A Long Way From Nowhere

Reindeer Lake is the answer to some of the problems WWA has had in Canada and 2006 will be our first full year representing this rare find. First and foremost, Reindeer Lake is remote, very remote. Second, it is reasonably priced and there are virtually no other anglers on the water. No combat fishing here!

Located right up next to the Arctic Circle in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, Reindeer Lake is home to some of the finest Northern Pike fishing in North America. The lake is over 200 miles long and it is virtually devoid of human beings. Bears, fish and Bald Eagles, yes. People no!

The lodge itself is a collection of non-describe buildings and the cabins are clustered together on the banks of one of the many islands that make up the lake. For eight months of the year Mother Nature lays siege to the wooden structures of the camp and then, beginning in June, there is a flurry of activity to ready the camp for the arrival of the first guest on or about June 15. The camp closes in September, the lake freezes over and Mother Nature repeats the process.

The camp is over fifty years old but it lay inactive for several years and was only reopened in the summer of 2004 by the new owner. The lodge is steeped in history, there was even a book written about the lodge, the new owner has sought to preserve the Canadian Arctic camp experience and he has worked through all of the start up issues that are associated with a new owner and reopening a lodge.

Each cabin is unique and heated by an extremely efficient wood stove should you need it. The new metal roofs will preserve these wooden time capsules for future generations to see the type of structures people used to live in through the harsh Canadian winter.

The lodge is fully stocked with the lures and spinners you will need when you get there. This is one of the very, very few lodges that has everything you will need in the way of tackle. They literally have everything and at reasonable prices.

The weather can be as warm as it can be cold. Because you are so far north, a good medium weight rain suite will suit you well and layering your clothes is a sure bet that you can persevere the daily changes. August is about the only month where it gets what Canadians call "hot."

ARCTIC ANGLING at its best

Beginning in June, when the ice is fully gone and the water reaches 35 degrees, the Northern Pike and lake trout collect in the warmer waters on the surface. As their metabolisms heat up so does the action. These fish have three months to consume a years worth of food. It is not uncommon for two people in a boat to catch 100 fish a day if they work at it!

Most people bring their own spinning tackle and buy the lodges lures. A medium to medium/heavy 7 foot rod will serve you well as northerns over 45 inches are more common than on most of the other crowded Canadian lakes. After you tire from catching all those Northern Pike, you will want to troll for lake trout that resemble footballs! Using a 7 foot heavy rod you will catch more trout than you have ever seen.

If you have ever thought about fly fishing this is the place to learn how to boat the big guys. Being able to see the fish up against the bank allows you to cast right to them. Those who fly fish will want to bring a 4 wt. for the grayling and a 8 wt. for the Northerns. Northerns require a barracuda rig and bring several as they get torn up with all of the use. The grayling will take about any small dry fly and large saltwater flies in red, red/white and red/black will produce Northerns. Lefty's bug in a weed less format is great for working the weed bed and any color seems to work just fine. The lodge does not have any fly tackle so be sure and bring plenty of everything. Remember these fish will destroy a fly so prepare to go through about three a day. If it were not for the harsh winter, most anglers would never leave.

Each day is broken up with the infamous shore lunch. You supply the fish, talk about fresh, and you guide will prepare a hot meal over an open fire to get you through the rest of the day.

Bring The Kids

If you have ever wanted to take your son or daughter along for an angling adventure to remember, Reindeer Lake is the place. The calm water and warm days result in most parents taking a nap on the shore line as the kids continue to haul them in. There are no TV sets, email or Nintendo to compete with your child's attention and when a child has a photograph of a fish that is bigger than they are, THEY WANT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND SHOW EVERYBODY.

Price for 2009Season:

5 Days/4 Nights- $1,995(US) Plus Tax
9 Days/8 Nights- $2,995(US) Plus Tax

Deposit:

A $500(US) deposit is required to hold a reservation at Reindeer Lake. 90 prior to departure all balances must be paid.

Price Includes

16 Foot Lund boats with 25 hp Mercury engines
Round trip airfare from Winnipeg, Manitoba
Daily breakfast, shore lunch and dinner
Shuttle from hotel to airport in Winnipeg
Rustic log cabins, clean and comfortable with daily maid service

Departure Date From Winnipeg for 2009 Season

June 8-12
June 12 - 16
June 16 - 20
June 20 - 24
June 24 - 28
June 28 - July 2
July 2 - 6
July 6 - 10
July 10 - 14
July 14 - 18
July 18 - 22
July 22 - 26
August 18-22
August 22-26
August 26-30
August 30-September 3

Travel Documentation

Currently US citizens need only a drivers license, birth certificate or a passport to reenter the US after visiting Canada. There will be a change in the future requiring all US citizens produce a passport when entering the US from Canada but as of October 2005 the date of implication has yet to be set and there is some talk that the change will never take place.

Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance Recommendation

Travel, especially foreign travel, unfortunately has some unusual aspects that need to be addressed. Issues such as lost baggage, missed flights and medical concerns are often over looked until an untimely event happens. You or your traveling partner may need protection from trip cancellation due to events at home such as illness of you or your travel companion, illness while away from home, as well as a host of other travel nightmares. Worldwide Angling strongly recommends all parties obtain trip insurance right after booking a trip abroad. We obtain our own travel insurance with Travelex, a well established, highly recommended, travel insurance company and we recommend it to all of our clients. Travelex specializes in insuring the foreign traveler to far away and remote places. Once a trip is booked with Worldwide Angling, you will receive from us an application for Travelex travel insurance. The cost is quite reasonable, less than $60 per $1000 in most cases. Please review your insurance needs to see if Travelex is for you.