun enjoying days with three-trophy pike in the boat. Mark and Frances along with Dave O’Donnell also had four-trophy pike days. As with the previous group, there were frequent comments about the weight and girth of the pike that came to the boats. The typical 40-inchers in September probably weighed three pounds more than the same fish weighed earlier in the season. And it was common to hear about 100 or more pike in the boat for a single day; the pike were in the attack mode all week.

For those that ventured into our rivers, our grayling with their trademark high, iridescent dorsal fin were very cooperative. Grayling of our “supersized” mark of 18 inches or better were taken by Mark and Rebecca Graf, Dan Spielman and Frances Sun. James Abell and Randy Grooms had a big grayling day on the outflow of Odin Lake with their biggest were just under that 18-inch mark. Dry flies and sub-surface nymphs were the winning tickets for grayling action.

There were trophy dinners all week. The culinary team ended the season strong, featuring dinners like beef bourguignon, seafood risotto, lamb loin, smoked brisket and lobster with a tenderloin to name just a few of the offerings. Between the over-the-top group shore lunches and the lavish dinners, no one lost any weight on this trip. Many may have gained a few pounds, but all gained indelible memories of fishing at its best. We had an almost even split this week between long time regulars and first-time guests. Based on bookings and comments, we gained a lot of new regulars. It was simply a wonderful week to spend in the far north and a perfect ending to another fishing season our guests and staff will always remember as one of the best. Stay tuned for a season summary: it will have a big number for our total trophy count.

Week 18 Recap: Falling for Fall

Week 18 Recap: Falling for Fall

“FALLING FOR FALL”

Aggressive Fall Pike Fishing

There was no doubt. In earlier weeks we’ve had hints of fall but now it was for real: you could feel it in the cool morning air, the up tempo winds hitting your face; see it in the scuttling low clouds, the turning of the birch leaves from their drab green to brilliant yellow; hear it with the nighttime honking of migrating geese and the almost comical one-note call of migrating Pacific loons. And for our guests, more importantly, you could feel fall in the savage jolt of an aggressive northern pike trying to get an easy meal. Violent strikes were incredibly common for our Week 18 crew. The pike were on the prowl for the entire week. The action was steady for most anglers almost every day on Scott and on our two dozen flyout lakes. It could have been a windy shoreline, a patch of weeds or a deep drop-off. The pike seemed to be everywhere. And they were angry. These are “take no prisoners” pike that barely show a resemblance to the sometimes picky pike of early summer. The spinners, spoons, plastics or flies this week were often not visible when the fish were brought to the boatside. These pike were committed to their next meal as they put on weight in preparation for the long and relatively lean winter months. These are ferocious, feisty, fat fall pike—a fish you just have to love.

Typically, at this time of our season we get into the quantity vs. quality debate. The quality of fall pike fishing is undisputed. They are much heavier than they were a month or two previous. Often though, our trophy numbers taper off as we get near the end of the season while the size increases. This group had it all—QUANTITY AND QUALITY. The trophy count landed at 154, a respectable number even for June or July. Add the heft of this group’s catch and you have the ingredients of a sensational week. It was: there were fifteen pike of 44-inches or better, topped by a magnificent 47-incher.

We had 114 trophy pike and, as they often do, the big fish came in bunches. Ron Juergens, Seth Snyder, Paul Lorusso, Kevin Thorp and Liz Snyder landed a trio of trophy pike on the same day; Mike Strobel, Tom Davis, Brenda Gray, Paul Lorusso, Veronica Strobel and Seth Snyder (another big day) made it a four-pack; Valarie Strobel and Rebecca Graf each landed five trophy pike on their big days. Pike between 44-and 46-inches were as common as the yellow leaves on birch trees. Our guides term these monsters the “mids” as opposed to “regular” trophies between 40- and 43-inches or the “megas” between 47- and 50-inches. If you hook into one of these mids, you know that you have an impressive fish. In most Canadian settings they are pretty rare. Not at Scott Lake Lodge. Not during Week 18. Pike of 44” were caught by a slew of our anglers: Ron Wamsted, Seth Snyder, Jason Sikkenga, Dave McCarty, Mike Strobel (a pair of brutes) and Valarie Strobel (also a pair). Pike of 45” were taken by Seth Snyder (that name yet again), Don Thorp and Brenda Gray who landed two at 45, giving her an incredible trip. Mark Graf went to the top of the “mid” scale with a pike of 46-inches. But the fish-of-the-week belonged to Mike Strobel with a beautiful 47-incher. That is a big batch of QUALITY fish.

A week at Scott is not complete without someone landing a big lake trout or two or more. Our pike did not completely dominate the TV screens after dinner. There were some impressive lake trout as well. Mike Winegar pulled in a 39-incher; Don Thorp caught a fat 42-incher, along with a 38- and 40-incher. The Top Trout though went to Kevin Thorp who landed a 42.5-inch pig of a laker.

Grayling were in the game too. Only four anglers (Mark and Rebecca Graf and Kevin and Don Thorp) went after the acrobatic resident of the far north, but all cashed in on fish of 17-inches or better, big grayling in these parts. Those grayling catches gave a Trophy Triple hat to Mark, Kevin and Don. Hitting over 100 total inches, Kevin and Don also earned the 100+Club jacket.

As we’ve come to expect, there were numerous wildlife sightings. Fall is a time when all critters, both in the lakes or on the land, become active. The only missing entrée in the exciting fall smorgasbord were the northern lights. They were probably up there but we had five consecutive cloudy nights. But no one complained about not staying up late to watch the celestial show; everyone was tired from catching too many big fish! Simply put: it was a hell of a week, one that all our anglers will remember for the rest of their lives.