Friday 8/9/02
I flew out of Logan, Boston, to Halifax, to St. Johns and on to Goose Bay, where I stayed over night for 2 days. The Float Planes only fly to Labrador on Sunday. The day before we flew out, from Goose Bay, Owner of the lodges, Mick Emmens, took Colin, Barry, and myself on a ride thru town to some beautiful places to take pictures. Then on to the local Dump. Yes, I said dump, as in "City Dump", where we went to shoot footage of ....BLACK BEAR!. Picture this folks: Up on top of a hill sat this huge black bear with a Ben and Jerry ice cream container on his nose. No lie! There were four bear going to town on the garbage. My heart was in my throat. Barry, the camera man, and I went on a hill across from them, about 100 yards away.
Colin, the producer of the show, at our back, watching for more bear so we would not get surrounded. At one point there were 9 bear on that mound of waste. One of them, started to get curious about us and slowly start to walk toward us. Barry whispers to me not to run. We slowly start to back up, without taking our eyes off of this animal. I guess the smell of that garbage was much greater then his interest in us and we posed no danger, so the bear plops down and starts munching on something. When we got down to the truck to leave, there was a young bear on the road about 50 yards from the truck. Just sitting there like a puppy dog. I stayed by the truck and Barry, Colin, and Mick stood out in the road and filmed footage of this bear. After about five minutes, Mick saw a much bigger bear coming down the road behind them, about 1/4 mile up the road and closing in, so they got on the truck and we left. I did not realize just how nervous I really was until I went to change my floppy out of the camera and my hands were shaking. What a trip!
Sunday 8/11/02
On Sunday morning, Myself, the Producer of "The New Fly Fisher Show, Colin McKeown, his camera man, Barry Acton (we call him "Bear" cause he loves food) three guys who were paying customers, and George Linton, who is a regular guest and a good friend of Len Rich (Once owner of Awesome Lake Lodge, who now works for Mick E
mmens, owner of Awesome and Eagle Lake Lodge)we all flew out in this 12 seater, called a Otter, twin engine.
The minute I got on the plane, I found my life jacket and hugged it to my breast. I figured, I would be more prepared then the rest if something happened. Frankly, if this thing went down, I would have looked like a fly on a windshield. I was so scared and the plane sounded like a buzz saw. What took my mind off of the fact that I was in a sea plane, was taking pictures of this unreal landscape below. It was all glacial wilderness, dotted with lakes and rivers.
The landing is on water and you never feel the landing, it is so soft. We floated right up to the dock, where we are greeted by the former owners, Len and Ruby Rich (Ruby is our chef and Len our host, the man who made this trip possible for me). The 5 guides, the lady who helps Ruby with cooking and cleaning and the guests, who are waiting to board, once we get off the plane. Their bags, in piles, waiting to be put on the plane. Once we got off the plane, all of the food and dry goods, Ruby had ordered, were taken off, along with 2 huge drums of fuel, for heating the place. I could not believe the stuff that came off the plane. This is the only way you survive in these camps, by planes delivering stuff to you once a week and when they come into camp you have to get all you can on that flight in, or you go without.
Awesome Lake Lodge is very rustic, Situated on a hill, with 4 detached cabins to the left, for the guides and help and 6 cabins to the right for guests, each complete with 2 beds and a wood stove. T
he lodge has a huge eating area with a picture windows over-looking the lake, a sitting area with a fly tying table (Len's corner) A kitchen, storage area, with ice machine, 2 full baths and a laundry room. A deck with walkways outside lead to the cabins and the dock. Just beautiful.
The weather and fishing are fantastic there. The average size brook trout is 4-6 pounds. The shows were taped, using 2 canoes. Colin and myself and Wally, our guide, in one, and Barry and guide, Jim (Inuet eskimo), in the other. The first day we taped the entire first show and when Barry went to check what we did for the day, he found the camera was not working correctly. The short story, the camera had a flaw and the show was ruined. We had to re-tape, using the other camera, only, (they used 2 ) and tape shows, one dimensional, until Panansonic, out of Ontario, could fly in anot
her camera on Thursday, when we were scheduled to go to the other camp. I was only supposed to be in one, maybe two shows, but I ended up in 4 or 5.
