Trip Report......Taltson Bay Big Pike Lodge

[NewHips]

After some research on my part, I finally had it narrowed down to Taltson Bay Big Pike Lodge or Lac La Martre both out of Yellowknife Northwest Territories. After talking to various people from fishing forums, I choose Taltson Bay. Flying out of Knoxville TN. Stopping in Chicago, Calgary…….Yellowknife, 2600 miles total one way. I was meeting my oldest boy, who lives in Honolulu a couple days early, as these were the only days he could use his frequent flyer miles. The Northwest Territories had had its worst fire season in over 30 years, Since early June and the beginning of the Northwest Territories fire season, there have been 333 fires that have burned over 2.8 million hectares of land (6,918,950 acres). By the time we arrived the smoke had cleared, we talked to a local that said one day he couldn’t see more than 20 feet, the air quality index was off the chart.
Yellowknife, and the adjacent river and bay on Great Slave Lake, derive their names from the knives once used by Dene of the area. The blades were fashioned from naturally occurring
copper gathered along the northern reaches of the also aptly
named Coppermine River, near the Arctic coast. Now diamond mines are their main resource.
Day 1 Landing in Yellowknife


There were plenty of cabs around, we were staying at the Bayside Bed and Breakfast which is located in Old Town, in sight of Air Tindi the float plane base. Ate at the Dancing Moose Cafe, arctic char burger,fries and wine.My son got in after 10pm, early bed.
Day 2
Not much to do in Yellowknife, but did some last minute shopping, rested up and set the alarm for 11:30pm to see if the Northern Lights were out. They were, as Yellowknife sits under the Aurora Band.


Not to bad for my first attempt, this was in the backyard of the BB.
Day 3
Had a nice day, we walked up to Pilots Monument which overlooks the Back Bay of Great Slave Lake.


For supper we went to Bullocks' Bistro, had the Kingfisher Sampler, pricey but worth every penny. Really had a fun time, the cook looks she came out of the 60's and pics of the Caribou head and goofy hats & chainsaw. (sorry no pics). My son had the Bison Steak, excellent as well. With a couple drinks each our bill was $120. I would do it again if I had the chance.Stayed up to midnight, but the Aurora was weak.
Day 4
Our flight scheduled for 11:00am was right on time. Joining us were 5 others in one group, so 7 total in camp. We flew Air Tindi,
Flew in a Caravan, seats about 12, I believe they said it costs 3 million, really a nice plane. Flight took about 45 minutes.





That's the camp, sits at the end of the Taltson River where it flows into Great Slave Lake. It didn't take long to unpack and get out fishing. Within the first couple hours we had already popped 6 Pike over 40 inches, many fish in the 35-39 inch range.




Best for the day a 44 inch. 40 fish total, very aggressive and hard fighters.
Day 5
Cloudy and rainy most of the day, sun came out when we were eating lunch. I swear the entire week the wind would change directions every 2 hours. I had discovered the cabbage was starting to die off, a lot of the fish were out in the sand flats, maybe 200 yards or so from the weeds. I had my GPS so every time we got a big fish I put in a way-point. This pattern held up all week, I believe they were following the whitefish, so I had my milk run every day, without the GPS this was impossible. We could cast troll or drift, whatever we felt like. Big spinner baits were the ticket, Grinders, and some homemade (Rips Lures) on Ebay worked great.Buchertails, savage gear/ big plastics were excellent.One day I used a giant flatfish Crome/Chart. that was literally destroyed in 2 days. One fish tore my Savage Gear hard body in half. Big baits are the ticket up there, leave your #5 mepps at home. Double 8's and double 10's spinnerbaits always drew them in. Wait to hear about the night bite !!!!! For the day we got 9 over 40 inches with a 44.5 the biggest.

 

 

http://youtu.be/HgBo3C4zkk4

 

Day 6

Another cloudy rainy day, fishing was great, hits or fish most every cast, many doubles as well. 7 big fish in the morning with a 43 inch, 2- 41 inch in the afternoon and a 45 inch at night. Their is a after supper bite that occurs in the channel (about a quarter mile long) about 10 foot of water. Most of the guys use big Bulldawgs, I mean the magnum size, 14-16 inches long.I only had one big one with me and a couple of smaller ones (12 inches). You troll the channel until past dark. In one night one guy in camp had 9 fish over 40 inches. My son used a big Believer that brought in quite a few. Best day of fishing I have ever had.

 

 

 

Clear skies tonight.....the Northern Lights will be out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite a day to say the least.

Day 7

Morning started off cloudy and looked like rain, the camp decided to head up the Taltson River to the Falls, a 27 mile journey. My son and weren't guided, we didn't have to go........but why not. I knew if we didn't we would be sorry.

 

 

We raised numerous big Pike to no avail...........I did manage a beautiful marked fish as we were heading back.

 

 

One guy in the group got at least 4 big ones using a Shadalicus with a 3/8 oz jighead.

