Moosebunk

BINGO! And to Lew's link... There's a considerable start in fixing the immediate. Would like to see the housing fixed quickly, but then the Band and Governement be open to addressing the difficult issues.

Fish killer!!! Not the eagle... you Bill. Great shot. I know that bird, fish and spot all to well. Captured perfectly dood!

Thanks again OFC'ers... Psst Mikey... you'll have to come with Bill and I.

I'm not a political guy at all. Don't follow much in media or Government. As far as cold hard facts, when something like this comes up and it's time to take note, I'm usually behind the 8-ball and have to read to get up to speed... The only real knowledge I have on the subject of Attawapiskat and FN's of the James Bay comes from having of course, lived there, and from sharing today a life with one who's first home community and identity has been founded within Cree culture and life. My take on Ezra and the video... Harsh... but as I said above, "there will be some eye-opening and difficult truths," and he did make some valid points. A Conservative point-of-view is as appropriate as any other political party's point of view. Especially PC's maybe, as, we did vote them to power. Ezra is wrong by my understanding on a few things though. The school and hockey arena. The school by my knowledge came before the "Reg Louttit Sportsplex." My father-in-law while serving terms as Chief of Attawapiskat in the 90's, was to raise half of the costs locally and the Governement would match. It took years, but he and his council did this through fund raising events and charitable donations. The school was a mistake made being built where it is, but it was separate issue and had nothing to do with the school and arena being a competition of spent funds for one thing over the other. The school is wrong to be where it is. The school is built over toxic-waste. What Torontonian or any other community parent sends their kids everyday to the dump for an education? The arena... well, IMO it is probably the greatest pride and joy, most appropriately used, and important social pillar Skat has. Dances, bingos, weddings, Pow-Wows, public skating, basketball/volleyball, weight room, hockey/broomball, fund raisers... you name it, the Sportsplex provides that plus community togetherness. A zamboni... YEP... kind of an important part of a hockey arena. School versus Arena as Ezra says... it wasn't ever a competition of choice, it was two separate and important entities. Ezra speaks of Angus's timing. Why 7 years? Well, the bad housing IMO was the same in 2000-2001 as it is now. I used to bike and jog those streets and walk the wood's trails weekly when not living for my work in healthcare there. I've seen every inch of that town, over and over again. When I was there last in 2010 for 6 weeks, I could honestly tell you that it was in the best shape I had ever seen it. One word IMO was the reason... DEBEERS. Ezra was right... they are giving, and Skat doesn't appear to be abusing that. But, I can only speculate as to why Angus has gone to the media now, I'll guess it could be for maybe these reasons... First, Chief Theresa Spence and Grand Chief Louttit combined are the right people to finally have at his side. (there have been some questionable Attawapiskat Chiefs in my eyes over the last decade)... Two, the real issue that there is an actual housing crisis and it is a health-risk to Canadians does exist. Or maybe, Angus' move at this time is just NDP taking aim at Conservatives. I want to believe it is because someone is waking up, looking around, not liking what they see, and becoming proactive. Those proactive people... Theresa and Stan in all likelihood. The validity of their action... 100% undeniably understandable. Remember, under the Indian Act the people of that community on Reserve DO NOT, any of them, working or not, qualify for mortgages. Housing is the responsibility of the Band, Gov. and tax-payer. Tough crud for all involved really, but whatta ya do? I remember doing a home visit to a single room trailer down the street from the hospital and finding out 16 people live in it. In one exposed corner of the small room, toilet, beside wash sink, beside stove. No furniture, nada. Mattresses on the floor, clothes on those. The reason I was there, treat impetego and/or scabies. If someone asked me if that was a housing issue... yep! There's plenty of it going on up there... yep! If someone asked me to take a crap in front of 15 other family members... nope! Like Chief Spence is saying to the media... accounting isn't the (or her) issue right now. Third party people and their slowing the process isn't many peoples issue up there right now... it's the housing. Third party people may be a requirement, but at the same time, to the local Chief acting on