Reflecting The Tree River & Char.

[Moosebunk]

"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...

Edited December 3, 2012 by Moosebunk

[Moosebunk]

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...

Edited December 3, 2012 by Moosebunk

[Moosebunk]

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

[workwear]

[camillj]

Wow ... it still brings a tear to my eye Moose .. thanks for the memories !

[captpierre]

Now on my bucket list. Incredible

 

What time of year is that Aug-Sept?

[ChrisK]

Shockanahh !!! Those fish are on fire and the scenery pics of the river are spectacular to say the least....

This is one thread on OFC that has found itself a permanent spot in my memory...

 

Thanks for sharing this again with us Moosebunk

[Freshtrax]

I'm speechless . Bravo.

[BillM]

Crossed the Sutton off my bucketlist, I'm hoping the Tree is in the near future.

[blaque]

I remember the first time I saw some of these pics vividly. As chrisk said......these pics will stick with me for a long time. These fish and the scenery seem to be straight outta some fantasy dreamworld lol

 

Stunning report!!! Thanks for showing as its someplace I would have never known even existed

[Joey]

Yes, I remember it too, love those pics Drew!

[Skud]

Incredible landscape pictures. Just beautiful. The colour on those Char are unreal. Thanks for posting

[adempsey]

Awesome! Who wouldn't want to go there....besides my wife, lol!

[sleepjigging]

Awesome. How do you get there?

 

Sleepy

[4x4bassin]

Love the pictures , simply outstanding The colours on those fish must be something to see in "real time" Thanks for sharing

again , bunk !

[fishindevil]

Trip of a lifetime for sure !!!! I remember your trips well the colors the fish the scenery is awesome drew !!! Thanks for sharing .... Wow

[davey buoy]

What a beautiful spot, those char are one good looking fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,seems to be no shortage of them. Thanks for sharing.

Edited December 3, 2012 by davey buoy

[Marc Thorpe]

Stunning!

[NAW]

thanks for posting these photos. Great way to start the week.

 

I remember seeing some of them before. Really great shots!

[Rod Caster]

Fantastic landscape and fish! You are lucky to have experienced it.

[RickOnt]

Truly a beautiful place for sure!

 

Pics of the River are amazing and the Char simply fantastic.

 

Thanks for posting

 

Rick

[outllaw]

moose bunk. once again thank you for showing what is truly amazing. as humans encroach there will be less to see. your stories and pics give all of us a brief look at whats awesome.

[Jds63]

You are a blessed man !! I could view those pictures a thousand times and never get tired of looking at them.

[msp]

I member seeing these pics in the past.

I usually dont share OFC with the kids but I had to show them these pics.

All 3 kids where in awe of those beautifull fish. Thanks for re-posting

[Moosebunk]

Thanks gang!!!

 

 

Now on my bucket list. Incredible. What time of year is that Aug-Sept?

 

Both trips were taken in the second week of August. Not really primetime for lakers but certainly a good time for weather and char.

 

 

Awesome. How do you get there?

 

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.