Canadian Fishing Guide 2016

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CONTents VOLUME 1 I ISSUE 1 2016

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12 GEAR REVIEW Off the grid doesn’t have to mean you’ve fallen off the face of the earth! Check out the inReach Explorer Sattelite Communication Device before your next trip

14 FISH TALES Touching base with fellow fishers

16 SHORE LUNCH A mouthwatering story and recipe

18 THE MAN AT THE HELM An in-depth look at our publisher

22 BIG FISH & LITTLE STICKS Fishing the unique terrain of the NWT

27 BROOK TROUT & POLAR BEARS Experience both in a single trip

34 NORTH CARIBOU LAKE Do big waters produce big fish?

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38 PILGRIMAGE TO AN ANGLING MECCA A woman’s connection to Kasba Lake

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TRENDS

MUST HAVE TREASURES FOR YOUR 2015 FISHING SEASON

45 THE CHRONICLES OF FISH The lighter side of fishing

49 THE SEARCH FOR MANITOBA’S MASTER ANGLER AWARD Can one young man make his dream come true?

52 BY THE CAMPFIRE Nature’s granola! Hope you have a strong stomach!

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I KI A T H E A

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 2016

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MIKE BORGER

MANAGING EDITOR L.A. SWEEZEY SALES DIRECTOR KERRI PARKINSON

LETT E R

MANAGING DIRECTOR MICHAEL ELLIS

FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to Canada Fishing Guide. This inaugural issue is all about your favourite passion - exploring and fishing the wild and remote areas of Canada.

Adventure is where you find it… as much a state of mind as a journey or destination. In the 35 odd years since I first stepped foot on a float plane, my life has been consumed by the desire to travel - to push the boundaries and go just a little bit further than anyone before me. Planning these adventures gives me as much joy as the experience itself and my goal here is to inspire you in the same way.

For a publication to be true to its calling, it must be true to its readers. Have a quick look through this issue. At its very heart you’ll find an entire section devoted to personal accounts from everyday fishermen on their most recent adventures. These testimonials, called “Fish Tales” are compelling… because they’re real.

Of course, the meat of every issue will be the in-depth features highlighting interesting angling destinations from coast to coast. This issue starts things off with a bang; Remarkable accounts from both Jack Penny and John Cleveland; two kindred spirits who’ve spent a lifetime seeking out wild places. I write about two of my more memorable trips, the Sutton River and sprawling North Caribou

CREATIVE DIRECTOR/DESIGNER MELISSA NEZEZON

Lake… both outstanding adventures.

Regular features such as Shore Lunch,

By The Campfire and Chronicles Of Fish will also be making an appearance. There’s a great recipe from Matt Hill, an interesting encounter I had years ago at a remote lodge and a fantastic narrative piece from Colin Brock. The man is a natural born storyteller with a lifetime of experience to draw from. I found his tale riveting and I hope you do as well!

Moving forward, our hallmark will be great stories combined with world-class photography - as much a visual feast as a great read. You won’t find a lot of “how-to” stuff here. The entire concept has been a natural progression for me, as I’ve been documenting my own travels for a great many years now. This just feels right, and all of us here at Canada Fishing Guide hope you’ll agree.

Every angler loves to fantasize about that “next big trip”. For many, myself included, it’s what gets us through the drudgery of everyday life.

In essence, I’m here to offer you an attainable dream. If I can galvanize your imagination and ignite a spark… well then, I’ve accomplished my goal.

Enjoy!

