Including your kids on a fly-in fishing adventure is an investment in the future of angling. Exposing them to strong, confident women and mentors will create a passion for the outdoors.
Tension tightened my fishing line and put a slow and steady bend into my rod. I carefully lifted the tip and set the hook, and the weight of a huge fish tested the drag in the reel. The rod was held steady as it bent into the water with the powerful surges from the fish below. There was no sense in grabbing the reel handle, as the fish refused to give up any ground. The reel started to sing as the line slowly pulled through the eyelets. I could feel my heart rate increase as the fish refused to come up through the water column. The boat motor was put into reverse to back over the fish and keep the current from pulling us towards shore.
Walleye fishing is always fun, but hooking up with a big one can challenge an angler’s patience. Slow and steady pressure brought the fish up inches at a time until the golden glare emerged below the boat. The fish looked huge as it twisted and turned while trying to break free. A careful raise of the rod tip brought the old hen to the surface, where my wife Stef scooped it into the net.
We roared with excitement as we tried to guess the length of the massive walleye. We had boated dozens of fish over 26 inches, and several that pushed beyond 29, but this one was special. The barbless hook was removed, and the fish was held to a measuring tape that stretched close to 31 inches. We did not have a scale and wasted no time getting the trophy ‘eye back into the water, where it swam away with vigor.
It was the last afternoon of fishing, and we reminisced about the incredible walleye fishing we had enjoyed for the better part of a week. Everyone had caught their personal best walleye, and the last fish would tip the Toledo beyond 10 pounds.
TAKE OFF
Our excursion had started four days earlier, and we still had an evening to enjoy at camp. Everything was exciting, from the first morning and flying into camp in a floatplane. The adventuresome nature of our twin girls showed through their smiles as the engine on the Otter roared in the background. We taxied onto the main lake before the pilot pushed the throttle down to create a high-pitched screaming engine. A smooth lift off the lake’s surface, and we were headed off through the wild blue yonder to Iskwatikan Lake.
Our daughter Addy grinned from ear to ear and stared out the window at the Canadian Shield and the numerous lakes and rivers below. It was an angler’s paradise. The second of our six-year-old twins, Maya got to sit up front with her mom and have a cockpit view of the surroundings. The sun was shining, and a smooth ride soon had us landing and taxiing to the dock at Iskwatikan Lake Lodge, where owner Bryce Liddell and camp guide and assistant Michelle Wohlberg met us.
Turnaround was quick, with gear unloaded and replaced with that of the previous week’s guests. My cousin Janet Becker and her husband Terry, Scott and LaCaylla Fink, and their two oldest kids, Bristol and Brayden, joined us. The Fink clan had ventured up from Nebraska for their first international travel and tried to soak in the beauty and vastness of the boreal forest. We settled into our cabins, made a quick lunch, organized fishing gear, and hit the water in the boats waiting for us at the docks. Family adventures are always exciting; sharing the wilderness setting with our girls was priceless.
FIGURE IT OUT
We fished different lake sections and enjoyed success wherever we wet a hook. The walleye were in specific areas, and fishing a shallow bay proved successful, providing some fresh walleye for dinner. The bay across from camp was productive, and a trip up to the rapids and the lake’s inlet was an afternoon thrill ride.
Janet and Terry hit a shallow bay and fished for pike. Janet managed to land a 14-pounder with a swayed belly and a whitefish. The Fink clan hit an adjacent bay and were entertained with dozens of pike chasing lures and powering up rods. The Fenson clan headed for flowing water to try and figure out where the fish were hiding, and it didn’t take long.
White water tumbled over large rocks as it funneled into the lake. The flowing water was deceiving, and according to the water experts, approximately 1 million gallons flow into Iskwatikan every minute. A deep 32-foot hole was what we called the “hog trough,” and where the bottom slowly rose to 22 feet, we found a few smaller ones. The trough was insane, producing a couple of big girls every time we bottom-bounced through it. Staying in contact with the bottom with changing depths and current was challenging. When the wind blew, it added another element of surprise.
