Moosebunk Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) A SLAVE GUIDE’S STORY. This past summer I took a job guiding in northern Canada. Fueling the idea was much curiosity, fishing experience and one overwhelming urge to challenge myself in an entirely different way. At age 39, with twenty years devoted to work and study in healthcare, recent changes have opened doors for new opportunities... And so it came to be, that with some nervous anticipation I boarded a July flight destined for Plummer’s Lodge on Great Slave Lake, with hopes to become a guide... INITIATION. A talkative angler sat on the plane next to me for our flight to Yellowknife. At first Trevor carried much of the conversation, excitedly explaining how he loves muskie and all things muskie fishing. Within his descriptive stories he held quite a confidence and passion for it, making all that he said quite easy to believe. When he slowed down enough to ask about my fishing it only served to open up a giant can of worms, one which lead to several beers and hours of us rambling on and on. Waiting for him at final destination was his uncle promising pike, lake trout and the possibility of inconnu found upon Great Slave Lake. A nice fella to meet and share unexpected time with, we’d part ways on the ground. Trevor planned to stay two weeks in the city and explore outward from there, while I had another flight to catch the following morning. A year earlier Brenda and I upon Great Slave had fished that same grand stage ourselves. Third week into the Plummers fishing season as guests we were treated to exceptional fishing. While forest fires blazed across the Territories, some continually encroaching upon the lodge, we happily inhaled the threat as one unique part of our experience. An angler, what intrigued me most about this fishery was its jig bite. I love and prefer to jig, and no other trophy arctic lake that I have fished does such a quality opportunity exist at even close to the same caliber. Slave's underwater topography of vast differences and enormity, greatly inspires possibilities for catching giant lake trout lurking anywhere beneath its surface. Read on here if you like at Bunks Outdoor Angle... http://bunksoutdoorangle.com/a-slave-guides-story/ Thanks, Bunk. Edited December 7, 2016 by Moosebunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosebunk Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) http://bunksoutdoorangle.com/a-slave-guides-story/ Edited December 7, 2016 by Moosebunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosebunk Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) http://bunksoutdoorangle.com/a-slave-guides-story/ Edited December 7, 2016 by Moosebunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosebunk Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) http://bunksoutdoorangle.com/a-slave-guides-story/ Edited December 7, 2016 by Moosebunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Funny, I was thinking tonight, Bunk hasn't been around lately, he's likely doing some crazy crap Gonna skim it tonight, then give it the full read when I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosebunk Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Funny, I was thinking tonight, Bunk hasn't been around lately, he's likely doing some crazy crap Gonna skim it tonight, then give it the full read when I can. Been without internet for a few weeks while in Nunavut on a contract. Everything blocked at the new job except work related crap. Monthly fee is pricey so held out as long as possible before hooking up to this slower service. Gave me time to work on this report, explore some tundra and watch some T.V., but most of the time it's just work. Begging to get some ice fishing in, the weather has not been too co-operative and I don't have an auger for the two to three feet of ice already on the lakes and ocean. Have taken a walk out on the Arctic Ocean though, nabbed some photos, and been hoping to capture shots of the little arctic foxes that group up around the residence I'm in. Pretty cool (actually cold) experience, and not much daylight. After being up for only 14 minutes, the sun goes down on me December 1st and it doesn't come back up ti'll January 13th here. And never seen anything quite like the blizzards in this place, they actually shut down the town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Wow, amazing, I can't imagine how long that put together but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it for the last hour. That 47 was a slob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Buddy, for me at least, that was by far the best story you've ever published online. I loved it!! The juvenile Bull you endured was interesting as well. Surprising as I wouldn't expect Plummer's would ever put up with that kind of crap. You're a better man than me, I'd have lasted about 5 minutes before going postal LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallie Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I felt like i went on 3 guided trips with you bunk, i cant figure out if you are a better writer or angler but assuredly you are a master of both. I also find myself amazed at your restraint in dealing with the big bully, a lesson for guys like me who probably would have had an altercation with him at some point, which would only have soured your adventure. Maybe one day i can get you to guide me somewhere, i think any trip with you would be the adventure of a lifetime! Good read as always bud, thanks for getting my blood going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassMan11 Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Just an amazing read and story in general. Thanks for taking the time to write that up. Man I wish you would have drilled truck tire lol. I have no time for people like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmer Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 You know you're a very lucky dude, right? The pictures alone, tell the story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beavertail Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I'm at work, that just took my entire coffee break (and then some) to read. Great report Bunk. On this crappy, rainy Friday morning for 45 mins I felt like I was catching monster Lakers way up north. Congrats on your successful guiding experience at Plummer's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Awesome Drew! Best hour I have spent in a long