Minipi Camps Web Log

I would like to let everyone know of a new fly I developed last year at Minipi.  I used it during the last part of last season when we were fishing the brooks and rivers chasing the brookies that were heading up to spawn.  I called it the “Dog Collar” because it has a sort of collar on the fly and it is as effective as an actual dog collar for snaring big brook trout.  When Jeff ‘Bear’ Andrews was at Minpi last year we affectionately referred to using the pattern as ‘walking the dog’.  Ask Bear how effective the fly was and he will tell you that it worked pretty well. He landed his biggest fish of the trip, a 7 pounder on it at Ten Pound Brook.
The fly has a clippped deer head with the back half of the head sticking up over the rest …

read more...

After a day trip of spectacular fishing at Little Minipi Lake, we arrive back home to the Lodge at Anne Marie at sunset.  A hot gourmet meal awaits us.

I shot this photo just after breakfast on our way out to “Lover Boy” on a perfect August morning.  It’s actually a sequence of photos stitched together.  The water was so calm you could see the ripples from a drake’s wings.

This past season a new friend of mine and an artist, Derek DeYoung, traveled to Labrador to study Minipi Brook Trout. Derek’s goal was to study true native Labrador Brook Trout in other words, Minipi Brook Trout in their many color variations. The result is a breathtaking composite portrait of the Minipi Brook Trout. And those traveling to the new Anne Marie Lake Lodge this upcoming summer will see this spectacular portrait. Four separate canvases each one portraying a unique part (head, tail, midsection) of a unique the brook trout. When all four canvases are viewed together the true essence of a Brookie is revealed, as if you are remembering it in a dream. Derek calls this impressive portrait a 4 in 1 fish.

Derek also does some pretty …

read more...

Last season Sage introduced two new fly rods: The Largemouth and the Smallmouth Bass rods. Also new to this upcoming season to match this duo, they have a new kid on the block—the Bluegill.

There are no bass in Labrador so why am I writing about a bass rod?  Sure there are monster Northern Pike, and yes a bass rod would work great for casting frogs and poppers to hungry pike. In fact it’s perfect, even the Sage website says so. But it’s also perfect for casting big bushy #2 deer hair mice and lemmings to big brookies. I tried one last season expecting something better than great. I was right. To be able to pick up a line, and I mean a LOT of line with a big wet mouse on the end, and then be able to fire it right back out there with one false …

read more...

What’s in your bag? It’s no secret that sometimes when you travel, you get to your destination but your checked bags don’t. It’s all part of the fun, isn’t it? I mean if you were sure that your checked bags would arrive on time there wouldn’t be any adventure right?

Being prepared is key. But nowadays, packing your fishing gear in your carry on bag is just not acceptable. But don’t worry, I have you covered. If you’re traveling to any of the Coopers’ Lodges rest assured, we have a great assortment of top-of-the-line rental gear, and its FREE for you to use if you have delayed baggage. The latest breathable waders, wading boots, rods from the major makers, and reels and all the flies you’ll need. Just make sure to pack your rain jacket in your carry on pack, and whatever you need to keep yourself entertained …

read more...

Once upon a time, flying was elegant. A beautiful flight attendant would serve you fine cocktails and hot meals in a shinny aeroplane. Today air travel has morphed into an experience that is far from elegant. Now airlines feel that providing you a beer and a cup of instant soup in exchange for $17 cash is fair. Yeah, air travel isn’t what it used to be, or can be.

There are some tricks that can help you put some fun and elegance back into air travel. And make that cross-country trip to fish for those big beautiful brookies just a little bit sweeter.

The first is a little website called the http://www.seatguru.com. This place can help you pick an optimum seat whether you’re traveling economy or executive class. On this site they have a really exhaustive list of airlines and all of their aircraft with …

read more...

We have had a few calls and emails lately concerning the airfares to Goose Bay. In particular the fare for the Halifax to Goose Bay leg. Some travel websites and even the Air Canada website will show fares that can sometimes top $2k from the U.S!

There is help though. Canada One Travel in Winnipeg, MB, Canada have great fares to Goose Bay. For Example $601 USD Harrisburg PA return, $692 USD Atlanta GA return, $807 Los Angeles CA return, and $807 from Portland OR return. They also don’t charge the Canadian Goods and Services Tax for US citizens.

These guys have the best deal. Hands down. You can check them out on the web at http://www.canada-one.com , or by phone toll-free at (866)401-9900.

See you this summer.

Robin Cooper