behalf of her people, I can see third party officials just being insulting. That poor housing, leads to illnesses. Impetego and scabies are something I see at most maybe a few times a year working down south, up there ya see it a few times a week, if not more. And psychological and social implications of living in overcrowded make-shift homes is a whole other plague on that society. I think Ezra's take and numbers on Band spending has had several rebuttles seen online. Band misuse versus Government oversight versus status quo... who knows? Tonnes of tax payers money. I have with my own eyes seen improvements in Attawapiskat but also a fair share of what is and likely always will be, the norm. Unless hard choices and responsibility are taken on by many folks whom are inadvertently (or not) dragging down their own neighbors, then a new house built up there today will be reduced to an ice shanty in no time. Seen it, and even after Kasheschewan got their 40 new homes some years back, I was told first hand over a few beers shared on the Polar Bear Express with the head contractor (whom had just finished his return to Kash) that by contract he was forced to let all other lined up jobs for the summer go, because he had to essentially rebuild a community a year after erecting it. So much which was shiney and new was destroyed. 10 of the 40'ish houses were OK, some of the 40 had the insulation ripped out of the walls because it had been easier to obtain and burn in the stove, than going out in winter and getting wood. In a sense... I can see why there is some reluctancy by the Government to act too quickly with the wads of money that will be needed. But... what a catch 22 really... the sick and poorly housed versus quick and costly repair. Ezra stated that Attawapiskat has been helped time and again by DeBeers and yet the people in turn blockaded the ice-road to demand more money. I was there for a number of those years, it was Kasheschewan that did this, not Attawapiskat. Kash was paid the millions (as I understand it) by DeBeers to go away and stop being gun-toting trolls on the roads. It worked for Kash, so they did it a number of years in a row. Skat benefits from the mine, Kash does not. Kash was the northern Walkerton some years back... although the water had tested bad, the media hadn't a clue the reality of what was going on, as I understood it. That's another story. Why the crappy houses but yet new skidoos, trucks and TV's with the homes? Why not? Working or not, no mortgage payments, just susidized housing paid to the Band. The little house is falling over because no one ever earned it and it's treated like trash. It's the responsibility of the Band and tax-payer to keep it up to code. Many do respect their homes and many don't in my opinion. The skidoo though... the truck... those are actually bought or put on credit and directly affect the household finances and quality of life. They will be treated better as these are status objects much like they would be to anyone, of any race. It's been said, to have a community there in the first place is a waste of time. It's not viable. Well, whoever says that is forgetting, it's the Governement who wanted and pushed for them all to be there in the first place. And even if they hadn't done that, it was once a place that suited the Cree just fine. Viability is a non-issue to them. I said it above, I'll say it again. HARD CHOICES. NEVER BLACK AND WHITE. HEART VERSUS HEAD. PEOPLE FINDING SELF WORTH AND BUILDING COMMUNITY PRIDE. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP. The years in the north I spent, certainly shaped me during what were the most cognitive and rewarding years of my life, so far. When Brenda's beloved sister and community educator died in Attawapiskat in 2008, returning there after a six year abscence the place moved me again in a way I'll never forget. All stores closed, the local TV channels tuned in, and the streets cleared out. Everyone in the church (or watching the broadcast from their homes) attended the funeral. Three days the community supported all out-of-towners when finally, in the gymnasium at Brenda's fathers dream come true "Reg Louttit Sportsplex," I shook the hands of about 800 people, alongside my 40 some closest family members. That's a different and beautiful kind of Native and community pride, love and respect, of which I have never seen anytime down here. It's just sad that it seems to only be hardship or emergency that brings about this total community transformation. So hoping that Attawapiskat's peoples and leaders show the Nation what it takes to really heal short and long festering wounds. Good, good people whom require the basic food, shelter, health and education, to hopefully one day go that next level I think they are capable of.

