Your Fishing Escape

Vacations come in all shapes and sizes; some people enjoy going from a museum to an exhibit to a gallery; others like to soak up the heat on a beach in the Caribbeans; while others prefer to avoid the scores of people entirely and go after some game. For those Canadian Fly in Fishing and Hunting is the best choice. I will share with you what you can expect, what you should bring, what you should avoid, and which companies you should plan your trip with. You can think of this as a Canadian Fly in Fishing and Hunting Guide.

My name is Jeremy Wadford, I’ve been fishing all over North America and over the past few years I have been on a couple of those fly in fishing trips to Canada. I enjoyed it; caught some walleye, lots of pike and a 28lb trout!

I’m telling you, this was a great trip and you should go! Leave your wife, your kids at home, take your buddies and fly in to Canada for a week to have the best fishing and hunting time ever. Seriously, ever! This is unlike any weekend trip out of town. The feel is completely different when you cross the border to hunt and fish in Canada.

What To Expect On Your Canadian Fly-In Fishing Trip

It’s a good idea to do your research first. There are 2 main companies that you can plan your trip with (see “Who To Plan Your Canadian Fly-In Fishing Trip With” below), and the staff at each one is well prepared to make your fishing trip an amazing one; so expect to be well taken care of.

Expect a boat and motor, solar-powered lighting, hot and cold running water, showers, fully equipped kitchens and comfortable furniture. The Clean Cabin Deposit (typically $100) guarantees you well maintained cabins with ample room for up to 8 adults. As a rule satellite telephones for emergency use are provided, but it’s still a good idea to make sure that they do have them at all their cabins, or at least at the cabin you’ll be staying in.

When we planned our first Canadian fly in fishing and hunting trip we found that a lot of the following things were provided to us:

Wide, heavy duty 14″ Alumarine boats with swivel seats
6 – 15HP motors and unlimited gas
Marine safety equipment (emergency kits)
Paddles
Anchors
Landing nets
Minnow buckets
Life vests/life jackets (they are mandatory, and whenever they are not included, they are available for rent)
Kitchens with cooking and eating utensils (pots, pans, plates, knives, forks, etc.)
Large propane refrigerators, stoves and freezers
Solar powered lights
Backup propane lights
High pressure solar water system with hot and cold water
Shower and urinal
Wood burning stove for heating
Firewood
Screened-in porches, 200 square foot decks /w benches
Covered area with propane and Charcoal BBQ
Fish cleaning areas with running water
Satellite phones accessible to each camp
Flight checks of our camp (should we need it, assistance would be quick)
Wooden walkways from dock to cabin

*When you plan your trip, read carefully what is provided, and where, because while the above is pretty much standard, we misread the provided features and learned only after-the-fact that some items are provided in select cabins. While I expected the items I listed below, they were unavailable to the cabin we booked. So for our next Canadian fly in fishing trip we will book the cabin with the following provided:

Canned pork & beans
Canned corn
Canned green beans
Canned fruit cocktail
Ketchup, mustard, relish
Flour & sugar
Salt & pepper
Dish soap & bleach
Mr. Clean, S.O.S. & garbage bags
Paper towels & toilet paper

Any problems with equipment you can expect to be taken care of quickly. The guys running the place really want to leave you with a Canadian fly in fishing experience you will brag to your pals about, so they are quick to fix your motor, provide you with gas and help you out in every possible way. When I went, they marked our map and spend some time with us to help us along, before we headed into the lake.

What To Bring On Your Canadian Fly In Fishing Trip

First remember that whichever company you chose, you are almost guaranteed plane transportation in and out of camp from Red Lake. This means that there will be certain limitations on how much you can bring. The limit is most likely to be 100 lbs per person. The weight restrictions are very strict, so plan your fishing trip well!

The bare minimums include duffel bag or backpack for personal gear including clothing, 1 sleeping bag (or blanket), 1 tackle box and 1 small cooler for the boat. A total of 4 items per person and that should be it for a total weight of 60 pounds per person.

General/Personal

Warm clothing and rain
Mosquito coils
Insect repellent and sunscreen
Sleeping bag or blankets (pillows are often provided)
read more

Read the Complete Canadian Fly In Fishing and Hunting Guide HERE

Going to Canada to fish is definitely a good idea for vacation. The activity is really fun and worthwhile. Hobbyists and fishing enthusiasts attest that fishing around the numerous fishing resorts across the country can be a potent and effective form of stress relief. Going to a Canadian fishing trip is all the more worthwhile if you observe proper travel preparation prior to going. As you embark on the travel, you should also do several recommended actions to make the trip more enjoyable.

Here are several travel trips that will help make your Canadian fishing vacation more worthwhile.

- Secure proper travel documents. Just like when traveling to other offshore destinations, it would be advisable if you secure proper and appropriate travel documents. Have a secure and legal visa and appropriately book accommodations and air fare. Make sure you take care of all necessary aspects before the trip so that you can be sure everything will be in its proper order when you come back from vacation.

- If you aim to fish, you don’t need to bring with you the fishing equipment and gadgets needed. Of course, you can bring your own but be reminded that doing so would only make your baggage heavier and bulkier. If you don’t mind that, go ahead and bring and use your own fishing equipment. Otherwise, you shouldn’t worry because Canadian fishing resorts almost always provide fishing equipment rentals to clients.

