Moosebunk

OK. Didn't know there was a meteor shower going down. Was telling Bren while watching The Big Bang Theory, that science would certainly conclude that the very thick and bright streak of white light which landed over yonder in our backyard, could have only been caused by a UFO. She called me a white streak of light which has obviously burned out. Dang meteors.

First time... 2001. Moved to Attawapiskat. Quit booze and smokes for 6 months. Second time... 2003. Second daughter was born. Some will say the best time to quit is at the beginning of a big life change. As well as the physical, one must break the mental cycle that keeps you thinking it's time for a smoke.

Lots of goods there man! Mackerel, snook, red, bass... Solid fishing. You do stick that tongue out alot too. Every now and then you probably slip up and lick an armpit I'm betting. lol.

BFW... Echoing that on the Ab! We used to enjoy Tamar on Temagami but the fishing there can be tough. Having a sled or quad opens things up too. Renting a cabin or cottage on some good fishing lake in ON or PQ can sometimes offer up great fishing.

That is a truckload of great walleye, and, some wicked looking spots to wet a line. Great year for ya. Good luck in 2013.

Mike and Wayne, the day should come we get another onboard and make the trip.

A) Great brown Jay. Not sure when ya did head out that way, but I don't remember reports from Manitoba from you. They'll be welcome here man, those fish out there are crazy good lookin'. Small fly-roddin' reels and the like are becoming more popular I guess. Little to no line twist, as said. Will be buying one soon to try out. C) SMO5... yes Mikey. I'll go with ya if I have to. Can we do catfish too though?

Some great outings and fish in there Mike. Enjoyable 2012 season for you for sure. Question though, did you guide this year? Any pics from up on the lake?

Wicked bud! That's a great season, great mix of fish. 2013 - goals for ya, quit the smokes and catch even more. Good luck.

Rich makes a good point Rob. It's kinda too bad that's the choice time of year you have for your vacation. It can be hit and miss as to what's biting on the valley. Knowing you're mostly shorebound, I'd think the later the better (safer) for opps with trout and other species.

Not usually Bill. THe ice ducers are often flat bottomed bells. Anyways, my buddy StevieZ actually bought me an X67 as a thank you gift for taking him into Kesagami several times to ice some pike and eyes. It never came out of the box up north. Water never deep enough. Down here I would fish some things without one, but most times it's a total advantage. The X67 "for free" has served well. Right now I need a new adapter for charging the 12V. Dug out all the ice stuff a couple days ago. Bring it!!!

White, black, pink, chartreuse, orange. Pike liking the orange/white. Trout pink/white/black. Walleye chart/black/pink... that's my experience anwyays. 1/4oz most often. 3/8 in the dirty, deep and fast. 1/8 for sparse weed weedlines.

Best parkas ever... that's why everyone has one in the north. While wearing them, one can fit a candy store and a couple kids inside. While cooking turkeys under your armpits.

In what seems like a few short years Bennie, you've taken your fishing to an amazing place. That vid gets ya pumped for ice fo' sho!!! Good luck in 2013

Whole lotta bass dood, and a little flesh wound. Great to see ya putting in that much time fishing, and with your girl along beside ya. Good luck in 2013.

Thanks gang!!! Both trips were taken in the second week of August. Not really primetime for lakers but certainly a good time for weather and char. Through Plummer's Lodges... and... thru a good education, smart career choices, hard work and an understanding & loving wife. The second time, by all that again plus giving friends & anglers.

Ewww! That muskie is gross.

TO CATCH ARCTIC CHAR. My dream fish. A fiery red char thriving within the harshest of cold at the ends of the northern forests. Like a salmon or steelhead of age, an ocean strong fish but with roots tied to the tenacious and long-lived, lake trout, as well as the wildly beautiful speckle. Cannot wait to hold one again some day. THE ARCTIC LURE. A little publication which is wisely titled, although these fish themselves would be reason enough... Can’t imagine what it’s like for a man such as Larry who put his life into fishing and decades in the Arctic? Not a week goes by that I don't think of the Tree, and my visit was only just a glimpse by comparison... Gotta love the places fishing will take you. 2008 & 2011. Tree River, Nunavut. Bunk

BEARING UPRIVER THROUGH THE CURRENTS. BIRTHPLACE OF CHAR. About 10 miles upriver from the Arctic Ocean, and after passing through a series of rapids which have taken the lives of men, the majestic, "The Falls" roars. In the clear and icy cold pools below, the largest char in the world spawn each fall. FISHING THE TREE. Continued...

