TR: Great Slave Lake Pike

Willi wrote:


Chas Wade wrote:




The next day the ice was down to 16 inches thick and looking a bit
rotten on top. More open areas could be seen, and a few pike were
spawning in the weeds where the ice had melted. Some of the guys
fished from boats in the open areas, and they caught a few fish. I
walked the edge of the island and fished in the weeds, catching 3 or
4
fish, about 24 to 28 inches long. I did find a large female in one
weed bed, and managed to sneak up to her, pet her a bit, and then
pull
her out of the water after measuring her at 39 inches. Sheridan
Anderson calls this Guddling, it's fun to be sure.

I'm amazed that you can do that with a Pike.

It was a bit scary to put my hand in the water with that beast, but I
was ready to pull back if necessary. Once I had all but her head out
of the water she decided this wasn't a good idea, and broke away
soaking me with the splash.



The last day was more great fishing. We found no more spawning
activity, all the fish were in the shallow water feeding and hitting
our flies and lures. I caught about 40 fish this day, a couple just
over 40 inches, a dozen over 36, and had a grand time. My biggest
was
44 inches (see abpf for a picture). We flew out by helicopter
because
there was still no open water in Yellowknife. One of the guys at
the
camp was staying for another week. He's having the experience of a
lifetime, I just wish I could have stayed.


Another great trip!

Are you sight fishing for the Northerns?

Yes, about half the time. When the fish get thick in the shallows, you
need to pick out the big ones, or you'll be playing with the little
ones all day.


Do you ever fish for Grayling while you're there?

The grayling don't inhabit this part of the lake, or I would. We need
to motor about 20 miles east along the shore to get to Grayling
territory. This year the ice prevented that, other years the pike seem
to be calling too loudly to get anyone interested in the longer boat
ride.


PS I think your picture was too big for my ISP as I didn't get to see
it.
I trimmed this one down to 850x600, and 77kb is that too big?

Thanks,

Chas
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