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Hatchet Lake
Pike
Trophy
pike adventure in Saskatchewan.
by Ed Jaworowski
 One
of the chief benefits of the wonderful world of
sport fishing is the opportunity, born of
necessity, to visit beautiful venues in pursuit
of various game fish. Now I have caught pike in
several Canadian provinces, as well as Alaska,
but believe that the countless lakes and rivers
of northern Saskatchewan, bordered by tamarack
and pine forests, provide some of the finest fly
rod pike fishing anywhere. What makes the whole
adventure sweeter is that the northern pike (Esox
lucius) seems to have been designed with the
flyrodder in mind. Few game fish will so
aggressively take feather and tinsel lures, while
showing disdain, verging on contempt, for boats
and fishermen. Fishing for "water
wolves" in the north country affords many
anglers their best opportunity to catch large
fresh water fish on the fly. It's a grand
experience you might want to consider.
For the past few summers I've traveled
to Hatchet Lake Lodge, one of several excellent
fishing camps in this lake-filled tier of Canada.
Located about 1100 miles northwest of
Minneapolis, barely 100 miles from the Northwest
Territories border, Hatchet Lake and the
surrounding lakes to which the lodge has access
provide lake trout, grayling and walleye action,
in addition to its world class pike fishing. At
this latitude, the waters don't warm
significantly, meaning that the pike will remain
in shallow waters throughout the summer, always
in range of fly casters. George Fleming, known
throughout the province as the "Man from
Hatchet", started his camp in the 60's,
making it one of the earliest in this region, and
has continually upgraded his facility over the
years. He also has seen the interest in fly
fishing spread well beyond traditional trout and
bass fishing. Now, each summer he hosts a fly
fishing week, an informal, loosely structured
get-together for anglers interested in catching
big pike during the day and discussing tackle,
tying flies, casting and sharing techniques in
the evenings.
It
wouldn't take long to impact the fishing,
if 40"+ fish were routinely killed.
One of the practices that has
maintained the quality of the fishing (in fact,
numbers of large pike appear to be on the
increase) is the strict policy of catch and
release of large fish. A slow growth rate of
roughly an inch a year, due to the short summer
growing season, mandates this practice. It
wouldn't take long to impact the fishing, if
40"+ fish were routinely killed. I can only
wonder at the age of the occasional 50" fish
these waters produce. Careful handling also
helps. For handling fish prior to release, we now
use a device called a Boga-Grip. This grabs the
fish's lower jaw securely. We then use a
"Hookout" to remove the flies (always
barbless). The Boga-Grip also has a built in
scale for quick weighing and the boats have
measuring tapes pasted on the hulls, so we can
get a quick statistic and limit the amount of
fish handling and time out of the water. Of
course, you can just let the guides handle the
fish with the large net they all carry. But plan
ahead to take any photos quickly and return the
fish as soon as possible.
Each day, only smaller pike are killed
for shore lunch, prepared by guides over an open
fire and about as scrumptious a meal as you'll
encounter anywhere. Another reason for the
sustained quality of fishing here is the routine
of optional daily fly-outs. In addition to the
main lake on which the lodge is located, anglers
can visit waters that get sparse pressure over
the course of the season, via short flights by
single-engine turbo Otter or Beaver aircraft.
On
one afternoon I took seven pike
from a clump of long grass hardly larger
around than the boat from which I was fishing.
Since the terrain of northern
Saskatchewan lacks real mountains, lake depths
are often conducive to flyfishing. In addition,
Hatchet's waters, while safe to drink, have a
slight stain, making fish less spooky than in
clearer waters. They also have more abundant,
pike-attracting weed, grass and lily pad growth
than many other lakes. On sunny days, mud bottoms
warm and the pike work into shallow bays, to lie
in the shadows of the pads or hide amid the
grass. On one afternoon I took seven pike from a
clump of long grass hardly larger around than the
boat from which I was fishing. Every small patch
of lily pads holds a potential giant. When the
shallower bays are not producing, guides will
drift over countless deeper weed beds in waters
to about 10 feet deep. All this means too that
you can fish for Hatchet pike with floating
lines. Seldom do you have to resort to deeper
sinking lines. I fished for eight days in the
summer of 1996 with a floating Scientific Anglers
Pike Line. My partners, Nick Curcione and Bob
Popovics experimented with various sinking lines,
especially Orvis clear sink tip lines. All caught
fish equally. So, while sinking lines may produce
better under some conditions, you can feel
confident that your floating line will work in
most situations up here. Rocky points and
shoreline dropoffs into deeper water are a third
kind of structure that will produce with fair
regularity. When not in the weeds, pike travel
the drpoff edges.
Just about all pike fishermen agree
that sight fishing provides the most thrills and
a large percentage of the fish we took this
summer were fish we saw in advance of casting.
