The weather looked a bit sketchy last night before bed. We’d hoped to see the northern lights but clouds and drizzle ended those wishes. But to our delight, we awoke to crystal clear skies and calmness. It was chilly, but after breakfast the sky was the richest of blue you can imagine. We’ll thank the air quality rating of “1”. You got to love being in the far north of Manitoba at Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge!
Our guide Marcus will be with us all week. We left the dock at 8 am sharp and made a long run across Egenolf Lake. Egenolf is massive lake loaded with northern pike and lake trout. You can also find lake whitefish and the North Seal River, which feeds and drains the giant lake, are home to Arctic grayling. We enjoyed a brisk but beautiful 45-minute boat ride.
We plan to do plenty of pike fishing on this trip but there will be a strong focus on lake trout on the fly as well and a laker was our first target today. In 2023 we thought we timed the lake trout fishing perfect only to find catching them difficult. This trip we are a week later than in 2023 and not sure what to expect. Lake trout spawn in the fall but it varies place to place. Ideally, catching them a week before the spawn or just after would be best as not to disturb them during. The first place we tried I managed one. This fish looks tired to say the least so no doubt its already spawned. We tried several other spots but to no avail.
We got back on the pike fishing and just like yesterday, they were plentiful. These guys destroy your streamer the second it hits the water. We caught about 20 but only a couple pushed over the 30” mark.
As for our beautiful bluebird sky day, that didn’t last. We say in Wisconsin, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a while”. Here in the north of Manitoba I think it’s “Wait about ten minutes”. At 11 am a hard line of storm clouds moved in and blocked out all angles of sunshine. Along with it came strong wind.
At Gangler’s you can either have the chef pack you a sandwich for lunch or have your guide prepare you a shore lunch. The shore lunch is a couple of fresh fish you catch before noon. As the dark gray clouds moved in, Granny and I took down two 24” pike and at noon we headed to a beach for lunch.
Some people don’t like the shore lunch because it takes an hour out of your fishing day. For me and Granny, we figure we have 7 fishing days, if we lose an hour a day, no big deal. If anything, it’s a rest for my ailing shoulders and elbows as well as Marcus. I always take a stroll in the woods. Its fall up here and the plants and fall leaves are stunning with an array of colors. By the time I’m done with my walk, lunch is served. And let me tell you, fresh pike is beyond delicious when cooked right.
The weather improved again as the afternoon advanced. The sun poked through a few times and the wind eased up. We unsuccessfully toyed at some lake trout spots and then hammered away at the pike again. We caught a bunch more but once again, the big boys weren’t on the prowl.
As far as special flies for pike, I don’t have one. For me, any fly that’s about 4-6” that you can see as you retrieve it back is best. I have found that pike in general are not finicky. Here’s what’s left of the fly I tied on yesterday. It’s caught about 40 fish now. Tomorrow, I’ll change it.
There are several of the ecotour folks staying at the lodge that are curious about learning to fly fish. I offered to do a casting demo for them during cocktail hour at the lodge at 6 tonight. It was fun and good for me to get a tune-up with my “Fly Casting 101” talk. It won’t be long before I’m on the platform at the Fly Fishing Shows this winter.
At 7 pm its dinner here at Gangler’s and trust me, dinner never disappoints. Granny and I are flat out spoiled when we visit. Tonight was a smoked salmon salad followed by wild boar with red wine. We are fat and happy now and ready to rest up. Tomorrow we are hopping on the de Haviland Beaver and flying deeper into the northern Manitoba wilderness to a remote lake. We’re gonna give the lake trout search a break and try to find some hefty pike. Stay tuned. . ..
A special thanks goes out to our buddy Ken Gangler. Ken makes this adventure to Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge possible for Granny and I. Every angler should try to make a point to fish trophy pike and lake trout on the fly at least once.
That’s two blog posts without a mention of beer … I’m starting to worry a bit. Enjoy the time north my friend!
Ha! Yea we fishing hard. This place is so incredible. Its been early up and early to bed. Wine with dinner. There’s been a beer or two for sure though!