Minipi’s Experienced Guides

Posted on March 26, 2014 by minipi_editor

Minipi is rightfully famous for its huge Brook Trout and Char. I’m from Michigan where Brookies are measured in inches … not pounds. Labrador is, without a doubt, the finest place in the world to fish for Brook Trout and Minipi is its crown jewel. The Brookie in this photo was 7 1/4 pounds and was one of the largest I have caught there. But trout of 8-to-10 pounds are within the realm of possibility.

If it were only the fish that brought me to Labrador I might be excused for writing about them alone. But a trip to Labrador is more than just a fishing trip. The wildlife, the scenery, the guides who are worth the trip alone, and the hospitality shown by the Coopers makes each visit a “trip of a lifetime” experience.

Coopers’ Minipi Lodges has experienced guides who can answer just about any question you might have about flies, techniques, tackle and places to fish. Most of them also have a wonderful sense of humor…they need it if they are going to guide me. They can extract a fly from your ear with a minimum of fuss and make you laugh at the same time. No… I’m not the voice of experience there. But I’ve seen it done on someone else.

They are a fountain of knowledge, so don’t hesitate to ask questions. Seriously, guides like Raymond Best, Ralph Coles, Todd Rumbolt and Pat Broomfield are some of Minipi’s best and are wonderful sources for helpful tips that really work.

Getting to Minipi

Posted on March 18, 2014 by minipi_editor

The only way to get to Minipi Lodges is by float plane. It’s usually a de Havilland Beaver or an Otter, the two iconic bush planes of North America. You could probably walk, but it would take you all summer and then you would have to fly out anyway.

Someone actually did walk across Labrador. I bought an excellent book on CD in Goose Bay entitled “Lure of the Labrador Wild” by Dillon Wallace. It chronicles the tale of a small group of men who tried to walk across Labrador around 1903. You will just have to read it to find out what happened… but it wasn’t pretty.

So like I said, you are going to want to take a float plane. If you have never been in one, you owe it to yourself to go to Minipi and find out for yourself what it’s like. On the way you can look out the window and you will see for yourself why you wouldn’t want to walk. Labrador floats. There is almost as much water as land… maybe more. And the part that looks dry probably isn’t.

Then you have the black flies and mosquitos… oh well, you get the picture.   The land below you as you approach one of Jack and Lorraine’s lodges is an incredible sight. There is always a chance you could spot a moose… we have. But the first thing that may occur to you is that almost all that water below you has never been fished! Oh my gosh! Wouldn’t that be something.

I know you couldn’t land a float plane on most of those potholes and small lakes. I suppose you MIGHT be able to land, but you probably wouldn’t take off again. Only the largest lake systems are fished at all. But trust me, there is more than enough water and more than enough opportunities to catch big Brookies from the bodies of water you CAN access.

The flight from Goose Bay to the lodges is a fairly short one and it’s only done when the weather is good… which it is most of the time. Pilots are forbidden to fly when visibility is bad. This is for YOUR safety as well as theirs, so don’t argue with the pilot. I think the Beaver is my favorite aircraft. They are rugged, fun and comfortable… at least to me. I don’t like the idea of hiking across Labrador anyway.

One-on-one with Minipi pilot Chris Woodward

Posted on February 28, 2014 by minipi_editor

Minipi pilot Chris Woodward takes a moment to tell us what it’s like to fly the Minipi De Havilland Beaver and interact with guests at Minipi Lodges.

When did you know you wanted to be a pilot?

I grew up around the base here in Goose Bay and my father managed the biggest refueling contractor for military and civil aircraft, so I always loved aircraft, but knew I wanted to make it my career when I was in high school. I started flying in 1996.

When did you start working for the Coopers?

I started working for the Coopers back in 2009 while I was working as chief pilot of a corporate Jet operation, so for 2 years I worked both jobs. They need an operations manager and I love flying floatplanes so it fit for all of us. I started as their full time pilot in the summer of 2012.

Tell me how a typical day runs while you’re doing a fly-out to Little Minipi.

Breakfast first at 8 a.m. and some planning with head guide Ray Best. Depending on the number of guests it could be 1 or two 2 flights to the fly out spot. If there is no other work to be done that day, and if there is room, I sometimes hang out do some fishing or helping around the guests. Terrible life I know but someone has to do it! *winks

What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing? Let’s see, there are so many but I can easily say two of them are a flat calm day on the lake and when guests are catching a lot of fish!

What is the strangest and/or funniest thing you’ve witnessed from the air?

Years ago when I was flying a Caravan for a local operator I was on my way back from Rigolet and the ice was covered in seals. Most didn’t mind the plane flying over, some would just rumble off back in to their holes. But there was one hole with 3 large seals by it and when they heard me coming, all three went for the tiny hole at the same time! Even from 300 feet above I could see their blubber ripple as the 3 large seals came together head first in a hole barely big enough for one. As I went by I could see them looking at each other but never did see one of them try to go down the hole again.

What is your most memorable moment from your time working as a bush pilot?

There are many. I really enjoyed flying with Mike Byrne as I learned the ropes of flying the bush.

What should future guests know about the ins-and-outs of a fly-out?

We are always looking for some new places to go on a fly out. The best thing is to sit down with Ray and I the day before and decide if you want to go to the places we know are great like Little Minipi and Big Minipi. Or take a chance on somewhere new. Who knows it might be great or not so great, but that’s all part of the adventure isn’t it?

Can you tell us some safety tips for travelling in the Beaver?

1) Always watch your head, the beavers wings are low when tied to a dock.
2) Be aware of exits and how they work. Take a look at the safety briefing card before departure.
3) Listen to the guides and the pilot, they have done this a few times in the past!
4) Have fun. And don’t poke the bear in the left seat.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Sure! I hope everyone has a great 2014 season. Take some great stories home and leave only your footprints behind.

Chris and guest Lisa and one of many brookies caught during a fly-out!