time... thanks so much for putting it up here! HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosebunk Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Buddy, for me at least, that was by far the best story you've ever published online. I loved it!! The juvenile Bull you endured was interesting as well. Surprising as I wouldn't expect Plummer's would ever put up with that kind of crap. You're a better man than me, I'd have lasted about 5 minutes before going postal LOL! I felt like i went on 3 guided trips with you bunk, i cant figure out if you are a better writer or angler but assuredly you are a master of both. I also find myself amazed at your restraint in dealing with the big bully, a lesson for guys like me who probably would have had an altercation with him at some point, which would only have soured your adventure. Maybe one day i can get you to guide me somewhere, i think any trip with you would be the adventure of a lifetime! Good read as always bud, thanks for getting my blood going! Just an amazing read and story in general. Thanks for taking the time to write that up. Man I wish you would have drilled truck tire lol. I have no time for people like that. Because of race and profession I've been called plenty names, dealt with crisis and extremes in peoples emotions, and been hit, kicked, bit, burned, stabbed and spit on too. Many times over. Mental illness, alcohol and addictions, racism, ignorance, etc., And in just recent years I've had plenty slander thrown my way by thugs and bullies as well. You have to "think" through those kind of challenges, and having restraint is the first step in being able to do that. It's a part of the story yes, but overall it's a small part part of this story. Maybe I should have left it out of this report? Maybe, but I don't think so. As Jimmer says below too, the pictures do tell a whole lot more. You know you're a very lucky dude, right? The pictures alone, tell the story! "Very!" Thanks dood. I'm at work, that just took my entire coffee break (and then some) to read. Great report Bunk. On this crappy, rainy Friday morning for 45 mins I felt like I was catching monster Lakers way up north. Congrats on your successful guiding experience at Plummer's. Thanks. It was a success, agreed. Wow, amazing, I can't imagine how long that put together but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it for the last hour. That 47 was a slob. Isn't it? Maybe the slobbiest fish I have ever seen, but definitely the slobbiest and biggest from Slave. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guidofisherman Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Wow, that was a two coffee read. Very interesting story about a guide's life. Your medical skills sure came in handy. I'll tell you my similar experience on a canoe trip sometime over a "wobbly pop". It never fails to disappoint me how bullies are allowed to operate. My compliments for taking the high road. Great photos by the way. Any explanation on how the round circles on the rocks were formed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishindevil Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 insane report drew !!!! the best one yet....its just incredible.....you are the man... :worthy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Great report Drew!!! Now you know what us Plummers guides have to deal with. Most of the crap that happens is due to that one or two Richards in camp and not the guests. Over the 15 years I guided on Bear I had my share of run ins with guides like Truck Tire and believe it or not most were Plummers rookies although not guiding rookies who thought they were all that and treated guides who had been there much longer than them like they were idiots and morons. Luckily these "professionals" generally only lasted a season if that. The one in question didn't make it through the first month before being put on a plane South on his own dime. But guide long enough and you will run into guests lake that too. I haven't guided in quite a while now and every once in a while I miss the enjoyment of being in the bush for a couple of months. I can tell you I do not miss those giant celebrity shore lunches though. They always take too long and cut into the fishing time. Rookie guides always get the short end of the stick. They are the first ones to be shore bound when there is a lack of guests and they get all the menial tasks that the "experienced" guides are too good to do. In my rookie year I got to insulate the roof of the lodge on Smith Arm of Great Bear. Nothing like crawling around a 100* attic installing crap loads of fiberglass insulation!!! Your story brought back memories of my rookie year on the Bear back in the summer of '95. Good times!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Lunch is over and I have only read 1/4 so far. You have me like Im there Drew,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Cant wait to get back to reading this.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adempsey Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Very cool, thanks for sharing your experience! It's amazing you managed to pull that off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I don't have time to read everything. But man, those are some healthy fish!!! Great pics Moose. Amazing scenery up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcat Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 With Plummer's Lodge being on my bucket list, I really appreciated your report and pictures Bunk. I too appreciated that your report included all aspects of being a rookie guide at Plummer's. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Looked at the pics, will read later....looks like i will need some time to fully digest this one!! Holy slob lakers.....never seen anything like that!! S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msp Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Holy crap ! massive lakers. thanks for putting it all together for us to enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Wicked read and wicked pics!!!! Awesome job bunk!!! Miigwich for taking the time to put that together for our enjoyment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) Miigwich for taking the time to put that together for our enjoyment! Up here it's mahsi cho in Dene'. Edited November 27, 2015 by DRIFTER_016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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