Moosebunk

Nice thing about Arctic Circle, unguided is, the only tip you're giving at the end of the trip is to the camp manager, who is also the cook, cleaning staff and dock hand. You go guided, tack on about an extra 2G's for the package and another $750 or so PP to cover guide and staff tips. You lose about a half days fishing with the extra travel to Circle but, you can make that up by setting a longer day schedule if you want. And what you catch is all because of you! Circle is a good way to go. Much cheaper but still pricey, the boating is big water play but structure safe if that provides you peace of mind and, your boat will release 150-300 lakers for the week, depending on dates and how you want to use your time. 20-30 pounders very likely, almost a given. 30-40 pounders a decent chance. 40+ possible and, there have been a few 50+. That piece of the lake is very well the most beautiful too. High hills and cliffs, channels, deep back bays, it's more like parts of Great Slave. Anglers going to Circle unguided tend to catch double to quadruple what the main lodge catches without taking pricey flyouts to hotspots. You want a better chance at a 50, 60 and maybe even 70 pound laker... Plummer's Trophy Lodge. Guided, expensive, not as scenic, fewer fish caught, LOT more giants.

Fished Snare Lake... think it was around 05? And went in mid summer. Was actually the first fly-in softwater trip I'd ever done. The cabin you chose looks much nicer, the lake sounds a little deeper, you're going with family and it's gonna be great. Being a small lake with worm harnesses, jigs and few diving cranks you'll be quick to sort out what works.

For about an extra $100PP.... if these guys are open and you're willing to drive a little farther, this is a fly-in pike and walleye tour I'd do. Lake has a lot of bigger than average eyes. http://www.onamanlake.com/Onaman_Lake4.html

Judging by the murder of that whitefish... I'd say your bloodworm is aptly tied.

Firmly believe there are virgin fish all over that lake. The speck lifespan is so short and they're so spread out over every bit of rock, everywhere, that there's too many places not at all fished by anglers season after season. The pike in places are rarely targeted, in some places HEAVILY targeted, but they're predatory enough to forget being hooked a day or two later. The lake has BIG depths in many places, some I'd think see only a handful of boats a year... and spots like Windigo Bay albeit a shallower, sand flat bottom for miles and miles, must hold immense bait and lakers seasonally feeding in their comfort zones, without hardly ever seeing a boat, let alone a lure. And the walleye... they're almost forgotten except by gill netters and Americans. In some spots they take a beating, but the main lake fish are low on the list of options. Boating 30 miles out isn't necessary for great fishing, but it is adventurous and increases the solitude.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer between natural light, natural dark or bright anything. Kinda like Dax eludes, as long as you're fishing your "A" game you should be confident enough to know that the lure catches fish, or has a good chance, under certain conditions.

Wouldn't say that's unfortunate for us at all though. Let'em think that. lol.

HOLY SMOKES MAN! Family time, girlfriend time, friends time, new home time, cottage time, Taro time and plenty of bass time especially, 2020 turned out quite alright for ya! Great pics too!

Thanks man! And I think you need to go back for that southern gar soon as the borders open. Appreciated Greg! Although years pass and times have changed, still always nice to hear people read and enjoy the write-ups as they always have. Know of a particular cabin which you may speak of. Hoping the best for northern friends in the business cause my Lord they took a hit through 2020. At the very least, it should be accepted that Canadians move about following best precautions they can, especially those planning to further distance and merely go about enjoying their lives. Thanks for reading fellas!

Despite all that went on in our country this past year one thing remained pretty consistent... the FISHING! The lakers, muskies, gar, char, crappies, specks, pike, walleye and even for once in my life some splake too, all made life better. The fun never ends as long as you keep getting out there to experience new things, in new places and hopefully in 2021 with plenty more people safely at your side. Short 2020 picture loaded report at the link below... Best to all for 2021. . THE FISHIN' 20/20 ON 2020 .

Your beard can never seem to make up it's mind just how long it really wants to be, or if it wants to even be at all. lol Great stuff buddy!

Tying dries is better than nymphs, hairwings, streamers, poppers and salmon flies... well, maybe not those most elaborate and artsy salmon flies but a close second. Nicely done Brian.

I'll third the Helix 5 or 7 portable. Beauty units that pack alotta options. Go with a Dakota lithium for power if choosing the 7 though.

Ahhh both girls moved on from YIG a couple years back now. They actually have a terrible reputation for how they treat their young staff. Both are happier in new jobs now. And, that kinda deet sounds like it could be face melting, clothes disintegrating kinda stuff. lol. I'll know where to look if I need some of your nuclear power stuff Smitty! lol.. Happy holidays bud!

