I grew up dabbling with landlocked salmon in New Hampshire. It was a big deal when we caught one. They were small too but it was a celebrated event. Wow, if only I knew what incredible landlocked salmon days were coming my way some 50 years later. Last time here at McKenzie River Lodge in … Read more
The trip is winding down. Man these adventures go fast. You book them years out and then in a blink of an eye, they’re over. Today was the second to last day here at McKenzie River Lodge here in Labrador. On this day it’s a tradition here to fish a morning session then take the … Read more
On the complete other side of Andre Lake here in Labrador, the lake McKenzie River Lodge is based on, is the Come Back River. It’s a long 1 hour and 15 minute crossing and can only be done when the wind allows. After yesterdays gales, today calmed enough for Norm and I to go for … Read more
It was a cold night at McKenzie River Lodge up in the north of Labrador. Yesterday’s rain subsided during the night but then the temperatures dipped down into the upper 30ºs. Each cabin has a woodstove but Norm and I didn’t light ours. There are extra blankets in the room. Lucky for this baby snowshoe … Read more
The rain came down hard during the wee hours this morning here in the boonies of Labrador at McKenzie River Lodge. And it didn’t let up for fishing. Norm and I wore our rain jackets to get from our cabin to the kitchen for breakfast and we wadered up in our room. Complete with boots … Read more
Nothing like the first day of a trip at an epic fishing destination. McKenzie River Lodge here in Labrador more than qualifies. I rigged my Winston 5-weight for dries and a 6-weight for streamers last night. Our guides for the week also tweaked our wading shoes by adding studs to them. The river rocks here … Read more
I made a late departure from Hayward, WI yesterday afternoon via my 1991 Explorer for Duluth, MN. From there I caught a 4 pm flight for Minneapolis and then an 8 pm flight for Montreal, Quebec. I arrived in Canada at midnight and quietly snuck into an airport hotel around 1 am without waking up … Read more
I leave for Labrador tomorrow and am not back until August 10th. I’ve already been gone most of my Wisconsin fishing season. Although my excursions away have been awesome, I am craving more smallmouth bass days. The worst part about me being away a ton this season is that Granny doesn’t fish when I’m … Read more
After a fabulous and successful “Fishing for the Fight” event, the opportunity to stay an extra day and fish the Nunya River, one of my favorites for over 30 years, came about. I took the opportunity. Furthermore, what truly made the day spectacular was that I floated it with a couple of my oldest and … Read more
It’s been a whirlwind since last cast late Wednesday night. After the long but impressive day of fishing, old pal Scott Sanchez picked me up in Jackson Hole early Thursday morning and we made the 90-minute drive to Pinedale, Wyoming on the south edge of the Wind River Mountain Range. Sanchez is also helping with … Read more
I flew to Jackson Hole, Wyoming yesterday. For anyone new to this blog in the last four years, I’ll let you know I lived in the Jackson area from 1987 until 2021. I’ve spent most of my life in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. No doubt, it felt good to get off the plane and look … Read more
Yesterday morning Granny and I and Mike Neuman and Mark Reesor all headed up to Howie’s in Iron River, WI for the full day 60th birthday celebrations. No one’s birthday was actually yesterday but at least ten of us are within three months. Howie and his wife Sue basically threw a mega party for all … Read more