Moosebunk

Beauties the both of 'em! Should be proud of the work you put into raising one and restoring the other.

Like those eyes Jimmer!

Thing of it be Chris... wasn't with an outfitter, technically I just chartered a plane. Fred had no obligations to me except drop-off and pick-up and, I think because guests of his lodge fly everyday to their various fishing spots, he likely considers the Ekaluk just another one of those spots. To be fair, if the char had been running as expected, everyone would have had ample room and fish there. Only thing I would have changed if I could go back in time is the planned dates to be there. Could have easily pushed to extend my contract for another week of work, changed flights home and simply gone to the Ekaluk 5 to 7 days later. But instead a different experience unfolded and as you said, it made for an interesting read all the same. There's one fish that will always be a bigger deal because of everything it took to catch it. That's really cool in and of itself. As far as Dollies versus char, they're both exceptional fish in exceptional places. Just happened to be lucky enough to catch some of both for comparison. Thanks for reading guys,

Real good question Glen. Guess for the most part it's anytime I can get somewhere new. So different from home right, so that makes it interesting. So very remote with a feeling of BIG, like vast, which gives it a cool vibe. Been mostly in the Kitikmeot region and a little in the Kivaliq the lands tend to be more flat but there's always places at these places that are very scenic. Cambridge Bay where I just was, isn't as scenic as Taloyoak or Kugaaruk, maybe not even Coral Harbour where it's flatter lands too, but in the pictures here there's some very nice land to view. The Baffin scenery is best and hopefully one day I can showcase that here... Unfortunately the work can be suicidal there so I tend to stay away. Anyhow, it does please the eyes overall because even barren, it's just a neat kinda different that gets me thinking at times about the life and lives that live on in. Thanks BigCreek! Will admit, this story took twice as long as usual to write. Hard to shake the dust off and then find the stride. Thanks for the compliment, no question do I like writing a good story that others will enjoy reading. You're soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo overdue for char Bill.

You make it through? lol... A long one yes, the Bear is coming next, just finished. We'll all see each other this fall. You know Pics... Would like that yes but, do or don't not sure it'd matter. The big char on the final day is a special one that for plenty reasons won't ever be outdone. That said, if Bren could be there too that's how I'd want it to happen if there's a next time.

Nobody ran Mercs where I lived in the north for 10 years, NOBODY!!! Everyday crossing the river for work with the boat taxis never remember seeing one. All Yammies or Hondas for reliability. The odd Rude. In Nunavut too, Mercs don't even exist, have yet to see one. Sea goers don't choose them, it's mostly Yammies then Honda. These people don't have access to Marinas and certified mechanics. They can't get warranty work done without paying $100's to even $1000's to ship a motor out. They choose reliability. Been going to Nipigon for 10 years, sometimes 2 or 3 times a year. Pay attention to what's at the docks. Yammies outnumber Mercs 2 or 3 to 1, no Bull. Guys on big water seem to know. Honda is popular too Guided and fished with Mercs on fly-ins... half the time something was annoying about these motors and my next report coming was same thing with a BRAND NEW Merc. Visited Plummers this summer, all new Mercs there, couple of the veteran guides were wishing otherwise. Main complaint, they won't slow troll smoothly, constantly needing attention to throttle. My good, good buddy, certified mechanic with Merc and Yamaha motors with the local dealership I use, recommends Yamaha as he notices far less service hours are needed for these motors. All good enough to sell me on the brand. Sold the last Yamaha with pushing 3000 hours after 8 seasons, only let me down once cause after 5 years of not changing the impeller, owner neglect got the better of me. Would likely never choose anything else but Yamaha.

Well it is a long one guys, so thank you for putting the time and effort in to feel what I'm putting down. Brian, Terry! Rooting for yas ti'll the end! For some time on this one I didn't feel there was much success happening at all. Get so wrapped up in the moment, the moods of each day and fish results, I returned to Cam Bay and told co-workers it was a tough time and in some ways not what was hoped for. Then I read the notes, pieced together the pictures with the words, included the Cam Bay prelude portion, how this all came together, meeting Aaron Wiebe and company, making connections, and everything about it. And through that, and finishing the story realize, it was pretty great all of it. And had the run been on and I slayed a hundred char, most would have been forgotten but probably one, or a few... Well, the one I got will never be forgotten at all. It was that much more a catch being how hard it was to come by, and it was a big char too.

