http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/index/ Minipi Web Logs en stephengrant34@hotmail.com Copyright 2009 2009-02-24T05:46:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/new_fly_developed1/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/new_fly_developed1/#When:04:46:00Z {summary}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 of it, hence the collar I was talking about.  The head is trimmed flat on the bottom which when stripped through the pool makes it dart under water and when the pressure is let up on the fly it pops back up to the surface.  Big bubbles and a lot of noise are created during the strip.  This seems to really make the big brookies aggravated.  The takes are voracious and spectacular.  I have seen times where we have passed this fly through the pool several times before a giant brookie finally got mad enough and slammed it.  Totally awesome!!!  The tail of the fly is just deer tail with a little crystal flash and a narrow grizzly hackle on each side.  If you are going on a Minipi adventure you should definitely give this pattern a try.  Just a note on this fly, I found it best when used where there wasn’t a lot of current.  When used where there was some current it just kept the fly under the water and it didn’t get a chance to make it’s noise. All the best, Stephen Flies and Fly Tying 2009-02-24T04:46:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/flying_back_to_anne_marie_in_coopers_seaplane/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/flying_back_to_anne_marie_in_coopers_seaplane/#When:23:07:00Z {summary}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. Anne Marie Lake, Little Minipi Lake 2009-02-20T23:07:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/early_morning_sortie_at_anne_marie/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/early_morning_sortie_at_anne_marie/#When:14:43:00Z {summary}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. Anne Marie Lake 2009-01-25T14:43:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/the_canvas_fish/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/the_canvas_fish/#When:16:52:00Z {summary}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 great custom commissions. And they are excellent alternatives to a skin mount or carving of your prized Minipi trophy. Check out his work on http://www.canvasfish.com . And consider asking him to create a canvas portrait for you with your prized trophy Minipi Brookie. He also has some great selections of Giclee Prints for sale on his website, even one of his Minipi 4 in 1. Brookies! 2009-01-07T16:52:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/the_sage_bass_rods/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/the_sage_bass_rods/#When:20:07:00Z {summary}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 cast is amazing. It’s the perfect tool to go mousing for Brookies in Labrador. If you are not familiar with this lineup of rods, they are quite unique. They are 7’11” to allow them to be used in Bass Masters Tournaments. And they don’t have a conventional line weight designation. Instead the rod comes with its own special line described in grain weight only. The Largemouth is a stout 330 grain weight, the Smallmouth is a 290 grain weight, and the smallest of the trio, the Bluegill, is matched with a line that weighs 230 grains. To equivocate grain weights to the standard number designation that we commonly use, a 330 grain line is equal to an 11 weight line, a 290 grain is a 10 weight, and a 230 grain is about a 9 weight. Does this mean that I plan to replace my favorite Minipi Brookie rod? No. An ultra-fast 6 weight will likely remain my favorite. But I have for sure just replaced my old 8 weight standby for mousing and pike fishing. Sage rods, of course, are available from the Minipi Outfitters Fly Shop or your favorite local fly shop. Check ‘em out! Guide Talk 2008-12-31T20:07:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/how_to_pack_your_carry_on_bag/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/how_to_pack_your_carry_on_bag/#When:20:04:01Z {summary}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 during your flight. Always make sure that you have your Passport, itinerary, cash, credit cards, and contact information for us here at Coopers’ in case you are delayed from your scheduled arrival time. A few toys don’t hurt either, a PSP, iPod, Kindle, Sudoku book, or paperback, can make a long flight seem like a short hop. Recently I have discovered the Bose QC3 Noise Canceling Headphones available from http://www.bose.com. I can’t tell you how great these are for air travel. You can plug them into your iPod or just put them on for some peace and quiet. They also fold flat too so they are easy to carry. They are always in my carry on. Remember flying is bad for your circulation and dehydrates you. So remember to stretch and move about the cabin, and drink lots of water. You body will thank you when you hook into that first Brookie! Travel 2008-12-31T20:04:01-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/make_flying_a_little_sweeter/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/make_flying_a_little_sweeter/#When:19:06:00Z {summary}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 seatmaps available for viewing. Just select your airline (Air Canada), your aircraft (CRJ, E90, etc.), and then roll your cursor over the seats to see details like extra legroom, limited recline, or if power ports are located on your seats. When traveling to or from Goose Bay (YYR), I like to fly the E90 for medium haul trips, and the CRJ for short hauls. The CRJ is the only jet that flies into Goose Bay. The E90 is one of the more modern aeroplanes in the Air Canada fleet. Each seat has a personal entertainment screen with on demand movies, TV programs, and music. They also have power ports at each seat to charge cell phones and ipods. Row 19 is especially roomy as it is a emergency exit row. On the CRJ there are no entertainment units, or power ports. Row 8 is a little roomier than the others, but just marginally. When traveling long distances, a little more legroom or being able to recline your seat back just a little more can help battle fatigue and jet lag, and make the first couple of days of fishing a little more enjoyable. Travel 2008-12-31T19:06:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/great_airfares_to_goose_bay/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/great_airfares_to_goose_bay/#When:15:25:00Z {summary}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 Miscellaneous 2008-02-08T15:25:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/just_published_book_features_chapters_on_minipiand_more/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/just_published_book_features_chapters_on_minipiand_more/#When:14:25:00Z {summary} Ed Quigley’s new book In the Company of Rivers: An Angler’s Stories & Recollections has three chapters (out of 25) on the Minipi experience: With Penelope on the Minipi, The Last Place on Earth and Minipi Memories, plus an interesting sidelight on Lee Wulff on the Minipi in the chapter titled Catch & Release.  Click on the following link to Ed’s website:  edquigley.com Click the link to amazon.com on his site to read reviews, and peek inside the book. And, hey, buy a copy—Quigley still has his student loans to pay off. Minipi Lake 2007-07-24T14:25:00-05:00 http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/new_junior_world_record_caught_at_minipi/ http://www.minipicamps.com/index.php/site/new_junior_world_record_caught_at_minipi/#When:23:09:00Z {summary}Just a note to tell everyone that my son Joseph and I have just completed the IGFA application for a new Junior World Record. On 7/9/07 Joseph landed a beatiful 7lb male brook trout at “Ten Pound Cove” on a #10 Grey Wulff. Joe shattered the existing World Record of 6lbs, 8oz.! Special thanks to guide Kelly Groves. As always, many thanks to Jack, Lorraine and Robin Cooper. Parrie Willette Jr. Minipi Lake 2007-07-19T23:09:00-05:00