"I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeVille". Sarah Burnhart of the fly fishing world!!! I know, Gloria Swanson said that line... We had a great week and ate more food then we needed to. The rule of thumb is, they can never promise how the fishing will be, but they can make sure you do not go hungry. The food was fantastic and I am now on the Atkin's diet.
Everyone caught fish, a lot of fish and BIG fish! And the weather was great, except, on the day we were suppose to fly to Eagle Lake, the plane was grounded in Goose Bay due to a storm going thru and we ended up not getting the camera or going until the next day and what made things worst, we sat around all day waiting to hear news and could not tape a show or fish for fun cause we were on a constant stand-by pattern and had to be ready if the plane showed up. Very frustrating and normal if you live up in these camps. The only way you communicate with the outside world is by 2 way radio.
Did I say rustic? The plane showed up as planned for the next day and took the first group and some supplies to Eagle. It would be back for us in a few hours. I went fishing on the dock. I hooked into a 10 inch brook trout and this huge brook trout, about 8 pounds, came up and slammed the 10 incher, and I had them both on my line for about 3 minutes. Colin comes racing down with the camera, but it was too late. The big guy got off and I was left with the 10 incher that was very dazed and most likely lunch when I let it go.
When the plane returned, we were told that we had way too much to take everything and everyone, so Len and George had to stay behind. We would not see them until Sunday, when the plane returned to deliver them up to Eagle and take the guests out, who were leaving. It was a bummer, but it happens a lot up here.
I got to sit in the cockpit with the pilot and I can tell you, it is the best seat in the plane. I still hugged a life jacket all the way, while taking picture after picture. 
Eagle Lake Lodge is a very modern double A-Frame with 10 bedrooms, with private baths, a huge eating area/ sitting area over-looking the lake and there is a sitting area in the loft. The cabins for the guides are detached, to the right of the lodge and closer to the dock where the plane lands.
The fishing is best in June and this was August. The Brook Trout are even bigger here, averaging 8-10 pounds, but the water is warmer in August and they head for the river below the lake and the Black flies are so heavy that I chose to fish for the Northern Pike instead. Northern Pike are like alligators with fins. 3 to 6 feet in length, some of them. There are smaller ones, that go a foot or so and they are mean too. I did hook a huge Brook trout my first day there, right at the mouth of the Eagle river, going 6 pounds.
I loved the private baths in the rooms at Eagle Lake but I loved the wood stoves and rustic setting and the more productive water at Awesome lake much more. I am certain that if it were June, Eagle would be fantastic for fishing, but it was very slow when we were there, The drought felt all over the US is also up here.
Colin had planned to tape 9 shows and he was able to tape 6-7. They will air on PBS for 2 years and Outdoor life Network for 3 and the Discovery Channel in the UK for 2-3 years. Very exciting.
I am hoping to get enough people to go, with me, as their host. I am looking for 6-7 people, for Awesome Lake in 2005. The Date is July 31 - August 7th. Please included the two days before for travel up to Goose Bay and give yourself a few days additional to get back incase of bad weather and the plane can't get in. It has not happened to me in the last three years, but it does happen on a rare occasion. I have no doubt people will want to go when they see the pictures of the fish, and the locations.
You can go to my website to see more pictures and info.
The cost to go to Awesome or Eagle Lake is $3250.00 if booked before the end of 2004. I am not sure what the new rates will be for next year, as of now. If booked in 2004, it will include the cost of your flight from your closest Airport, along with the flight to and from Goose Bay, your stay at the lodge, all meals, guide services ( tips not included))
Additional costs:
- A one night stay in Halifax (If the airlines cannot get you to Goose Bay the first leg of the flight) The cost is approx.$ 70.00 US.
- One night stay in Goose Bay at the North Hotel for a double,$75.00 US
- Any meals on the way up and back.
The season up there is very short. June through August. I cant wait to go again. Hope everyone is well. FISH ON!!
Love Marla
www.marlablair.com
