Yellowknife (Sep 01/04) - For most of the summer, Great Slave Lake has been the site of a massive treasure hunt.

Officials at the Great Slave Cruising Club laced the area with 10 tokens and encouraged boaters to do their best Pirates of the Caribbean impression.

"It has been a lot of fun," said Tim Coleman, social director at the 75-member yachting club.

The hunt was designed to encouraged boaters to visit some of the more remote locales on the lake, said Coleman.

"The idea is to get more people out enjoying the lake," said Coleman.

The tokens can be redeemed for prizes, including VHF radios, and a free lift out of the water at the end of the season. There's a trophy for the captain and crew who uncover the most treasure.

Nearly two months into the hunt, the tokens have proven difficult to find. A fisherman stumbled across one near the lake's inner islands but nine remain to be found.

To help treasure seekers in their quest, club officials have released a series of cryptic hints including: "Twin poles stand upright; what they hold up keep it bright and night" and "Doc Con Doc Con, my buoys are not right. Big one and little one. Fight, fight, fight."

The Coast Guard auxiliary unit placed the tokens on behalf of the club, so Coleman doesn't know their exact locations.

He's heard there are several in Yellowknife Bay and rumours suggest there may one as far away as the East Arm.

He expects another token may be discovered this weekend during a race near Moose Bay, a six-hour trip from Yellowknife in good wind.

"I've heard there is one out there," he said.

With about a month left in the boating season, Coleman said the clock is ticking on the treasure hunt.

"It's getting cooler, so there aren't a lot boats out there. You almost have the lake to yourself."