This year marks my second season as a member of the North Haven Resort guiding crew and I couldn't be more excited to be back on the water. I am happy to leave the city behind to continue my journey along the road less travelled which is paved with crystal clear waters.
It wasn't long before I found myself cutting waves and pounding bays with the Elwell gang. Our days consisted of sight fishing trophy logs in one to three feet of water on some of Canada's most productive Northern fisheries, Utik and Bear Lake. During our hunt, water temperatures remained in the low fifty degree range as we experienced a wide variety of weather systems. The Bite was ON!
It wasn't long before I found myself cutting waves and pounding bays with the Elwell gang. Our days consisted of sight fishing trophy logs in one to three feet of water on some of Canada's most productive Northern fisheries, Utik and Bear Lake. During our hunt, water temperatures remained in the low fifty degree range as we experienced a wide variety of weather systems. The Bite was ON!
James proudly landed this super-stomper 44" fat girl, which he coaxed into biting with a six inch, pink bass worm rigged up on a wide gap Trokar single hook.
Scott is one of those guys who just loves to laugh and knows how to have a great time in the boat. He utilized an unorthodox method of fighting fish which could only be described as the love child between fighting a black marlin and playing heavy metal on guitar. His patience and awesome attitude paid off with dividends as he put the boots to this awesome 43" pike!
Scott is one of those guys who just loves to laugh and knows how to have a great time in the boat. He utilized an unorthodox method of fighting fish which could only be described as the love child between fighting a black marlin and playing heavy metal on guitar. His patience and awesome attitude paid off with dividends as he put the boots to this awesome 43" pike!
During our four days together, it became apparent that the big fish were keying in on smaller bait presentations such as Mepps, Red Eye Spoons, and of course the Johnson silver minnow. Jeff's weapon of choice was an orange and black pattern Mepps Musky killer which earned him both of these beautiful trophies which measured 42.5" and 41.5"s respectively. BOO YEAH!
We found ourselves boat side releasing good numbers of high thirty inch class pike but we didn't hesitate to bust out the trophy basket to reveal this 43" gator that James nailed in less than two feet of water on a Johnson silver minnow tipped with a white twister tail. We don't call that spot the honey hole for nothing!
Energy levels peaked and the guys kicked it into full throttle as radio chatter revealed an oncoming thunder storm that would soon bring our last day of fishing to an abrupt halt. It was the perfect example of being in the right place at the right time as we landed several high thirty inch class fish consecutively, and this thick bodied bonus!….a 42" trophy. You have got to love the thunder storm bite!
Great guys and phenomenal fishing made for a spectacular four days on the lake and the perfect start to the 2016 open water season. Once again, I am left feeling like the luckiest guy in the world to be surrounded by so many amazing people in a place that is home to some of the highest quality fishing resources that Canada has to offer. Life is really good….