The fishing at Spring Bay Lodge started off with a bang. In the second week of the season, Tony Bennett of Atlanta caught and released Spring Bay Lodge's largest trout to date. It dropped the scale to 42 pounds. Meanwhile, both his fishing partners, Atlanta's Dave Drobny and Dwight Hottle of Ohio, had giant pike to the side of the boat. Dave and Dwight will be back next spring to try to settle the score with those 30 pounders. 

That same week, Nick Penick of Ohio had a day to remember. He caught a 33 pound trout and little more than an hour later he caught and released a monster pike. He and his guide for the day, Jeff Perala, are pictured here holding the 28 pounder. Quite a day! 

Fly fishing for pike at Spring Bay is becoming more and more popular. It's not only fun but productive too. In July a group of four fly fishermen landed 27 pike over 20 pounds including a 27 pound monster. That week Marty Finkelstein, of Colorado, had a surprise hook-up in six feet of water while pike fishing. He landed a 28 pound laker which had the potential to become the new world record trout on a fly.

At Johnston Island perhaps the best story of the year went to Ontario's Chuck Wentzel who caught four trout over 30 pounds in less than an hour. First he caught a 31, then a 36, next a 34 and lastly a 32, Number five was even bigger but it shook the hook before Chuck could get a scale on it.

Toronto's Mike Fallows summed up the fall at Johnston Island best when he wrote, "Most amazing week of my life. Everyone caught at least six fish over 30 pounds and countless trout in the upper 20's. On top of that the best weather imaginable." 

Our Johnston Island Lodge guests were very pleased with the addition of a third bathroom and the "Sowers Lounge." The lounge features a wood stove to keep things cozy after a day on the water.   

The fall fishing at Spring Bay was spectacular also. The sheer number of trout was amazing with boats catching over 200 trout per day. Attention fly fishermen: This is an opportunity to catch large numbers of trout in very shallow water. Call us if you want to take advantage of this incredible fishery next fall. We have added a wood heater to the lodge at Spring Bay to keep things warm when the weather isn't. 
2002
The 2002 season on Lake Athabasca was certainly memorable. We experienced the latest ice out since 1929 -- there was still ice on the lake on June 23! Some of our early guests chose to reschedule their trips for later in the summer. Although access to fishing water was limited, those who chose to brave the icy conditions managed to catch some good fish while experiencing the marvel of break-up first hand!

As soon as we could travel the lake, the fishing heated up. After Mike Austin of Denver worked to open a channel through the ice flows, Dave Drobny of Atlanta boated nine pike over 20 pounds in one day. Mike's efforts were rewarded with a 20 pound northern and a 30 pound laker. At Johnston Island Al and Jeff Walker of Florida were busy landing big lakers. By the end of the week the father/son duo had landed 19 lakers over 30 pounds including a 42 pounder.

When the ice finally melted, a large forest fire ignited just north of Spring Bay Lodge. Some days the entire sky was darkened by smoke and ash. About the time we started to worry about the safety of the camp cool, damp weather extinguished the flames. But we never stopped catching fish. Chicago's John Kosovich brought his 12 year old grandson, Jeff, to Spring Bay to learn about fishing. Jeff ended up giving his grandfather the lesson by landing six pike and six lakers over 20 pounds. Not bad for a rookie. At Johnston Island the kids were showing their parents how to fish. Twelve year old Austin landed a 37 and a 31 pound trout and a 26 pound northern. Six year old Jade caught a 28 pound laker (not bad, he‘s only a 48-pounder himself!).

We were saddened last winter to hear that one of our longtime friends, Jim Lindquist, had passed away. Jim was one of our first guests and had returned to Lake Athabasca every summer. In August, several of us were honoured to watch as his brother-in-law Bill Ford, scattered Jim's ashes, his favourite lure and, of course, a shot of whiskey -- in some fine lake trout territory. Bye Jim!

In late August, California's Matt Jaeger on the first afternoon of his first pike fishing trip caught a 30 pound pike! Just a few days later one of our guides, Bob Cottrell, landed another 30 pound northern while fishing in the same bay. August on Lake Athabasca is the time for big northerns! We also hosted our first guest from Japan. Tomo Higuchi and his father flew in from Tokyo and caught big trout and grayling. The highlight of Tomo's trip was catching a 20 pound pike on ultra light six pound test.