Editor-in-Chief Canada Fishing Guide TWITTER @BORGERMIKE

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CA

PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE BORGER, COLIN BROCK, JACK PENNY, JOHN CLEVELAND, MATT HILL, BILL MARZANA

DEM

STAFF WRITERS MIKE BORGER, COLIN BROCK PUBLISHER KATE SHARROW

ADVERTISNG OPPORTUNITIES info@korucg.com

PUBLISHED BY

In Partnership with Mike Borger Canada Fishing Guide Koru Creative Group Head Office: 289-238-7910 14 Cross Street, Unit E Dundas, ON L9H 2R3 SUBMIT STORIES AND HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS TO: mike@canadafishingguide.net

MIKE BORGER

CANADAFISHINGGUIDE.NET

PRODUCTION MANAGER/DESIGNER SUSAN VOGAN

YOUTUBE MIKE BORGER

Canada Fishing Guide is published semiannually.

Copyright 2015.

All rights reserved.

Reproduction without express written consent is prohibited by law.

Cover photo by Mike Borger

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Where Adventure Changes Lives.

RAFT FISHING ADVENTURES • NEW ZEALAND •

DAY TRIPS & MULTI-DAY EXPEDITIONS. The Kahikatea Outdoor Education Academy are privileged to be able to offer some of the best raft fishing adventures and incredible rivers in New Zealand. Your professional raft guide and/or fishing guide will transport you to where the fish lie waiting. The advantage of raft fishing is that you explore secluded and remote wilderness areas, where the fish fight like possessed steam trains.

www.KOEA.info canadafishingguide.net | 9

CONTRIBUTORS COLIN BROCK

JOHN CLEVELAND

MATT HILL

JACK PENNY

Colin Brock created The Chronicles of Fish to read to his young sons as a bedtime story. Years later, now joined by his eldest son, he continues to seek out the exceptionally wild locales in order to write about his exploits.

Matt Hill is the grandson of Kasba Lodge founder Doug Hill. He is assistant manager and full time guide at the lodge during the open water season.

L.A. SWEEZEY

L.A. Sweezey aka “Larry” is the Editor-in-Chief and a contributing writer for Outdoor Lifestyle Magazine and now the Managing Editor of Canada Fishing Guide. She is very excited about this new venture and forecasts great things for this new publication.

If you would like to contribute to future issues, please submit your idea to: mike@canadafishingguide.net

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John Cleveland is an accomplished outdoor writer and the marketing director of Eppinger Mfg. Co., makers of the world famous Dardevle line of spoons.

Jack Penny is a legendary outdoor writer based in Iowa who’s spent a lifetime chasing giant fish all across the Canadian north and writing about his experiences.

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TRENDS Cabela’s Guidewear® Long Sleeve Crew Shirt with 4MOST Technology cabelas.ca

2016 MUST HAVES

St. Croix Legend Trek 3 Piece Travel Rod stcroixrods.com

Mini works EX Compact Water Filter cascadedesigns.com

inReach Explorer Satellite Communication Device inreachcanada.com

Costa Del Mar Fisch Polarized Sunglasses costadelmar.com

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Reach anyone. Anywhere. Anytime.

Reach anyone. Anywhere. Anytime.

•• •• •• ••

2-waytext textmessaging messaging 2-way 2-waySOS SOS 2-way Journey Journeytracking tracking 100% 100%global globalcoverage coverage

inReach SE. SE The next-gen of rugged award-winning satellite communicator from DeLorme. It features an integrated colour screen, virtual keyboard, slim lightweight design and long lasting battery. Like the original inReach it works where cell phones don’t, so you can send and receive text messages anywhere in the world. inReach SE – the only device you’ll need.

For a time-limited offer visit: www.inreachcanada.com/fishing

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GEAR REVIEW

REVIEW OF THE

INREACH CANADA EXPLORER

BY MIKE BORGER

A couple of years ago, I was introduced to the Delorme Satellite Communication line when a friend brought along the inReach SE on one of our fly-in trips. Knowing that emergency help was only a button press away was certainly a welcomed key feature, but as we starting using the device over the course of the trip, I knew I had to add one as an essential piece of my fly-gear.

The inReach Explorer is an upgraded version of the SE, coming with all the features I love plus a host of new ones!

