We have all been on fishing trips where there is a lot more fishing than catching.  Most people would agree that this is the start of a pretty good list: steelhead, permit, musky and adult tarpon. As much fun as those trips are, and how those species challenge fly anglers to the point of fanatical pursuits, I think that every now and then we all just need a good old fashioned ‘catching’ trip. Enter Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge in Northern Manitoba.

Located north of Winnipeg, and surrounded by too many lakes to count, Gangler’s is the quintessential northern pike and lake trout lodge (plus walleye and grayling). Here, arms wear out from fighting large pike. It provides the northern woods experience so well immortalized in early fishing books and articles in Outdoor Life and Field & Stream. I’m talking about four-foot pike, 25-pound lake trout, shore lunches of grilled pike and walleye and huge Daredevil spoons hanging in the bar.

Fly tackle and techniques are fairly simple; an 8-weight fly rod, a floating line that is designed to cast large flies and poppers, a strong leader finishing with a foot of 30-pound wire tippet. We cast to obvious structure, like big rocks, logs and vegetation, or into open water on shallow flats.

Just be ready for a huge explosion on any cast, anywhere. And, big flies…

imagine Lefty Deceivers and Clousers on steroids. 6-inch streamers are average, plus big, loud poppers. They are all going to be shredded, so don’t break the bank on fancy materials.