Labrador with Friends

[Bobwhite]

I had a pretty crazy summer last year... too much travel and not enough time at home between trips. Often, it's the time between experiences that allows me to thoroughly appreciate them... and there was none of that.

Anyway, that's my excuse for not posting this report until now... and I'm sticking to it.

A good friend owns a lodge way the heck out there, and he's been after me for years to come visit. Unfortunately, because of work in Alaska, I was never able to accept. Last summer was different. I've decided to cut back my time in AK to fish and paint, and spend more time with my gals.

Minneapolis to Toronto to Montreal to Sept Isle to Wabush... and the next day (weather permitting) an hour and a half further north in a float plane. As beautiful as it was... I had a hard time keeping my eyes open. The change in the bush plane's pitch woke me up... and we were at the lodge.

The Lodge

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A short plane ride to a neighboring lake and a mile long hike to the top of a connecting river, with a few jokes along the way.

Good friends

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Once we got to the top of the river, Mike didn't waste any time getting on the board.

First fish of the trip

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I'd smile too

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John wasn't far behind...

The last run

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Square tail

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We spent the day fishing down to the lake and the waiting plane. When the water was tight, we took turns. When we could, we spread out and all fished.

Big water

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Evening calm

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The next day, we flew 1-1/2 hours north to an impact crater lake which flowed further north to the Arctic Ocean. The lake and its outflow holds land-locked arctic char and lake trout.

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The flight back to the lodge that evening helped to give me some perspective of the last ice age. There was once 2 miles ice on this part of Labrador... this photo was taken at 6000 feet, or half way to the top.

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Over the week, we often flew out, and sometimes left by boat... but we always fished small water. Because it's small and requires the fishermen to often take turns, this water is often not fished for an entire season. We didn't mind a bit.

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[Bobwhite]

I guess there's a limit to the number of images one can post...

Here's the rest.

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The days passed quickly and became a week... a week I'll remember for a long time.

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[FormerlyChaseChrome]

Talk to Skibum and post up the poutine...
Beautiful land that...

[Bigguy]

Holy crap on a cracker, that's awesome, Bob. Sure looks like an amazing place, and to top it off, lots of future paintings in those photos!

[Willi]

That's a trip I've fantasized about since High School. Amazing country up there.

Willi

[Bruiser]

That was OK I guess. One guy paints, one guy writes, the other guy probably actually works, and they all fish.

[flybug.pa.]

so very well done Bob, great friends and a twig fire.

[Bobwhite]

That was OK I guess. One guy paints, one guy writes, the other guy probably actually works, and they all fish.

Haha, the 'other guy' is a bum too... but one hell of a photographer!

[Redchaser]

Spectacular my friend

[stillsteamin]

Beautiful, someday i hope to be lucky enough to see that country and those fish...thank you.

Sharing a campfire and a thermos of coffee with John Gierach is just about the coolest thing I can think of.

[rampant]

Yep. That did not suk.

[Eider]

Excellent.

One day I will make it to the Big Land.