Sight fishing capitol of the North......for giant pike!

[JPenny]

Thought I'd share an experience I had this past July. I went up to a lake named Lac La Marte with a TV crew and what we found there is quite unique. This is a lake trout lake which of course means clear water, but the water here was the clearest I've ever fished. In some of those bays it was as clear as what runs out of my kitchen faucet. I could easily spot big pike from quite a distance. Fishing up there is like combining fishing with hunting. We'd slowly cruise or drift the bays, looking for which pike we wanted to cast to. And there were lots of big ones to choose from. Anything under 40" didn't warrant a second look, there were too many bigger than that. Spinnerbaits and swimbaits, both soft and hard, worked very well. But the bunny strip flies really smacked them. I made a bunny strip lure that I can cast with regular gear that worked very well too. Well enough that the owner now wants 30 of them for his clients. All in all it was a terrific trip and my count for pike over 20lbs was in the double digits for the week.

[fishuhalik]

geez, im still trying to tag my first 20. where was this lake? im assuming canada?

[itchmesir]

yeah Lac La Marte is in the NWT

[Dylan33]

Wow....that sounds amazing. When and where can I see some of that video footage?

[Nick Kuhn]

geez, im still trying to tag my first 20. where was this lake? im assuming canada?

Yes, way up north. One of those large uninhabited lakes in Northwest Territories. It'll set you back a good $4000/person to fish there.

[JPenny]

Lac La Marte is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, just northwest of Yellowknife. There is a small native village nearby named Whati. The video footage will be on the Versus channel sometime after January on The Next Bite show. Some of the footage is absolutely awesome, especially the underwater stuff. That clear water makes for great underwater filming. The cameraman, Greg Underhill, did a fantastic job filming the show which includes Pete Maina and his Dad, Tex and some guy from Iowa.

[cbrooks]

. But the bunny strip flies really smacked them. I made a bunny strip lure that I can cast with regular gear that worked very well too.

I never heard of a lure like this. Does a Cabelas or gander mt carry these?

[JPenny]

Actually that bunny fur lure is my own design, and I hand make them myself. I call it "Mother Leech", as it mimics a leech (the Mother of all leeches). I will have more information on the lure on my HSOforum in a few days.

[wahoo]

I look forward to the show. Other places for "sight" fishing can be found. For a bit less, scout out lakes around The Pas in Manitoba and Thompson/Lynn Lake as well. Many can be driven to, and you can camp to save money. Immediately after ice out is the best time as the northerns are quite shallow.

[JPenny]

Ah, the Pas. I sure have fond memories of that area. Including the time I took a gal up there pike fishing and I bought her a winter coat in the Pas. That was in the late 70's. About a year later I married that girl and we've been a pike fishing team for over 30 years now. But that area is much different than the one I speak of. For 1 thing, the Pas area has been fished hard for nearly 50 years now. And it's much more populated. Sure, you can still catch huge Pike there at times, but trust me, it's not like being in a true Arctic wilderness camp. Not even close.

[kyleharty]

I'll be keeping an eye out for that, sounds incredible!

[wahoo]

JPenny. I agree it has changed. My first trip there was in 1972. Last one 2 years ago, and nearly every year in between. (Including some late Fall--yep snow--and winters). I have fished the arctic areas and agree, the further away from civilization the better the fishing. No question. I fished alaska in August with the quest to get away from the populated areas, and it made a difference on the fish I wanted to catch. (Ling Cod)

My point was to those who may never have the opportunity, financially or otherwise, driving and camping, AT THE CORRECT TIME OF YEAR, can make some incredible trips possible.

but, no argument on fishing away from the crowd!

Tight Lines!

Wahoo

[JPenny]

Wahoo. I agree that the area around the Pas can provide some great memories if fished at the correct time, and also agree with you on spring being the best bet there. Futhermore, IF one has the time and resources to explore that area, no doubt he could find big pike at a lesser price, but it might take awhile. As you know, that's another beauty of fishing the Arctic. The water there never gets so cold that it drives pike deep. Still, as previously mentioned, it is pricy and not for everyone. I did not start this thread trying to sell anyone on anything. I don't work for Lac La Marte Adventures (just wish I did). I was only trying to share an experience I had earlier this year. Like you, I've been doing this for a long time and enjoy relating my experiences. But if I've crossed some line or broken some rule please let me know and I'll refrain from making this kind of post here in the future.

[wahoo]

Of course you did not cross the line. I have already started to look for info on Lac la Marte. I have found that I have learned much from the Forums, and appreciate the timley info from people such as yourself.