I'll begin vaccinating those who choose to receive Moderna next month. It should be interesting, there may just be the opportunity to vaccinate Canada's entire most northern community, myself. Being that individuals can accept or decline, I'll respect anyone's choice when I offer it. Hopefully, people are beyond Facebook educated by then and best able to control their opinions and just respectfully take the shot in the arm, or not.

There is no question that the year has been difficult. Everyday we wake up and face life a little differently than we did before, and that is surely a stress for many... No matter where each person stands in their beliefs to Covid, also be aware of another contagion which seemingly troubles more and more people. It is called intolerance. It is an illness born in moments of stress, anxiety, fear, helplessness or hopelessness, and is often one's self-defence in their attempts to ward off personal despair or misunderstanding. We can honestly say that many days this past year have bothered us all, considering this moving forward, we just might find a better acceptance and some easier answers if we remain empathetic for each other. Best wishes for a happy and hopeful, healthy holiday season. Worry less in the moment about how much to give or how many to give to, and take on the Christmas spirit of simply giving and sharing the best of what you can and who you are.

What Lew said. And what Laz says, is that "nothing is more valuable than time spent on the water." Clive can show ya the ropes, he's got talents, but you're off and running now so good job! First fall season, 2009, seven outings, 38 hours, Ottawa River only, one small fish. 2010, ten outings, 6 fish and first 40 incher. 2011, four outings, Ottawa River, no fish. 2012 went to St. Clair first time, easiest muskie fishing anywhere, 3 days and 15 muskies with 8 more missed. Some things I've learned... well, it's coming in a BIG report soon but stick with Clair to build confidence and no, you don't need a tonne of lures, just a few of the right things for the few styles you'll likely fish in the places you fish them

You must have dug into one of the other fall reports to get the eels in mind. Those are creatures I'd be happy to forget. lol. 2020 was OK for fishing. About the usual average number of days spent on the water but certainly less char, laker and gar days, bit more speck, muskie and pike. Favorite fish of the year was a PB splake. Your reward one day on GBay will likely be so incredible it'll have everyone fishing Clair and Larry stretching their arms out even further in their pics. Thanks gentlemen!

Bud, I'd never seen it so bad either. My mechanic tells me the diagnostic had no concerns, the motor ran like a top until surprising me one afternoon. Just left wondering how long that seal had to leak to pollute the oil to that state? Thank you sir Lew. You come out of retirement, lemme know! Thanks bud!

Finished the 2020 fishing season at home mostly isolating and sick with "muskie fever!" September & October generally make up my year for big ski opportunities and I certainly look forward to each fall for any and every chance at chasing them. Building on past experiences, researching, experimenting, persistence and keeping up your confidence are many of the things one needs to do in order to improve with any species, but muskies certainly take that up a level. Anyways, this morning found time to put together a quick photo recap on my site. If interested... Click on title "Mooskie Lockdown" below. MOOSKIE LOCKDOWN Thanks for reading.. Bunk.

NOBODY uses Mercs or prefers them in the remote parts of Northern Ontario and Arctic where I've worked and lived. Wait... I take that back, I've seen two or three I think in 20 years. It's all Yamaha and Honda with the odd Rude where reliability is needed most, if it was Merc, then I'd surely think that many people in the northern communities with less money to go around would choose them.

Still rising... It was inevitable.

Well... that's embarrassing for Woo I'd say.

Agreed! Every town's homes should be like that, or like the ones in the Edward Scissorhands movie. No ice fishing man. I'm on the clock 24/7 and unable to go too far. Char are biting on Soper lake behind me, now that there's just enough ice in places to go jig 'em. Sucks I can't because it's a huge lake that sees a great run of smaller to average char. The char taste like a milder salmon, less oils. It's super nutritious fish. Those are tundra skitters that buzz more than they bite. Covid is here in Nunavut now. Arviat in the Hudson Bay is a town of about 3000 and in the past week they've accumulated over 100 positives. Most are mildly symptomatic, as far as I know none are critical. Whale Cove has positives as well. It's a town of about 500 people. Rankin Inlet is a hub community (meaning gateway to all others) and it has positives and lastly Saniqilluaq has positives but, being completely separated from anywhere it may have stopped it's spread by quarantine. All these communities are in the Kivalliq (Hudson Bay area) and I'm currently far away on Baffin Island in one of the smallest communities. I'll be very interested to see how Arviat cases unfold. Do not believe at 100 positives that this community will stop the spread now. On a micro-scale of what's going on in the world, Arviat's higher than average rate of respiratory infections (including TB), it's very young population (highest birth rate in Canada) and, it's often understaffed health center and generally ill population, what happens there will be a good indicator to how Covid may affect elsewhere and, give insight to how serious "or not" the bug really is.

Lotta sweet toothies in this buffet of awesome dood! 2020 done right!