Grayling Jump
Watch this grayling jump in slow motion
Big Pike Lift
Watch us make this big pike famous!
What’s Up in the Winter at Scott Lake
From mid September the 13 acre island that houses Scott Lake Lodge is a pretty quiet place, the silence only broken by the coming and goings of the few hardy creatures that spend their winters in Canada’s northern boreal forest, and perhaps the odd trapper’s snowmobile passing by. An island that sees impressive amounts of activity in a short period in the summer gets a long rest for most of the winter; most being the operative term here. Having a fly in fishing lodge located on the border of Saskatchewan and the Northwest territories presents a number of challenges in getting people, groceries, fuel and materials to the site. When that fly in fishing lodge happens to be one of the few left in Canada on a lake with no winter road access or runway, there are a few more considerations when getting ready for the new season. For this reason the winter trip to Scott Lake by a few folks is an important part of the system that allows us to provide our guests with a first rate fishing trip. Our motto for many years has been, constant, incremental improvement of all facets of the Scott Lake experience. For this reason each spring and fall sees new construction projects to repair, replace or build new the infrastructure that we use to host guests, now in the 20th season of operation under the current ownership. Taking into account the ice breakup period in May and early June where nothing can access the island but helicopter, all new material for spring work needs to be in place in winter when the twin otter can land on skies on the hard water out front of the lodge.
It’s an exciting trip up to Scott Lake in the winter, even early (early) spring, the long milk-run flight stopping at all points from Saskatoon to Stony Rapids, some frenzied running around in Stony securing the last few items needed for the trip and a ski plane flight into the lodge…all in the shortened daylight hours of the North at this time of year. Getting off the plane one never knows what will be found, memories of a squatting bear still fresh in the mind. Now comes a whirlwind of activity that the crew seems to fall into with no planning. The plane is unloaded and a weeks worth of food, gear, beer, snowshoes and fuel to keep things running. Shovels are donned and the process of digging into cabins and the solar room are early priorities. Start a fire, get power going, kick out any unwanted bears, dig out the snow machine (hope it starts) and toboggan, haul gear, start the ice auger and bore a water hole trough almost 4’ of ice, pour a cocktail, check Facebook. After the initial flurry the crew falls into a few days of dawn to dusk work, moving a few lifts of lumber that the ski plane drops off, cutting dead trees fro firewood and for wood chips come spring. It’s a busy time but always a fun time with a portion of each day set aside to check on Scott Lake’s populations of northern pike and lake trout, we want to ensure there are still a few big ones around.
A week seems to fly by in no time at all and then there is a hurried boarding of doors and piling into the plane always thinking there is no way we are going to make the flight south from Stony Rapids in time. What do we have in store? Well, we aren’t going to let on just what improvements are on the docket for his winter and spring, you will have to come see for your self!
Book now or forever lose your spot for 2016
We are very proud to announce that Scott Lake Lodge is over 85% booked for the 2016 season, this is no small feat and we must thank the continued support of you our customers for your business and loyalty to the place. Sales manager Jon “J5” Wimpney has again done an exceptional job matching people with dates to make sure no one misses out on their fishing trip this year. He is doing such a good job filling spots we thought it was only fair to warn you. Book now to make sure you have a place in the boat for the 2016 season! As we mentioned above there are good things brewing and we want to show you what we’ve been up to.
Late Fall News
REFLECTIONS ON A GREAT SEASON
Fall is traditionally the time for reflection. The staff at Scott Lake Lodge has done its share since leaving our island at the end of August. Those memories of seventy-six days spent in the pristine wilderness of Scott lake are still vivid and will keep us all going until we start it all again on June 10, 2012. It will be tough to match the 2011 season. It was near perfect with lots of sunshine, tons of fish, great customer/staff interaction and flawless changeovers. We thank the class of 2011 for bringing so much energy, excitement and energy into the Scott community.
ANNUAL REPORT
Most of our guests wait with great anticipation for our Annual Report. We consider our guests to be true shareholders in this enterprise and we like to offer a comprehensive report of the season past, documenting the big fish and the good times. Our latest edition has spectacular photography and we hope some interesting commentary on the season. The 2012 edition (yes, we do jump the year ahead to give the publication a better shelf life) covers the 2011 season and it will be in your mailbox very soon. You know, you just can’t see too many big fish pictures.
LOOKING AHEAD
While the 2012 season may seem a long way off, it’s just around the corner for our staff. General Manager John Gariepy is already deep into planning and purchasing for next season. Building a perfect operational season requires checklists longer than your arm, vendor negotiations, budget development, staff contracts, off season maintenance programs, a winter caretaking effort and of course just a lot of thinking. Staff recruiting will be a breeze this year. We expect nearly all of the 2011 staff to be back on the island next June. We understand that continuity is a critical component in any customer service business and we are proud of our staff retention record.
TRAVEL NOTES
We suggest that our 2102 guests book early for their flights to Saskatoon. We do offer a suggestion for travel arrangements. TRAVELEX is a Chicago area based travel agency that has been handling flight bookings for Scott Lake Lodge and other Canadian lodges for twenty years. They are the only US agency that can provide a special Delta fare (called “fish fare”) for Saskatoon trips.
This fare started with Northwest and has been continued by Delta, at least for now. The savings can be substantial. The published Delta fare for the roundtrip from Bozeman, MT to Saskatoon is $740 but the fish fare is $438. This discount does vary widely by city (Chicago has a published rate of $670 and a fish fare of $588) but most tickets will be significantly less even after factoring in the $35 agency fee that TRAVELEX charges. Check online and compare pricing but give TRAVELEX a shot. Their number is 800/882-0499. You actually get to talk to someone there.
JON WIMPNEY, SALES MANAGER (aka J5)
Scott’s veteran guide, Jon Wimpney, has finished up his fall walleye tournament schedule and is now full speed with booking clients, new and old, for the 2012 season. If you haven’t booked a Scott trip now, this is the time. We had great rebookings at the lodge last summer and there has been a surge this fall. Five of our trips are fully booked and many more have a half dozen or fewer spots left. The sooner you call Jon the better your options. Give Jon a call at 306/520-4007 or send him an email at j5@scottlakelodge.com.
Based on demand we have added two more weeks to the 2012 season which opens on June 10 and runs until September 3rd. The later closing dates gives anglers a chance to tackle some of the smash mouth fall pike fishing and get in on the early phase of the fall trout spawning activity. If you’re ready for a Scott Adventure there is no good reason to wait. Call Jon today.
PARENT/CHILD WEEK: AUGUST 4-9
We are offering a special week for the special father/son, father/daughter, mother/son or mother/daughter bonding opportunities that Scott Lake Lodge trips always bring. In fact we will even stretch this into a grandparent/grandchild deal. (If we’ve missed any combinations here let us know.) We will provide a 25% discount for lucky youngster, whatever his or her age. Ask Santa and who knows, if you’ve been extra good this year you might just find a Scott Lake luggage tag in your stocking!
TROPHY FOR JOHN GARIEPY
On October 15th Scott’s General Manager John Gariepy landed his best trophy in years-Cohen David Gariepy, a solid 8 pounder. With two boys and girl John and Linsy now have a full boat of future anglers. Mother and son are doing well. And so is the proud papa. Our best wishes go out to the expanding Gariepy clan.