SOS - EMERGENCY HELP This was the feature that initially piqued my interest. One never knows what awaits you

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when you’re in the middle of nowhere! The inReach offers you connection to the outside world at times when it is essential for your safety. Using the device is as simple as it gets.

Press the (clearly labeled) red SOS button and the nearest search & rescue operation is alerted to your distress… anywhere on the planet! The Iridium Satellite Network that the Delorme Explorer runs on, makes this possible. A text message is sent to you to confirm the SOS message and assesses the situation. From that point, search & rescue will continue two-way text messaging with you until the situation is resolved.

A real benefit of this feature is that it allows those who may not have considered a remote trip (due to medical concerns), the extra peace of mind that will now make the trip possible. Honestly, all of our loved ones would sleep better knowing that we have that added layer of safety, right?!

BLUETOOTH PAIRING AND SYNCHING WITH YOUR PHONE OR TABLET

TWO WAY TEXTING AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Another handy feature of the device is that it allows others back home to follow your progress by sending them waypoint alerts. This is handy for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it keeps anxiety levels of family members (back home) in check and it allows fellow fishermen to keep track of you, should you be rendezvousing at a particular spot. There are also mapping and navigation features on the device that I plan on learning more about in the coming weeks. It does have some rudimentary GPS functions that might help in a pinch, but won’t replace having a dedicated GPS with downloadable topographic maps.

This is another of the best features of this device. It allows you to email, text message and up-date your Facebook and Twitter feeds anywhere you go. The great part is that it works both sending and receiving, so that you can receive responses to your emails and posts. All of this is done through the inReach computer servers.

The communication is not direct; it is relayed. What that means in practical terms is that the message comes in from inReach and identifies that it is a message from you.

This is pretty handy because it keeps the communication flow direct… only to the people you want to talk to. “The dog has chewed a hole in the couch” or “the car battery died,” are good things to know, but sometimes ignorance can be bliss. Using the inReach for keeping posted at home… well, there are no more unexpected surprises and truthfully, I am happy that I can still feel a sense of connection and inclusion to my young children and wife.

A neat feature is that the device will emit a ping every time you get a message and another ping to let you know that message you sent has actually been received.

Sending messages can be accomplished by accessing the built-in keyboard and typing the message; but from my experience this is painfully slow. Much like the keyboard on a hand-held GPS you must scroll to each individual letter and press enter; a frustrating process when you have sausage–like fingers, as I do. Another option is to use one of the preset messages or add your own presets when you synch it to your computer. This is an excellent option for things like “arrived safely” or “all settled for the night”. Far and away the best way to interact with the Delorme is to pair it using Bluetooth on your iPhone or android device. I use my iPhone and connect using a free app from the app store called Earthmate. This approach makes typing and reading…a breeze.

MAPPING AND TRACKING

BATTERY LIFE AND DEVICE DESIGN

The battery on this device amazes me. I like to keep the brightness turned up for ease on my old eyes and even so, it goes for nearly a week of regular use on a charge.

I keep a couple of portable USB chargers with me so power has never been an issue.

Otherwise when power is available simply plug it into an electrical outlet with the supplied USB cable and plug.

The device itself is sturdy and feels good in the hand. You can easily adjust options

like brightness and message notifications to your liking. The screen, while not overly large, is adequate and keeps the bulk down. As mentioned, if you plan on texting often, you are going to want to bring your phone or tablet to act as an interface.

COSTS

Other than the initial purchase price, there are a variety of plans offered by inReach Canada, similar to purchasing a cell phone plan. They are priced reasonably and are a lot less expense then paying for a satellite phone. You are not locked into a plan, so you can change it month by month.

In the months ahead I am going to be using this device. I purchased one of the “heavy user” packages in order to keep my Facebook and Twitter feeds up to date, as well as, connect with friends and family.

When I am not using it, I will purchase a “lifeline mode”, which costs only a few dollars per month and keeps your account up to date.