- Obtain a necessary fishing license before going fishing. Though fishing is a rampant leisure and occupational activity in the country, authorities always make sure anglers have all the necessary documents and permissions to fish. You should also secure a Conservation license because it is a prerequisite to a fishing license. As a form of consolation, be reminded that it isn’t hard and tedious acquiring both.

- Bring with you necessary identification documents like social security card, drivers or professional license and other pertinent and valid identification cards because those are required when processing fishing licenses.

- Get in touch with any Canadian friends or acquaintances because you need to be accompanied by a Canadian citizen when applying for a fishing license. This provision however is waived at some special cases.

On top of those guidelines, be sure to bring with you sufficient amount of money and your sense of discipline. As a tourist in Canada, you are expected and are required to abide by any special regulations and policies regarding fishing tourists. Make your Canadian fishing trip worthwhile.

Have you ever watched one of those televised shows that show the fabulous fishing available in Canada, (or also known as the “Great White North) & wondered, can that really be true? Can the fish actually be so huge? Can the scenery be so spectacular?

It IS true!

From the eastern shores of the Maritime Provinces to the vast wooded tract of coastline on the west shores of British Columbia, Canada offers fishing that is so abundant & unspoiled, that anglers from around the globe visit each year, then subsequently return year after year.

All Provinces offer fishing that is unique to them, yet all are connected by a common theme, & that’s the huge expanses of almost undiscovered lakes & rivers in the northern regions.

Look at the Province of Ontario, 95% of its population reside in the lower regions that account for maybe 10% of its land mass. What’s in the other 90%?

Huge, crystal clear, lakes & rivers. Thousands of them! And all full of fish.

Whether one is looking for a weekend retreat that’s accessible with your family car, or the “trip of a lifetime”, a visit to a remote northern lake accessible only by float plane, this province offers it all.

Compare that to the even larger expanse of the Nunavut. Here’s a Territory that sits almost entirely north of the 60th parallel, & has almost all it’s regions inaccessible by roads. There simply are none!

But the fishing! Home to more IGFA records than any other fresh water region in the WORLD!

Did you know the NWT is home to the 5th largest body of fresh water on the globe?

Great Bear Lake is 500 miles north of Yellowknife & the closest permanent road is some 300 miles away? Almost 12,500 square miles of crystal clear water, that’s under ice for all but, maybe 100 days a year. Water so cold, that fish grow so slowly they can be 60-80 years old.

Then consider this.

There’s only one community on this lake. Maybe 500 people, tops! Four Fishing Lodges, over 280 miles of lake between one & the next closest! Ice free for just a couple of months, these fishing lodges can operate only 2 short months a year. Total capacity between them all is maybe 160 fishermen at a time, scattered over 12,500 square miles!

Also, consider Great Slave Lake. Situated some 300 miles south of Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake is almost as large an expanse of water, almost as isolated, but has the convenience of a bustling frontier type city, situated right on its shores.
Yellowknife, the territory capital is also the “hub” for many of the remote northern lakes & fishing lodges, as it’s serviced by a modern airport, with frequent & daily scheduled flights connecting it with more southern cities, or as the northerners call it, “the outside”

With stats like these, do you think these fishing lodges can offer a unique fishing experience?

You bet, there’s no other place quite like it.

Why not treat yourself, & plan on a wonderful “trip of a lifetime”.

Check out what Canada has to offer at Canada Fishing Lodge.

If you are planning to take a worthwhile and fun vacation alone, with friends or with family, it is very much advisable to consider going to Canada. If you like outdoor and recreation activities, you should try fishing in the numerous beautiful lakes and rivers across this North American country. Canada is in fact aggressively promoting its fishing industry. It has been luring tourists to come and enjoy the hobby, which the country guarantees fun and at the same time unwinding and satisfying. Before going on a Canadian fishing tour however, it is important that you make sure you take note of all requirements and recommended necessities.

Just like normal traveling, you must take the usual traveling means when going to Canada. Secure a proper visa, book plane tickets and make reservations at different lodging accommodations. When in the country, you will be at an advantageous leverage to springboard to any fishing activity at the numerous fishing resorts across the country. A Canadian fishing tour would definitely not be complete if you don’t lodge at a famous and wonderful fishing resorts. You won’t have a hard time getting to such resorts. You can ask your travel agent or friends and tourist guides about recommended fishing spots and resorts across the country.

Before going on a Canadian fishing tour, you should make sure you are taking with you necessary identification and legal documents like identification cards, social security card, drivers license and others. You will need those identification papers when you apply for a fishing license. Be reminded that Canada is open to all tourists wiling to do fishing activities in its fishing spots provided you have all the necessary licenses and permits to do so. Yes, you aren’t allowed to fish without any locally issued fishing license. The Canadian government wants to make sure its aquatic resources remain protected at all costs and as visitors to the country, you are expected to fully cooperate with the country’s endeavors.

Lastly, you should schedule your Canadian fishing tour appropriately. September is the best and most recommended month for fishing because aquatic creatures in lakes and rivers are more abundant during this pre-winter month. Months of May to August are also ideal. You will surely enjoy fishing best when the outdoor weather is conducive and cooperating.