John--

We just returned from Lac de Gras. I thought I would write. Feel free to use this letter in any way you see fit.  I cannot commend your operation too highly.

This was our fifth trip to Courageous Lake Caribou Camps since 2001. We have been to both Courageous and Lac de Gras. Both are excellent camps. The food was first class. Every meal was outstanding. The staff was, as usual, helpful in every way. The tent camp was very comfortable with good mattresses and heaters that work! Larry, out guide, worked day and night to keep us in game and preserve our meat and trophies. Larry, Virginia and Cheryl are like family!

We were aware that the early season hunts for resident caribou were very difficult this year, due to the vagaries of weather causing even resident caribou to move further north than normal during the summer months. When we arrived, we were all very concerned. On the first hunting day, our group of twelve brought in five caribou, and we were encouraged that more might be "just over the horizon". That is exactly what happened. On the second day, there were caribou everywhere, moving generally southwest--of course, at their own pace! Most hunters were tagged out on caribou by the third day. Eventually, every hunter got caribou. All of us who had two tags got two caribou. Several hunters got chances at wolves and wolverines--but those animals are very wary, and most are still out there.

Near the end of the trip, Larry took me fly-fishing for lake trout. I used an 8 wt. rod with floating line and tarpon flys that looked like baitfish. Once we located the fish on a shallow bar a mile or two from camp, the action was fast and furious. In about two hours, I got 17 lakers from 2# to about 9#. They came right to the surface, and I will bring some "popper" flys the next time. Larry apologized that he couldn't get me into a "big one". He told me his best was 48" long! A lunker, indeed.

I have some pictures that I will forward. This year was the one for "Mr. Big", and you will have to print my mug in your catalog whether you want to or not. Every now and again, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn. I think "Mr. Big" runs over 400 inches gross, but I cannot be exact because I asked that the velvet be preserved, and that makes precise measurement difficult. Not that I care that much! He is a great all-round trophy with great tops, shovels, bezes and backscratchers.

I cannot recommend this hunt or your camps too highly. Over five trips, your staff has become almost like family, and I still believe you have the best location for record book caribou in the entire North.

Best regards to you and Anita, Pictures coming!

Paul T. Fortino