IN SUMMARY

The Delorme inReach Explorer has become an integral part of my “off the grid” gear. It is tough and easy to use. The SOS emergency feature is what initiated the purchase, but the ease of communicating back home (at a fraction of the cost of a satellite phone) has kept me a loyal client.

Canada Fishing Guide highly recommends this product! It’s very rare that a piece of kit is so quickly granted “essential status”, but that’s precisely what it is…

Essential. canadafishingguide.net | 15

FISH TALES NOT A FIVE STAR RESORT - BUT A 5 STAR FISHING CAMP! Richard Pouget and his son Jeff, from Ontario, Canada have gone to Frontier Fishing Lodge on the east arm of Great Slave Lake four times to date. “Every year it just got better and better. Our primary target fish was the Lake Trout.

We caught and released over 350 of them on one trip. The guide will make or break a trip and our guide was great. The cabins were older, but they were clean and comfortable. The food was excellent and plentiful. Debbie, Wayne and the shore staff did everything they could to make your stay a memorable one. If you want trophy lake trout, go at the end of July or first of August. If you prefer trophy pike, go at the end of June or first of July. Frontier Lodge is not a five star resort, but it is a five star fishing camp. Yes we are going back for trip number five.”

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MEMORIES FOR THE ROCKING CHAIR ME Nameigos Lake is a remote outpost operated by Air Dale Flying Service in Ontario’s Algoma region. It provided an early spring surprise for Bill Sherrill of Clinton Township, Michigan.

“We were catching walleye hand over fist when this bruiser of a pike slammed my jig! It took Sherrill’s family has been 15 minutes to land on ultra light tackle and was quite a thrill!”. Sh flying in with Air Dale since 1998 and in his own words, “The facilities are always well main maintained, we were greeted like friends and there’s always a ton of fish! Like my granddad used to say, ‘those are memories for the rocking chair son’.”

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Larry Hatcher of Boulder Colorado, (or “Hatch” as he’s affectionately known), is an institution at Canada’s Kasba Lodge. Hatch has missed only one year since the lodge opened its doors in 1975. A dedicated hunter of giant lake trout, Hatch is the definition of hardcore… spending hours on the water with his guide (in all manner of weather) in pursuit of legendary fish. Looking at his notes taken over the last 17 years of fishing at Kasba, one would be rather impressed. “One hundred and eighty nine trout-18 pounds or better; at least two over 30 pounds every year, and on average 11 trophies landed each trip that’s why I keep going back!” Indeed! As all successful anglers are, Hatch is a detail guy. “I have a simple mantra… keep the hooks sharp, make sure the line is fresh and play the fish like your children are starving!”

Words to live by. kasba.com 16 | CANADA FISHING GUIDE 2016

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LEGEND OF THE LAKE

BORED CATCHING FISH?!

Jim Troupes of Indiana is infected with wanderlust. “For nearly fifty years I’ve travelled the world fishing - the Amazon, Australia, Russia, Canada - and Mattice Lake Outfitters in Armstrong, Ontario, is unquestionably the best outfitter I’ve experienced. Their level of friendly service, including multiple trips to our remote cabin to deliver items, is simply unmatched. The fishing, of course, is superb. Our group caught more than 1000 fish during our recent 4 1/2 day trip, which is remarkable. My daughter Sarah grew bored catching walleyes and began trying different lures in an attempt to find one that didn’t work. She failed. We will definitely return!” walleye.ca

FEATURED ANGLERS

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A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY FORAY Doug Kruger of Barrie, Ontario enjoyed a fantastic trip to White River Air’s remote outpost camp located on Gourlay Lake.

“It was my wife Carla’s, first ever trip to the wilds and she’s a city girl through and through. I have to admit I wasn’t sure she would like it.” So this begs the obvious question - how did it go? “The camp was more like a cottage. It was a spectacular spot right on a beach. Everyone caught a ton of fish (including our two young sons)… some real giants to boot. The weather was great-bugs were non-existent, and we had campfires every night. The lake was breathtakingly beautiful. Honestly, it was the perfect trip. The best part is… Carla’s hooked now! We’re going back again next year…and that’s as good a testimonial as you’re ever likely to hear.” northtoadventure.com

“YOU JUST NEED TO THROW A STICK AT THEM!”

