The Grand Slam of Canadian Fly-in Fishing - Ganglers North Seal River Lodge
There are specific names in the fishing industry that hold a particular significance. Gangler’s is one of those names. Even if you’ve never been, everyone seems to know that the name Gangler’s is synonymous with the finest Canadian fly-in fishing adventures.
For as long as I’ve known the name Gangler’s, it’s always been a dream of mine to get there one day. So, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that I would have the opportunity to spend eight days at the iconic Ganglers North Seal River Lodge in the middle of July.
Check out the video below to learn all about this amazing fishing lodge and keep on reading to learn about our experience there!
The Epitome of the Classic Canadian Fly-in Fishing Lodge
Walking up and into the main lodge for the first time is a real treat. Ken Gangler, the owner, describes it as “the epitome of the classic Canadian lodge. It’s the perfect size; not too big, not too small. It’s comfortable, it’s grand. It’s magnificent to look at, but yet homey.” And I don’t think I could summarize it better if I tried. From a fully stocked bar to a pool table and fireplace to lures and photos painting the walls with memories for a lifetime, it truly is the classic Canadian lodge.
The main lodge is located on Egenolf Lake. However, Egenolf merely serves as a home base for the Gangler’s operation. Many years ago, Ken and his father's goal was for Gangler’s and the main lodge to open up the entire North Seal watershed. Find the best water and fishing, and open the area up with cached boats and outpost camps. A few decades later and that’s exactly what they did, now with over 100 boats cached and several fantastic outpost options, the North Seal watershed is open.
Opening up the watershed does many things for the operation, but there’s one clear reward to it: The Canadian Grand Slam. Northern pike, lake trout, walleye, and arctic grayling compose this coveted title. Catching all four in a lifetime is a notable achievement among freshwater angling. Catching all four on a trip is even better. All four in a day, unbelievable. All four trophy sizes on a trip? Almost unheard of. Incredibly, you can do all those things at Gangler’s. The Grand Slam is an impressive feat. However, I’d never caught an arctic grayling before, and neither had my friend Keevin that I had travelled with. So, although the Grand Slam was the goal, checking the grayling off the list would be a meaningful check mark for us.
The Sailfish of the North - Arctic Grayling
On our first day at Gangler’s, we spent time on the main lake, which impressively has all four species. However, we were chomping at the bits to catch a grayling. So, our guide, Bernard, took us on an adventure downriver to one of their best grayling spots. After a beautiful boat ride, I picked up the fly rod, and my buddy Keevin went with conventional tackle. He was using a light line and a small Mepps spinner, and it wasn’t long before he hooked up and caught his first grayling. We snapped a couple of quick photos and sent it on its way.
Now, it was my turn. I’m not the best fly angler, but after a while, I slowly became more efficient, and it wasn’t long before I hooked up. After a shaky fight with the current, we landed the grayling, and I was on the board, too and we had both checked a lifelong goal off the list. We proceeded to catch several grayling and multiple spots along the river; every single one was just as fun as the first. Fish number one of the Grand Slam, done.
An incredible Main Lodge Experience
At the end of the day, you walk into the main lodge, ready to tell other guests how your day was over a beverage served by the bartender. We played a couple of rounds of pool, and the next thing you know, it was time for supper. The service at Gangler's is exceptional. They make you feel special at all times and really make the experience feel unique. And the food, oh my goodness, the food. It’s pretty safe to say that relative to where you are, I can’t imagine it’s possible to eat better. From prime ribs to steaks, it’s a real treat; you truly eat and feel like a king. This is no accident. Ken tells both his staff and his guests that he treats his lodge like it's a trip of his own, and it shows.
One of the most exciting parts about the evenings at Gangler’s is when you decide the plan for the next day. There’s a fly-out signup in the main lodge, and over supper, a beverage, or the campfire, you can decide the game plan for tomorrow. Another group of guests was planning on going to a walleye fly-out called Chatwin the next day, and we liked the sound of it, so we decided to head there, too.
World Class Pike Fishing in Crystal Clear Water
The lake’s name is Atimkameskak, Atim for short. Our friend wasn’t kidding; the water was shockingly clear, making sight fishing for pike an absolute dream. We’d watch 30’’ pike swim around the boat and let them roam as we were on the hunt for a Master Angler 41’’ pike.
We slowly worked our way into a bay and indented a few fish that appeared bigger than the rest. I was throwing a Rapala Subwalk, and Keevin used the trusty white paddle tail. Eventually, we coaxed a few nice ones, and after sorting through a few high 30’’ fish, we caught our Master Anglers. The biggest being 42’’, we were both on cloud nine and incredibly happy with our decision to try Atim. Third fish of the Grand Slam, done.
Fiesty Deep Water Lake Trout
Our last fish to complete the iconic Canadian Grand Slam was lake trout. Sitting at the bar later that night, we were talking to a father-son duo who were in the same boat for the next day. The Lakers were next on the list, so both boats set out the next day with the same goal. We jigged white tubes in 60-70 feet of water, and it didn’t take long before both of us got bites and completed the Grand Slam. We never found any giant lakers, but even 30’’ lake trout sure put up one heck of a battle in that deep of water.
We returned at the end of the day extremely satisfied that we had completed the Grand Slam. We again met up with the father-son duo in the main lodge to share the news that we did it. The son responded, “We did too,” and showed me a photo of the 39’’ lake trout he caught that day. The second lake trout that he had ever caught, the first being moments before that one. He was in awe of his catch; it was an unbelievable story and moment to be part of.
A Stunning Wilderness Experience
Later that night, Ken told us he wanted to show us the sand eskers around the lodge. Eskers, which are long, narrow sand ridges caused by receding glaciers, surround the lodge in a beautiful but grand way. The views from on top of them are breathtaking and it's unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
While exploring, we also had the opportunity to go out one evening with a staff member, where they often have wolf sightings. We struck gold, and on a beautiful evening right before sunset, a gorgeous white and grey wolf showed its face to us, which was as close as 30 yards. It was the closest I’ve ever been to a wild wolf before, and the photos I got of it will be cherished forever.
