Canadian Grand Slam in Sportfishing (Report by Ted Hickman (OC-CA))
When Trey and I agreed to do an inspection trip to Ontario, Canada to look at a new lodge, we did our homework to find out what we would need and what we could expect. Trey said, "Wouldn't it be something if we could catch one of each big five species during our four days in the backwoods?" We drove four hours or so over the border to Ontario and another hour or so to the lodge, and spent the night before boarding a float plane to the back woods. The lake we stayed on had walleye and pike in it but the one we were going to didn't, so Denny took Trey and I out and taught us how to catch the tastiest of all fish. Trey caught his first walleye. The next day we flew about 80 miles into a cabin on Grant Lake where we were gracefully deposited for the next four days. This lake held an abundance of smallmouth bass, northern pike, lake trout and the ever elusive muskie (with lots of big teeth)…plus the fairly large striped suckers were spawning. The chances of catching the other four species in the next four days was rated as "slim" by the experts because of the elusiveness of the lake trout and the scarcity of the toothy muskie.
Frank Calta (OC-MN) is a world class fisherman who excels in fly fishing all over the world. He decided to take Trey under his wing and teach him how to "at least catch small mouth" on a fly rod. Trey practiced and fished with Frank but had no luck for the first few days. On the final day we tired of catching smallmouths (we had caught and released over 100 fish) on a variety of lures and set out to have Trey catch them using only a fly rod and Frank tied fly…which he did, with the biggest being about three pounds.
We then turned our full time attention to the lake trout and I kept catching northerns on everything from bass lures to a buzz bait. Trey finally hooked a five pound lake trout and caught a few northerns and more smallmouths along the way. It's all catch and release except for fish you want to eat during your stay and walleye and northern were super as the lake trout…and I don't usually like or eat any kind of fish other than black bass. We had a portable depth finder and spent the first three days scouting and finding the drop offs, ledges and structure. So here we were on the final day with Trey having every species he was after except the muskie. Then we saw one in the crystal clear water, the size if a sturgeon, swim under our boat and another one in the shallows. They look like the northerns except instead of spots, they have stripes…then it happened. Trey hooked a fish that fought harder than the rest and seemed to shine under the water like a cross between a northern and a muskie…a beautiful sharp nose, toothy predator. We figured that would count as a muskie for the grand slam and were thrilled with the day's results and decided to try for larger smallmouth. Trey made a cast to shore with a small spinner and as he was making his retrieve a huge wake followed his lure. The next thing I knew he hollered, "Holy crap!" (or something like that) when a 52 inch plus muskie ripped his little bass spinner and 10 pound test line. The fight was on and the fish was in control since the muskie pole with the 30 pound test line and steel leader was resting along side of us. Under the boat it went, wrapped around the base of the motor and into the weeds. Fireline paid for it self as it held up along enough for Trey to catch up to it and for me to net it. The fish was bent in the net with a foot of head sticking out one end and a foot of tail out the other. We quickly got pictures and released this bad boy back into the water…and the real grand slam was complete.
The Minnesota boys found it hard to believe, but the pictures made them believers. They kept saying, "Trey you just don't know what you've done. People have fished a lifetime and never caught the 'slam,' it was certainly your day." Trey said, "I also caught a big sucker, in the mouth, on a lure." They just looked at him. The next day as we left, a group of six from Wisconsin came to the cabin and also found it hard to believe. One guy said he had tried to catch a muskie for over 20 years and that he and his group had been fishing this lake for six years and no one had ever caught the "slam". They rhetorically said, "Boy you don't really know what you've done do you?" Trey modestly replies, "I guess not," and didn't tell them about the additional sucker or the Tiger.
It was on of those rare days in one's life where everything comes together just right and most probably may never be repeated…I was just glad to be along for the ride.
Catalog Code - ONF9
Bass Fishing on Lake Mateos, Mexico
There's a new kid on the block, but he's already a big man. It's the "new" Lake Mateos where the fishing is already spectacular.
Mateos is not actually new, but is a reborn fishery that was all but dead in the 1980’s and early 1990’s as drought conditions and heavy agricultural water use decimated the lake and the bass fishing. It's back! The new lodge has six deluxe rooms and will be expanding in the future to ten. Upon arrival you will be met by the staff with margaritas and your luggage will be transported to your rooms. All meals will be prepared for you and there are several places to relax after a long day on the lake.
This outfitter is offering a one time only special rate for June and July. (2 for 1). Yes, two go for the price of one angler at $2,015. This is the perfect opportunity to bring a family member or favorite fishing partner.
Catalog Code - MXF9
New Zealand Stag Hunting (Client Report by Derek Kern)
My trip through Outdoor Connection was the most enjoyable hunting trip that I have experienced. I was in Auckland for business and was able to book a direct flight right into the town of Wanganui. From there, I was picked up by Paul Bamber the owner of the outfitting company. It was a comfortable hour drive through the mountains to the hunting lodge. When I arrived the friendly staff made me feel right at home. The rooms were spacious and had their own private baths and a great view out into the native!
I got right down to business and was able to get in an evening hunt. I was after my first red stag and I wasn't sure what to expect. We drove a 4-wheeler (or the bike for the locals) to the area where I was able to see an abundance of wildlife including the fallow deer, wild pigs, Arapawa sheep and goats. Back at the lodge I arrived to a set table and a delicious home cooked meal prepared by Gail, the cook. We exchanged hunting stories and had a few laughs before calling it a night.
The second day we woke up early and my guide said that we were going to go on a 'little walk'. Little did I know a little walk is another term for hike through the mountainside. But that's exactly what I wanted from the trip.
We headed straight into the bush and saw all kinds of animals. The neat part about the guides is they can customize the hikes for hunters that might not want to do a 12- hour hike. I brought plenty of water and we took breaks to relax and enjoy the view when we needed them. My guide was very knowledgeable about the land and was always pointing out tracks/signs of wildlife that I would have not even noticed. The second day ended with the four-wheeler ride back up to the lodge…or so I thought…just as we were heading back up the road we met two other guides that were coming down and they asked if we would want to go for a ride on the big six wheeler. I was tired from the long day, but determined to find my stag. About 20 minutes later, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a huge rack of antlers! I decided that this was the stag I had been waiting for. I pulled up and shot from about 100 yards and dropped the stag with one shot. It was a rush that I will never forget and just when I thought the hunt was over I had my stag just like that!
Back at the lodge we celebrated with a few beers and with another hunter that was able to get a stag himself that night too. All in all the hunt was very good. The food was great and plentiful, the guides were knowledgeable and very professional and the view was spectacular. I will be back to hunt with this outfitter! Next time is tahr and the chamois on the south island. Cheers to Outdoor Connection and the outfitter for an experience of a lifetime!
Catalog Code - NZH2
Alaska Can’t Miss (Report by Jim Wisniewski (OC - FL))
This fishing adventure service is still as good as ever. I have just returned from a five night, four day fishing trip there with four clients. The service, lodge accommodations, meals and yes, the fishing was outstanding. We all returned with 100 lbs of salmon and halibut fillets. We were able to limit on salmon every day and almost every day on the halibut. This is a can't miss for anyone wanting to have a great time and experience Southeast Alaskan ocean fishing. As always, there are no guarantees for fishing success but you will not find another more knowledgeable or accommodating outfitter.
Having said that, the State of Alaska is adjusting salmon and halibut limits to insure the continued health of the resource. This is my second trip with this service and I will continue to return and feel very comfortable in sending anyone there.
Catalog Code - AF7