Derek Neary
Northern News Services

KAKISA LAKE (May 21/99) - It's just a matter of time until the fish are fried.

Commercial fishermen on Kakisa Lake were on the docks last Friday preparing their gear for the short, but intense season which will likely begin sometime this week. Four men -- Freddy Simba, Frank Bonnetrouge, Alex Bonnetrouge and Joe Cayen -- were fixing their kickers, installing the motors on the boats and taking them for test runs as well as giving the ice boxes a thorough cleaning.

The fishermen had made an attempt to make camp on the far side of Kakisa Lake, but the ice was still too thick late last week to allow them to land, according to Cayen, who was in from Hay River as he is every season. The crew normally sets out around June 1, but last year they missed the run, so they are eager to get an early start this season, he said.

They will be after 20,000 kg of pickerel (walleye), the allowable limit. They also get their share of jackfish (Northern pike), which also sells. On the other hand, there's not much of a market for the loche (burbot) and suckers.

It will take about two weeks to make their catch, if they're lucky, Cayen said. It's a short time frame, but a heavy workload.

The fishermen will set about 30 nets, marked by blue styrofoam buoys, and check them once around 7 a.m. and again in the late afternoon or evening, pulling the nets across the back of the boat and plucking out the keepers. A good-sized pickerel will weigh about 1.4 kg, while a big jackfish is roughly 4 kg, said Cayen.

Each day, the fishermen must clean their catch, meaning they cut off the heads and gut the fish. They then pack them in the ice boxes and send someone to Hay River where Freshwater Fish Marketing Corp. purchases them.

Cayen said he has been fishing for close to 30 years. Simba wasn't about to readily admit how long he's been in the game.

"I've been fishing for too long," he said with a smile. It's a demanding two-week schedule, but then they "take it easy for the summer," said Simba, who added that he and the others also trap.

There is also a fall fishing season. Some choose to try their luck at Tathlina Lake to the south in the fall, according to Cayen.

Despite the long hours, Simba said he truly looks forward to this time of year. After all, the job also entails being surrounded by peace, tranquillity and a beautiful landscape, he acknowledged.

"It's a good life," he said.