Fishy stories
Fishing in the North is more than just sport, it's a way of life

by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (June 2/97) - Few things are as inspiring as the charge that runs up the line, down the rod and into the hearts of fishermen when they feel the tug-tug-tug of a fish taking the hook.

That inspiration is the source of some of the finest literature and many of the tallest tales told by man or woman.

With its cold, pristine lakes and rivers, not to mention oceans, the North is a breeding ground for the creatures from which such stories are made.

But though it is the source of many tales, most of the bragging is exported to the South, done by sport fishermen who come North to test their skills.

As Peter Ernerk of Rankin Inlet explains, "When we catch a big fish, it's not for mounting on the wall. We fish to eat, we fish to live."

Still, Ernerk remembers the sting of some of the big ones that got away. "I've lost some big fish over the years, and I still picture them," he said.

"There's been quite a few big fish that have got away, because they're so big, they're very strong -- 30- to 40-pounders. There's some very big fish in the lakes near Rankin."

For Northerners, size is not always the main issue.

"I like the smaller ones, about a pound, a pound and a half," said Alan Cameron of Resolute Bay. "They're far tastier.

Cameron has fond memories of fishing near the top of the world with one of the pioneers of flight in the North.

"I used to go up to Lake Hazen, about 90 miles (150 kilometres) south of Alert with Weldy Phipps," said Cameron, who figures the biggest fish he's caught is an 18-pound char.

"At that time we were pretty busy with tourists coming in to go fishing. We had to make holes for them to fish through the ice."

John John Lucas of Sachs Harbour matched Cameron's best two weeks ago, with an 18-pound lake trout that currently has him in top spot for the hamlet fishing derby.

Lucas hauled the lunker from nearby Usher Lake, hooking it through the ice with a red Daredevil spoon.

If the size of the catch grows with each telling of the tale, no fish will be bigger than one caught this month in Pelly Bay.

Frankie Immingark Jr., all of eight years old, hooked a 41.75-inch trout that won him the hamlet fishing derby.

The ruler moves up to 43.5 inches for a Holman Island fisherman. Joe, who preferred not to give his last name, said that was the biggest he's hooked.

Ever have any big ones get away on you, Joe?

"Yes, I've had that happen," he said. "But I think that I landed the biggest I've had on, so I'm happy."

What more could any fisherman ask for?