Fly Fishing Plummer's Arctic Lodges
In the last ten years more and more anglers are catching on to the fly fishing opportunities in the Arctic. Most guests now find room for a fly rod in the luggage they bring to Plummer's lodges and some come strictly to fly fish. Without a doubt, Plummer's lodges on Great Bear Lake and Tree River are the best locations in the world to catch trophy-sized Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling and Arctic Char on flies.
LAKE TROUT
"Lake trout don't take flies!" Oh yes they do and there isn't a better place to test this theory than Great Bear Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. The cold Arctic waters of Great Bear Lake have arguably the best fishing for lake trout in the world holding several IGFA line-class records. Fly fishers can expect to catch excellent numbers of lake trout ranging from 2-10 lbs, a handful of fish in the 12-20lb range and possibly a true giant over 30 lbs by either trolling or casting large streamer and baitfish patterns. Occasionally large schools of lake trout can be seen porpoising over shoals, feeding on mayflies and caddis flies - a legitimate opportunity to catch a large lake trout on a dry fly!
- Recommended rods: 9', 8-10 wt.
- Recommended lines: Intermediate, medium-fast and ultra-fast full-sinking and sink-tip lines.
- Flies: Large baitfish patterns in sizes 2 - 1 and 1/0; Double bunnies, Lefty's deceivers, Clouser minnows and zonkers.
ARCTIC CHAR
Anglers staying at Great Bear Lake will have the opportunity to fly to our Nunavut lodges and fish for trophy sea-run Arctic Char in the Tree River and Coppermine River. Arctic char are a species like no other; they are the "kings" of Arctic rivers! In Nunavut they reside in picturesque rivers with roaring rapids and steep falls. It's no wonder these fish reach sizes in excess of 20lbs and can tear you up on salmon and steelhead tackle. Tree River holds the all-tackle IGFA record for Arctic char (32 lbs, 8 oz). Each year dozens of anglers land char on fly rods that are over 20 lbs. Most fish average between 6 and 10 lbs.
- Recommended rods: 9-9'6", 8-9 wt.
- Recommended lines: A medium-fast sinking tip line will cover most water types in the Tree and Coppermine rivers. A full floating and ultra-fast sinking tip as well. NOTE: A good reel with lots of backing capacity and a solid drag is essential for char fishing!
- Flies: Large baitfish patterns in sizes 2 - 1 and 1/0; Double bunnies, Lefty's deceivers, Clouser minnows and zonkers
GRAYLING
If Arctic char are the "kings" of Arctic rivers then Grayling are the "princes"; with their large colorful dorsal fin and ranging in size from 1-4 lbs! The IGFA all-tackle world record for Arctic Grayling was caught on Great Bear Lake. In other parts of the world, Grayling rarely reach two pounds, but in the shallow bays and tributaries of Great Bear Lake they average two-three pounds with some exceptional specimens of four pounds being caught every year. Grayling can be found in most of the shallow, rocky bays on Great Bear Lake. For a real treat you can fly to the Horton River and try wading and casting in the shallow riffles for Grayling.
- Recommended rods: 9', 5-7 wt.
- Recommended lines: Full floating weight-forward lines.
- Flies: Most "buggy" looking patterns in sizes 16-8; elkhair caddis, stimulator, Goddard's caddis, black gnat, Adam's, hare's ear, Muddler minnow, etc
LODGES & ACCOMODATIONS
Be assured that you won't find any better in the Arctic for accommodations and dining. Plummer's is renowned for our cuisine and all our facilities, no matter how remote, are fully heated and offer 24 hour electricity. For detailed information on all of our lodge choices and their facilities please CONTACT us.
Plummer's Tree River Lodge broke four IGFA tippet class records for char caught on flies in the summer of 2006 with char over 15 lbs being caught on 4 lb, 6 lb and 12 lb tippets.
