My long time fishing buddy Dave  & I made our annual trip to lake athabaska in northern saskatchewan last week. When we got there the water was high about 4 feet higher than normal pool. The water continued to rise each day that we were there. The rising water made our pike trip extremely tough. The pike were not only spread out but had found new habitate in the trees & bushes that used to be part of the shoreland. We found some good fish but not like the numbers & quality we were used to. Like my buddy said you can't make chicken salad out of chicken shitu. So we decided to spend most of our time chasing lake trout instead of pike. That was a tough go as well but the fish turned on the last three days which saved our trip. We had never fished with Bryan before and he turned out to be a great guide. He is a diehard cleveland indian fan as you can tell from the cap.  

Welcome back.

 

Sorry you guys didn't get into the pike like you had hoped but Congrats on the Submarine-like Lakers . .

 

WOW.

 

A-Jay

Those are some mighty fine trout there sir!!!  Congrats!

 

Jeff

Those are some impressive-looking fish.

Never caught a laker but I've heard they're a blast. With slobs like those I have no doubt they're some serious fighters!

So you don't just catch monster smallies....just monster fish in general.  Awesome fish! 

Nicely done!

Good Job!  Way to turn the trip around.

Big trout, hey!

Thanks guys. Those bigger lake trout grow 1/2 to a 1 lb per year. Some of the bigger ones I have caught are actually older than me. LOL They are strong fighters much like a striper or salmon. They belch up bubbles when they are under the boat signaling they are ready to be cradled. That is actually their way of equalizing their air bladders.

Those bigger lake trout grow 1/2 to a 1 lb per year. Some of the bigger ones I have caught are actually older than me. LOL They are strong fighters much like a striper or salmon. They belch up bubbles when they are under the boat signaling they are ready to be cradled. That is actually their way of equalizing their air bladders.

So if you weigh about 160lbs and grew 1/2 to 1lb year, then you would be about 213 in fish years, those fish have nothing on you buddy.  Great catch, and glad you could salvage the trip!

What a rough way to salvage a fishing trip!!! We should all experience such spoils!  Very Nice, Very Very Nice!!!!