What To Expect On Your Fly In Fishing Trip

Be ready for almost everything and do it by bringing in less than 100 pounds. Yes some outfitters only allow each passenger 100 pounds of gear. Trust me it doesn’t take long at all before you get 100 pounds of gear in a small pile. What you have to do is bring ONLY what you NEED. Knowing what to expect can help you bring exactly what you need. I personally like to go on Spring Canada Fly In Fishing trips. The cool weather means less bugs and the fishing is premium.

Expect to catch lots of fish. I’ve never had a bad fishing experience on a Canada Fly In Fishing trip. Make sure to ask your outfitter months in advance which fishing tackle works best on the lake you will be fishing at the time of year you will be fishing. Bring plenty of extra swivels if you intend to catch pike. I make my own steel leaders and use extra heavy duty hardware and leader material. I also use braided fishing line for pike and walleye.

If you plan a spring or late summer trip make sure you bring warm clothing. The mornings and evenings can be cold. I’ve seen days when we took our shirts off to fish during the afternoon and hours later it was snowing. Bring sunscreen for your face and to cover the rest of your hide on warm days.

Black flies and mosquitoes start hatching late May in Northern Canada. Getting caught on the lake by a swarm of thirsty Canadian black flies isn’t pleasant. Bringing a mosquito net for your head might not be a bad idea but I’ve worn them and still got bitten around the neck and some still manage to get inside the netting. I may react more severely than some people but a black fly bite can swell right up and last for 3 or 4 days. A few bites aren’t terrible but getting eaten up by black flies for some people can prove to be downright miserable. If bitten enough times it could even prove to become a medical issue. I’ve seen my uncle’s eye’s swell nearly shut from numerous bites around his eyes. The poor guy was in agony, don’t let something like this ruin your Canada Fly In Fishing trip. Bring at least one good form of protection. I recommend any insect repellent that is nearly pure DEET. Please read directions and use only as directed. Remember to apply something behind your ears and on your ears, around your hairline and any exposed skin especially exposed sweaty skin. They love moist areas like around the corner of your eye.

Lodging comes from nonexistent to somewhat luxurious depending on the package and outfitter. It’s always good to find out as much as possible about your outfitter. I’ve had experiences that were less than favorable when it comes to lodging and vague descriptions of exactly what is supplied with the package. Make sure you rent a boat and motor and make sure you get a good deal on fuel usage. Many outfitters allow unlimited gas rations.

Some outfitters fall short of their agreements. Make sure you check your fuel situation before the bush pilot takes off and leaves you stranded for a week. In fact check everything and make sure it meets specs.

Check the wood pile, propane, boat fuel, and generator fuel before you let the pilot leave. If the wood isn’t split make sure the axe or maul handle wasn’t broken or mutilated by the party prior to yours. Bring any broken items or potential situations to the pilots’ attention BEFORE he leaves. Trust me he will be in a hurry but it’s in your best interest to make sure everything is in working order.

The plane ride to and from your location will be beautiful if you are near a window. Make sure to have a camera ready when you get on the plane. I do find it best to take most of my in flight pictures on the way home so I know I don’t use all the “film”. Now days the long battery life and huge memory storage on digital cameras allows for hundreds of pictures. As long as you have an extra memory stick and battery you should be fine to take as many pictures as you like and still have storage space when you get home.