I’d often heard tales regarding the storied walleyes of Saskatchewan’s Last Mountain Lake, accounts referencing legendary size fish rivaling even some of the true giants pulled from classic trophy walleye waters such as the Great Lakes. And when legitimate anglers who don’t spin outlandish yarns speak of legitimate, 14 – 15 pound walleyes, they certainly have my attention. Steve Bunka and Andrew “Smitty” Smith are two of these anglers, so when they talk, I’m listening.
“I know it sounds far-fetched,” Bunka admits. “But it’s true. This is an absolute world class walleye fishery.”
“I know it sounds far-fetched…[but] this is an absolute world class walleye fishery.”
Smitty adds that he has also been in touch with Jeff and Jason Matity, two very knowledgeable guides who know these waters well, and would love to join us. A number of my other good friends from the province, including Ed Carleton and Ted Cawkwell, want to come along, too. “Interested?” he asks.
This is something I must carefully consider, so I ponder the question for a slight fraction of a nanosecond before saying yes.
A few days later, Bunka calls back. “I don’t think you’ll mind, but thought I’d better check first,” he says. “Check what?” I respond.
Steve hesitates. “To see if we can have another person join in on the Last Mountain trip.” Between myself, Steve, Smitty, two cameramen, Jeff and Jason, Ted and Ed, we already have a rather large assembly started, and he’s somewhat worried our group is growing too large.
I understand, but am willing to listen. “Who?”
“Neal Hughes, the full back from the Canadian Football League Gray Cup Champion Saskatchewan Rough Riders!” he answers, scarcely containing himself. “What do you think?”
“Sounds like an interesting guest to me,” I confirm. “Tell him yes.”
Steve immediately begins laying plans, and once everybody has confirmed they’re available, he appoints an early ice time slot right before the Christmas holidays to schedule our trip, thinking this should be late enough for safe ice, but making it possible to catch some premier first ice action–plus, being relatively early, the weather should be favorable.
Well, theoretically, anyway.