In September Field & Stream fishing editor, Ken Schultz, got a taste of big fish and big wind on his first trip to Lake Athabasca. Look for the article In the May 2003 issue of Field & Stream. Fishing held up superbly all fall but by October 4 it was clearly was time to go! We awoke to a 10-degree drop in temperature, snow falling at the far end of the channel, and only a faint trickle from nearly frozen water pipes. The ice forming along the lake's edge had us thinking about the week we arrived.

Despite the dramatic conditions, 2002 turned out to be a fantastic season of fishing with many of our guests setting personal bests. We completed new bathrooms at Spring Bay -- the addition is much brighter and fresher. We also began a new bathroom and shower at Johnston Island, which were completed early in the 2003 season. 

The addition of a Caravan on amphibious floats to Big River Air's fleet of aircraft makes getting to and from our lodges even faster and more seamless than in the past. 

2001

It may be hard to believe but the fishing is getting even better on Lake Athabasca. The 2001 season produced more big fish than any other in our history.

One of the big stories of the year is that the laker fishing at our Spring Bay Lodge is turning out to be every bit as good as we hoped it would be. The waters around Maurice Point produced more than two dozen trout over the 30 pound mark in June. Dave Orndorf from Ohio landed Spring Bay's first fish over 40 pounds. Later that same week one of his fishing companions, California's Dave Coffin also landed one! This is even more impressive considering that most of the fishing is done in the bays for northern pike. You can't blame the fishermen for that though - the pike fishing is irresistible.

Spring Bay Lodge continues to produce tremendous numbers of huge northerns. By the end of August 160 pike over 20 pounds had been boated. Using 40 inches as the benchmark, the number of trophies climbs to well over a thousand! Alex Walker from Ohio landed the seasons' biggest - a 29 pound monster.

John Kosovich from Chicago proved that you don't have to fish back in the bays to catch big pike. In early June, while trolling for lakers in 15-20 feet of water, John hooked onto a large fish. John's previous best northern was 27 pounds caught at Johnston Island. This one tipped the scale at 28 pounds and it won the pot for the biggest pike of the week.

In late July, Gerry Kriss caught five northern with a total weight of 111 pounds and length totaling 224 inches! His achievement was recognized by his fishing club back home in Wisconsin.

In 2000 Colorado's Jim Carter experienced the August pike fishing at Spring Bay. In 2001 he brought along two friends, Tom Griepentrog and Charles Dilks, both hoping to catch a 40 inch northern on a fly. That goal was easily met and surpassed. The pair caught five over 44 inches, including a 23 pounder that really put their flyfishing skills to the test. Jim didn't do so badly either - he caught a 27 pound bruiser.

Our guests appreciated the addition of new hardwood flooring, bedroom carpeting and comfortable chairs. In late 2001 we added a deck onto the lodge.

The fishing at our Johnston Island Lodge vaulted to a new level as well. The first week Chicago's George Pollock had a lifetime of fishing in one afternoon. He landed 38, 40 and 42 pound lakers in just a couple of hours! Lake Athabasca was just warming up for the next week when Minnesota's David Doerr and Gary Hommes landed five trout over 40 pounds! Laker fishing just doesn't get any better than that! 

However, they had to give the big fish of the week award to Indiana's Kenny Howard who landed the season's largest - a 50 pounder! Congratulations Kenny.

By the end of August we had landed about 160 trout over 30 pounds including 20 over 40!

While the events of September 11 cast a dark shadow across the continent, the late season fishermen at Johnston Island were making the best of things. They landed 85 more lakers topping the 30 pound mark including another six over 40! The disruption of air travel made for some anxious moments and hectic reshuffling of plans, but when it was all said and done only three fishermen were unable to make the trip north. Our thanks go out to those who were understanding and patient in a difficult situation.

We were also busy with improvements at Johnston Island in 2001. All the cabins were insulated and paneled and the paths were improved. The use of cradles was well received by our fishermen, guides and especially the fish.