This gave Bob the opportunity to get exciting
video footage of the fish stalking and attacking
the flies. When the wind is down and the depth
not great, fish will actually cruise under the
boat for shade, their tails sticking out I the
sunlight. In one bizarre case, after running our
boats through rapids, we beached the boats in a
small, deep pool and got out to take a break.
Nick casually made a few casts from shore
alongside the boats we just left. Several pike
shot from beneath the boats and savaged his
flies. We have also caught smaller sized pike
from the float plane dock at the lodge shortly
after the planes took off.
The
pike here often are just
naturally aggressive and voracious.
On another occasion, we slowly drifted
over a clear bottom, about five or six feet deep.
The bright sun provided good visibility and no
fish were in evidence. The bottom however, was
marked by dark patches of bottom weeds, four or
five feet in diameter. As we cast and retrieved
over each dark spot, a fish, camoflagued by the
growth rose to snatch our flies. These are not
stupid fish nor is the fishing always a snap. The
pike here often are just naturally aggressive and
voracious. They also have virtually no natural
enemies (except larger pike), so they are at the
top of the chain. They are intent hunters,
seeming to fix their attention rigidly on their
prey. We have seen pike scoot away from a boat
until a cast was made, then watched their eyes
lock onto the fly as it hit the water, slowly
work toward it, completely oblivious to angler
and boat, then finally bolt forward and engulf
the artificial.
When faced by the frequent winds that
blow in northern Canada, usually it isn't
necessary at Hatchet. As I've said, slightly
stained water and pike's fondness for clinging to
cover, plus the brazenness of the fish, mean that
many fish are caught very close to the boat. A
favorite habit of the fish is to pursue the fly
and rush it just at the end of the retrieve, as
it's being lifted from the water. If this occurs,
and the fish misses, just slap the fly right back
to the spot, let it sink a bit then jiggle it to
make the feathers or rabbit strip move
enticingly. Most times this will result in a
hookup. Pike strike in a variety of ways. Bright
colored flies are easy for the angler to track
and often the fly will simply disappear as it
swims past a weed bed, your only indication of a
strike. Dark flies can be deadly but harder to
follow on the retrieve. A sudden flash or a large
boil will often accompany the actual take.
Shallow water strikes are often preceded by a vee
of water or a large bow wake as the pike races
toward the fly. It's tempting to strike early,
anticipating the take, which often results in a
miss. I've done this often but one of the largest
fish I took in 1995 pushed water for 15' as it
rushed from a weed bed toward my black and
chartreuse Bunny Leech. Despite a racing pulse, I
had to restrain from striking too soon. When the
fish finally took, my guide shouted "Nice
wait!" Pike fishing is nothing if not
exciting.
Favorite flies include Lefty's
Deceivers, 6-8" long in chartreuse, white,
combinations of the two, or red/white. Orange and
pink work well too. On the other hand, an all
black leech fly (just a strip of black rabbit
attached behind the eye and left to dangle) is
deadly. It pays to coat all head wraps with
epoxy. I had landed about 40 pike on one Deceiver
and over 20 on another, otherwise impossible
without epoxy on the heads.
Tackle requirements for pike fishing
are pretty basic. My first choice is a nine
footer for 9-weight line. An 8-weight is plenty
of rod to handle the fish but the stronger rod
foresees the occasions when I have to pull the
fish through weeds or deal with inordinate winds
or throw larger flies, like Bob Popovics' Cotton
Candies. I prefer lines to match the rod
designation, in a pike or bass bug design. Still,
I'll always carry an intermediate and a sinker,
just in case I fish a deep channel---or want to
tackle walleyes or lakers.
Of
course, there was one fish that Nick
took over on Charcoal Lake that sprinted
like a bonefish; while I could see about 50 yds.
of backing in the air, I couldn't see the end of
his fly line.
Reels normally play a minor role in
pike fishing and hand stripping the line
generally works fine. Still, the reel should
operate smoothly when called far, but you won't
need the hi-tech machines commonly used in salt
water, nice as they are to use. Backing
infrequently comes into play. Pike pull, tug and
dart, bolting for short distances but making few
long runs. Of course, there was one fish that
Nick took over on Charcoal Lake that sprinted
like a bonefish; while I could see about 50 yds.
of backing in the air, I couldn't see the end of
his fly line. Of course, that was a most unusual
occurrence. Still, pike are strong fish and great
fighters, particularly in these cool northern
waters. You'll have your hands full with an
8-weight and 10 or 12 pound leader, especially in
tight, weedy bays and creeks.
Terminal rigging calls for wire. Heavy
mono may suffice for some but if a trophy eludes
you, it's most apt to be because of leader
failure. We use brown, single strand trolling
wire, #6 or heavier, about eight inches long.
