Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

TROUT LAKE (May 29/98) - Visiting the North from afar and the fishing bug grabs you?

You'd better call Trout Lake -- quick.

That's the word from the settlement's Chief Dennis Deneron this week. Though the tourist season is now only weeks old, Deneron says his community is gearing up for this summer's visitors.

"People started calling (for reservations at the band-owned Trout Lake Fishing Lodge) in November," he said during an interview this week. "We've had requests from Taiwan and there are people coming next month from Hawaii."

"I hope they bring some palm trees," Deneron said with a smile.

With 30-pound lake trout and northern pike of legendary proportions a common catch, the lodge has gained a worldwide reputation over the last three decades.

Besides these monsters, arctic grayling, suckers, pickerel and whitefish are among the species that keep the tourists coming.

And, Deneron said it has become an important economic tool for his small community.

"It's great," he said. "Our people get employment such as cleaning maids, cooks, guides and we have our people working on buildings, boats and motors."

As part of his duties as chief, Deneron said he has began patrols this year to ensure that visitors have proper NWT fishing licences. And, he says he is suggesting to anglers that they use barbless hooks to help preserve his area's plentiful stocks.

Currently, the lodge has six buildings and Deneron says that plans are in the works to build three new tourist cabins this summer.

There are also seven boats and eight motors for anglers to use to help catch the big ones.

It costs about $145 per person per night for a visit to the fishing lodge and this includes meals.

The cabins are wood-heated and power is provided by a generator.

Anyone seeking further information should contact the Trout Lake band office.

The lodge will close for the season on September 15.