Chocolate lab? Pretty sure... Enjoy the new pup. If those pictures are from infront of your house, it'll have a great life.

We could plan it for next year Bill.

Good luck dood. With todays worries of the future economy, it's kinda cool and balzy to see someone like yourself setting any doubts aside and going for it. Good luck.

It has been an exceptional fall for fishing. Many days spent with close friends finding success on local lakes for bass, walleye and pike, as well as solid walleye results during a rather difficult season on Quinte. The last couple weeks of what may be the end of boating, nothing changed. A final walleye trip to The Bay, back-to-back days on local bass and eye waters, then finally (the meat and potatoes of this report) a mini road trip for trout and new tires, were all fall quality days. It could not be a better fishing end to autumn, or even the year for that matter. November 15th & 16th I snuck out close to home for an afternoon solo mission, followed a day later in the company of Sir Slop. The solo fishin' mission was a non-stop war against largies mostly, yet a dozen walleye and a number of pike and smallies joined the fight. Grant and I had it a little slower in the aftermath and coming cold front, but steadily we fired away at any remaining soliders. Arrested and photographed were some of the POW's. The last week of November work held me back to one day on the water. An old hockey and school friend from youth joined me in the Lund for a bumpier day on Bay Of Quinte. It was an absolute pleasure having Paul along. A shortened day and tougher fish than usual, we managed to escape the water 4 for 5 with a couple under 25's hitting the well. Paul reeled all but one in. As it's been much of this year, fish were deeper and wanting lure speeds just so, to a little slow. Pretty sure Paul enjoyed the first time he's fished with boards, the reports back at the launch from a few other boats were pretty poor. This gave me a chance to kinda feel that guide moment, ya know...? Even though, Paul did the rod damage. Results may not be as great as previous years for others, the six trips of 2011 taken by The Bomber went... 11/16 , 5/7 , 11/13 , 10/14 , 5/9 and 4/5. Averaging 46/64 and 35 total walleye. 2010 results for six trips were 62/71 and also 35 walleye. Overall, size was up this year BIG time. Last years 11 1/4lb. best was crushed by this years 14, and several 11's and 10's. Sheepie numbers were waaaaay down. Per outing, simple math for this year would put The Bomber at an average of 8/11 with 6 eyes a trip. 46 total fishing hours divided into 46 fish is simple math too, the boat averaged one fish an hour all season. Good results IMO and geeky stuff to work with. The whole season wouldn't have been nearly what it was had it not been for the company in the boat whom all thoroughly seemed to enjoy the fishing. Quinte eye fishing is probably getting even better day-to-day now, but the ice is still to come. In the meantime, on to other things... . . . . . Had an itch that needed a scratch. Fall steelheaders are a pretty lucky brood of diehard cold weather nuts. The ones I know best anyways. Come November and December of each year, when most boaters are winding down or searching out the last quality fishing frontiers available to them, the shortened day bank beaters take to trout filled streams and frosty woods. The fruits of their labors bring about some of the years best online fishing reports which are generally loaded with stunning chrome and browns displayed amidst many incredibly scenic backgrounds. Each year, no matter where I have lived, those people, those fish and that experience, make me itch like crazy. I was to head Stateside to test a rumor that tire shopping over there would be worth my time and money. Was it?... Yes, but not vastly better in the end. The wife seemed to only slowly warm to the idea that, while across the border I stay a couple extra days and do some fishing. Slowly warmed... but she warmed nonetheless. Monday I made my way over and spent much of my day achieving the goal of getting the truck done. During the last couple hours of daylight, found time to sneak in a few drifts on the river but barely managed to scrape any rust off with using the long pole. One outing last year and first this year, it was apparent I was out of practice. A local fella showed up in dress pants, shirt and tie, on his way home from work. Third drift with a 13-foot Raven and he made plucking that 8-9ish pound buck look easy. Told him that too, and he repaid the gesture with a chartreuse bead and the right sized hook. Expressed to me no need for thanks, he'll be returned with good karma. The day faded grey to black and I hit the road 0 for 1. Yes, for a short time there had been some fish-tug on the line, but it didn't stick around long. While waiting on the truck a call was made to a nearby fishing lodge. $35 a night was the price... just