"If you have not trekked to fish the Great White North in the summer, then now is the time."
by Brock Ray
Where I live in Alabama the winters are pleasantly mild, while July and August are often unpleasantly hot. If I need to garden in the hotter months, it’s done before 9:00 AM, although my fishing is late in the evening or even after dark. When I tell you it is hot in my state this time of year, it is tough to exaggerate the heat.
While fuel prices continue their upward spiral, to one degree or another life seems to be going on, and that includes the need for vacations. If you are like most drivers, you have a passion for fishing, and a dash of wanderlust or you would not be making a living on the road. This time of year the best way to beat the heat and have a fishing vacation you will never forget is to make a trip to Canada.
Larger than the land mass of the US, our northern neighbor is a huge place with far more places to fish than there are Canadians to fish them. Tourism, the art of attracting US sportsmen to the country, is big business there. There is a river, lake, lodge and vacation package for every taste and budget. Unlike hunting, which has become a bit pricey for non-Canadians, there is lots of fishing that remains very affordable, especially for do-it-yourselfers.
At the top of the food chain of fishing vacations in Canada is the three- to five-day, fly-in wilderness stays at lodges. These trips put you in lightly fished waters like Cree Lake in Saskatchewan where nearly every cast of a Daredevil spoon puts you toe-to-toe with a 20-pound northern pike. These are the crème de le crème trips where everything from boats and guides, to meals and an open bar are available. Air travel to reach fishing spots in the road-less north of Canada can add up to fifty percent to the overall cost of these trips that typically cost up to $2,000 for a five day stay.
Next in line is fishing camps and lodges where road, or even railway travel is possible. The biggest savings here comes from not having to spend $500 or more for a bush plane flight out of some northern outpost like Schefferville, Quebec. Most of these places are located 50- to 300-miles north of the US border, and usually require at least half of the driving on well-maintained, hard packed, but nevertheless dirt roads.
What these establishments offer varies greatly depending on what they offer in terms of fishing and services. Some camps located on incredibly productive lakes have lodges, meal services and lots of fishing guides available. Others provide only cabins where you do your own cooking, outdoor showers and johns, and boats with motors. Most of these will provide a guide for one day to show you a handful of places to catch walleye, lake trout or pike.
Costs of these vary as much as do the locations, driving time needed to reach them, and the species of game fish that are available. Many times you can get cabin with kitchen, boat with motor, and one day with guide for just a touch over $1000, with no extra fees for additional people in the cabin with you. Of course you bring your own food, do you own cooking, and buy your own gas. However, it can be pretty economical if you are on a budget and a real savings if you can split it two or three ways.
Some of the best places to look for these trips are in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Alberta.
If you are a do-it-yourselfer with the skills not only to camp comfortably in the wild, but also experienced enough at fishing to take on unknown waters, Canada is waiting for you. One of my favorite such destinations is the La Vérendrye Reserve, a large, water rich park located about three hours drive from Montreal. It has many campgrounds, and great fishing for trout, walleye, and northern pike.
Even closer to home is The Boundary Waters, a region of wilderness straddling the Canada–United States border between Ontario and Minnesota. It is a sprawling publicly owned tract located at a region just west of Lake Superior. The Boundary Waters region is a vast network of waterways and bogs within a glacially-carved landscape of common US and Canada border. It is a popular tourism destination for camping, canoeing, fishing, as well as for those simply looking for natural scenery and relaxation.
Canada has millions of acres of such provincial and national parks within hours of the US border where all manner of great fishing and camping are available. These can cost as little as gas money, food and supply cost, and fees charged for campsites and fishing licenses. You can even bring it all from home if you wish, but be advised drivers, that you cannot carry your favorite handguns into Canada. They are funny that way.
For the most part the fishing tackle you use for bass fishing or fly fishing for trout will suffice your needs in most Canadian waters. Check your drag systems to make sure they have sufficient give should you hook a really big musky or salmon, and fresh line is highly recommended. I recommend picking up a few steel leaders, walleye rigs and jogs, and a dozen or two 3-to-4 inch long spoons in bright colors as well as red and white. If you go to New Brunswick or the Gaspe Peninsula where the rivers there offer world class fishing for Atlantic salmon, the fish of royalty, make sure your fly reel has lots of backing. Flies are productive at various times of the season and are widely available and very inexpensive.
Other considerations include being protected from the rain and being prepared for weather that can be surprisingly cool at this time of year. Rain occurs often during the summer throughout Canada. Quality rain wear such as that made with a Gore-Tex membrane is recommend. I always carry shorts, t-shirts and flip flops, but would never go north to fish without a jacket, long pants and toboggan. This is also true of insect repellent. Take plenty, but remember when you are spraying your hands that most insect repellent sprays contain chemicals that can severely impact the integrity of polymer based monofilament fishing line. You are now warned about the flies and mosquitoes and the possible consequences of misusing those sprays that ward off these winged blood suckers.
There are dozens of different ways to set-up a fishing or plan your own to Canada. Two things you need to know before beginning the search is where you want to go, and what can you spend. The Internet contains thousands of websites of outfitters, lodges, camp ground, and parks in Canada. If you really want to find the one that meets your needs and budget, spend a few nights perusing these. Even if it is a last minute lark on your part, you just might find a steal of a deal due to a cancellation. So send those emails and try your hand. You drive hard for a living, and you deserve a quality break this summer.
