2010 fishing report - Grayling

Perhaps the only thing that surpasses the beauty of a Grayling is the natural surroundings where you find them. Gin clear lakes and rivers in a wilderness setting so pure and pristine that it takes your breath away. In effect, quintessentially "Yukon". With insects making up virtually 100% of their diet, Grayling are a fly-fisher's dream. Don't be fooled, however, these fish can be extremely capricious, particularly trophy sized ones! Rule of the thumb for big fish, go small. Size 18 - 20 gnats or sedges often work. But if you're happy having a fish on the end of your line all day, try a Chernobyl ant. You won't be disappointed.



Best fishing times? Grayling can be caught from ice-out in late May to freeze-up in October. But the warmer months that bring the heaviest insect hatches are best; i.e. July through mid-September. The fishing for Grayling at Dalton Trail Lodge was exceptional this year, with numerous trophy sized fish taken throughout the season. For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/...

2010 fishing report - Pike

A  fishing trip to the Yukon wouldn't be complete without a day spent searching for Northern pike. Possibly one of the most under-rated Yukon fish, pike can wear your arms out or leave you scratching your head in amazement at their wariness. Expect the unexpected with these unusual fish; from ferociously cocky to downright elusive. One thing you can count on though, is that pike can't resist a well presented fly. What works? Mostly large, brightly coloured ones like those below. Thanks to my friend and expert fly fisherman, Markus Kemmer, I was fortunate enough to witness these flies in action at a remote lake last summer, and believe me they work.

How big do pike get in the Yukon? Well, sometimes bigger than their captors, as you can see from the photo below. Best fishing time? All season is good, but late May until the end of June is best for aggressive fish. Dalton Trail Lodge saw its best season ever for pike in 2010, with over 130 trophy size fish landed. The largest measuring over 47". For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/

2010 fishing report - Lake trout

For most people, when you mention Lake trout they think of trolling the depths of a remote lake with a downrigger for hours, hoping to somehow entice one of these monsters out of their sleepy lair. Well, not so in the Yukon. In fact in some areas, the majority of these fish are caught on a fly rod! That's right, a fly rod; 7 - 9 weight, sink tip, and a woolly bugger. Thanks to a unique set of environmental circumstances associated with some Yukon watersheds, namely very cold temperatures, one can find these beautiful trout throughout the season in depths of less than 10 feet, and even in some rivers.

How big do they get? Just about as big as they want! The one pictured above was never weighed, but it did measure 44". The one shown below, however, is more typical of those found in many lakes and rivers. Best fishing time? All season is good; i.e. late May to October. But the first and last two weeks of the season are best if you're looking for a trophy on a fly rod. Lake trout feed aggressively during these times and can often be seen cruising the shallows like sharks, gorging on small whitefish or whatever else is in their path. The Lake trout fishing at Dalton Trail Lodge was exceptional this year, with numerous trophies taken throughout the season. Largest on a fly rod: 38" (+/- 25 lbs.); spinning gear: 46" (+/- 45 lbs). For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/ ...

2010 fishing report - Inconnu

Inconnu, or "fresh water tarpon" are a little known Yukon species that pack a big punch! Otherwise called Sheefish, they're so rare that their name comes from the french language meaning "unknown". In the Yukon, there are thought to be both anadromous and land-locked varieties, both of which migrate to spawning grounds in rivers and streams (sometimes downstream) in late summer and early fall.

Like most fishing, if you're in the right place at the right time, its not hard to hook one of these beautiful fish. Getting one in is another thing. Often exceeding 30 lbs., these fish put up a brief, electrifying fight, not unlike their saltwater counterparts. If you were lucky enough to fish for Inconnu at Dalton Trail Lodge in 2010, you probably weren't disappointed; numerous specimens like the one pictured below were landed during the peak of the season in late June. For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit www.fishcanadanow.com ...

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, Life of a Yukon guide! First, a few words to introduce myself. I've worked as a professional fishing guide for close to ten years now, first in the Quebec/Labrador region of Eastern Canada, and more recently at Dalton Trail Lodge, Yukon. I also arrange custom fishing travel for those who are looking for an ultimate fishing experience. To find out more, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/.

Cameron Widrig, aka Wolverine