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
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
With the plane not coming till midafternoon to return Granny and me back to society there was time to fish. For the first time the skies were blue in every direction and there was no wind. The joke here at McKenzie River Lodge was that today was THE day of summer. After breakfast Andrew (I … Read more
With so many brook trout of dreams this week, today, our last day, was all about ouananiche, better known as landlocked salmon. Paul Ostiguy, owner of McKenzie River Lodge, our friend and the man responsible for bringing Granny and me to Labrador was able to join us on the quest. This was fitting because Paul’s favorite … Read more
On a brutally cold morning for August, even up here in Northern Labrador, Andrew, Granny and I and Ninja Média’ man alias Bill made our way back up Andre Lake from McKenzie River Lodge to the Come Back River. The boat ride to the Come Back is much longer than yesterdays, pushing 1 hr 20 … Read more
It was a gnarly storm through the night. Heavy rain pummeled our cabin at McKenzie River Lodge and wind shook the walls. Granny got up at 2 AM for something and I heard her mumble, “I’m not fishing in this crap”. I’m not sure anyone would’ve but to our good fortune at 4 AM the storm … Read more