Week 7 in Review: It Feels Like Summer

Week 7 in Review: It feels like summer

Lucky number seven could easily have been the nickname for this past week. Anglers were treated to superb summer fishing weather and big fish action galore. Draw a blueprint of the perfect fly-in fishing trip in northern Canada: a chance at big fish, easy weather, great food, some moose sightings, lots of laughs on the deck in the evening…all felt great. Our fishing continues to be excellent, the staff providing a great experience, and the landscape never falters in its remote beauty.

In all, 259 trophy-sized fish were brought to hand this past week, an incredible number, once again. Of these, 148 were pike surpassing the 40” mark, not to mention countless great fish that were not quite at 40, but were great fighters, boat side strikes, memorable locations. They are all great; they all make a memory, and all add a sentence to the story that is our anglers’ trip. The giant fish are pretty fun; also, Don Mewhort and Nic Manship found that out when they each set the hooks into a 4–foot northern, a truly fish of a lifetime. Next in line came the 47’s, being caught by Tom Granneman, Marc Schlossman, Mike Rogers and Connor Patrick. Mike’s other grandson, Cole Hardwick, was lucky on a 46.5” er also. A whole host of lucky anglers were catching fish in the 45 range, 15 between 45 and 45.5”. Dylan Szakacs tried fly fishing for the first time at Scott Lake; his first trophy was 45”, setting the bar pretty darn high for big pike on the fly. Dave McCarty nailed a 45.5” fish that fit quite well with the massive 45” laker he hauled in trolling some mid-depth structure on Snowbird Lake…over 90” in two fish! Our guide team is still on the big girls with 23 over 45” being caught and made famous on the nightly Fish Porn show. The daily photo essay follows dinner, to recap the day and prove that it wasn’t just a fish story!

Trout and grayling are starting to garner more focus from our anglers as spring fully transitions to summer and both become a little more accessible.  We already mentioned Dave’s big trout, but a 45 can be mentioned twice. His fishing partner Mike Winegar waited until the final afternoon and set the hook into a 42” tundra shark. Watching those big trout come into view with sharklike fins is always impressive.  Mike Rogers and Cole Hardwick both got 41”ers, Nic Manship a 38 and Connor Patrick a 37 to round out the top trout.

Dave Stewart, from the Wet Fly Swing Podcast, and contest winner Paul Plum headed to the tundra to chase grayling and lakers on the fly up in the Dubawnt River system. Reports were excellent, and they had a doubleheader of a 35 and 36 in the current; their guide even hooked another big trout on a grayling fly at the same time…it would have been a blast to be in the boat for that pandemonium.  You can listen to Dave’s podcasts here https://www.wetflyswing.com/852-sight-casting-to-giants-in-shallow-water-with-jason-hamilton-scott-lake-lodge/ to hear about Scott Lake Lodge and more. This was a great event in partnership with Tourism Saskatchewan. 

Grayling were found in abundance in the rapids of various flyout lakes. Ken Wiles and Tony Garibaldi were on Ingalls Lake with a pair of 17’s, giving them Trophy Triples. Team Deadwater, aka the Rogers crew, were finding dry/dropper success on NE Wholdaia, a part of the Dubawnt River system. All four of them got into the Trophy Triple, and Mike, Cole and Connor had over 100”. Mike and Nic Manship also were in the 100+ Club this week, with big grayling from Tukto…a pair of 20s.

What an opportunity we have to explore the boreal forests, the tundra and lots in between as we chase fish around this remote Canadian wilderness. There is always new water to explore, another bend in the river, another to try to get the boat in. I think it keeps our guides and guests coming back year after year. Adventure and exploration with a little luxury…that’s what we’re talking about!

Interested in being a part of the fun for 2027? Things are booking up quickly. Send Jon an email j5@scottlakelodge.com he is our sales manager and head guide and will help you  find a spot for the coming summer.