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Ed Anderson of Saginaw, Michigan has been travelling to North Caribou Camp since 2000 with his friends and family. “Driving up north on that first trip we stopped in Ignace, Ontario for gas. When the attendant realized we were going to North Caribou his words to us were ‘you won’t need anything fancy up there - you just need to throw a stick at them!’ He wasn’t far off. We caught hundreds of thick walleye and numerous large pike over 40 inches long it was the best fishing we’d ever experienced.

2015 marks our 14th trip to North Caribou and much has changed over the years. We now fly out of Thunder Bay avoiding the long drive to Pickle Lake. The boats are now upgraded to deluxe Lund’s and the facilities are first class. One thing has remained constant - the amazing fishing and that’s why we return year after year!” northcaribou.com

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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DESTINATION

While at Scott Lake Lodge in northern Saskatchewan, Wayne Parmely and his son (of Rhineland, Wisconsin) slipped out into the canoe after dinner. As evening fell, they were blessed with an amazing, picturesque sky. “We were the only ones on the water that evening. We had over 100,000 acres of water to ourselves. It was really something… exotic, comforting, rare and wonderful. Even though I am not a huge fan of sunset photos and take very few, this view overwhelmed me. This image graces the wall of my kitchen and I look at it every day. It takes me back to that remote place, if only for a brief moment. For me, adventure fishing trips are about the destination. Yes, the fish can be the motivating force, but the remoteness, the landscape and the wildlife are crucial because whether you catch fish or not, you have the experience of that unique location burned into your minds eye”.

HONEYMOON ON THE WATER Lori and Adam Karliewicz from Ontario, Canada, are a perfect match. When Adam tentatively tabled the idea of a honeymoon trip to Terrace B.C. to fish for steelhead, Lori said, “when do we go!” Both are avid steelhead anglers back home in Ontario and a trip to the ‘holy grail’ - the Skeena system near Terrace B.C., was a lifelong dream. West Coast Fishing Adventures in Terrace have a well-earned reputation for taking care of their guests and putting them on fish. As Lori said, “Our experience there was the trip of a lifetime!

Despite the worst weather conditions, our host and guide Gill McKean put us on fish every day. Sometimes driving three hours to do so. His experience guiding on those rivers made our trip one of a kind. Back at the lodge, the hospitality we received from Mandi made us feel like part of the family. Her cooking and the accommodations were phenomenal and we are happy to have met them.

We will definitely be back!”

Perhaps a second honeymoon in the making? westcoastfishing.ca

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SHORE LUNCH

kasba

style

BY MATT HILL

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Kasba Lodge has long been considered one of Canada’s elite angling destinations. Located within the Northwest Territories of Canada, miles from the nearest road it’s a sprawling, fish-filled expanse of water stretching over 46 miles long from end to end. Renowned as a producer of giant fish, Kasba has been pumping out trophy lake trout, pike and arctic grayling since we first opened our doors for business in 1975.

Shorelunch at Kasba is a time-honoured tradition and one that we feel has been taken to the next level. Our professional guides take great pride in serving up epicurean delights such as salsa baked trout with sweet and heat potatoes and bacon wrapped trout grilled over an open fire. Every guide has their specialty.

The benefit of being able to enjoy absolutely fresh trout and pike on a daily basis has encouraged a culture of experimentation when it comes to preparing shore lunches at Kasba Lake. Don’t get me wrong, the traditional fried fish still has its place as a time honoured favourite, but done correctly baked or grilled fish is a fantastic change of pace. Over the last few years of guiding at Kasba I’ve learned from the best, gleaning ideas from other guides and incorporating my own special touches. One of my guest’s favourites in recent years has been fresh grilled teriyaki lake trout skewers and lemon curry pineapple baked potatoes. This dish is best served on the windswept shores of Kasba Lake, but can still be savoured at home. Enjoy!