needed a bed really. When I arrived and walked in the front door my cold dampness was evaporated instantly by the smell of home cooking. Standing in a strangers kitchen home-like lodge, staff Melissa, Charlotte and local driftboat guide Dan immediately welcomed me and made this soul feel like a family member just arriving from work in time for dinner. Melissa was a fun one, you could tell right away. Around the corner in the living room watching TV after a days fishing, were a few anglers thawing out and enjoying a drink. Minutes later, four others guests from the main lodge quarters followed their noses to arrive just in time to have BBQ steaks land on their plates. $35 a night... something's up? "Meals included with the stay" I inquired... Melissa laughed, "not quite, but for $12 extra you can't go wrong." Soup, salad, full steak dinner and dessert... $12... where the heck am I...? Settled quick into a room upstairs before talking a little with my hosts. Not familiar with probably 95% of the river I wasn't too shy to ask for any info to help get me started. Having thought a little about it beforehand; as friends Adam and Solo had mentioned in the past and a recent Gord Pyzer article had reminded, I questioned Dan about rates for driftboating and that experience. Melissa piped up, "Ohhhh man, you'll love it. It's such an amazing way to see the river." Dan added, "It's a head start for anyone... I mean, I grew up here and have fished the river all my life. You're not just getting an experience, you're gaining the guides experience too." Boiled down to coin after quick thought..."It could be done for this..." he declared, "I'm already booked but I'll ask another guide if he'll do it. He will put you on fish." "Make it happen," I affirmed... and it was set. Melissa knocked on my door before 6:00am and I sluggishly slipped into my waders. Downstairs the coffee was brewing. Melissa had taken some turkey out of the freezer night before and thawed it out so I could make up some sandwiches for the day. Eyes still half shut, my driftboat guide Zach walked in the door to say good morning. By 7:00am we were adrift. At 7:15am I lost my first steelie on the morn. Zach as I would learn through the day is a number of things. First, mature for his youngish 22 years. A college graduate in fish and aquaculture, he works at this time in a local tackle shop and also has a new business making beads for fishing. His company's name is "Trick Em" beads, and it was ironic I had just bought some of his product on route in the day before. A fit post-highschool wrestler, the daily rowing sure keeps the shoulders on him, yet he has just one bad habit that comes in a small tin labeled Copenhagan. Zach's first love, fishing. When not doing these others things, he spends most of his time May through December, guiding the river and Lady O for trout, walleye and salmon from drift boat, as well as a 22-foot charter boat. He sure put me in front of a good number of fish, problem was me. Feathering line free spool with bail open on a spinning rod is different. Fishing beads needs quicker hands than roe bags and flies too. Some fish I surely set the hook bail open... wiffin 'em. Some fish I didn't set the hook by raising the rod quick enough because of engaging the reel and fumbling too slowly reeling up and things. Some fish hooked just came unpegged... It's faster water in general than I have ever fished, and faster fishing too than any of the few previous steelheading days I had under my belt. The whole day was full of humbling mishaps which had me turning to Zach often enough and saying, "I'm generally not a bad angler. I can catch fish." Sometimes you just have one of those days, and this day fishing-wise, surely felt like one of those. Zach for hours and hours remained optimistic. "You'll catch a rainbow." We did some "plugging" throughout the day too. First bow was actually a foul hooked fish using this method. It was really one of the coolest and effective techniques I have been introduced to. Pluggin' is essentially stressing fish to eat your offering. Because of NY States 3-rod law per person, it's also become even easier now. It really is a weirdly neat and effective way of catching river fish... bullying them into a corner and forcing fight or flight. The takes on the lures using this method are extremely violent. We had a straightened split ring and broken treble hook. Zach has seen treble hooks broken on the shank and plastic lures torn apart. My first fish of the day was a ripper buck that cranked the line and gave some serious attitude. Four other anglers from the lodge split up two to a boat used this method all day on their guided driftboat tours. Enjoying cases of beer and fishing with their feet up, they caught 23 steelhead during the warm 16C weather. We continued to plug away... HA! Not really, cause from under the float is how I wanted that next fish. By afternoon the