Catching The BIGGEST Northern Pike I Ever Saw!

It was 6:00am when I woke from a sound sleep. Everyone in our fishing cabin was still fast asleep from a late night of cards, visiting and stuffing themselves with Dad's stringer of Walleye caught yesterday. I climbed out of my cozy bed driven by the thoughts of today's fishing adventure. Yes I was going to catch that trophy northern pike that broke my line yesterday and almost pulled me out of the boat on the first day.

I slipped out the door and down to the docks. Last nights dew was heavy on the grass and the lake was totally shrouded in the morning fog. In the distance you could hear the haunting call of a loon far across the still northern waters in front of our outpost cabin.

I pulled my fishing rod out of the boat and dug through uncle Bills tackle box looking for that spool of 25 lb test he said I could use. In 12 years of fishing I had never needed anything more than 10 lb fishing line, even for the meanest of Grass Pike we snagged at Grandpa's cottage.

I spooled off the old line onto an empty pop can so I could save it and tied the new line to my reel. You always tie your fishing line on in case you get to the end of the line my grandfather said and with the thick monofilament I was about to use I couldn't guess how many feet would fit. Today was going to be my day and I didn't want anything to go wrong so I was being very careful as I finished rigging my rod and tying on my last leader.

Yesterday was my first try at oatmeal for breakfast. Grandma had packed a big bag of it and both Uncle Bill and Grandpa told me it was good for me. I still think we should have got the 8 packs of assorted cereals but Dad said that when your going fly-in fishing you don't have room for bulky stuff. Dad put salt in my oatmeal yesterday but late last night Grandpa told me about using cream and brown sugar so I said I would give it one more try. Dumping the rest of the box of cream on and 2 big spoons of brown sugar made that boring oatmeal taste ok after all! You know I think grandpa's know more about kids that mom's and dad's do.

After breakfast we loaded up the boats. I could hardly wait to get on the water. Today I was fishing with Grandpa and Dad and Uncle Bill were going to try some spots up near the mouth of the river.

I really wanted to go back around the island on the other side of the narrows where I had seen yesterdays Northern break free but Grandpa was driving the boat and he took us to a shoal that he had found yesterday with his new pocket depth finder. "It's just the right size and depth for fish and predators like your Monster Northern Pike would like to lurk around it I'm sure " said Grandpa.

We stopped at the top end of the large underwater shoal and half drifted half rowed along the outer side of it casting onto the middle of the area and slowly reeling back in. I figured if a Northern was hanging around he would be lurking under the lip of the shoal in the deeper water waiting for a small fish to venture out from the protection of the rocks. Dispite my determination and being the first to get a line in the water it was Grandpas turn to reel in the fish. He got three good Walleye that morning and I thought I had one but after a really strong jerk it was gone. I think my favorite pike lure was not very good for hooking Walleye.

At lunch we stopped at a rock point for our usual lunch of sandwiches and hot soup in a cup. I had a swim but Grandpa said he was sort of looking forward to that warm shower back at the fishing camp. He told me stories of the old days when he first started going on fly-in fishing trips. Getting out of bed and going to the dock to jump in without even a swimsuit then shaving at a mirror nailed to a tree near by. The story I like best was one about having gone to the dock for his morning dip and looking down at a big old stapping turtle looking up at him. He said he told Grandma about that morning and after that she made him promise to book nice fishing lodges with showers.

After a great shore lunch stop, soaking up the sun on the rocks ground smooth by glaciers, and listening to Grandpa's stories, we agreed it was time to hit my favorite island area. In the morning I was really excited but now I was feeling a bit scared about the prospect. What happens if there nothing biting their either. I almost didn't want to put my line in the water. Should we start right at the spot he was at last time or should we work up to the spot doing some casting. Grandpa's fish finder said we were in about 12 ft deep water. It was great having a fish finder because you couldn't see the bottom.

We pulled the boat into the shelter of the island and started casting out into the deeper water I tried several of my favorite pike lures before settling on a monster perch surface lure. I did get a hit on a red and white spoon but spent more time getting it unhooked from dead trees, branches and weeds in the shallow water than fishing. The surface lure was easy to use and I got my first really good bite with it. I had reeled almost all the way into the boat when something hit my line and started to run. In a panic I jerked my rod hard breaking loose my lure from whatever struck.

When I reeled in the tail hook was gone and the ring that holds it was bent into a U shape just dangling there. Luckally Grandpa had another lure we could borrow a hook from. I sure didn't want to change bait after a strike from a MONSER fish like that! In what saeemed like an eternity we fixed the lure and I was back casting in the direction of the running fish. Grandpa decided to put his rod in the boat and pulled out the net. I think he sensed what was instore for us that afternoon.

Nearly twenty minutes had passed and Grandpa was just thinking of baiting his line again when I got the bite that would eventually land me my trophy northern pike. This time Grandpa was ready to coach and reminded me to keep my rod up and loosen the drag on my reel a bit. I know I had to let my fish swim around for a while but how long was long enough. Grandpa explained "That's what drag is for my boy, see every time the fish stops pulling hard you can reel him back in and as long as you have your rod up it can take the shock." Also he said that I would be able to keep the fish off the bottom better by having my rod high. I was really glad we had a boat with a flat bottom and the floor was clear cause I was reeling in from both sides of the boat and the boat was getting dragged in every direction during the fight.

I thought my arms were going to fall off my shoulders by the time I started to get that mean old pike close enough to the boat for grandpa to use the net but we did eventually get that fish in the net.

Anyway thanks to Paul and the rest of the gang at Ogoki for a great fishing trip!

Welcome to Ontario Canada Fly In Fishing!

We hope you enjoyed this little fishing story! Every time I read it I can't help but be filled with pride about bringing so many great people out into Canada's North for fishing and hunting trips that spawn life long memories about the amazing experience they enjoyed.

Whether you're going for trophy Walleye… huge Northern Pike, Monster Lake Trout, Brook Trout or Sturgeon… we have it. We are Ogoki Frontier Fly In's - with Ontario Canada walleye fishing at its best.

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