Even at that we've had occasional bite offs, when
fish took the whole rig deeply into their mouths.
Connect the wire to the fly with a haywire twist.
Some anglers use a snap here for quick fly
change. If you do, don't rely on flimsy
connectors. Get snaps designed for heavy duty
salt water use; otherwise they will let you down
at a critical moment. You can use a haywire loop
at the other end of the wire bite leader and tie
your mono leader to it (or, if you prefer, add a
swivel and tie to that). As an alternative, some
prefer braided wire, connected to the fly with a
Figure 8 knot and to a swivel at the other end,
also with a Figure 8. While this is quick and
easy, braided wire will not stand up to many fish
before some strands, and eventually the leader,
break; and it's hard to remove kinks from braided
wire. Heavier single strand wire straightens
easier and is impervious to pike teeth. A total
leader a foot or so shorter than the rod is
adequate. I normally use about five feet of 30
lb. IGFA Maxima, followed by about three feet of
16 or 20 lb. depending on weed cover. Pike aren't
leader shy.
A few final notes on gear. I always
travel with a collapsible wading basket because
wind may blow the line around and cause tangles.
While Hatchet's newer, larger aluminum boats
(18') are much more fly line friendly, the
smaller boats have places where lines can pinch
and snag. Also, on the few occasions when I
wanted to wade, the basket made line handling
more convenient. A rainsuit and waterproof boots
are a must with the changing weather, as well as
fleece sweaters or other clothing you can layer.
Canadian weather is fickle and you will often
have to add or subtract something to stay
comfortable. In summer 1995 we virtually lived in
waders and rain jackets while in 1996, we
actually fished some days in shorts and no
shirts. Waterproof gear bags are standard items
to pack for clothing and cameras on each day's
outing.
Walleyes
offer a change of pace and some of the
14 fly-out locations offer very good walleye
fishing.
Although more fly anglers are
discovering pike fishing and Hatchet Lake Lodge,
it's a great place to take the family and anglers
who don't limit themselves to the fly. Many
guests fish spoons and spinners for the pike or
enjoy deep water jigging for lake trout. When the
lodge opens in early June and again toward the
end of the season, late August or early
September, flyrodders have a chance at the trout
in shallow waters. They are very aggressive and
strong at these times. Walleyes offer a change of
pace and some of the 14 fly-out locations offer
very good walleye fishing. Clouser Deep Minnows,
Wooly Buggers and other streamers produce well.
The thrill of catching grayling attracts many
anglers. As a light tackle diversion, this symbol
of the Lodge and the north country in general,
gives great sport on 4 and 5-weight trout tackle
in the various rivers. Elk wing caddis,
irresistibles and other high floating dries are
the standard offerings, as well as many
conventional wets and nymphs. Lake whitefish,
too, not to be confused with the widespread
mountain whitefish of Rocky Mountain trout
streams, reach several pounds in weight and are
an added novelty for anglers wanting different
challenges. On calm days, especially early and
late, you may see them cruising and sipping large
mayfly drakes. Despite their non-exotic status
among anglers, fishing for whitefish can be a lot
like fishing for "gulper" trout in
Montana or Washington lakes.
In addition to great fishing, a trip
to Saskatchewan's Hatchet Lake will include
fabulous shore lunches, cozy cabins with wood
burning stoves plus a bagpiper (!) who sounds
reveille and the call to dinner. The five day,
four night packages include air transportation
from Minneapolis, Saskatchewan license and other
amenities. Most of the guides are Cree and Dene
Indians with years of fishing experience,
boating, cooking and other outdoor skills, and
they work hard for their clients. Expect also to
see wildlife. This past summer we had several up
close photo opportunities with bears, saw many
eagles, moose tracks through the lake's shallows
and saw and heard the ubiquitous loons, including
some nests with newly hatched chicks. I've seen
brilliant double rainbows twice after rain
squalls, but most spectacular of all was my first
view of Aurora Borealis, the northern lights.
While a full moon rose on the eastern side of the
main lake, intermittent flashes or greens and
blues washed across the sky overhead. All this
and always a chance at a four-foot pike. I think
that's a lot from one brief vacation.
Additional
Information
For further information on northern
pike fishing, I recommend:
Pike on the Fly, Barry Reynolds and
John Berryman, Johnson Printing Co., Dept. ON,
Boulder CO, 1993 and Flyfishing for Pike, Larry
Dahlberg, In-Fisherman Videos, Dept. ON, PO Box
999, 651 Edgewood Dr., Brainerd, MN 56401.
For further information on Hatchet
Lake Lodge, brochure, promotional video, contact:
Hatchet Lake Lodge, Dept. ON, PO Box 262, Elk
River, MN 55330.
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