TROPHY PIKE OF MINOR BAY

Northern pike, for example start moving back into a little shallower water. For those lakes that have relatively clear water, prime pike habitat at this time of year because deep weed beds made up of broad leaf cabbage plants and other foliage. These supply both cover for the mighty northern pike and an ample dinner table. In amongst this foliage you will find huge schools of various types of minnows, perch, whitefish and a variety of species of fish. Never was this more evident on a trip in August of 2000, to Wollaston Lake in northern Saskatchewan. Fishing out of Minor Bay Lodge on the south section of the lake, in Minor Bay itself, I was introduced by guide Ken Wykes to an incredible underwater tapestry of aquatic life. Huge pike either lay on the bottom of sand bottom bays amongst the weed stalks, or roamed in among the foliage snacking on various small fish that sought out refuge in these areas. Ken, who has been guiding at Minor Bay for ten years, would slowly drift or troll through these areas pointing out pike in the water, that in some cases, were longer than four feet. In fact, already at Minor Bay Lodge in the year 2000, guests have landed five northern pike over 50 inches in length! It was one of the most incredible pike fisheries I have been on in my almost 20 years as a full time angler but getting the fish to bite was another matter. Unstable weather had lowered their activity level somewhat but by using a fast retrieve with a #5 Mepps Aglia spinner in a Firetiger pattern tipped with a new Berkley Squirmer tail we were able to trigger some big pike to hit.

In cases when fish refused to budge, we would switch over to the fly rod and cast out a larger streamer fly. First we would let it sink down four to five feet, then retrieve the fly in a quick stop and go method.

Ken Wykes was a master at this and his selection of flies was based on available light and the depth of the fish. It was an incredible sight to have a fish the size of a small submarine follow your fly to the side of the boat. In most cases they would turn away but there were enough times when they inhaled the fly to make it one of the most memorable fishing trips I have ever been on. This trip will be part of this years (Series XI ) years Complete Angler T.V. series.

Anglers Notes: Minor Bay Lodge & Outposts are run by Randy Duvell and Fred Tully out of an office in Winnipeg. For more information call 1-204- 982-9680 or visit there website at www.minorbay.sk.ca.

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