Yellow Curry Pineapple Baked Potatoes INGREDIENTS 4 Large Yellow Potatoes (Sliced into thin pieces) 1 Large Onion (Chopped into medium pieces) 1-cup of diced Fresh Pineapple 2 cans of diced Mushrooms 2 tbsp Yellow Curry Powder 1 tbsp Seasoning Salt 1 tbsp Dill 2 tbsp Margarine Tin Foil PREPARATION On a level surface roll out a layer of tin foil approximately 18 inches long (make it double layered if you are worried about punctures).

Spread the margarine on the foil and add the sliced potatoes and onion.

Bring up the edges of the foil and add the pineapple and canned mushroom so that the juices stay in the foil.

Spread the curry powder, dill, and seasoning salt over everything and add a top-layer of foil. Tightly wrap the edges of the top and bottom of the foil to create a water-tight pouch.

Put on top of a fire. Once you hear the sizzle of the margarine give the pouch a gentle shake to mix the ingredients, there is no need to flip. When the pouch begins to expand with steam, pick up and shake again until it deflates. Repeat this 3 times then poke 2 small holes in the top of the pouch to allow the steam to escape and cook until the sliced potato will crush between two fingers with medium pressure.

Open the foil package, mix, and enjoy!

Grilled Fresh Lake Trout Teriyaki Skewers INGREDIENTS 1 tsp Seasoning Salt ½ cup Soy Sauce 1 tbsp Brown Sugar 2 Cloves Minced Fresh Garlic 1 Large Green Bell Pepper (cubed) 1 Onion (cubed) 1 ½ lbs Lake Trout Fillets, skinned and cut into strips PREPARATION In a small tin pot mix together the salt, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. Heat on the fire until boiling, then add about 2 tsp of cornstarch and a splash of water. Continue to boil until the sauce thickens.

Fold the strips of trout and slide on the skewers with the cubed onion and pepper.

Place the skewers on a low-medium fire with plenty of coals and brush on the thickened sauce. Rotate every 3 minutes adding more sauce until fish is moist but flakes to the fork.

CONTACT Matt Hill matt@kasba.com www.kasba.com canadafishingguide.net | 19

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Some people need religion to feed their soul. Some need meditation. This guy... needs fishing. Fishing IS his religion... It IS his meditation. It’s like oxygen to him.

He is consumed by it. He is the Grand Poobah of fishing and all that it entails (see what I did there?).

Mike Borger is a man on a mission. And that mission will always have something to do with destination fishing and/or extreme angling. If he’s not planning a trip for himself, he’s planning one for someone else. It’s pulsing through his veins. He simply can’t help himself.

This is his calling. Of that, there is no doubt.

Elizabeth and Horst Borger met after arriving in Canada in 1963. She was from Scotland, he from Germany.

They fell in love, and the rest as they say, is history.

The Borger’s settled in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and welcomed their first child Marika into the world. A year later, Mike was born. By the age of six, when someone would ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he had no answer. “All I could think of was fishing… that’s all I wanted to do”. While other kids asked for the latest gadgets for birthdays and Christmas’, Borger was asking for subscriptions to fishing magazines.

By the age of ten, the family had moved to a small town in a country-like setting and this is where his love of fishing exploded. He would disappear for hours on end, looking for locations to perfect his craft and feed his soul. “When I could finally drive, I once asked my mother if I could borrow her car to go to the store.

Thankfully it had a full tank of gas, and I took off…driving for hours to go up north and fish. When I arrived

back home that evening, (with no gas in the tank), I thought my mother was going to kill me.”

