Yellow Dog Lodge - Yellowknife Transportation Hub — Hotel in Yellowknife

I traveled early in September to Yellow Dog Lodge, located between Graham Lake and Duncan Lake in Canda’s NW Territory, 20 minutes by float plane from Yellowknife, for two reasons. To photograph the Auroa Borealis, astrophotography being a new interest of mine, and to fish, a passion of my youth that I hadn’t returned to for 60 years.

Check and Check

I got some wonderful photos of the Auroa Borealis as it burst forth over Graham Lake one evening, and I got fish…I got fish....a Northen Pike and six Lake Trout, each decent size. One of my companions pulled in a 35-pound pike!

There are few places in North America where Aurora viewing is better or the fish more plentiful Or, for that matter, the wilderness more pristine

However, regardless of how rewarding these experiences were, in some ways they were not the highlights. I picked Yellow Dog Lodge because it was likely that I would get the photos and the fish, what I didn’t expect was the owner, Gorden “Gord” Gin. Gord made my stay one of the most outstanding travel experiences I have had.

Gord is one of those calm, personable guys most anyone would want as a friend. He’s a fishing guide extraordinaire but what mattered nearly as much were the evenings around one of the Lodge’s word-burning stoves. Gord’s knowledge is widespread and thoughtful. He’s a great conversationalist, especially regarding Canada’s history and the Northern Woods. He’s traveled widely and enjoys sharing time with his guests. In short, the perfect host for a wilderness lodge.

Well, maybe I’m giving Gord too much credit. There was also Joey….a three-legged rescue dog who is Gord’s constant companion. They make quite a team. Joey has more heart than most and is a damn good fisherman too boot.

One of my two companions called the trip a ‘once in a lifetime experience.” Because of Gord (and Joey), I hope it will become for me a twice in a...

Summer of 2019 was my third time returning to Yellow Doge Lodge. This lodge, and its location, is a place that never disappointments. When I think I have seen and fished it all, Yellow Dog Lodge shows me I am wrong - and this is what keeps bringing me back. I have fished Duncan and Graham Lake for some stellar Northern Pike and Lake Trout, as well as flown out to Johnston Lake twice to go after Walleye in previous trips - all were equally awesome. But in 2019 the highlight of fishing was going after Arctic Grayling on the McRea River that flows into Duncan Lake. This was an awesome day. A snap shot of the day started with guide Gord leading us on a short hike to get to the launch site of the canoes. Once on the river, Gord put us on the grayling and they were biting. But we certainly had to earn it as navigating the river involved encountering several rapids, a gorgeous water fall and portaging the canoes further up river. For any avid outdoors, it was a get day of fishing and being...

Our experience is special, I was recommended to try Yellow dog lodge last September to view the Northern Lights. Talking with Alisha, she was informed that this was a bucket list venture for my Mother who was diagnosed with a terminal brain disorder. She may of been a bit surprised there was around 20 of us. Then, Gordon got involved. He made our experience in very short order something dreams are made of. We saw the lights, Patty fed us like kings, Aaron took us fishing and I caught a 40 plus laker! Gordon took my Mom and Dad on a personal boat tour Mom raves about and Alisha made mom comfortable, she was no doubt mom’s favourite caregiver . 5 star no, 15 star maybe, but I would give Gordon and his staff...