Yellowknife CAN AD A
in the summer range from 40 to 60 degrees. The sun does not set from May to June. Expect dense evergreen forests, thick and scrubby vegetation, lichen- covered rock and rolling hills. River and lake water is clean enough to drink from the source. Anglers can expect to fish alongside bears and wolves.
TARGET SPECIES Northern pike, lake trout, Arctic grayling, inconnu and whitefish. Plummers Arctic Lodges’ services range from accommodations at remote fly-in lodges to providing local guides in Yellowknife. Fly-in trips consist of fishing wild rivers and Great Bear Lake. In Yellowknife, anglers fish close to town on the Yellowknife River or travel to nearby Great Slave Lake for big pike. Late June is best for pike. Early July produces the largest lake trout. Giant inconnu visit in fall but expect cold, inclement weather.
TACTICS Sight fish for northern pike with Rebel Buzzfrog, large Mepps spinners, CFL bucktails and Savage Alien Eels. Troll for pike and lake trout with large swimming plugs.
LOCATION Northwest Territories, Arctic Circle 62°26'N 114°23'W
TOUR GUIDE
Jeffrey Goudreau, a professional guide with Plummer’s Arctic Lodges.
AERIAL VIEW Yellowknife is the gateway to the Canadian Arctic. The town of 20,000 residents is a 14-hour drive from the nearest city. Wild rivers and massive lakes hold giant pike and lake trout along with whitefish, grayling and inconnu. Water temperatures
TOUR GUIDE Jim Sammons, host of Kayak Fishing TV, is a 10-year veteran guiding at Rancho Leonero.
AERIAL VIEW Rancho Leonero is located on a small point right between the Gulf of California and Pacific Ocean. The water is crystal clear blue, with miles and miles of white beaches. Desert meets the sea with rugged mountains on the horizon. The contrast between the blue ocean water and sandy desert is striking.
TARGET SPECIES Roosterfish, tuna, dorado, striped marlin and sailfish. The fishing season runs from April to October. July to August are the best months, but the weather will be hot and dry. From December to March the wind blows.
TACTICS LOCATION
La Ribera, East Cape southern Baja, on the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California. 22°53'N 109°54'W
Anglers slow troll live mullet, mackerel or cabaitto for marlin and tuna. Drift strip baits for dolphin. Work three- to six-ounce verti- cal jigs for snapper and tuna. Purchase live bait at the bait boat in the morning. Mullet, mackerel and cabaitto are $2 each and $5
TACKLE
Bring a medium-action musky rod for trout and pike. A light-action spinning rod will be best for grayling and whitefish.
KAYAKS Jackson Cuda 14
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE Bring insect repellant, Deet is recommended. Insect-repellant clothing is a plus. Wear a neck gaiter to keep flying insects out of your mouth, ears, eyes and nose.
TRAVEL NOTES
Due to the remote area, wildlife and unpredictable weather, only experienced wilderness travelers should venture on backcountry fishing excursions without a guide.
GET THERE Fly to Yellowknife from Edmonton or Calgary. Taxis wait outside the airport. Once you get there, the Yellowknife River is walking distance from any point in town.
STAY Yellowknife hosts a variety of franchise hotels and motels. Fishing camps are all- inclusive and extremely remote.
SIDE TRIP
Whitewater rafting is a five-minute drive north of Yellowknife.
IDEAL ITINERARY Anglers can spend one or more days fishing out of Yellowknife. Lodge trips are a week or longer. Guides are available, or anglers can launch right from the lodge and fish on their own.
CONTACT
Plummer’s Arctic Lodges:
www.plummerslodges.com
Cabo San Lucas MEXI C O
will fill the livewell with sardines. Trolling large swimming plugs is also effective.
TACKLE • Medium-heavy, seven-foot conventional or spin outfits spooled with 50-pound braided line
• Light-action rod • Rapala CD 14 plugs • Sabiki rigs • 5/0 to 7/0 circle hooks • 30- to 80-pound fluorocarbon • Livewell or live-bait tube
KAYAKS Kayak Rancho Leonero has a large fleet of Ocean Kayak, Hobie and Jackson rental kayaks.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE Anglers fishing solo should hire one of the resort’s captains ($275 to $1,000/day) to get dialed in.
GET THERE
Fly into Cabo San Lucas then take an hour-long shuttle to the Ranch.
STAY Rancho Leonero is a five-star all-inclusive resort.
TRAVEL NOTES Resort accepts American dollars.
SIDE TRIP Dive the Cabo Pulmo underwater park, go horseback riding on the beach or take an ATV tour.
IDEAL ITINERARY All-inclusive, five-night, four-day guided fishing trip for $1,400.
CONTACT
www.jimsammons.com www.rancholeonero.com
www.rapidmedia.com 53
PHOTOS THIS PAGE: WILL RICHARDSON
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