The Becker and Fink boats joined us, and it only took minutes before everyone was catching fish. We had fished for several hours and were ready to return to camp and prepare our dinner, including fresh fish.
Michelle and Bryce met us at the dock, and they teamed up to fillet the fish and ensure all bones were removed. It is a nice bonus when visiting.
MAY THE WALLEYE FEAST CONTINUE
The next morning, we wasted no time returning to the honey hole we had discovered the day before. The girls were keen to fish, and Maya had the dew worms out and pinched one in half to get started. We ran a bouncer and blades off each side of the boat and hadn’t gone 20 yards when we had the first walleye of the day. Violent head shakes and a singing reel did not faze Maya, and with her determination, she fought a 27-inch walleye to the net. Our young angler beamed with pride at the thrill of the experience.
Stef was next and landed another whopper before we cleared the hog trough. She looked at the length and girth of the fish and declared it as her personal best walleye. We took a quick measurement of 29 inches before releasing the big girl back to the depths.
As we trolled up the bank, Addy caught what we called a keeper. It was the perfect size for the bacon-wrapped hors d’oeuvres we had planned for that evening. Maya wiggled back into the seat with the rod, and as we trolled back to the corner, she hooked up with another dandy. This one was bigger than her first, and she handled the rod and reel like a champ as the big hen surged the rod up and down and pulled line from the reel. We heard some excited voices and looked up to see the Fink crew landing another big one a short distance away. The Beckers were trolling, and our girls asked what they had caught, which drew a stringer of nice walleye and pike from the water.
When I thought things could not get any better, a subtle bite turned into a heavyweight in the line that refused to budge off the bottom. The fish felt different than the others, and I put the motor in reverse to stay over the big fish that held its ground in the flowing water. A steady bend in the rod kept pressure on the hook and the fish, and after a couple of minutes, the fish started to move. At first, it came up several feet in the water column only to force its way back to the bottom. The girls hung on the boat’s edge, looking into the clear water. Maya had the net ready, as she had been doing a stellar job of landing any fish. Mom stepped in to help, and after a lengthy battle, the gigantic fish appeared with a golden reflection from the sun. It slid into the net and was quickly brought aboard. Like Stef, I knew this was my personal best walleye, and when it measured almost 31 inches, I wished I had brought a scale. The weight didn’t matter, as I enjoyed every second of the experience before returning the old girl to her watery home.
We ended the adventure on a high note and headed back towards camp so the girls could swim and catch perch off the dock. The weather was outstanding, and a little time out of the sun would be welcome.
FISH EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH OR DINNER
We would feast on elk steaks that night, but the starter would be walleye pieces marinaded for an hour before being wrapped in bacon and grilled to perfection. Although Bryce eats many fish in a season, I am convinced it is his new favorite. The breaded and fried walleye we had the night before were prepared with leftovers, broken up with a small quantity of mayo, onion, and Becker’s homemade relish for special sandwiches in the boat. Our last night would be a feast of fish and chips made in hot oil. The diversity shows the quality of the fish, and everyone eats until they hurt.
LAKER MADNESS
The next morning, my crew moved slowly, and the girls were more interested in some playtime. Janet and I headed for a lake trout hole, and with calm waters, it didn’t take long to find the perfect structure. I had brought some stout rods with heavy lines and an assortment of 7-ounce Bondy Baits. It is a workout jigging them off the bottom, but we hadn’t fished five minutes before hooking up the first trout.
The deep-forked tail of a big trout provides incredible power, and my rod was bent so deeply that the tip was underwater. After a five-minute tussle, the 12-pound trout slid into the net. What a great start to the morning. What we didn’t know was that the trout bite was on fire, and we didn’t bounce the Bondys for five minutes before hooking another dandy laker.
Janet fought the next fish, and her eyes were as big as saucers when the fish pulled out the line, showing the tenacity of a pit bull. The rod surged up and down, creating a standoff between the fish and the angler. There was no sense trying to reel, as the fish refused to give up any of its territory. When there were gains, they were small but eventually added up to victory with a deep-girthed fish in the net. The trout would easily weigh over 20 pounds and was held for a quick picture before returning it to the depths.
