Tim Flagler, September 2025
In August of 2024 I was invited by Mark Melnyk to be a guest on The New Fly Fisher’s show, fishing for pike at the Cree River Lodge in Northern Saskatchewan. The trip involved several flights on smaller aircraft with weight restrictions, so gear had to be kept to a minimum.
Photo #01 – Caravan plane at Stony Rapids dock
Cree River Lodge is quite remote but very comfortable and extremely well-equipped.
Photo #02 – Lodge sign
Lead guide Chip Cromarty has put together two custom aluminum boats specifically designed to sight fish for the incredible number of pike, both large and small, that inhabit the weed beds and sand flats found throughout the region.
Photo #03 – boats lakeside
My choice of rods for the trip were all 9’ Douglas Sky G’s – for pike, 8, 9 and 10-weights, and a 5-weight tossed in for grayling and walleye, if an opportunity arose. To save on weight, I ditched the rod tubes and placed all four rods, in their padded sleeves, into a very light, but protective rod wrap.
Photo #04 – labeled sleeves
For reels, I went with large arbor models spooled with plenty of backing and a wide variety of lines, everything from floating to fast-sinking Scientific Angler Sonar Titan 3/5/7’s.
Photo #05 – Tim holding rod butt/reel
Three different weights of pike rods might seem excessive, but the variety of fishing conditions we encountered warranted it. As with most pike expeditions, large rather air-resistant flies are a must, and need rather big gear to chuck them, especially with heavier sink tips.
Photo #06 – fly on reel at end of rod
Fishing poppers for big pike hiding back in weed beds is a blast, but is more easily done with a 9 or even a 10-weight to cast the flies comfortably at a distance.
Photo #07 – Tim’s hand holding a popper fly
Also, we encountered many different fishing situations throughout any given day, from pike holding deep to those in less than a foot of water. Having multiple rods rigged for the different conditions was all but a necessity.
Photo #08 – drone shot of river
Even moderate-sized pike are strong fighters and demand a good bit of lifting power to get them to the boat. An 8-weight rod does the job most of the time and doesn’t hurt you too bad when casting 8-10 hours a day.
Photos #09 – Tim with bent rod
If I was allowed only one rod on the trip, it would probably be an 8-weight and the Douglas Sky G really fits the bill. It’s lightweight, is both powerful and accurate when casting, and has pretty remarkable lifting power as well.
Photo #10 – overhead shot of boat with fish on line
Bigger pike, bigger flies and heavier sinking lines, however, all but require 9 and 10-weights.
Photo #11 – Mark Melnyk with fish on (light green shirt)
Mark Melnyk was able to land this beauty using a 9-weight Sky G but it gave him quite the tussle.
Photo #12 – Mark & guide Cliff with a big pike
Oftentimes, small pike models end up as shore lunch at Cree River Lodge.
Photo #13 – cutting up pike filets
I absolutely believe that there is no finer eating fish than a properly prepared cold water pike.
Photo #14 – fried pike
Mark was able to land numerous large northerns, all of which were carefully revived and released then swam off strong.
Photo #15 – Mark and Cliff with another big pike
As for me, using my Sky G 10-weight with a heavy sink tip line just prior to a nasty squall . . . .
Photo #16 – Tim with fish on (blue top)
I was able to land my personal best pike, just shy of 50” but fat and heavy.
Photo #17 – Tim and Chip with large pike.
Special thanks to Mark Melnyk of The New Fly Fisher and to Chip Cromarty and the rest of the gang at Cree River Lodge. It was a truly amazing trip!