Open Seat to Pipestone lake Report

[Mnfisher]

Open Seat to Pipestone Lake – Report

I took Billyfinn (Todd) up on his offer to join him on a Lake Trout fishing trip to Pipestone lake in Ontario. I sure am glad I did! It was an awesome trip and one that I would never have been able to do myself without Todd’s knowledge, skills and equipment needed. We arrived at the Gateway North Outpost on Monday morning. Nicole checked us in and we quickly unloaded and headed right out to Pipestone, traveling through Off lake and then Clearwater. We were fishing by 10 am. The Canadian Shield scenery is spectacular. I quickly got used to riding the snowmobile…something I hadn’t done for nearly 50 years. In 3 days of fishing, we caught 4 trout- releasing one as we didn’t have enough “license” to take 4 back. Todd caught his biggest lake trout ever through the ice (15 lbs) and I caught my 1st and biggest ever (10 lbs.) They put up a great fight! We also caught two between 4 and 6 lbs, so we had plenty of eating for two dinners and one breakfast! We lost a fish or two and I enjoyed watching the fish follow the bait up to the top of the waterline in anticipation of another “fish on”! Although I guess fishing on Pipestone can be even better at times, it was very good for us. My taste buds appreciated Todd’s “chef” skills including two very tasty polish sausage shore lunches. (Reinhart - you were with us in spirit when we finished off a couple of your awesome smoked kielbasa).

We put on over 100 miles and while we were up there, 8” of snow fell making the last day of fishing a bit more tricky due to encountering some slush. This was a trip of a lifetime for this “old guy”, one that I never could have accomplished myself. What an adventure for me and I was fortunate to gain a new friend besides. Thanks BillyFinn!!! I’ll try and post some pictures.

[PFUNK]

Very cool. Congrats on the successful trip and thanks for sharing.

[DTro]

Very cool!!

[Scott M]

Nice job guys. If I could have swung it I would jumped on it...talk about a perfect turnkey trip. Tip of the hat to Billyfinn for putting it out there.

[Feathers Rainin]

Reinhart is good at smoking sausage!..

Any word how clearwater is in the winter?

[Mnfisher]

Didn't really hear anything about Clearwater. Maybe Billyfinn might know. Nice crappies on Off lake. We only caught one though. They are like Minnesota crappies...very finicky and we were concentrating on the trout.

[BillyFinn]

Most guys blow through Clearwater to get to Pipestone the scenery and fishing are awesome. We saw only two parties fishing on Clearwater and did not get a report.

[reinhard1]

i'm glad you guys had an awesome trip!!!see my kielbasa made it through customs . that truly is a trip of a lifetime Jim. i can tell by that smile how awesome it was. congradulations on the 10 pounder and Billy Finns 15 pounder. that beautifull sceanery is worth the trip alone. thanks for the report and pictures. good luck.

[chaffmj]

Thanks for posting. AWESOME trip!

[lispeej]

Thanks for sharing. Nice pics and I especially like the bonfire!!

[Mnfisher]

Yes, the scenery is just incredible. Very similar to BWCA, but more and even more intense! A shore lunch is always great, but never had one in the winter before.