Stories and Articles

15 April 2025

The Lodges - Past and Present

My raison pour for writing this article is to provide a brief history of each of the lodges that once, and in some cases continue to operate in various incarnations on the big lake, including information regarding their outpost camps, available side trips/fly outs, and much more.

27 February 2024

Chasing Unicorns In The Land Of The Midnight Sun

by John Cleveland

The ‘unicorn’ of the Arctic, a 37-inch behemoth char caught by Jim Craig. His guide Scotty Orr is doing the heavy lifting.

The Tree and Horton rivers in the Canadian Arctic are magical places for reasons beyond their legendary trout. Story and photos by John Cleveland

22 December 2023

The 12 Day's of Plummer's

by Harold

In keeping with the holiday spirt, I hope that the following will bring a smile to your face, although I suspect there will be more rolling of eyes than smiles.

21 July 2022

Great Bear Lake: A Paradise for Both Anglers and Birders Alike

by Harold

While it probably comes as no surprise that Great Bear Lake’s legendary reputation is based primarily on the world class angling it offers but having said that the “Bear” and its environs also provides the visitor with many other unique opportunities to do something other than fish, which at first blush may not be readily apparent to those who have a singular focus.

7 March 2021

How We Almost Lost the Tree River

by Harold

Thanks to the Plummers family we dodged a bullet that for most of us was not even on our radar. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1964/10/17/how-wealthy-sportsmen-are-plundering-our-last-frontier?fbclid=IwAR1QH-IsuFIKBIfWabQ8jY1Iu1_wWfGfH4nO7HXA1ka8KXVgYT4d0XZp3Q0

12 July 2018

The Tree River Bistro

by Harold

Anyone reading this who has either heard about, or been fortunate enough to visit the Tree River in Nunavut, is likely of the view that this little piece of heaven on earth is justifiably famous for both its breathtaking natural beauty and the world’s biggest Arctic Char.

1 January 2018

Why the Bear?

by Harold

Now there’s a question that I suspect has just as many answers, if not more, than the number of people who choose to answer it.

3 August 2017

Vintage Great Bear Lodge Video

by Harold

In keeping with the "vintage" Great Bear Lodge brochure in the following story, please enjoy this short movie featuring Great Bear Lake Lodge, hosted by Garcia and Seagrams Distillers in what appears to be 1965.

18 January 2016

Vintage Great Bear Lodge Brochure

by Harold

While we are not entirely sure exactly what period of time this brochure relates to, given the price of $795 US - about $10,000 in Ca. dollars at todays exchange rate - it's likely from the mid 70's.

30 September 2015

The Frogs of Great Bear Lake - Frogs?

by Harold

Yes indeed. Frogs

11 April 2015

The Real Deal - and That Ain't No Bull

by Harold

I have been holding off writing this for some time now - since 1997 to be precise - my rational being; why stir things up when there would be little or no chance to right what I consider to be a very egregious wrong?