Game Information
Introduction
Hello everyone, LeThalnothos here, back with another slot review. Today we turn our attention to the latest release in the ‘Le’ franchise. Releasing in Feb 2026. Now many of us love the Le slots, each one has its own quirks and theme. It’s usually more than just a reskin. So lets have a look at what Hacksaw have done..
Le Fisherman is a bright, character-driven cluster-pays slot from Hacksaw Gaming that hides a surprising amount of depth under its cartoon surface. It drops you by a peaceful lakeside, where Smokey the raccoon is busy fishing, grumbling, and generally looking unimpressed with the whole situation.
At first glance, Le Fisherman feels relaxed and friendly, almost like a casual spin session slot. Stick around for a few spins, though, and you start to notice how much is going on beneath the waterline.
This is a game built around setup and payoff. Clusters create Golden Squares. Golden Squares wait patiently. Then Rainbows arrive and turn the grid into a mix of coins, multipliers, buckets, and sudden balance jumps. The base game gently builds momentum, while the bonus rounds lean heavily into progression, persistence, and screen-filling reveals.
It’s not the fastest slot Hacksaw has ever made, but it is one of the more methodical ones.
When everything lines up, Le Fisherman can feel less like spinning reels and more like reeling in a very stubborn catch.
Slot info/stats
- Provider: Hacksaw Gaming
- Reels/Grid: 6 reels x 5 rows
- Pay system: Cluster pays
- RTP: Up to 96.33% (can vary by casino)
- Volatility: medium
- Max win: Up to 15,000x stake
- Bet range: Roughly £0.10 to £50
Visuals and audio
Le Fisherman visuals lean into colourful, clean cartoon design. Everything is easy to read, even during long cascade chains.
Smokey is animated well and reacts clearly during wins and features, without stealing attention from the grid.The lakeside background stays calm, which helps balance how busy the gameplay can become.
Sound design follows the same idea. You get light ambient effects, gentle splashes, and clear feature cues.
Nothing screams at you, but you always know when something important has landed.
Gameplay
Base game mechanics
Le Fisherman uses a cluster-pays system. Wins form when 5 or more matching symbols connect anywhere on the grid.
There are no paylines to track. Winning symbols are removed and replaced via cascades, giving you repeated chances from a single spin. This keeps the base game active, even when the win values themselves are modest.
Golden Squares
The key mechanic is Golden Squares. When you land a winning cluster, those symbol positions can turn gold.
They remain on the grid as dormant feature spots. On their own, they do nothing. They exist purely to be activated later, which is where the tension builds.
Rainbows and special symbols
Rainbow symbols activate Golden Squares. When triggered, each square reveals one of several special symbols:
- Coins with instant cash values
- Clovers, which act as multipliers
- Buckets, which collect coin values from nearby positions
- Global buckets, which collect values across the grid
An Epic Rainbow is the premium version. Instead of activating a few squares, it can flip the board far more aggressively.
When Epic Rainbows appear on a developed grid, the screen can fill with value very quickly.
How the base game feels
Most Le Fisherman base game spins are about preparation. You build Golden Squares. You wait for Rainbows. Sometimes they arrive early. Sometimes they take their time and test your patience. When the timing works, the base game can deliver satisfying, multi-stage wins that feel earned rather than random.
Bonus round
Free spin triggers
Free spins are triggered by FS scatter symbols, with three different bonus modes depending on how many land:
- 3 scatters: On Thin Ice
- 4 scatters: Slippery When Wet
- 5 scatters: Smokey Under Water (Hidden Bonus)
Each mode uses the same core mechanics but changes how quickly and consistently the grid powers up.
On Thin Ice
This is the entry-level Le Fisherman bonus. Golden Squares are built and then activated by Rainbows. Progression matters here, and outcomes improve the longer the feature lasts. It’s a solid, structured introduction to the slot’s bonus design.
Slippery When Wet
This version feels more aggressive. Golden Squares and revealed symbols tend to persist more effectively. Boards can grow dense, leading to larger chained payouts. It’s often the most balanced bonus in terms of risk and reward.
Smokey Under Water
This is the top-tier free spins mode. It usually starts closer to the game’s “fully upgraded” state. Rainbows appear stronger and earlier. This is where the slot’s biggest wins are most likely to come from.
Big Catch Bar
During free spins, the Big Catch Bar tracks your progression. As it fills, things can upgrade, and extra spins can be added. It gives the bonus rounds a clear sense of direction instead of feeling like isolated spins. Landing additional scatters in round will contribute to the progression.
Final thoughts
Le Fisherman is a thoughtful, progression-driven slot that rewards patience more than reckless spinning. The Golden Squares system makes even small wins feel meaningful, because they help shape future outcomes. Bonus rounds are layered, readable, and satisfying when they unfold properly.
It won’t suit players who want instant fireworks on every spin. It will suit players who enjoy building tension and watching a board slowly turn dangerous.
When Smokey finally reels something in, it can be very worth the wait.
Overall, I do think it’s a good le slot. It’s got new features that make it exciting and fresh. I think it’s certainly one to add to the rotation. I can see this being a slot played here on the 10p Gamer channel, either by matt, or called by the community. For now, you can play this in the arcade already! I do think they really are smashing these slots.
LeThalnothos’ Rating 8.5/10