Moosebunk

During 1938 while in Yellowknife on business, Warren Plummer and his father had heard stories from local folk about an incredible fishing area called the "Taltheilei Narrows" on Great Slave Lake. Curious, the two traveled by canoe some 150 miles with a 4hp motor to discover the legends were true. In a short time afterwards, Taltheilei Narrows became the site for Plummer’s Great Slave Lake Lodge. Adventurers began visiting to enjoy some of the finest fishing, scenery, and outfitting service in the Northwest Territories, a tradition that continues to this day. Trophy lake trout up to 60 pounds, arctic grayling and northern pike, can all be caught from the lodge. Choosing to jig the narrows for lakers to 45 pounds or, trolling the bays for that chance at a 60, Great Slave Lake Lodge and it’s surrounding northern beauty provides the perfect stage for anyone’s Arctic fishing memories. But could July 2014 be the year all this history is lost??? Early winter Brenda had asked if we could go fishing come summer. When she requests such, that usually means we'll be breaking the bank and heading some place to be overly pampered while afforded the incredible. Okay by me. Back 2008 she cut her teeth on the travel fishing experience at Plummer's Lodge Great Bear Lake and Tree River. A return trip in 2011, it was evident that being together and fishing like this is time we both deeply cherish. Trying to make every three years become our ritual, this winter after inviting a number of friends to join in with the hope of creating a group trip, the two left standing were just Brenda and I... Fine by us, our only concern afterwards became where to go. Lake Athabasca and Great Slave were the choices, although Brenda wanted Great Bear and the Tree again more than anything. All things considered, I chose Great Slave for these reasons. Protected waters, for the safety the area provides and the knowing that there are never any "no fishing" days. As well, Slave is quite likely the lake trout jigging mecca of all, and Plummer's as an outfitter provides services second to none for experiencing such. Finally, it is a place possessing a long fishing history, yet at the same time is completely new and interesting to us. I was eager for it. After earlier angling growth and experiences on James Bay jigging walleyes to more recent years dropping jigs for lake trout all over my local Hell's half acre, I thought it good time to tackle Great Slave's legendary lake trout. "To Slave for Lakers." For the full picture loaded story visit here... http://bunksoutdoorangle.com/to-slave-for-lakers/ Thanks for reading, Bunk.

Had no idea you needed anything to go floating in a belly boat... other than the boat. lol. Glad the fuzz didn't confiscate your fun Brian.

Onaman's is one great place now matter how or what you wanna fish for. Specks are a trickier start that end of the lake but the eyes and pike are plentiful. You get a laker, expect it be a tank. Thoroughly enjoyed this and any report that comes off that lake. Good fishing guys, thanks for posting.

Lakers get no respect. lol. Where's the pics? Good fishing Farmer!

Some day I gotta get me my first open water King. Maybe when I do it'll be a lucky one enough to win the derby. Stellar fishing as always Aaron.

That's some quality family time right there. Place looks purdy sweet and what a big, fish-loaded lake to explore. Another goody Mike!

Just got out of there yesterday with Bren. Hopefully our week wasn't the last for that Plummer's lodge. Beautiful place, exceptional fishing, incredible history. Slave's finest.

Joe said it all first. Agreed too... that is a great idea with the bottle cap.

Thanks gents. Middleville Ontario Brian. Pretty well middle of the road along a country route called the Wolf Grove between Hopetown and Almonte, but turning off to head north on the Galbraith Rd. This farmer's fence line is made up of derelict farming equipment. In the field behind graze Highland Cattle. First time turning down that road it was a scenic drive from there over to Clayton.

Hopefully more and more your wife will tag along with ya Buck. My girl is a quiet one most of the time, but when it comes to catching fish while out with me, she's an animal. It's always a great thing to get out there with the better half.

Crisp pics of nice smallies. Frank from the witness protection program stealing a little bronze too.

Chucked a white spinnerbait a good number of times from the tube too. Can't go wrong with it, the lure covers water and catches bass. Solid four days of fun Brian... and Terry. Won't hear complaining about the cold come winter either so will say now, the heat is a bit much eh?!?! lol.

Thanks Mike, Doug, Dave and Simon. Yes Mike... at a crossroads of sorts with work... but been there before and things have always turned out fine. Always some stress making the necessary changes though. Simon... don't get me wrong pannies are fun... for awhile. Yet if given the choice during spring, I'd take fishing other things like lakers, gar, walleye or bows if I know they're biting.

