Some Random Pictures from the Arctic

The Late President Bush

Scott at Our Cabin

Midnight Sun

Narkay Islands

Carabou

Lupins on the Coppermine River

Barge with Oil and Gas

The famous runway at Bear!

Musk Ox

Empties

Sik-Sik, ...Arctic Ground Squirrel

Turbo Prop that land on the gravel runway.

The HOT LINE!

Pro Shop

Bullocks in Yellowknife

Aviators Monument

Brown drakes in Yellowknife

Scratching the Itch!

Arctic Char on the Coppermine River

I always wanted to spend some time on the Coppermine River. It is a very historic river. Today was the day. Our original plan was to fly fish the world famous Tree River for char but it was high and off colour. Our gang settled for the Coppermine. The char are a bit smaller on average but three members in our group have never caught arctic char so everybody was game. After a 40 minute flight across the arctic tundra, our pilot set down right on the Coppermine River at a spot Plummers have used for years. The lodge staff had a boat stashed in the trees. We off loaded a 25 hp short leg motor and fuel to get us to the recommended fly fishing spot. We had to motor up to the fishing spot in small groups. Karen and I were in the second group. As we motored around the corner, both Doug and Colin were tangling with char. I smiled.

We caught not only char but also lake trout and grayling. I think the highlight of the day was seeing Doug land a rather large char. Shore lunch was amazing. Arctic char is one tasty fare!

Everybody caught char. I think we caught close to 20. That catch rate is way higher than usual on the Tree River where one or two fish caught is quite normal.

The flight back was spectacular. It was a good choice to spend the day on the Coppermine. I am sure the gang will not forget the experience.

A large lake trout caught by Colin!

Arctic Grayling on the Sulky River with Plummers Arctic Lodge

Everybody loves the Arctic grayling fly out! Doug and Colin had never been on a float plane so today was extra special. We decided to go back to the Sulky River. It is a spectacular stretch of river that is teaming with big grayling! After a hardly breakfast, we boarded the single engine turbo otter and flew to the Sulky River with our three guides. The day was overcast and the Sulky River was higher than our last visit but the grayling were willing and numerous. Any high floating fly will usually get a willing grayling to rise up from the riffles and slam your offering. The grayling in the Sulky River are big. An eighteen inch grayling is common and twenty inchers are many. I love the colours of the dorsals fins. The red edges and blue colours on the unique dorsal fin are spectacular!

Everybody caught lots of grayling. We did have to deal with mosquitoes. Most of the group and guides wore bug suits and for good reason.

We had our shore lunch right beside the falls. What a spectacular place to say the least. 

The turbo otter came over the trees alongside the river at 4 pm. It was time for us to pack up and hot foot it back to our pick up spot.

There was lots of laughter during our predinner drinks in our cabin. Everybody had an amazing day.