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MINIPI RIVER TRIP REPORT - EARLY AUGUST, 2004
Summary: We got a total of 11 fish between 5 and 7 pounds,
all on dry flies, our smallest number of five+ pound
fish of our four trips. After the green drake
hatch fell off mid-week, the surface fishing slowed
even though caddis and small may flies continued to
hatch.
The pike option is one that should receive more attention.
Jim and Andrew Hine took several fish on poppers
near grass and lilies with explosive takes. Each
had one over eight pounds. Good sport and
exciting. Viable fly fishing option when the
hatches are off and the brookies hard to find on the
surface. Anne Marie has pike to 15 pounds and
Minipi to 30+ pounds.
Weather: overall good, rivaled our first and second trips
for “best weather” trips to Minipi.
Minipi Lodge (on Minipi Lake* has pike to 30 pounds and good
access to large numbers of 1-2# brookies close to
the lodge in the river outlet and just downstream.
This would be the best option of the three lodges
for someone looking for numbers of brookies. Big
brookies are also available, but I would favor Anne
Marie or Minonipi Lodges for the big boys.
What the Minipi River experience is:
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first and foremost, the world’s best destination for
stalking and sight-casting to giant brook trout
of 5 to 8 pounds on the surface.
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A wilderness experience in a beautiful, unspoiled area.
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Provides a feeling of exclusiveness – only anglers we’ve
seen were the 8 or less anglers staying with us
at the lodge.
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Guides who will work an angler’s dream day – start at 9:00am
and fish through dark at 10:30 with a two hour
break for dinner (very few operations still
provide long days on the water).
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Has a pike option that can provide explosive surface takes
and meaningful numbers of good fish.
What the Minipi River experience ISN’T:
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Luxury – rather, seasoned, clean, and well maintained
wilderness lodges with good food at Anne Marie
and Minonipi. The newest and larger lodge at
Minipi Lake provides a few more amenities.
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No weather guaranties – like most of the world’s great
trophy fisheries, weather can be an issue.
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Tough to find space during the best hatch weeks because of
the large number of repeat clients, some who’ve
been making annual trips for 10, 20 and 30+
years during the same week each year.
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Bugs – mosquitoes and black flies in shore areas.
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Difficult to get to Goose Bay, Labrador. You must overnight
in Toronto, Halifax, or Boston to get there from
California, but are able to make the return in
the same day due to the time zone difference.
Philosophy of fly fishing for trophy fish: Fishing for
trophy fish seems to be similar, whether it’s New
Zealand for big browns and rainbows, the Dean for
large steelhead, Belize for tarpon and permit, or
the Minipi for giant brookies. A great fly fishing
destination will have the “fish of a lifetime”
available and the fishing is done in environments of
stunning beauty. While the fish may be there,
having a great day of “catching” is dependent
primarily on weather conditions and the skill of the
angler. The “fantasy” days do happen in the “right”
destinations, but those days are to be treasured.
Click on the following links for additional information and/or
client comments about this destination:
Trips
You Plan Far in Advance:
Giant Brookies of the Minipi River
TRIP REPORT
Fly Fishing Adventures
888-347-4896
flyfish@napanet.net
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