Two Great Trips – including a very special guest
Dr. Mitch Lirtzman is one of our favorite guests. Mitch has been fishing at Gangler’s for well over 20 years. The 2022 season was a special treat as he finally got to bring his grandson Eli. We remember when Eli was born and Mitch has been itching to bring him up ever since. It was great to see Grandpa Mitch introduce Eli to all the Canadian traditions he loves so much.
“Greetings Ken,
Now that everyone is back home and recovered from this summer’s activities, I thought I’d send a note.
My usual fishing partner had to bail on this year’s trip, and so I arrived just after ice out in late June as a solo. Bernard, who has guided us for 15 years, and I set out to do some damage. As is our tradition, we hit a few nice spots and hunted for a while, and then made our way to the river to stir up a little grayling action. I started out on my 3wt Winston with a “dry and a dropper”, trying out a beaded San Juan worm at the end of my tippet. Nothing. I then switched to a two-nymph rig with a #10 black nymph that I bought at my favorite fly shop in Cody, Wy. An hour and a half later, I had boated 17 grayling, including a few trophies. If any of your readers wish to know more, reach me by email… that thing is deadly.
As the week progressed, we went to Grimes, Clisby, and Dufney lakes. The pattern seemed the same. We had to hunt during the morning hours, being rewarded for our efforts, but the afternoons really opened up. This was especially true at H Lake.
We cruised into one large bay, taking a few dozen good sized fish. Bernard then turned us into what I would characterize as a “diverticulum” off that bay and began sight casting. Between 40 and 50 good sized pike later, we moved on. Moving to another spot, another couple dozen. Back to spot #1. Another 30-40 in the boat. Bernard moved to another spot for another 20 or so. Finally, as cloud cover came in and we prepared to meet the plane, we returned one more time to that diverticulum and just blind casted up and down its length. We must’ve boated another 30 fish. All good-sized fighters and runners.
The black bunny strip and Flashtail Whistler ruled the day.
One month later, I had the great opportunity to return with my 10 year old grandson, Eli, on his first fishing trip. He learned casting with his new spinning reel. Then he wanted to learn how to cast my baitcasting reel as well. And he caught fish. Lots of them. He took his first ride on a float plane, riding shotgun, I might add. He absolutely loved the shore lunches that Bernard expertly prepared. Then on our last day, his first helicopter ride out to Booth Lake, shotgun of course. When his little arms got tired, I would cast and he would step up to land the beast. Some nearly as big as he is.
He ate like a horse, that picky eater was nowhere to be found. The staff couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful, as always.
I want to thank you, Bernard, and the staff for a great and memorable season. Eli wants to come back. I think I created a monster.
-Mitch Lirtzman”
Gangler’s offers a special 25% discount for children ages 16 and under on trips booked after July 1. Limit one per family.