Hero2 or 3? If 2, what setting? Oddly, I could be in the clearest water filming with the GoProH2 and find that it is often poor quality. Good to see ya enjoying your season Mike.

Reading correctly here... the "North Caribou" with "the family." Rumored to be one heckuva NW ON destination with little overall pressure. That's a trip! Business must be goooood Mr. Borger. Should make for an interesting read.

Pretty well sums that little Hot Bassin' report up. Nice one Cliff. You're making the best of the weather and summer off work.

And that's just it Smitts! Those times truly do. And in recent years although people shed tears and mourn the loss of loved ones, as is the way, a number of more recent funerals attended have been considered "celebrations of life." These sadder times can now include a more calm and even happier reflection of one's time with us, allowing some good memories and times to come from the experience. Maybe should not have put this into a "fishing report" here as not at all looking for sympathies but, the time was a part of our family's spring and it was more to pay some short homage to a great man, as well as include the Moose to this seasons report. Each time I travel North, especially James Bay, I am reminded how incredible the scenery and big skies are up there... and also how amazing Bren's family is. A man of many words Ter.

Two incredible pics to sum that up perfectly Lew. Odd spring this year with timing for everything being waaaay off. Hopefully next trip it's all back on track for ya. And... why did Lakair close?

Nice all things worked out in the end Doug. 100's of fish with 40's to boot, the math all adds up. Good fishing dood.

I want your telescopic lens and the boat. Great shots. Didn't even need the fish afterall.

Thanks Rick. The skitters were in full force on the island during the trip, as blood thirsty as ever. Years on that train I could do with out it, but having the Eco Lodge nearly to ourselves on the last night and family there with us through the other nights made for a great stay. Although it's not a happy reason for a trip north, the chance for Bren to have all her family together from far and wide was nice. It doesn't happen enough.

Brenda's Uncle, Mushkegowuk Grand Chief, Dr. Stan Louttit. Paying respects... and a return to our northern home of Moose Factory. Some favorite fishing of the spring season... ... soon to follow. Great summer fishing everyone. Bunk.

April's few decent days of weather hardly seemed to mesh with work, and so because of this fishing nearly stalled right out. Just a couple trips Stateside would be it for the month, and as it happened, the rainbow fishing which would have normally been great through this time, hadn't even really taken off running before the long stick got stowed away. Into May I was ready for some gar action, but it too arrived late and remained quite slow to warm up. Dabbling with crappies to fill the void, I was quickly tired of them before their prime time actually came around. Not until mid-to-end of the month did both species fully venture out to play, and while I enjoyed many a gar slay, the crappie gear was quickly set aside. Into June the lakers opened. A late ice out and frigid water temps kept the greys scattered, yet after each few attempts catches improved until June 10th put an early end to my spring fishing. Brenda's Uncle passed away in Moose Factory, and after my not having visited our northern home since the winter of 2010, we set off for a week to be with family and pay respects... In a brief look back, this has been quite a strange and exhausting season. Besides the family loss, hit and miss fishing through variable weather, I also came to a decision to step back awhile from my permanent position in healthcare. Looking ahead at options there will be interesting decisions to be made, as I'm leaning to combine work here with contractual work in the north once again. Fishing will change because of this as well, but hopefully in a good way. Overall there have still been many days playing outside this spring, and several hundred photos to show for it. Half the pictures must be during gar outings as it has been another great season for those toothies. Although to divide up the load for now, I figured first posting up the many scenics along with some of the "other" fish caught during the spring season. Will keep the text to a minimum and just let the pics fly!!! Some April pics from the local backroads... A best rainbow of the season... The WarCanoe breaking new boundaries with the spring runoff. Times with the pannies... and Bren's first crappies. A unforgettable school "P.D. Day" (Play with Dad Day)... and getting chased by a moose day. Mike's contributions during some different outings. Spring splaker and a few lakers. Continued...

A hungry spawned out goody... talking the fish. Brought to us by Our Lady Peace. Scrumptious little vid.

Six Kawartha skis over a great few days. Too bad about the camera operator problems for the 50... Just teasing dood. We've all been there at one time or another. Great report.