Not writing nearly as many stories as in the past so this one was more of an undertaking than usual. Rusty man, but trying to get back into it after some great trips this summer with family, friends and this here solo stint in Nunavut. But anyhow, combined some play with work while in the Arctic this month and the whole experience unfolded into something different. Not what I expected at all, though probably what I needed, some cool surprises this was surely one to remember. Waaaay Up to Victoria Island to cover much air, sea, land and self in this "Quest For The Ekaluk," and its silver running char. Link to full story on the title here... A NUNAVUT NOMAD V. QUEST FOR THE EKALUK . . . . BUNK

Sad. One of the best 1000 series reels I had, for a good while was that Quantum PT with all the rainbow colors on it. It was the last two Symetres that both failed. One basically within weeks, the other months. Shimano took 'em in, supposedly fixed some faulty part, gave 'em back and one was done within the year. The other sees lighter use. Anyways, for what they are, paying $150 you'd expect better than a season or two out of them.

This won't open for me bud. ???

Stradics taxes in are like pushing $300. So $209 ain't bad but it is a 1000. You'd have better versatility here and a stronger drag on a 2500 to 3000. The 1000 for pike and lakers is better suited to ice fishing, you'd wear it out too quick for serious lakers and pike. Symetre are obviously out and the last few years they were making them they turned 'em into junk. I own eight and the last two stood up to nothing. Once upon a time they were workhorses and my oldest in the bunch are the ones still working best. Put those through Hell a thousand times over. So like you, I look around this price range and right now Shimano has the Nasci. Four SAIL store employees recommended this over the Quantum Smoke which had been marked down to close to the same price. I just put a 3000 Nasci to the first tests on arctic char and a 4000 on lakers. They started rough at the reel handle, like a slight little burr every third crank or so, but that's smoothing out a little now. If these reels fail I'll likely quit with Shimano awhile and move to Pfleuger or other options, but so far they seem OK. The Pleuger Patriarch is usually $269 but it's marked down to $149 at SAIL this week.

Never once! ? Hey guys, haven't been here in a long time. ?

Great eye for a generally small eye fishery!

Just incredible images mon chum! Hard to argue that the Yukon isn't the most beautiful place to fish. Where to next? I thought you were coming to Ottawa at some point too?

Agreed. And today consequences with the law can be greater too. Kids know what they're doing and make a choice. Sneaking a bit of Shnapps after school in grade 8, smoking mom's menthols in the field in grade 7, stealing from dad's coin jar in grade 6 to buy candy, trying to walk out the front door of the Giant Tiger with an 86 pack of crayons in grade 1... even the harmless stuff, kids know what they're doing.

Working in rural E.R.'s outside of Ottawa and small towns in Nunavut, I've given Narcan only a few times in the past 3, 4 maybe 5 years. One of those patients was someone we snowed, another an elderly patient who just kinda forgets if she took her pills that day and sometimes takes more. I'd have to wonder how my E.R. friends in the city are doing with this?

Looks peaceful! Perfect rig too.

Hey! The kid's got serious skills... or luck... or both! That apple fell real far from the tree. lol. JOKING!!! Congrats to the lad.

Have heard that buzz before in the woods... INTENSE buzz that builds at dark, stays a short while and almost suddenly stops. You write them better than anyone really. And a great mix of photos. Have had this one up on the screen a couple days knowing not to miss it. Glad that didn't happen. Enjoy the next stop bud!

And you're still at it... Those 6 months just faded away in a day.

You're smiling bigger than ever dood! And she's got you hooked, and you're getting her hooked too. For sure some nice clean salmon to welcome in the spring.

Growing up I have watched my father challenge himself in so many ways with his different sports and hobbies. Amazing accomplishments actually, for many of those things he did become very good at. Skiing, scuba diving, sky diving, wind surfing, a pilot with his own plane, photographer, marksman, builder (of many, many things), learning German, Morris Code and ham radio, motorcycling, hunting, golf, hockey, building/flying model airplanes and gliders, playing bass in a band, owning his own business... He's a perfectionist too, and it never bothered me one iota growing up joining him for anything or even seeing him off to enjoy whatever was going in his life. He's been an inspiration many times over and will always be a more knowledgeable and experienced man than myself. But when he gets in the boat with me, or reads one of my stories about some traveling and the fishing done, maybe sometimes I inspire him a little. Fishing is just one of those things that each person finds in their own way, and when moving ahead through life, continue on with to find themselves.

Used to chuck bugs now and again when living in the Moose Brian. Up on the North French and Cheepas in spring when they're shallower, I did best with a weighted chartreuse wholly bugger. Pink would do well too. And as Gil pointed out, Clousers just like the ones he's posted caught a fish or two as well.

Ramble On from the site here once shared a video with me of a walleye heart still beating about 15 minutes after he had cut it out of the fish.

Used to love playing golf with buddies. Was a junior member of the local course 10 minutes from my house. Played from the time I was about ten years old ti'll early 20's. Found fishing in my mid teens though, and in no time golf took a backseat when given the choice between. Nothing wrong with that sport though. It's a personal test enjoyed every time out.