Fishing for the Biggest Arctic Char on Earth

Some of the largest arctic char on earth can be found around Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, with multiple world record catches occurring in the area over the years. Fishing with Kakivaks, which are traditional Inuit fishing spears, is also practiced here and is still very effective even when compared with modern rod fishing techniques.

[@sigurdurmarolafsson4183]

I am an arctic char-aholic!! Here in ICELAND we have both the sea run and the lake version. We rarely get any bigger than 5 to 8 pounds but I would love to come and fish at your place. Just wondering.... would a switch rod jot be perfect up there?

[@chiphailstone589]

Ive caught a few 20-25 lb's over the years along Koztebue Sound's shore, but 32 lbs? I think for Alaska we go a few more miles north toe the Wulik River that emptys into the Kivalina Lagoon, by Kivalina village and a 29 pounder was caught up there..... wow, 32 lbs!

[@averagejoefishing7833]

Really well shot and narrated

[@thekoolkidsrock]

I moved to Iqaluit in January. I was really looking forward to the river opening and fishing up here but I got a job back home. Going to need to make a trip back I guess!

[@4amwaj]

Amazing footage

[@Goldenaitor]

deserves more subs actual effort

[@willietukolik6487]

takua naniuit maqaivingit?

[@daveinyk1]

Would you be willing to rent out the cabin for a week? I have or used to have friends in Cambridge and lived in Yellowknife for fifty years and want to come up to fly fish for Char. Let me know when you get a chance.

[@arcticmorning]

Best char video on youtube. . No drama sounds Orr music. Superb narrating

[@reeloutdoorscanada]

New subscriber here. Amazing video. I'm planning to visit the tree river around August 15. Any recommendations for which lures to run?

[@corbinwoods8811]

Great video very well made

[@brucepedersen4032]

Those char can really fight too.

[@bixby9797]

Only the Inuit can use traditional methods as the picture shows a guy in Cabela Chest Waders and Raybans.

[@amoriowoods4727]

Obviously I'm referring to fishing with a kakivak, which is the part that is regulated and can't be practiced by non-inuit.

[@bixby9797]

@@amoriowoods4727 Of course. Great video but I was pointing out the traditional fishing people think about vs what is actually going on.

[@amoriowoods4727]

Not your fault, but I think it's a misconception about what traditional means and why these methods are used. It's not a reenactment of traditional techniques for the sake of expressing culture, it's done because it's still and extremely effective way to catch fish in the river. The fact that they use modern gear doesn't have much to do with it, and using a kakivak is still a traditional inuit fishing method.

[@bixby9797]

@@amoriowoods4727 I got ya and that was not what I meant. I think that most when thinking about traditional methods envision someone in furs and mukluks throwing a whalebone spear or something. Obviously only someone who wants to starve would try that action. Of course those guys have chest waders and polarized sunglasses to see the fish. Amazing how well those catchers work

[@Outdoorswithmike]

Awesome Video

[@amoriowoods4727]

Thanks!

[@xlylia4910]

this looks like a 200k+ yt quality vid

[@samuelbender8681]

I'd love to swing that riff with a tube fly and my 7wt spey!

[@mrkanangra]

Mate - there are huge Arctic Char in Taloyoak - Bro you know it is better..... Cambridge Bay sucks - over populated, similar to Inuvik and Iqaluit and say YK. The best communities in NT are Uluk, Tal, Gjoa, Pelly, Pond, and Sachs.....Cam Bay sucks big time with all the "wanting to be a big down south town"......and the alcohol and drugs......

[@amoriowoods4727]

I wouldn't call 1800 people over populated lol. I disagree with you on Cambridge, its a great spot and I love it here, but I've been to some of those other communities and they are nice too. Pelly/Kugaaruk is a favorite of mine.

[@Roolis77]

mrkanangra, hello, I have few technical question about areas you mentioned , how could I connect You?