hook-ups were much improved but the landing was not. Released a tiny brown at one point that at least got the ball rolling. The river however was exceptional. A busy place in many sections but now and again there were these stretches where you wondered what it would have been like back 100's of years when Atlantics and speckled trout would have teemed through the waters. Zach and I spoke tonnes about Lake O walleye fishing on both sides of the pond, spring brown trout and summer salmon fishing, as well as changing trends in tribbin' for trout. Zach paid no real attention to time and only asked the hour if I looked at my watch. I'd expected the day be done much earlier, but nearing 4 o'clock we were still aways from the take-out. During our trip probably every other driftboat but one got ahead of us. Some were rushing through greater distances on their day, but Zach prefers to work half the water that he knows better and fishes harder. There was no shortage of opportunity for me to hook-up with fish which other anglers drifting and shorebound had overlooked, and by some stroke of luck with time winding down it finally so happened that one good steelie stayed stuck and made for a sweet but soggy foggy picture, and a great finish... Overall a humbling day steelheading going 4 for about 400, exceptional day driftboating, quality time in good company, and an experience well worth every penny. Back at the lodge dinner was a wicked chicken soup, house salad, chicken catch-a-tory; we'll spell it out that way, garlic bread, a T-bone if you wanted it on the side, and some sorbet. Yeah... $12. Awesome! The lodge guests American yet a couple Canucks all in good company, debated some great country differences on topics like healthcare, military, crime and drugs and fishing. Great friendly atmosphere which had kept a good few better Canadian beers sliding down my throat to a later hour than I had initially planned to stay up. Woke next morning with a sore face from a rattlin' snore during the night. From behind the lodge one can fish. Pouring rains overnight doubled the water levels though, and it just seemed too fast and difficult to walk anywhere along the tight banks there. It was a later start this day at 8:00am when after taking a short drive I came to hike and fish a new part of the river not yet seen. Below the take-out from the day before, a number of more eager morning anglers were found as I made my way along the bank and through the woods. Eventually, a mile or more, I passed by them all and found a fishy looking run all to myself. Still armed with a special not-for-sale "Trick Em" bead, it was only a few drifts before the float dropped. The fight only lasted a few seconds. A few drifts later it dropped again. This fight lasted a few minutes. Not the greatest photo... my camera got dropped in a puddle the day before for a moment and was still tempermental, it was a rushed pic for this fish. The release done, afterwards a fish rose upstream of me and near to shore. I snuck up and had my float drop. A huge bow ripped line and ran the entire run; a rectangular space probably the size of your average Tim Horton's parking lot. Reel screaming it was a blast. Not since a couple of arctic char this summer have I had line-peeling anger like that. For a time control was thought to be gained but maybe the fish was just fooling me. It held in midstream, doing nothing... not budging. I kept pulling before it decided enough is enough and it took off downriver for the fast water. Quite the shoreline obstacles would have been enough to deal with, but this mess mid-river between a fish already too powerful for me made it impossible to overcome. The leader snapped after bearing down on that bow's efforts. The "Trick Em" was gone... Needed to check out before noon and get some lunch so the morning fish was short. Said my goodbyes to Melissa and made haste for home. Real rainy cold weather was expected and I had one stop to make for a float. It was that same spot on the way up where that one fish was lost and I realized how rusty I had become. Arriving I bumped into Adam and RJ and said hello. Adam returned the greeting in kind, moments before setting the hook into a bow. Dude can steelhead with the best of 'em, and has been a solid guy for offering help. Thanks bud! I took position just upriver from the lads and five minutes with a pink bead thought it best get switched out for chartreuse. Fourth drift... Badonk-a-donk from beneath our feet. Adam graciously tailed her and held for the colorful photo. Not a huge fish, but thick for size and all rainbow... Guess the rust was nearly polished off. Could only stay and fish a half-hour. Those cold forecasted winds blew up big time causing some annoying line gnats just before the skies opened up and it started pouring. Said my goodbye and made it home in time for dinner. What a great time and hoping overall the report was something enjoyed.