 

 

 

For the day only a few fish caught, but 4 big ones,

 

 

The Northern Lights were out again.........

 

 

 

Day 8

Warm and wind died down, morning bite was good, 40 fish with 2-41 inch fish

 

 

 

 

 

For the day we got 60 fish, 9 big fish with a 47 inch at night.This one night the camp had a 49...48...2=47.....3=44...and quite a few aver 40. All I can say is WOW.

 

 

 

 

http://youtu.be/poN1v7_opY0

 

http://youtu.be/BeR5jU_K2F4

 

 

 

http://youtu.be/6xQYVPg-BS8

 

Day 9

Wind and cold all day 30 mph from the N/W.....big waves total loss of the day.

5 fish for the day with 2 over 40 inches.

 

http://youtu.be/R6J4VxRjehw

 

Day 10

Last fishing day.......I was in the Zone, for the day 75-100 fish....... 15 fish over 40 inches 3=45 in. best day ever in my fishing life. Longest drought was 15 minutes, many doubles. My Savage Gear was on fire today along with my Flatfish. The night bite was incredible, you couldn't land them fast enough. Using 2 giant Bulldawgs we boated 8 huge fish before 8:00pm. I had a monster boat side that was huge, estimating 48-50 inches, it literally broke my fish gripper in two pieces with a head spin. We had her unhooked and was ready to grip her when she broke free. A thunderstorm moved in, with hail as we headed back to camp..........What an experience!!!!!!!!!!!! We lost at least 2 hours of night bite, easily 3-4 more big fish to be had.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 11

Time to pack up and say goodbye. Cloudy and cold, some sleet. Plane was arriving at 10am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a trip.................cross one off my Bucket-list. If you want Big Pike this is the place, feel free to contact me for specific information.

Thanks for watching..................New Hips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[adempsey]

Incredible! What an amazing looking trip. Definitely something I'd love to do with my father. Thanks for sharing, was enjoyable to experience.

[leaf4]

Excellent report thanks for sharing, long haul for you too 2600 miles one way is quite the undertaking even in a plane

[spincast]

sweet, that is a boat load of big beasts. Memories of a life time on that one for sure. Nothing like the pre-storm bite in a wolf pack.

[Joeytier]

Wow, incredible stuff! I believe you'd be hard-pressed to find a better pike fishery anywhere in the world based on this report. Did you spend any time targetting other species?

[Rich Clemens]

Awesome report and a lot of jealousy here. Great pics too and lots of nice pike. This must be on my bucket list to do.

[BillM]

Wow, I don't know what I'd spend more time doing, fishing for giant snakes or taking pics of the Northern Lights! Unreal report!!!

[2 tone z71]

simply amazing ..Great report amazing fish and scenery ..Congrats

[woodenboater]

sweet, sweet mercy you hammered them ! seeing auroral activity was icing on the cake, seeing them should be on everyone's bucket list.

[Musky or Specks]

Great report. Big pike and lots of em. Those northern lights look spectacular.

[fishnsled]

That was worth the wait!! AWESOME report! Thanks!!!!

[Sinker]

Wow....those are some big pike! LOTS of them!! NICE!!

 

S.

[AKRISONER]

the markings on those pike are incredible. This has to be the best northern pike fishery in the world. I am jealous beyond comprehension.

 

Thanks for the report...super sweet

[Gallie]

Omg! I have never seen so many big pike in my life. Looks like i have my dream pike trip re arranged.

Thanks for sharing awesome work

[Tim Mills]

Excellent report, I'm sure the father and son time was worth every penny. Enjoyed the pics especially the northern lights and the pike being released on the beach.

[mistaredone]

Wow! Awesome report!

[RickOnt]

hi Hips

 

Great report and Pics!!

 

I am sure the planning was well worth the time!

 

Amazing

Thanks for taking the time

Rick

[Gerritt]

What a great report. One of the best trips I have seen posted here!

 

Thanks for taking the time sharing your adventure with us.

 

G

[Hooked]

What a trip! I am speechless at this report. Just incredible pictures! I can't believe the number of huge ones you 2 got, shaking head, hahah. And the Aurora Borealis pics are reason alone that would make me want to go up there to see in person. I would have to say that this was one of the best trips I have seen had on this forum. WOW! Great job!

[limeyangler]

Those shots of the Northern Lights are SPECTABULOUS!

[S.M.05]

Awesome report! Just an amazing amount of pike being caught and some big gators at that.

Great shots of the northern lights as well.

 

Have been told good things about that fishery and see they are more than true.

 

[corvette1]

awesome trip and report nice size gator's congrats

[mepps]

Great report, I guess that lodge really lives up to its name!

[Jds63]

great report ... lots of giant beasts and great shots of the aurora borealis

[scuro2]

The type of sore arm trip that I love. Had wanted to do Talston for years...you add fuel to the fire!