"OLD BAG IN THE CORNER" by Larry W. My buddies avoid my seat on the boards For every meal that we have in camp, And the young guys help me push out my boat, In the mornings down the slip-way ramp. The young fellows save the cigars they receive, And always bring them back to shore, From their boats after supper To my seat by the radio room door. They've named a place on the lake for me, A landmark all must pass, And I wonder now, just how long This connection with me will last. For now I stagger under the shore lunch box, When I carry it to my boat's cuddy, Yet sometimes I feel it lifted from me And stowed away by a younger buddy. And I don't suggest any fly out trips, Nor an overnight stay at some bay. Nor a thirty mile steam to a sure hot-spot, Nor a trip on a dark, windy day. I'm exempted now from the air cargo hold, "Leave the bags for a much younger man!" And the firewood run is no longer my job But I can help out the cook when I can. And far places that took me years to learn, Using maps, and compass and nerves. Are now fished by new guys with a GPS, Whilst they stare at the fish shaped like curves. They'll never have to tail Jimmy D or Reg Starr For miles in the Arctic's strong glare. Just a couple of numbers, two tanks of gas, And unless there is ice they'll get there. So it's easier now for me to retire, To accept someone else has my boat. To wish them success when they're on the water And not whine, nor be jealous nor pout. Yet I still can't unpack my old dirty bag, With it's pliers and long fillet knife. For as long it sits there, all set to go, They attest to an old bush guide's life. -End- In the not too distant past I have written a few words now and again which spoke of Larry. Bren and I met him on our first trip to Great Bear Lake in 2008. Larry was a big part of our experience in the Arctic. His stories, his demeanor... and a truly seasoned fishing and bush guide of 45 years from 1964 onwards, (and with 20 years spent angling for the world's biggest lake trout) one could probably say he was family to the fish Gods. He treated us to an other-worldly experience. Bren was smitten with the man, while I more in awe. A one-of-a-kind soul, and at the same time a man who chose a living which many an angler would aspire to have, living a lifetime on the water. Each autumn our copy of "The Arctic Lure" published through Plummers arrives in the mail. It was in this years issue the above words from Larry had been put to print. Retired I believe in 2009, 70 years of age, or so, I couldn't help but take some time to remember Larry, and to also relive some moments during what still remains the greatest trip of my life. With downtime here at home during a soggy day. The boat put away and Christmas lights up, before finishing what is the tradition of looking back on the fishing year at hand, I instead found myself leafing back through all the old photos of trips to Great Bear. More specifically, the Tree River. The Tree is just one of those places that has taken such firm roots in my soul. A week doesn't go by that the place and it's treasures aren't thought of. It's almost a curse to have visited the Tree, it haunts and continually pulls you to go back. A few of our photos not shown before online, along with some other unseen pictures sent along from two friends met and whom shared time on the Tree with Bren and myself, I thought to upload our extras, dust off the oldies and put together this pictorial of the five days fishing experienced while visiting a true heaven on earth, the remote and beautiful Tree River and home of the Arctic char. TREE CAMP. Simply perfect. Delicious meals, hot shower house, small tackle shop, guide cabins, guest cabins, and a main lodge for lunch and breakfast, all situated on the river's shoreline, 100 miles from the nearest town and five miles from the Arctic ocean. THE WILDLIFE. A barren tundra home to the Arctic wolf, muskox, caribou, grizzly bear, fox, ptarmigan, golden eagle, peregrine and many other animals, it's in the lakes and rivers which swim enormous lake trout, grayling, and the world's greatest runs of the anadromous and giant Arctic char. SETTING TO FOOT ON THE LAND. PLUNGING DOWNSTREAM TO THE OCEAN. Continued...

It's OK to poach sturgeon and post pics about it, as long as you're using it to sell experience or product.

It is a sweet ride that rig. Holy room to roam. Good to hear the gang got some R&R and and a fish or two. Looked dang brisk out there.

There are reminders in life like this thread is here Simon, that make me miss the north immensely. You big jerk!!! Sweet ride.

Shiners suck... and are harder to keep alive. Dace can actually breathe their own feces I think. Keeping minnows alive last year for about 6 weeks I put the minnow bucket in a bigger bucket and made sure the minnow bucket is too the top with water. Bucket into the garage next too the door, check on it daily, if freezing over bring it in until thawed, and repeat. Every now and again, go outside and fill a bucket or two with compacted snow. Let it melt inside, and then change out your minnow water if you couldn't do it on the ice while fishing. Minnows will last all winter, it's like feeding the fish in the fish bowl, your dog, or taking a daily medication. Routine. The bucket in a bucket is handy too, you won't loose water as easily or at all when carting the bucket in the sled onto the lake.