Until the ripe old age of 32, this self proclaimed “canoe bum” worked menial jobs just to save enough money to plan his next fishing gig. The work was always just a means to an end. But his world was about to change. Borger met Joanne. A pretty blonde with a quick wit, intelligent mind and a no BS personality. “She saved me from myself,” Borger laughs. “If it weren’t for her, I’d be living in a shack, somewhere in the bush, with no direction and no plan”. Joanne is Borger’s rock. She gives him the room he needs to do the very thing that she understands he must do. “It’s no walk in the park being married to someone who is gone for weeks and sometimes months at a time. Being married to Joanne has given me the gift of focus, direction and family.”

Within two years of meeting, he had his first child, a mortgage and a “real” job. Although some may say that these things are the chains that bind us... they are the very things that allow Borger to translate his love of fishing into his life’s work.

With everything seemingly falling into place, Borger was able to focus on (week-long) fly-in fishing trips and shorter canoe excursions. He documented each trip in detail, and that eventually evolved into writing for Ontario Out of Doors Magazine. If you know Borger at all… you’ll know him to be a great storyteller… so this transition only made sense. canadafishingguide.net | 21

#

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#TBT

{ A BLAST FROM THE PAST }

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The Best in the Bush!

O P E R AT I N G & O U T F I T T I N G

SINCE

MOOSE & BEAR HUNTING

WAWA

ONTARIO

MICHIGAN NEW YORK

CALL: 807-355-3903

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1945

WAWA, ONTARIO

FISHING

HAWLEY LAKE AND THE SUTTON GORGE, A SPECTACULAR BUTTRESS OF ROCK CONNECTING HAWLEY AND SUTTON LAKE TO THE SOUTH.

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NORTHERN FAVORITES!

Genuine silver and 24k gold finishes

Whitefish C90

Spoon feed them!

Jake SJ45

/williamslures @williamsfishing

www.williams.ca www.savantspoons.com canadafishingguide.net | 35

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CHECK LIST A cradle for handling big pike

TOP: WASAYA AIRLINES TO WEAGAMOW LAKE MIDDLE: MAIN CAMP ON CEMETERY ISLAND BOTTOM: NATIVE RUN OUTPOST CAMP AT HAWLEY LAKE BOTTOM RIGHT: BRENDAN BORGER WITH 42-INCH PIKE

A handheld GPS for navigation on this large body of water

CONTACT North Caribou Lake Outpost Dusty Brodhagen (year round) 1-877-233-2717 dustybro@drytel.net www.northcaribou.com 38 | CANADA FISHING GUIDE 2016

Gerry Cariou

director of Ontario’s Sunset Country travel association is a huge aid when it comes to planning a trip in this region.

1-800-665-7567 For more information on Ontario fishing adventures visit www.gofishinontario.com

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PILGRIMAGE TO AN TO AN AN A ANGL N 40 | CANADA FISHING GUIDE 2016

GLING MECCA

One Woman’s Quest In Canada’s Far North

BY MIKE BORGER canadafishingguide.net | 41

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Sure, it’s a little flashier than the original red & white ® Sure, it’s Dardevle a little flashier thanFiretiger the original red is & white , but our Eppinger design ® , but our Firetiger design is Eppinger every bit aDardevle Devle when it comes to consistently every bit fish. a Devle when it comes to consistently catching catching fish.

To see more of the 17,000 different lures made by Eppinger To see more of the 17,000 different lures made by Eppinger check our website. check our website.

Visit local dealers for Eppinger!

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Tollfree free Toll

888-771-8277 888-771-8277

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Chronicles Of Fish

Getting Hooked

I l l u S TR aTI O n b y: m el I S S a n ez ez On

BY COLIN BROCK

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ALBANY RIVER

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FRENCHMAN’S RAPIDS

LESSONS FROM TRIP #ONE:

Always bring enough beer No need for fancy lures 4 days is not enough time Never shut off your motor when fishing rapids Don’t dangle your toes in the Pool of Death

G R E AT F I S H I N G . G R E AT FA C I L I T I E S . G R E AT T R A N S P O R TAT I O N . O W N E R S T H AT C A R E .

