Transcribed from my
copious notes directly after an astonishing catch in August of 2014, this is a factual account. The event at Great Bear Lake in the Northwest
Territories, Canada, was a special moment during a self-guided adventure at the
Arctic Circle Outpost, part of the outstanding fishing trips provided by
Plummer's Lodges. I'm excited to share this with you, and the first detailed
publication.
Beauty
and the Beast
The story begins
the day before the incredible catch, when I spotted a great fish. Angling
for trophy Lake Trout, it was during a long cast with an Eppinger Husky Devle
spoon, on the retrieve, just as the lure came into view in the clear,
pristine waters of Great Bear Lake, I observed a massive fish.
Great Bear Lake Location Map
She was reacting to
my lure, tracking just below the spoon. As soon as I saw this incredible fish,
she paused, suspended like a haunting, distant, blue-gray-toned, shadowy
figure. I was awestruck by her mass. I commented to my fishing partner, Bill
Siemantal, " A big fish just followed my retrieve." The two of us had
previously experienced excellent fishing at this unique location; we were
relatively close to the lodge, so there was a strong possibility we would
revisit this spot.
A
massive Lake Trout, barely visible, forever imprinted in my mind. A fish of
this magnitude was what we were after.
The location is a
long-submerged reef. There is a channel running between the shore and the reef.
The fish use the entire length of this 200-yard ridge line, the adjacent
channel, and the drop-offs on the opposite side. It starts deeper as you
approach from the lodge. It's slightly wider at the far end; long, straight,
and linear, it begins to ascend as you move away from the lodge. At the far
end, a boulder-laden flat forms, reaching up within a few shallow feet from the
surface.
When the wind
creates choppy surface water, the high spot is visible from afar; that's how I
found this prime location. Continue past the high spot, and the ridgeline ends,
breaking dramatically fast into deep water as the main channel makes a turn
directly across this end of the ridge. Here, several distinct structural and
cover elements converge, enhanced by the wind and subsequent current that
sweeps down its long axis. By every definition, it's prime water for what the
fish are doing that time of year.
Lake Trout swim in amazing places. The
pristine beauty of the Arctic Circle Outpost area of Great Bear Lake is
awe-inspiring.
Sure enough, the
following day, a return visit was in order. As we worked our way towards
the high boulder end, I played back in my mind the image of the giant, shadowy
fish. The large Husky Delve spoons we were casting, with the right gear,
accounted for long, smooth casts. When you become proficient at casting these
big spoons and your body mechanics hit all 'cylinders,' just like a well-thrown
Frisbee, it will catch the air, fly straight like an arrow without tumbling.
Splashdown, flutter down, pop the rod tip, and feel the pulse. The thump on
your line tells you that your lure isn't fouled, and your Huskie Devle is
running true.
5.5"
Husky Devle spoons, two trolling rigs, and one casting rig above. All three
spoons feature lure modifications. The pink on top, with shiny silver on the
bottom, is the actual spoon the beast ate. The chips in the paint are Lake
Trout teeth marks.
Like a true
swimbait-big-bait angler, I stared down the line of my retrieve, waiting for my
spoon to come into view. I'm scanning past the lure, looking for a tracking
fish, and that's when I spot, presumably, the same fish. However, this time,
this massive fish kept coming; the beast tracked my offer all the way to the
boat. I ran out of water but not out of options.
The fish was
'Locked On,' like a jet fighter pilot; she had 'Tone.' If you fish swimbaits,
primarily big baits high in the water column, you're going to see your fair
share of followers. Observe enough followers, and you'll have the opportunity
to learn the body language of predatory fish. It’s possible to read a
predator's demeanor, and when the hunter is ready to pounce.
My retrieve was
boat-side; a giant fish was within inches of my lure, and I had to make an
immediate decision. Without thought or hesitation, I commenced a Figure Eight
maneuver, at which point this incredible Lake Trout tackled my deception,
breaching the surface, and CRASHING onto the side of the boat. Six feet
of braid separated us as I set the hook.
The Great Bear
Laker, now aware of the situation, immediately dove hard for the depths. With
the drag locked, the Laker pulled me down. I knew
what was at stake, and again, without thought, I held my arms and my gear high,
making sure my line was free from impediments, sacrificing my body as I slammed into the hard metal floor of the boat.
Back on my feet,
adjusting the drag on my reel, and the battle was on!
