Ryan Lake 2014 Edition

[genoel]

Hi all, once again Liz and I were able to enjoy what has become an annual event for us, our fly-in trip to Ryan Lake with Mikisew Sportfishing. This year we were there from Aug 19th till the 27th.
As usual we went as far as Gregoire Lake the night before we flew up and made our way to McMurray Aviation on the morning of the 19th. We were able to have a nice visit with Tim Gillies at the airport as he happened to be flying up to Fort Chip that morning as well. After we got our stuff loaded we boarded the 206 this year and headed for the lake. The trip up was safe and wonderful as usual and it is getting to be even a bit boring for Liz as I've done it 9 times now and this was her 7th trip.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9223_zps778c0aab.jpg

After dropping us off, our pilot Cody gave us a quick fly-by,

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9238_zpsf1472a9e.jpg

so we packed our gear into the cabin, put down the flaps and once again we were 'Home Alone'.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9239_zps1150ea53.jpg

We headed out onto the lake and were soon into some nice fish, some so nice that Liz couldn't even get her hat on straight.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9246_zpsf7e04d2e.jpg

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9249_zps810b1a0f.jpg

A couple of days later we had our the first visitors we actually got to see as Brian Lepine stopped by with a group on their way up to McLelland Lake and dropped off some extra propane and lantern fuel for us. After a brief visit they were on their way again and we were alone in paradise again.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9376_zps525dbf32.jpg

As usual we found lots of these,

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9263_zpsc02cb0cc.jpg

which led to more of these,

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9417_zpsc671e9a6.jpg

and for the first time, 2 awesome batches of these.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9418_zpse5cb1f5f.jpg

We of course saw some of the locals,

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9489_zpsc312b218.jpg

and had some new visitors.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9366_zps45b9fcde.jpg

We also had a close encounter with a family of spruce grouse which obviously had no fear or understanding of what we were as we were able to get quite close to them.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9633_zps20e4417b.jpg

More to come.

[genoel]

As usual we spent hours trolling around and enjoying one spectacular sunset,

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9538_zpsfa05df8f.jpg

after another.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9434_zpse8aff8e3.jpg

Of course we were able to catch more than enough walleye like this,

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9486_zpse5228807.jpg

and this.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9402_zps5d6c3d7f.jpg

We ended up with plenty of stringers like this,

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9413_zps7615154b.jpg

which led to way too much of this.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9339_zps96eb879d.jpg

Liz even had an interesting double header of her own, as she hooked a small walleye and hauled in a decent pike that latched on to it as well.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9349_zpsf940022f.jpg

We also made our annual visit to our inukshuk Brian, who is named after our handicapped son who is unable to join us on these trips.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9428_zps865fe935.jpg

But all good things come to an end and the 27th arrived way too soon, so we pulled up the flaps, shut off the propane and put out the unwelcome mats as there was no one coming in to take our spot.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9656_zps879c5fef.jpg

Were fortunate enough to get the royal tour on the way home as we dropped Brian Lepine and a helper off at Barrow Lake on the way out as they were on their way to put a new roof on the cabin there as well as at Ryan Lake.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9669_zpsd14be9db.jpg

We then were on our way to McLelland Lake to pick up the group that had stopped on their way in to drop off our propane, and were soon on our way back to Fort McMurray.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9680_zps8425eb63.jpg

We drove back as far as Touchwood Lake where we spent one more night and made our way home the next morning.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m596/genoel3/Ryan%20Lake%202014/IMG_9688_zps662d21dc.jpg

As usual, we would like to thank Tim Gillies and Brian Lepine from Mikisew Sportfishing for making it happen flawlessly year after year and of course the people at McMurray Aviation for getting us there and back safely. And as always we are astounded that we can pretty much spend as much time as we like there in August, as once again there was no one there when we arrived and no one coming in as we left. You folks are welcome to vacation wherever you please, but it is awesome that you are willing to leave us such awesome opportunity to spend time in such a special place as this! We'll send another report next year and share our experience with you.

Liz and George Noel

[Walleye101]

Looks like you had a great trip. I can't wait to take my son on his first fly-in to Loutit next year! Pure solitude up there.

[yardslave]

Great report and pics, gunna make it back to Ryan sometime soon.

[fish gunner]

Brilliant thread, pics , story line and food. What more could we need. thank you for the fine work . Congrats on the fantasic trip . Might have to look into a trip up that way. :)

[Chris84]

George,

Thanks for sharing. I've always enjoyed your Ryan Lake update. It looks so peaceful up there.

Chris

[CraigJ]

Those are some neat pictures. Thanks for sharing :)

[mxer117]

Excellent picture thread!! Very much enjoyed that :)

[Pinhead]

Sounds like a piece of heaven!!

[Chewie66]

Great pics and report. You must count down the days until next year.