Week 12 in Review: Gore-Tex Proving Grounds and Lady Luck

Week 12 in Review: Gore-Tex Proving Grounds and Lady Luck

The good news…the risk of wildfires around the lodge is at nearly zero; rain, mist, drizzle and showers were the order of the week. It didn’t matter one bit; the fishing kept everyone warm, and the excitement of the week permeated the lodge each evening. It was a fun week; both guests and staff enjoyed it. The staff were in heated competition for the annual trout derby, an event each summer, where management takes over serving, bartending and all the other jobs, while the crew gets a much-deserved night off.  Sure, it’s about fun, team building and friendship, but they are also chasing prize money for the biggest and smallest lake trout caught. Chef Sidney Lang was the big winner this week; after a lucky run on the poker table, he hauled in a 39” trout for top prize.  Hannah from our hospitality team was the smallest fish winner, with a 16”er. It’s a great event from the shotgun start to the excited check-in where everyone is hopeful their boat’s catch is the one!

During the days, our group of guests were onto the fish as well, bringing in 156 trophy-sized pike, trout and grayling, while making some incredible fishing memories in the north. Mike Skogen had an incredible day with guide Biff; he landed seven pike over 40,” including a 44 and 44.5” er, some truly amazing big pike fishing. Mike’s partner Tiff Skogen only needed one big pike to make her mark on the same day…a giant 47” er, tying her for top pike of the week. On another lake the same day, Gina Benson found an absolute leviathan 47” northern of her own, a fat fish looking like it was not missing too many meals.  Typically cool, north wind days don’t make for great pike fishing, but for some reason the pike have been angry this season.  Dave Enzo O’Donnell found a 46.5” fish around some cabbage weeds, a perfect mid- to late-season pike haunt. Mark Avis found a pair of 45’s on the flyout network; Erci Bechtold and Shane Benson also were lucky with the 45’s. Pike were found from 6” to 15’ this week: bays, weeds, rocks, on wind, off wind…the guide team did a great job finding hungry fish.

Trout were loving the wind and waves on the big lakes; sometimes it takes a little inclement weather to get them turned up.  Tara Bechtold was our top trouter this week, hitting a 40.5 and 40”er on one day, to go along with her husband’s 40” laker…that’s a lot of trout in 3 fish! Dave O’Donnell set the hook into a 39.5” fish on the way to his 100+ Club jacket; 39” trout were coming in hot this week as well. Tina Walker found hers up on the Tundra at Tukto; her boat also was witness to a sow and cubs, barren ground grizzly bears, an amazing sight. Tim Fierbaugh dropped into the trout water on Ingalls Lake for his 39, and Lloyd Phillips waited until the final afternoon on Scott for his 39” trout, which landed him a trophy triple.

Another highlight this week was our return to Lefty Falls, also known as Hunt Falls, a significant drop on the Grease River, Saskatchewan’s largest waterfall. Water cascades nearly 50 feet, creating a stunning scene.  High water of the last few years has kept the planes away, but we are back! Shane and Gina Benson, along with Derek Swenson, were the first to check things out: a ton of grayling, some great views, and a fun hike. What a way to end the week!