Perchmaster March 3, 2009 at 10:22 pm Boy I have to comment on this one.For those of you that don’t make the trip in May you don’t know what your missing when you make the first trip of the season to one of these portage lakes.You have to carry gas in and all sorts of stuff, even the motor sometimes, and then the BUMB “Gord” can’tg even buy you a beer that evening after you just about have the big one!!!Had to do it Gord Sorry!!!!
Andy Lewis March 4, 2009 at 1:13 am Gord, I hope to be one of the lucky ones in 2009. It’s been on my “to do” list for the last few years. Catching fish closer to VBL has always gotten in the way.
Professor March 4, 2009 at 5:43 pm This is a very good trip into the back country for smallmouth and quality pike fishing. I’ve fished it a handful of times and have never been disappointed. You have to be willing to work to experience this fishing, though. There are four portages to cover. If you hustle, you can get from VBL to Caribou in 1.75 hours. Plan on taking a full day for this adventure. And make sure that you and your partner are in reasonably good shape–there are plenty of rough spots to traverse. Andy, how about we actually go there in August?
Anonymous March 4, 2009 at 7:23 pm After Andy Meyer’s lodge lost the portage rights to Clear Water lake, he described this short 20 minute portage as “a death march” on his web site. To me its more like a walk in the park (unless you are lugging a gunny sack full of fish back!). Professor…just what title would you use to describe the portage to Caribou? Gord tells me you were turned back one year as a result of lack of conditioning or perhaps a glass of wine that was consumed the night before that apparently had gone bad?
Andy Lewis March 4, 2009 at 7:45 pm ProfessorBased on these photo’s I think Gord has taken care of the problem identified by the Perchmaster. And the previous photo’s showed a pretty nice boat on McGregor. I think its go time!
Gord March 4, 2009 at 8:32 pm The hardest part of fishing Caribou is forgoing the other prime spots you have to pass through. Almost too tempting………
Perchmaster March 4, 2009 at 10:15 pm Must be why I have never made it to Caribou Lake as I am always wore out from catching so many fish on these other qaulity lakes.Like Gord mentioned you have a couple of other lakes in the way of Caribou Lake and one just has way to much fun catching fish on these other lakes that you get lost in the time and next thing you know it is time to head back to camp
Professor March 6, 2009 at 1:07 am The portages into Caribou vary quite a bit. The going from Eagle to Clearwater has several rough spots and it could be quite muddy in a few sections. Go with supportive boots and watch your step. Clearwater to McGregor is an easy 10 minute hike. But if the water levels are low you might begin by dragging your boat through a short stretch of shallow water. McGregor to Otter?(I’m not sure about this name) is short, but it starts out with some bush-wacking through clumps of marsh grass until a trail emerges. The last portage, from Otter to Caribou, is the longest of the four, but it’s pretty easy and scenic. There is a small creek that you will have to cross by jumping over or stepping in. You will break a pretty good sweat getting into Caribou and it will take nearly two hours. Your reward will be the opportunity to fish a near-wilderness lake that receives very little pressure during the year. Gord maintains a decent boat and motor there for his guests. A few years back we used my sonar unit to roughly map out bottom contours and depths in this beautiful lake. Andy, I’m glad you’re up for this adventure–we are going to have a ball.