Sioux Lookout, ON

Making your fly-in fishing trip

the best

since 1986.

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Come with us to experience some of the best walleye and northern fishing that northwestern Ontario has to offer.

Based out of Sioux Lookout, Northwestern Ontario, we fly our clients to modern, comfortable cabins 45 minutes of air access only on Lake St. Joe, Minniss Lake, Maskara Lake and for 2016 we are reopening Hooker Lake.

For more information or to book your trip visit SlateFallsOutposts.com or call 807-737-2903

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Natures Granola

D

rifting into a back bay in late May, I was guiding a client at a fly-in lodge in Ontario’s far north. We were on the hunt for big pike. In my younger years guiding was the perfect gig. It fed my insatiable appetite for the sport and helped finance my numerous lengthy canoe expeditions. Of course it was fun to boot… most of the time. In my experience anglers are generally good people. The type I can maintain an easy and comfortable rapport with.

There are however exceptions.

This particular gentleman who I’ll call “Bob” was a blustery red-faced blowhard and a lawyer by trade. Bob had been everywhere, done it all, and knew everything. In one particularly memorable rant, he pontificated for a good hour on how difficult it was to find proper seal skin gloves anymore… while my brain melted in the stern of the boat. As he said, “they’re expensive, but they’re worth it!” Stirring the pot I remarked, “but isn’t clubbing baby seals needless and cruel?” He grumbled something about granola eating, tree hugging hippies, then fell silent. I was reasonably certain he had a thriving puppy mill back home in Gotham.

I knew the back bay was one that held fish. It was one of my grade-A spots and I told him as much. “Get ready Bob - I know there’s fish here!” At the penultimate moment, just as he was about to cast, a swarm of black flies descended on him and initiated a military-like barrage on his head. He flailed wildly at the horde with his rod, screeching at me to retreat. I did, and at his urging we sped back to the lodge so he could recuperate.

The lodge in question was pretty darned nice, including Bob’s private digs.

Still, it was the height of bug season and it’s impossible to keep them out of your cabin completely - unless you’re Bob. He lit half a dozen mosquito coils, then used two rolls of duct tape to seal off every pos-

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sible port of entry for the wee beasties before retiring.

Exhausted, I finished my chores, readied the boat for the next day, then headed into the lodge to relax with the rest of the guides and our guests. An hour later the door burst open...it was Bob. “I” he said in a strangled voice, “need a drink!” His face, red at the best of times, was swollen, blotchy and littered with dozens of bites.

Apparently there was a chink in his defences that allowed the hordes access if they lined up single file, then bent over to squeeze through. He was a mess.

Everyone fell silent and watched as Bob sidled up to the bar and ordered a double scotch. “This place”, he bellowed, “needs to be condemned!”

Prior to Bob’s arrival, a lovely young couple from Michigan was proudly showing everyone their collection of moose poop. They’d never travelled to Canada before and thought it would make an ideal souvenir of the trip. I think they had plans to shellac it and display it on their mantle.

It was in a small bowl on the bar right next to Bob and he was eyeing it up. Perfectly round with a slightly rough texture… to the uninitiated, it could be anything.

Aghast, we all watched as Bob grabbed one and popped it in his mouth. Chewing thoughtfully he grabbed another, apparently relishing the taste. He ate a third before someone finally said something.

“Umm…sir?” He swiveled on his stool, glaring malevolently at the annoyance.

“Sir, that’s moose poop you’re eating!”

Momentarily vexed he grabbed another from the bowl and sniffed it. “Really? I thought it was some kind of weird tree-hugging-hippie-granola! It’s actually pretty good!” Then he popped another turd in his mouth and ate it.

Is fate getting what you deserve, or deserving what you get? I’ll bet Bob knows the answer to that!

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