November 6, 2000

The 2000 season was a big expansion year for us. The opening of our new Spring Bay Lodge was a tremendous success - about 60 fishermen put their trust in us and weren't disappointed. Together they caught nearly 200 pike over twenty pounds. If you use 40 inches as the benchmark, the number of trophies climbs to well over a thousand. The largest pike landed was 29 pounds and bigger ones were sighted. The early laker fishing was excellent as well, with a 36 pounder being the largest.

Johnston Island Lodge continued to provide the excellent laker and pike fishing we have come to expect. Despite the windiest year in our history and a late, cold spring - the last ice didn't leave the islands till June 14! - we landed 10 trout over 40 pounds this summer.   The largest was this 48 pound monster caught by the "Redneck Barber" (a.k.a. Jim Hammett from New York state).  
We boated about two hundred lakers over 30 pounds and many, many more over 20. The largest pike landed was 28 pounds.

Here are a few other highlights from our sixth season:
Todd Cubbon, a veteran of many trips to Lake Athabasca, set a world record in July. His 45 inch lake trout broke the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame 15 lb. line class Catch and Release World Record. Way to go Todd!

Todd Cubbon's World Record certificate (click for detailes).

Mike Austin from Colorado has a friend who mounted a 19-pound Alaskan pike. Mike had heard the story of that pike many, many times - and was challenged by his friend to catch a bigger one. After his week at Spring Bay, he felt more than ready to face his friend - in just one day he landed seven pike over the 20 pound mark!   
 
Kelly Carr, a veteran of many lake trout trips, finally hooked into the fish of his dreams - a 40+ pounder! And just to add more drama, his rod broke early in the fight. But Kelly and his guide, Jay Mundy, weren't going to let it get away. Between them they managed to reel in the monster laker with a completely snapped rod.

It was a family affair for David Watkins and his two boys. Fourteen year old Ian slammed pike on his fly rod; Colin, age 11, caught a 25 pounder; and father David bagged one of the biggest pike of the year, a 28 pounder, with a lure he created himself. 

And finally, there was Kerry Keyes. Previously, the "Keyes Factor" had produced bad weather and prevented him from hitting the 30 pound mark. This time around he caught his elusive 30 pounder - and just to make his point he went out the next day and caught a 40!

1999
The boats, motors, rods, reels and lures have been put away for another season. But what a summer we had!! It all started off on June 10 when Don Meissner and his crew arrived to film three shows for Rod and Reel Streamside. Despite what we had told them, they weren't prepared for the quality of fishing they experienced. The size and numbers were greater than they had experienced ever before.

Each and every week had its own highlights. Bob Halderman from Indiana caught the biggest laker of the season, a 51 pounder, on his first trip to Lake Athabasca. In one of the best weeks of fishing a person could dream of Jim Hammett, a.k.a. "the Red-necked Barber", from New York caught 11 lakers over 30 pounds. Prior to this summer, Todd Ayers from Pennsylvania had never caught a pike on a fly rod. His 28 pounder held on as the season's biggest.

On his third trip to Johnston Island, Chicago's John Kosovich landed a 42 pound monster. Norman Morrar from Ontario had a BIG fish boatside before it slipped the hook and sunk slowly out of sight. Guide Jason Mundy is sure it was well over 50 pounds, so it had the potential to become the new camp record.

The September fishing on Lake Athabasca is nothing short of amazing and this year we had weather to match. Most days were calm enough that we could cast to the trout in the shallows and watch as five or six 15 to 25 pounders chased the hook to the boat. Geoff Bernardo from Ontario returned to Lake Athabasca to try to break the all-tackle IGFA fly-fishing record. He just missed the mark with a 28 pound laker and then landed a 33 pounder that would have smashed the record had it not been foul hooked.

Memories were also made in other ways. We watched as the eaglets on Eagle Island grew up and left their nest. August brought amazing shows of the northern lights for those who stayed up to see them. The golds and reds of the aspen and birch trees this fall were spectacular. Some of the best memories are renewing old acquaintances and meeting new friends.