We were still discussing the incredible action and arm-numbing fights when we hooked another whopper. It was like déjà vu, and another big fish scooped into the net. We fished for over an hour and landed eight trout that weighed about 130 pounds. It was hard to leave, but we had told the crew we would return to get them out fishing. We kept the two smallest trout, and everyone marveled at them and started to dream about hunting lakers.
CHANGE THINGS UP
Everyone in the camp made a special trip to see Nistowiak Falls, one of the seven wonders of Saskatchewan. The falls exit Iskwatikan Lake and flow down to the Churchill River. The falls are impressive and steep, and the sheer power can be heard from across the lake. We hiked the trail down past rapids to get below the fall and felt the mist from exploding water drift onto our faces.
The girls were excited to return to the boat and head across the lake. We explored some shallow bays and cast spoons for pike. Addy practiced using a spinning rod and reel and was soon zinging hooks across the bay. We trolled out and hooked up with a nice pike, which Addy wanted to reel in. It was a good tussle, and the sure-to-be outdoors women brought the northern to the net like a pro. Maya let everyone know she was next up and ready to become the competition.
The pike was a nice change of pace. However, ignoring the walleye and what we had figured out with the bottom structure and flowing water was hard. We explored a few more pike holes before heading back for more walleye.
KIDS AND ROLE MODELS
Our twin girls did an amazing job fishing, helping prepare meals, fishing from the dock, and socializing with everyone in camp. The Fink kids were just as polished and reflect good parents willing to share big adventures. Stef, Janet, and LaCaylla caught some incredible fish and never slowed their pace. LaCaylla caught a dandy laker and Scott a burbot on the last night to add a new species to their list.
The strong women in camp are an excellent indicator of what our families hold for the future. The kids were impressive, and strong role models ensured a bright future for the young anglers.
Bryce and Michelle encouraged everyone to make the most of the experience and to make the trip uniquely rewarding. Michelle’s son Lars helped lead the next generation of explorers on a pedal boat adventure that saw the kids doing laps around the small islands in front of camp.
The sound of the plane returning to pick us up was long before most of us wanted to leave. Everyone is planning a return visit for next year and agreed that life is too short not to plan more rewarding adventures with friends and family.
TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN
Tourism Saskatchewan has done an outstanding job of managing a website with resources to plan a hunting or fishing adventure in that province. Maps, guides, and a listing of lodges and outfitters make it easy to plan the perfect escape. The regulations are a good reference for knowing what to expect and how to purchase any required licenses online. For more information, go to huntfishsask.com to get started.
THOMPSON’S RESORT – ADVENTURE DESTINATION
We flew to camp with Osprey Wings, situated in Missinipe, Saskatchewan. We started our adventure in the community and rented a cabin the night before our flight to Iskwatikan. It was the perfect place to meet the rest of our party, enjoy a nice meal, and sleep well before the real adventure began. For more information visit, www.adventuredestinations.ca/thompsons-resort.
ISKWATIKAN LAKE LODGE
Bryce Liddell has owned Iskwatikan Lake Lodge for several decades, and it has a beautiful setting on a large island. Modern cabins with all home amenities ensure comfort, including self-contained kitchens, bathrooms, and 24-hour electricity. The boats are comfortable and have 20 h.p. engines to explore the islands, inlets, and back bays. A float-plane accesses the lodge, and guests bring food, fishing gear, and a sleeping bag. Fishing starts in late May and runs through July. There are opportunities to fish in the fall when the lake trout target shallow, rocky areas to spawn. There are walleye, northern pike, lake trout, yellow perch, whitefish, and burbot. Iskwatikan is a wonderful camp to share with family or friends, and there is something for every degree of angler. For more information and to find available dates, visit iskwatikanlake.com.
SCENT KILLER GOLD FIELD WIPES
Many outdoor enthusiasts believe Scent Killer Gold Field Wipes are used when hunting. However, field wipes are essential to our fishing gear to remove fishy odors, clean our hands before eating, and wipe sunscreen from around our eyes. Scented wipes affect fishing success, so the scent-killer formula is important. There are 101 uses for the wipes, and we never leave home without them.
