Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 12, 2007

INUVIK - Fishing with a hook made of anything but muskox horn is a bad idea.

That's the advice from Sam Lennie, who has been making hooks for the last 50 years.

"I never use caribou horns, or moose horns because it's a waste of time to make them," he said.

The antlers of the caribou and moose are quick to crack and break, which is a bad trait.

"The hooks fall out, they crack up, which is bad," said Lennie.

Using caribou is an option that Lennie has thought of, but through trial and error, the strength of the caribou isn't enough.

"Caribou is only easier to work with, but it's not worth the money," he said.

Lennie said that sheep or muskox are the best bet.

"You make them once and that is it," he said.

After multiple uses, the metal hook that is driven through the horn will need to be replaced.

Lennie said that the price for the finished hooks is about $40.

"You're getting your money's worth," he said.

Lennie said he gets the muskox horn from Sachs Harbour.

"It's getting expensive now though, with shipping and handling," he said.

"Forty dollars is a lot of money, but you have to think of labour and costs of the materials involved."

Lennie said he has many friends in Sachs and gets his horn though his connections.

"I know the people over there and I used to go to Banks Island a lot myself," he said.

The fisherman has been working with the students of Sir Alexander Mackenzie school for the past four years, on projects ranging from harpoons to fish hooks. He said it takes a few days for the students to complete their projects.

The projects all start with a few raw materials, then the youth carve their horn until it is the right shape.

"Some people make theirs straight, but I curve the horn so it bobs at an angle in the water," said Lennie.

When he isn't in the classroom, Lennie said he enjoys his annual trips on the land.

"We try to go out for day trips in the fall time," he said.

On a good day, he could come back with as many as 200 fish from a good spot.

"We stock up the freezers for the winter season," said Lennie.