We are excited about opening our new Spring Bay Lodge next year. The pike fishing is excellent and the lodge record of 31 pounds is in serious jeopardy. We have always considered our Johnston Island location to be a lake trout lodge with excellent pike fishing. Our Spring Bay location will be a pike lodge with excellent lake trout fishing. Either way you get the best of both worlds. We will run the new lodge in the same professional manner that we run Johnston Island. The camp will again be limited to eight guests per week so we can maintain a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. If you would like a change of scenery in the future, give a trip to our Spring Bay Lodge some thought.
 
1998
Wow! What a year we had! Just when it seems the fishing can't get any better Lake Athabasca surprises even the most experienced fishermen.

Our 1998 season at Lakers Unlimited started with a bang. Last year one of our guests tied into something big enough to spool his reel and break his line. He came ashore swearing revenge and – sure enough – he hooked and landed a 52-pounder the first week of this season.

While that fish held up as the largest of the year, a 51-pounder in July came in a very close second. (This is the first year we've seen two fifties in a season.) As usual we saw several over 40 pounds (14) and 30-pounders too numerous to mention. As expected, the late August and September lake trout fishing was superb as they moved into their spawning areas. What could be more exciting than watching four or five twenty and thirty pounders chasing your spoon as you cast for them in six feet of water?

The pike fishing was superb also. Our guests landed more northerns in the high twenties than ever before. The elusive 30-pound mark was broken in August when a 31-pound monster northern was landed.

Each and every week made its own memories. Like the father and son who landed 505 pike. Or the lake trout that took 500 feet of line in a single, screaming run. Or the guy who landed seven northerns over 20 pounds one morning. Or seeing the smile as a fisherman landed the biggest fish of his life and then the amazement when he caught an even bigger one the next day. And there are always the ones that got away . . .
 
1997
In the wake . . .

Four or five years ago the seed of an idea got planted and slowly started to grow. What would happen if we started a fishing lodge that offered world class fishing coupled with a smaller, homey atmosphere? Would people like it? Would they come?

In our second full year of operation the fisherman at Lakers Unlimited have proven that "they" would.
Alongside the boat . . .

This year the fishing was excellent from start to finish. We caught about 70 lake trout over 30 pounds. The very first week, Elbert Crume from Texas boated a 46-pound laker. It was just two pounds shy of the lodge record. We wondered how long it would take to break that 50-pound barrier. . . It didn't take long. On July 11, Don Peters (who also witnessed last year's big fish) landed a 55-pound monster. Were bigger lakers out there? You bet. On July 27, Al Johns from Ontario had one alongside the boat that was clearly larger then Don's. We got it on video, but it slipped the hook before Jeff could get a handle on it. Next year . . .

The pike fishing was also impressive. We landed more 20-pound plus pike than ever before (about 50). George Reichert from New York pushed the lodge record to 28 pounds on July 14. Sorry George, but we don't think it will stand the test of time.

In front of the bow . . .
Big fish are awfully exciting, but the most important thing at Lakers Unlimited is that everyone enjoys their stay and has a holiday filled with pleasant memories. Judging by the number of our guests who have already rebooked for next year, we must be doing something right.

1996
The summer of 1996 was really hot. And I don't mean that we just got good tans. The fishing was about as hot as fishing can get. Everyone who made the trip to Lake Athabasca caught incredible fish.

Dave (the guy who had the coffee on by 5 o`clock every morning) started it all off on June 12 with a 32 pound laker. This record held up until our first guests arrived. Bob Baranski of Fergus, Ontario put Dave in his place with the first 40 pounder of the year. Roy Mann, Fritz Kloster and Don Peters also joined our 40 pounder club. But it was Gerry Stimmler of Philadelphia who landed the year`s biggest with a 45.5 pound monster that inhaled a silver Kwikfish. Congratulations to everyone who caught a lake trout over 30 pounds. We ended up boating 47 of them.

The pike fishing was great all year, with top water and open water fish over 15 pounds being common. Mark Kloster of Georgetown, Ontario probably thought he had the big pike honors sewn up with an impressive 23.5 pounder. But Andy Stimmler squeaked by him with a 24 pound lunker.

A Cast Forward to 1997