Lyall’s Camp Ekaluk
Nunavut, Canada
The biggest char
in the world
The arctic char (salvelinus alpinus) is found in arctic and sub-arctic waters across the northern hemisphere.
It grows to an exceptionally large size and is especially abundant in northern Canada in the clear and unpolluted waters of the Arctic. Nowhere is the abundance of this much sought-after game and food fish greater, and nowhere does it grow to a larger size, than in Nunavut’s Kitikmeot region of the Canadian Central Arctic.
The Ekaluk river
The Ekaluktuuk, or “Ekaluk,” River is the principal migration route for Arctic char returning from the ocean to inland spawning grounds in and around the lake.A medium-sized river with many rapids, runs and pools, the Ekaluk is fishable along its entire length and is ideally suited for flyfishing. Prior to the year 2000, the river was virtually unknown to the global flyfishing community.
The Ekaluk’s anonymity changed overnight in August of 2001 when B & J Flyfishing Adventures initiated an “invitation only” experimental sport fishery on river for a small group of intrepid flyfishers. The resounding success of the 2001 season led to the present-day sport fishery and the opening of Camp Ekaluk.
Thirty minutes by float plane from Cambridge Bay and located on a bluff overlooking the river estuary, Camp Ekaluk is a true wilderness outpost consisting of four 12’ x 12’ guest sleeping cabins plus staff quarters, a separate mess hall/kitchen, hot shower and outhouse/pit toilet. The camp location offers a stunning view of the surrounding landscape and beyond to the fabled Northwest Passage. From camp, guests are within walking distance of all right bank fishing beats.
What can you expect to catch when fishing a river teeming with large and very aggressive sea-run Arctic char? The fish start to trickle in from the ocean by mid-August each year, and during a couple of weeks, well in excess of 80.000 - 90.000 silver bright fish (Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans statistics) in absolute prime condition enter the Ekaluk. Landing two, three or even four big char per hour (yes, per hour) is possible, but not necessarily easy. The average char measures between twenty-seven to thirty inches in length and weighs in at around eight to ten/eleven pounds. A great number of char are between thirty and thirty-three inches in length. Be prepared to battle such twelve- to fourteen-pound char on a regular basis. Huge fish in excess of thirty-four/five inches in length, weighing sixteen/seventeen pounds or better are by no means uncommon.
Salmon Junkies are very honored to be able to run the Ekaluk together with the Lyall family and Steelhead Flyfisher.
FILM: EKALUK on my mind
Flyfishing for the biggest Arctic Char in the World!
THE FISHING
What can you expect to catch when fishing a river teeming with large and very aggressive sea-run Arctic char?
The fish start to trickle in from the ocean by mid-August each year, and during a couple of weeks, well in excess of 80.000 silver bright fish (Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans statistics) in absolute prime condition enter the Ekaluk. Landing two, three or even four big char per hour (yes, per hour) is possible, but not necessarily easy. The average char measures between twenty-seven to thirty inches in length and weighs in at around eight to ten/eleven pounds. A great number of char are between thirty and thirty-three inches in length. Be prepared to battle such twelve - to fourteen-pound char on a regular basis. Huge fish in excess of thirty-four/five inches in length, weighing sixteen/seventeen pounds or better are by no means uncommon.
Usual the camp will be full with returning guests plus those from our already considerable wait list. If you would like to experience this remarkable fishery, we welcome your inquiries – getting on the wait list now will have you one step closer to this extraordinary and unique destination.
We are very honored to be able to run the Ekaluk together with the Lyall family.
FILM: Lords of the North
a unique portray of one of the last unspoiled fishing frontiers
Contact us.
We will run the Ekaluk program for only a few weeks. For the angler seeking the biggest and strongest Sea run Char in the World, Ekaluk is a MUST .
With this program, we believe we will be able to offer one of the finest fisheries in the world.