Having given Char fishing a miss last year, I decided that a return visit to the Tree River was in order, and together with GBL angling buddy Kenny Gold, we booked into the main lodge, with our sights set on being the first to fish the Tree since August of last year.

This is a story about a fishing rod – a fly rod to be precise -but not just any old fly rod either.

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.

I’m not going to go into too much detail regarding how to tie these because ANY WILL WORK WITH THE METHOD WE USE TO FISH THEM!

This a great early season Char fly from the fly tying bench of Josh "Jelly" Gelinas.

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.

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.

Guide, and manager of the Tree River Camp, Trevor Novak, originated this very simple Spey fly.