Shaaaaahweeet Darsky. Beasts man. Congrats on some greats.

It's great to read different excerpts and opinions from people here. The interest shown for Attawapiskat these days is obviously valid. I'm surely hoping that the Band and Government can really come together and make such a community better on more levels than just housing. Talking with different co-workers and friends today whom ask me about Skat, it's kinda just great that on any level, people are curious. This is the window I believe, during which the stage could be set. Keeping informed and interested should only keep that window open longer. Tough choices and hard committments from both ends are what I would personally like to see... followed by improvement. Mike Holmes... who dat? Bunnuck Klikman http://www.bunnuck.com/ is the man of the Mushkego for any job..... Jushtuk!!!

Agreed. Same in Skat, but not as good a deal as in the NWT. Not for money back, work and culture issues. But still, agreed Dave. There are some good things DeBeers are doing. The future corporate interests towards "The Ring Of Fire," are certainly going to shape Ontario's north even more. For the better or worse of environment and people, remains unknown.

TANK! Nice PB.

Congrats Scott. This is going to open up a whole new world of possibilities for ya. Have fun with that bud!

And on that note... This is an absolutely impossible topic to pick sides on... Most people have little to no idea of what is real, what is media driven and what is total Bull. It's difficult to even find a starting point and it's such a coin toss which points to weigh in on as, it's almost day-to-day or heart versus head, which call to make. My opinions over the years on many things have flip-flopped often simply because of apathy, empathy, sympathy, anger or any other mood. Aside from Angus who I've never met, Dr. John Waddell is a friend whom I've shared quite a few good times with in Skat and Moose, and who was my reference for new employment upon leaving the James Bay. John is as straight a shooter as anyone I have ever known. Grand Chief Stan Louttit is my wifes uncle. He's an honest, good hearted soul who has acted on behalf of the Mushkego Territory and it's people for some time. Attawapiskat Theresa Spence is friend to the family, but especially Bren's late sister. Those are your four involved in the birth of what has now become the "Attawapiskat Crisis." It's grey people, it's NEVER so black and white. Very dim stuff at times to truly dwell on, believe me I have wondered many days and nights over many experiences that affected me directly. Aboriginal peoples issues are global. If it's not the micro-populace model of Attawpiskat it could be Australia...? With 12 years of direct involvement, 10 years of living amongst the Cree on James Bay, 2 years living two blocks away from those homes in the video from Attawapiskat, and having married one of the communities most brilliant and loved daughters from that unique, tight-knit, isolated, and interesting community, I can tell anyone 100% that if you think you know all the answers to what will fix and should be done with this recent housing; and beyond that our Indian Affairs issues, then you are an ignorant and arrogant fool. It just runs too deep for any full understanding. As far as the housing... the video doesn't lie. It's accurate as I remember life to be. Nothing much has changed since 2000 to 2001 and 2008 & 2010. It's beyond Toronto, beyond North Bay, beyond Moosonee and all the way into a world that opens the eyes to something pretty foreign to most Canadians. It's a town that shapes itself, as much as it is shaped by where it is, and by whom and what support it. To say that the housing crisis is a result of one thing or another is false. It's everything... it really is. And unfortunately for me it's too involved to lay it all out here. I'm happy to see this for Attawapiskat though. Something needs to be addressed and it's not really just the housing, or funding, or Governance... it's the eye-opening and often difficult, TRUTH. It's having more people educated, Native and White, and finding a common ground and understood appreciation of, and by peoples from both races. It's about both peoples all living up to their fullest potential and using what life tools are provided to acquire those life skills necessary in achieving a greater quality of self being, and ultimately community. It's about taking responsibility and making the right choices. No more free and lazy living under a blanket of grace provided by tax-payers; that going out to all our healthy welfare recipients Status and Non... Start with maybe trying forced education and/or hours labored in order to qualify for a therefor earned convenience of having, money. It could be a start. Because in Attawapiskat alone... I could take a day and think up a hundred things the hugely unemployed could be doing for their monthly cheques... men, women, and school-aged children. Self worth could be so altering for many souls there, and that would only help reshape that town and society full of good people which has many whom just aren't living up to their potential. It's up to the wise of both peoples to really rethink then begin forcing some changes towards a better future. Because as Joe here agrees as well, the past few centuries haven't really worked out in anyones favor.

