Sarah Holland
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 12/99) - Rollin'...rollin'... rollin' on a river. The mighty Mackenzie River to be more specific.

Aurora River tours in Fort Providence offers river boat trips for those eager to do some sightseeing on the historic river. Aside from the beautiful view, you can see the barges working and the ferry gently chugging along.

"We can take up to eight people, depending on the weight, and the times vary from one hour to several days," says Colin Malewski, owner of the tour company.

"We also have an RV park with water and power options and (we) rent small fishing boats and motors. Some people go for a couple of hours, and some for weeks. We have one group that comes down for 30 to 33 days every year.

"We've had people from as far away as China and Germany come to visit. We offer a lot."

This is because, aside from the river boat tour, Colin's dad Ted has a fly-in fishing business just west of Fort Providence on Willow Lake.

"My dad has charter planes, and he flies people up to fish, mostly for trout and pike. They camp there and we even have a flight/boat tour combination.

"Dad will take a group of people up in the plane to view the falls and other attractions, and I take another group on a boat tour. Dad lands his float plane, pulls up near the boat and we switch groups. This way people get to see the view from the air and the water."

The best of both worlds is available on this trip.

Invigorating voyages

Bored of your local fishing holes? Anxious to get away to a beautiful Northern fishing locale? Maybe give some out-of-town guests another taste of the North?

Then maybe you should plan to get away for a few days on a unique fishing excursion to a Northern lodge.

In Tuktoyaktuk, James and Sharon Gruben run the Saunatuk Fishing Lodge, which opens yearly on June 20 and closes in August or early September, depending on the weather. This lodge provides full-service packages for their visitors.

"We offer single, three or four-day trips. We provide the rooms, meals, boats, guide, and, if needed, fishing equipment," says Sharon.

As with most Northern destinations, anglers must fly in to the lodge, which can be done through a travel agent, or the lodge itself can assist.

Visitors are taken on Eskimo Lake to fish mostly for Northern pike, arctic grayling and saltwater trout.

As for what you need to bring, besides your lucky charm for catching fish, the lodge can supply you with some gear if you don't bring all of your own.

"We recommend people bring warm gloves and sweaters, but nothing too warm, as well as wind pants and jackets. We do have floater suits, which are one-piece and very warm," says Sharon.

The Grubens have entertained various guests, from locals taking one-day trips to visitors from around the world, including Spain and Turkey, who take multi-day excursions. I guess this proves that fishing is a universal sport.