BTW--do you know if the train service from The Pas to Churchill still does drop offs. years ago they would let you, and canoe, off at selected sites. Never did it. But it always appealed to me.

As with you I am always looking for one more spot several miles away from people. I gew up in Brainerd. In the 50's, 60's you always saw pix of 20 lb Northerns in the Dispatch. Then, suddenly, pix of 12 lb fish. Even now, if you stop in various bait shops you will see pix of 14-16 lb fish.

Keep fishing and keep sharing. And, my apologies if I seemed too "sharp".

[fishuhalik]

no lines crossed at all mr penny! please keep the stories coming, alot of us like to live vicariously through you. it keeps the dreams alive. without dreams whats the point in striving to achieve?

[JPenny]

Thanks guys. Wahoo, I do not know if that train still runs or if they do drop offs. I remember booking a trip years ago that included a drop off from that same train, but had to cancel that one. I have fished around Churchill a couple of times and always hoped to see one of the white bears but never did. Caught some great pike out of that Churchill river system though.

Fishuhalik, I like the way you think and I'm happy to share. Been lots of places and have lots of stories. Stay tuned........

[wahoo]

Mr. Penny,

Looked at you web site, impressive. I'll get a few of your publications. I have been fascinated by Pike since a kid, and always wondered why they were so put down--even back to when the walleye was named the State fish--the sort of dates me.

What is your experience on ice fishing? I love the peace and solitude, and seeing big pike cruise in. I only angle, but always cut a spearing size hole. Any tips on baits other than live and standard dead baits such as smelt and sisco? For example, at Lake of the Woods, I know the pike are around in the deeper water given incidental catches while fishing eyes. But, I have heard 2 schools of thought: 1. Have the bait a few feet down, maybe 6. 2. Have the bait near the bottom, 2-3 up.

Thanks.

[JPenny]

Wahoo (and everyone), You can call me Jack if you like. Mr. Penny is usually reserved for kids or cops.

I sure understand your feelings on pike. Like you, I was infected at an early age and I've never understood the bad rap pike get either. Had an old timer tell me of spearing pike with a pitchfork in spring to feed his hogs. And folks wonder why they can't catch big pike like the photos of the old days.

I have ice fished pike, but not a lot. I'm really not the guy to give advice on that subject. I try to fill the larder with meat during winter.

[fishuhalik]

wahoo, if yer fishing dead bait you'll wanna be near bottom. for live bait, which i use 99% of the time, i go by water clarity. pike usually cruise 1-2ft off bottom (unless chasing suspended fish) and since pikes eyes are always looking up you'll wanna put it above them. don't worry, they'll chase it. if water's clear, i'll put it 7-8ft off bottom (usually clear lakes have weedlines at around 14-17'). darker lakes, 4-5' (weedlines usually 8-10'). however, for those big cruisers that are out on walleye areas, dead bait can be great.

[fishuhalik]

speaking of suspended pike, on a well-known crappie lake i use to fish, when you'd pull a small one one up off bottom from 45' they'd usually die and float up to the ice after being released. i was staring at my flasher and not 2" under the ice a big slimer swam by, id say around 10-15lbs. 10 mins later it swam by again. i had a decoy sucker that had just died in my minnow bucket so i put it on a tip up in a pre-exsisting hole just outside the house, & set it inches under the ice. i didnt even get back in the house and "tipup!" it was smaller, around 7lbs, and took my sucker so i was done. i kept it though and it had 3 little 6" crappies in its stomach. i went back the next day with a dozen large suckers and caught 6 pike from 8-17lbs. we still go back to that lake fairly often and always get at least 1 nice gator.

[mainbutter]

So when will this show be on and what channel should I turn to?

[JPenny]

From what I understand, the new schedule starts sometime in January. The show is called "The Next Bite" and is on the Versus channel. This show was recently voted "the best general fishing show" on that channel.

[reinhard1]

the show "the next bite" has been around for awhile. great show. very instructional at times as well. the guys on the show make you feel as they are the same as the guys you fish with. nothing glamorous or fancy. i Tevo the show and have been recording it for some time now. they do produce more musky shows than the other game fish as a rule but i enjoy all of their shows because of the people on the show. good luck

[Nick Kuhn]

I agree it's a great show. I get sick of only being able to watch bass fishing. Seems like they are the only guys doing much pike fishing anymore.

[wahoo]

Agree with Nick. Mores hows on Pike!!!