July 15 – August 15, 2001

Volume 3, Issue 4

         After you've come to the conclusion that you deserve to pamper yourself with a fly-in fishing trip, then you face the difficult job of choosing a destination.  Whether you peruse the glossy brochures that expound on the virtues of a particular fishing camp or cruise the Internet in search of the perfect destination, you’re faced with dozens of options and claims offering the finest fishing in Alberta.

            So how do you siphon out the truth?  The best way is to ask around in hopes of finding an angler that has first-hand experience.

            So when the folks at Namur Lake Lodge jumped at the opportunity to be featured in the monthly Alberta North page, I decided to forego reading about how great the fishing opportunities are and asked an avid angler about his personal experience at Namur Lake. The comments from Rob Miskosky, the publisher of Alberta Outdoorsmen, left little to the imagination. "It was spectacular," Miskosky says, still gleaming from his trip last June.  "Ken Bailey and I went for four days and everything from the fishing to the accommodations far exceeded our expectations."

      Like most people, Bailey and Miskosky did some research prior to departing for Namur Lake Lodge, which is located 75 air miles northwest of Fort McMurray.  Boasting about the trophy size lake trout, pike and grayling, the two expected lots of action but neither had any idea of just how true the claims were about the abundance of fish in this still remote area of Alberta.  Keeping close track of the action, the pair estimated that they landed a big laker every 12 minutes, leaving them both awe-struck at their success.  "I couldn't believe it," Miskosky exuded.  "We were releasing everything we caught and it seemed like you would just put one fish back in the water when you'd have another on your line.  It was non-stop action from the time we got on the lake until the time we called it a day.  It doesn't get any better than that." 

       Namur Lake Lodge has been offering fly-in fishing trips for over 30 years, and besides the great fishing on Namur Lake, the owners also have an outpost camp on Gardiner Lake, which is connected by the Namur River.  Known for its abundance of walleye and huge pike, Gardiner also offers anglers the opportunity to experience the trip of a lifetime. 

            While non-stop action is the highlight for most anglers, there are a number of other variables that will factor into your final assessment of the value of the trip.  From accommodations to food, the owners and operators of Namur Lake spend countless hours going over every detail to make sure that everyone leaves with a smile as big as the ones Miskosky and Bailey left with last year. 

         "Our goal is to send everyone home happy," says Bev Pasichnuk  who owns and operates the camp along with her husband Cornell and partners Bob and Ruth Anstruther, "and we want them to have a memorable experience.  We all feel fortunate to be involved with a fishing lodge because it's a passion that we all share and we take a lot of pride in what we do.  I think it's a big reason that the majority of our guests arrive here through word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family." 

      The amenities begin with seven guest cabins that sleep from three to seven guests and come with a stove and fridge if you choose to do your own cooking. The cabins are spacious and clean and offer all the comfort you would expect on a holiday and are equipped with electric lights, dishes, utensils and twin bunks or double size beds. 

            With cooking facilities at your ready disposal, you can bring your own food, but as Bailey suggests, "We were treated to some of the finest camp cooking I've ever experienced."  From lobster and restaurant quality steaks to moose roasts and home-style baking, you're assured of a fabulous end to the day regardless of the action on the lake. 

            In addition to the spacious and comfortable cabins, Namur Lake Lodge is proud to equip their guests with 14-foot aluminum boats with 9.9 HP motors, DOT approved life jackets, landing nets and gasoline.  Some tackle is available, however, they suggest you bring your own and recommend medium to heavy action casting or spinning rods from five to seven feet in length.  Large spoons and plugs are best for Lakers and Northerns while jigs and spinners are recommended for walleye fishing at Gardiner Lake. 

            In addition to the excellent fishing opportunities, Namur Lake offers you a chance to get a glimpse of one of the world's few breeding grounds of the White Pelican.  The endangered species is isolated on a restricted island on the lake and can be viewed at a safe distance without disturbing the birds. 

            When it comes to booking a fly-in trip, it's important to do your homework.  While it's still a relatively inexpensive holiday compared with some other options out there, it's still important to come away feeling like you got your money's worth and by choosing Namur Lake Lodge, you can rest assured you'll get a bang for your buck, or should I say trout.