Those are captured moments are precious and timeless Mike. Thanks for putting a grin on our faces through that.

Had Clarus and Convergence over the years at different times, only handled the Volteus. Go Clarus.

Tough numbers but some great size to a few of 'em. Been a difficult autumn for the eyes, hopefully guys pound them through the ice. Thanks for the report. Can't see the pics at work so will be back.

Sick! Never tried jiggin' there, except through the ice. Remember one year seeing TonyB and AaronS pound numbers of fish jiggin' but there weren't many with size. Looks like you guys plucked a few decent trophies out of the resident eaters. Serious fun, and good for you all to make a tough weekend for many, look easy!

What Bill said. Good to see you live for both seasons Dave. As I understand it, many in Yellowknife just buckle down to work hard through the long winters so to enjoy the short summers. My buddy Dan up there working with First Air tells me he doesn't get out much for the ice fishing. Probably having a Frabill like yours would make it easier. This gets me hungry for a little ice time soon. Pulled much of the gear out this afternoon actually.

This post kinda ended up all over the place eh Mike? Lantic shmantics! I kinda like that reel you got there. You prefer the fatter spools on that type of reel for tribbin' or, everything fishing, Mike?

What Urban Fisherman said and, I'd be over the MOON if that was my first muskie. Used to think the first big walleye I caught was about 8lbs. Called it that a good long while ti'll learning better. It was about a 5. lol.

There's just no way a person can go wrong with Bear, Slave or Athabasca. I can't compare them personally, both Slave and Athabasca are future trips for sure. A fella I message with online who has been to Bear once, Slave several times at different lodges, and all three of the Athabasca lodges you mentioned,(as well as Selwyn, Nueltin, Gods, Kasba and La Martre) well... he loves them all. For different reasons, he thinks they're all great. He feels Bear is your best shot at fish to 40 to 60 and the next world record, Slave 30 to 40 and Athabasca 20-30's. Bear being the only one that's never had much if any of a commercial fishery and little to no shoreline development.... BUT Slave, Atha and Bear all hold world record potential and all have big catches annually. Athabasca he told me with Lakers Unltd was SICK with the numbers of catches of 20-30lb lakers, even more than Bear. For cost too, you could probably pull off 2 weeks on Athabasca for about a week on Bear... and with better pike fishing on Athabasca. My trips to Bear can't really be considered as the best potential there for lakers, as I haven't ever gone at the most prime time for lakers, arctic char were the reason. Writer/traveler/pike guru Jack Penny put Lakers Unlimited/Athabasca pike fishing at second best on his list for top North American pike fisheries. You're going to have a blast. Take FULL advantage and 7 days. You travel all that way, you fish what will likely become your next heaven on earth, and then sell yourself short... Don't. You'll regret losing those two days.

I waved at Ron once. He never waved back. He's still A-OK in my books though, and I'd wave again.

A champion for other anglers. Good stuff Ron.

Congrats on the PB L2F!!! Muskies are gems.