Hi everybody!
My adventure in the far North began in 2002, when my labor union recruited me to work on a special project, pay equity for women , I had the chance on that first trip to travel to three villages in Nunavik, Purvinituq, Inujjuaq and Kuujjuaq . Nunavik is made up of 14 community all more and more remote from one to a other and only accessible by plane, yes you only flight to Nunavik their is no road to get there.
It is a land of caribou , 1 millions of them divide in two herd the George river herd and the Leaf River herd that come across this 507,000 km2 of truly wild tundra, majestic rivers and countless lakes.
When I was there I meet the manager of Artic Adventure an outfitter in Nunavik, we became friend and I ask him if they ever need cook their, he told me “We always need cook here, cook and pilot†and I figure it would be best for him and is guest that I choose the first option LOL.
So in 2002,I would embark in a adventure that would surpass my imagination.
The first time I flow over the tundra from Kuujjuaq on a Twin Otter to Willie’s Camp was some experience, caribou, wild muss-cox crossing beautiful and wild river, a land deprive of trees and full of lakes and massive colorful rock formation like a northern dessert that heaven picture don’t tell the truth story.
The landing of the aircraft on a small gravel road the first time scare me quiet a bit, but these pilot sure know what they are doing and I figure after all that it was a good idea to let them drive the bird. lol.
The contact with the people of the north prove also to be a experience in itself, always smiling, and friendly the inuit seem to never grown, their kid like and joy of life is such a contrasts to this land of harshness and bitter cold.
The land owner is Willie Etook a inuk who live a life full of outdoor adventure, Willie once kill a polar bear that was putting is paws on is leaving room window in George River, he had to change the glass after ..but some fresh polar meat was on the menu that winter lol.
Willie can spot caribou better then anybody it’s almost like he smell them, mind you they are everywhere sometime crossing lake by the 10 or 20 and more.
Cooking for me is second nature, after 18 year as a professional cook nothing faze me, but bean a fishing lover for as long as I remember, nothing prepare me for they experience I would lived during my coffee break and lunch hours there ....
7.00 am is breakfast time at Willie Caribou Camp, by 9 o'clock usually my hunting guest are ready to hit the tundra with their guide, and for me it’s time to do some fishing. The fishing is phenomenon lake trout abound and the river are full of 1 to 3 pound brook trout.
For fisherman of lake Ontario like you guy’s where salmon, and steelhead are the catch of the day, maybe not much excitement of catching some 6 to 8 pounds lake trout and 1 to 3 pound brookies but I am sure that for you to, the surrounding is part of the whole picture and as pleasant as the fishing itself.
Lake Qamalik where Willie camp is full of lake trout, my favorite lure is the big size silver Williams Whitefish, but the traditional red & white Dardevil and Pixie are good to.
When fall come the tundra turn into a carpet of color unique and so beautiful.
I like to get to the top of the hill to capture the vast surrounding next to the inuksuk, the traditional sculpture that inuit do as landmark or guiding point.
At the end of lake Qamalik a river (Potier) is paradise for brookies fisherman, streamer flies and anything that shine will bring attention to these beautiful color trout, catch and release is my cup of tea, I only keep one or two fish for lunch, after all they are so tasty.
Looking forward to live the North adventure again this year.
I wrote this text with my limited english,hope you enjoy!


Nunavik
Lakes, rivers and rocks

Beaver and the good's

Caribou crossing lake Qamalik

The Airport at Willie's Camp


Where this plane land!!!!!


Caribou crossing...


Willie Camp luxirious for the 57th parrallele

Catching lake trout like perch...

Water very cold so lake trout hang out in shallow water and fight good.

Sunset
Inuit girl and lake trout in river

Carpet of color in the fall!

Inuksuk at top of mountain

Brookie from river Potier.