Following an unforgettable flight, we arrived at our fishing destination-a small tributary of Hudson Bay known as French Creek. Tony turned the helicopter sharply into the wind and brought us down gently at the end of a series of deep pools that are prime holding areas for large, sea-run brook trout. We quickly learned that flying is not Tony's only skill, as he hooked a large trout on his first cast, just downstream from the helicopter.

Over the next two hours, we each caught and released several large brookies-weighing from 2 to 4 pounds-on light spinning tackle. During our return trip to the lodge, we passed by York Factory, the historic headquarters of the legendary Hudson Bay Company. Standing forlornly on a promontory overlooking the stormy waters of the bay, the white clapboard building is a monument to the thousands of hardy souls who helped explore the vast Canadian frontier.

Although I enjoyed the goose hunting and fishing to the fullest, the most memorable part of the trip for me was the camaraderie shared with the other guests and staff. At dusk, everyone stood outside watching flights of geese returning to roost along the river before we retired inside to sip toddies and recount the day's adventures by the warmth of a crackling wood stove.

Charlie Taylor was an ever present figure around camp and made certain that every guest received the highest level of personal service. A passionate advocate for the conservation of the fragile tundra environment, he was recently presented with an award for sustainable development by the provincial government for organizing a cleanup of an abandoned camp near the lodge. His lovely wife, Christine, is a master chef, and always seemed to have something delicious baking in the kitchen.

Of course, the highlight of every evening was dinner, which consisted of several courses prepared with fresh ingredients flown in from Winnipeg. With such great food, fellowship, and sport, it is no surprise that the overwhelming majority of the lodge's clientele keeps coming back again and again.