Canada Fly In Fishing
For some reason fly in fishing is still somewhat of a secret. I don't personally know anybody outside of our fishing party that goes on Canada fly in fishing trips.
When I stop to think about it I have mixed feelings. On one hand I think it would be awesome to share fly in fishing stories. On the other hand I know the lack of fishing pressure is part of the reason fly in fishing is so fruitful.
Then solitude is another reason I enjoy fly in fishing. I don't dislike people but it's nice to totally remove myself from civilization sometimes. This definitely adds to the experience too. You feel so remote and justifiably so. The plane ride in lets you see exactly how remote you are. You may see an occasional cabin on an occasional lake but for the most part civilization disappears almost as soon as you take off, often before.
The scene from the air is not only remote but totally beautiful. Countless huge lakes and river systems cover the landscape. Huge boulders can be seen on the bottom of certain lakes from the air. Islands, mountains and trees of different color splash the live canvas and you realize no artist could ever dream of the view that beholds you.
It's funny but most outfitter brochures don't mention this part of the experience. Maybe it's because they take it for granted or they don't think it's important enough to put to print. Whatever the reason they are missing out on a selling point if they don't mention the plane ride.
Of course the fly in is just the beginning of the fishing trip but it gets me stoked every time I experience it.
Now days we fly in to a cabin. We used to camp and rough it in tents but camping life takes a lot more effort than staying in a cabin. This gives us more time to fish and get proper rest in a real bed. Having a refrigerator, gas range, wood stove, sink, fresh well water, lights and a bed makes a big difference now.
When I was younger I loved a fly in fishing/camping trip. If you are into camping then your skills will likely be challenged in northern Canada. Not having refrigerator and keeping food fresh for a week is tough. Staying dry is tough also. The cost to camp may exceed the cost to simply get a cabin. You usually have a 100 - 150 pound weight limit and are charged more for additional weight. 50 cents and up per extra pound should be expected.
If you want to go on a fly in fishing/camping trip don't do it to save money because you likely won't. Camp because you like camping and enjoy a real challenge. Don't attempt camping in northern Canada unless you are experienced with camping in a remote wilderness. Seriously. If you want to find out more information visit my website: CanadaFlyInFishingReview.com. You will find just about everything you need to know about Canada fly in fishing. What to expect and how to prepare yourself for the entire trip.
Once you settle in to your location it's time to hit the water and catch some fish. I like to fly in and be there for the spring walleye opener or the week after. The fishing is killer and the bugs usually aren't real bad yet. Whatever you do don't forget to bring insect repellant. You will want something good and strong, I like pure DEET and Deep Woods Off. Put the Pure DEET On your clothing and spray the Deep Woods Off on your skin. If things are bad I just use the pure DEET on my exposed skin, I don't like to but sometimes... Make sure not to get that stuff on your fishing line or tackle. Fish don't care much for it.
I usually go to a lake north of Nakina, Ontario. I'm not going to give the name but it's killer for walleye and huge northern pike. We usually fish walleye in the morning and evening and hit the pike waters during the day when the walleye go deep. Trolling the shoreline with Johnson Silver Minnows is almost always productive in the spring. Silver Minnows are a weedless spoon and the weedless works as good or better than any other "trollable" weedless pike lure I've used. getting up near and into the weeds where you get that spring pike action. Bring lots of twister tails also. Tip the Silver Minnow spoons with a twister tail when the fishing slows down. Sometimes it's all that's needed to turn pike on when the barometer gets funny. A bad day of fishing in Canada blows away my best days fishing back home. You may find those days when pike slow down are the good days to latch into those lunkers. I don't know why but it certainly happens. The biggest pike I ever saw was caught mid day on one of those off days. My dad was fishing while the rest of us were taking a nap around the camp fire. He taught us all a good lesson that day.
The walleye fishing is phenomenal. It can seem like it's too easy sometimes. I like to jig fish in the mouth of or a inlet river. Usually a jig head with a yellow or white twister tail does the trick. Jig it just off the bottom. I also like to use a lure called Mimic Minnow. They work nearly as good as live minnows when they get tired of jigs. Remember though if they don't hit your jig change the twister tail to a different color. The color of the jig head usually isn't as important. Mornings and evenings are great times to catch walleye. If there is a hole near camp try to get out there just before dark, anchor up, set up a lantern and jig away. Rock and sandy bottom areas work good too. Just be careful moving across the lake in the dark. Don't try to venture out too far especially if there are rocks near the water surface.
After catching northern pike and walleye all day a fishermen tends to get hungry and there's nothing like fresh caught walleye to fill his belly. Eating fresh fish every night for a week is heaven to.
A Canada fly in fishing trip gives me a shot of energy like nothing else, I feel like a kid again. All that fresh air, excitement and visual stimulation overloads my sensory station and I go on a natural high that takes weeks to come down from.
Then all I can think about is getting ready for my next Canada fly in fishing trip.
