Manitoba with a population of only 1.3 million and more than 100,000 lakes provides endless possibilities for its Master Angler fish. Some travel for the world class Lake Winnipeg walleye better known locally as greenbacks, there’s also the giant Red River catfish or the many trophy northern pike and laker fisheries. For me this trip was about their awesome managed trout lakes, and more specifically, Manitoba’s Twin Lakes trophy tiger trout.

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After years of planning I was finally stepping off the plane in Manitoba to later grab a rental vehicle, canoe and some groceries. Heading out of Winnipeg the roads became straight as an arrow for miles. With its massive fields of grain and canola lining the route, it became quite apparent that this is farm country. I made my way north passing through small farming towns with well known lakes scattered near by, lakes such as Patterson, Tokaryk and Goose.

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Soon the landscape began to take more shape as the turn off for the Duck Mountains finally appeared. The Twin Lakes lay only minutes away.

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Arriving at the Twins a cold wind and rain greeted me with its dismal presence, weather that would stay for nearly the remainder of the trip. The winds seemed to never stop and the damp grey skies persisted but, I just figured I was used to this kinda fall trouting.

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The first couple hours would be a slow start until getting accustomed to the rental canoe on the wind swept lake. It was not until arriving at the far side of the lake, that the surface would eventually erupt when my lure landed next to the edge of the pencils. My first tiger hooked! I endlessly praised and thanked the fish gods. Netted and measured at nearly 24 inches, this Manitoba Master Angler tiger would set the bar high for the remainder of the trip.

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This end of the lake would now become the primary focus producing most of my fish, although plenty others would be caught along various structures such as a beaver house, humps and drop offs.

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A wet and windy day ended with grilled steak and potatoes.

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Watching the sun rise I skimmed a perch pattern above the chara in not much more than a foot of water. A giant tiger trout took chase with the surface of the water pushing up over his back as he followed it to the canoe… then it disappeared, leaving my heart pounding. The best way I could describe it was that it was like a scene from jaws. I tried everything in the box to raise that fish once more, but wise to the canoe it would not be seen again.

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Still thinking of the water waking over that big tigers back, nearing the end of the day I would cast toward a narrows. The lure smashed and a short fight later, another large tiger and easily another Twin trophy fish was in the net. The timer set and the fish kicking for freedom it splashed the camera. Wiping off the lens for a better shot, I looked over to see that fish had made a jail break and escaped from the net. Heart broken, left with only one terrible pic and no measurement, I called it a day.

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The cold front that had cleared the skies overnight brought an icy start to the morning. Joints already swollen from damp days and the hands reminding me of my upcoming carpel tunnel surgery, I was quite stiff and slow to get started. But finally, after sipping the last of my hot coffee I slipped the frozen canoe into the fog covered lake.

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The cold weather had shut the trout bite down and it left me wondering if from the net the day before, I had lost my last Master Angler sized tiger of the trip. A couple smaller fish and some hot soup later, I decided to try some of the deeper parts of the lake.

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The only thing bigger than Manitoba’s buffalo are its trout.

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Tucked into the shallow corner of the narrows I cast out over deeper water. Barely ten feet into the retrieve a big tiger mauled the lure and sprinted off with my line. Before giving chase, using both my teeth and one free hand, I pulled anchor while clenching onto my rod with the other. After an intense struggle and nearly tipping the canoe, I slid the net under this final 24 inch beauty.

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This Manitoba trip made my year, and while flying home I began planning for a return visit.
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Part two to come…
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Mikey.
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