OUTPOST INSIGHT OUTPOST

REMOTE FLY-IN CABINS OFFER GREAT VALUE FOR ANGLERS ON A BUDGET—IF YOU’RE WILLING TO DO A LITTLE WORK

“WOW, THIS BAY looks perfect,” said my pal Wes Nelson, smiling. “And it only took us two days to find it.” That made me laugh, because it was the closest bay to our outpost cabin, yet we’d passed by it numerous times without making a single cast.

Exactly 48 hours earlier, we’d been dropped off at remote Whittle Lake, about 70 kilometres north of Nakina, Ontario, by Leuenberger Air Service, a northern institution that’s been flying anglers to its lodge and outpost camps since the 1960s (see “Air time” on page 41). Along with the third member of our group, Don Willoughby, we’d been racing all over the lake, using our contour maps and sonar to target fishy-looking spots.

As with other outfitters, Leuenberger supplies boats and motors, but we’d chosen to bring our own customized fishing kayaks. They’re terrific vessels, but not really suited to running and gunning. Yet in our excitement at basically owning the lake for an entire week last June, that’s just what we’d been doing. While we were catching pike and walleye, they were smaller and scarcer than we’d expected.

Finally, it dawned on us that we were fishing in the wrong places. Regrouping during an evening strategy session, we decided to eschew structure, and instead look for fish cruising the wide, shallow, sandy-bottomed bays, especially the ones fed by creeks.

Entering that nearby bay the next morning, our hunch was proven correct. On our first, second and third casts at the mouth of an inflowing creek, we landed some decent pike and walleye. Then we drifted across the bay in about two feet of water, casting among the sparse emerging weeds. Minutes later, Wes called out that something had inhaled his beloved Johnson Silver Minnow.

“Need a hand?” I called back.

“Not sure,” he replied. Then he finally saw the fish. “Oh man, it’s a pike, and the dorsal and the tail are, like, two feet apart.”

Don and I converged on Wes to watch the excitement and—as anglers often do—enthusiastically offer pointless and conflicting advice. Although he hasn’t been fishing that long, Wes knew enough to mostly ignore us, and focus on the fight. Big northern pike are always exciting, but handling one by yourself in a small boat is bare-knuckle stuff, somewhere between a bull ride and a roller derby.

Finally, Wes laid his hands on the beast and hoisted it up for a quick photo. His paddle was floating away, and his rod and reel were dragging behind in the water, but he had the fish—43 inches of thick, well-fed northern Ontario pike. It was the biggest fish he’d ever seen, let alone caught. Outpost trips demand planning and work, but moments like this make it all worthwhile

There’s also no more affordable way to expe rience fly-in fishing. On these trips, the outfitter supplies the cabin, boats and floatplane flight to the lake, but the cost is kept down because you bring your own food and do your own cooking, cleaning and guiding. If you’re up for trying this uniquely Canadian angling adventure, here are some tips to make it a success.

Getting The Details

It’s easy to focus on the fishing ahead of all else, but once you’ve booked an outpost, learn everything you can about your cabin and its amenities. This is crucial for planning what to bring, and potential participants may want to know about any creature comforts before signing up.

Conveniences can vary widely, but most cabins are equipped with a propane fridge, cooktop and barbecue; many also have an oven, running water and some electrical outlets. Our palatial spot on Whittle Lake had all of that, plus the ultimate luxury—an indoor shower with hot water. The number and type of bedrooms are also important, especially if your group includes couples who might want a little more privacy. When it comes to your cabin, knowledge is comfort.

Assembling The Group

When recruiting anglers, consider their personalities, bearing in mind you’ll be together for a week, often in close quarters. Make sure everyone knows they’ll be helping with chores (if possible, bring a sport like Wes who’s enthusiastic and mildly obsessive about cleaning). Attitudes about fishing are also important—some anglers like to go hard all day, while others prefer to take it easy. You don’t all have to be on the same page, as long as there are comfortable parings, and a willingness to compromise.

Finally, be firm and transparent about the costs. Decide early on how you’ll split the expenses, and make sure everyone knows. And if you’re the trip organizer, make it a condition of joining the group for members to immediately pay their share of the deposit. People can often sound serious, only to ghost when it comes time to pony up.

Planning The Menu

Floatplanes have strict guidelines on the weight and amount of gear you can bring, and operators charge extra (sometimes a lot extra) for exceeding them. Carefully consider what you plan to bring, particularly food and drink, which can add up quickly. To get the amounts right, plan a full menu in advance. The redoubtable Don handles this for our groups, and shares his menu beforehand so everyone can comment. Our grub leans heavily on barbecue proteins, with a few easy, one-pot meals for rainy days or when the blackflies around the grill become intolerable. We also plan on a few fresh fish dinners, but throw in an extra pack of hot dogs in case the fish don’t cooperate.

I often see groups toting cases of bottled water, which is a huge waste of space and weight. Instead, filter lake water using a modern lightweight system. I have a gravity filter that purifies four litres of water in five minutes; it weighs mere ounces and packs very small. One way to handle other beverages is a quota system, with group members using up their share with whatever drinks—hard or soft— they deem essential.

Dry goods are easy to pack in boxes or lightweight bins, but perishables are trickier, especially when there’s a lengthy drive to the floatplane base, or a night in a motel. First of all, freeze anything that can be frozen, especially meat. When packed tight in a lightweight cooler, it will easily survive a day or two without ice. If you’re really worried about perishables, try dry ice. It melts from a solid directly to a gas, reducing the overall weight without soaking your food.

Also, when loading the floatplane, two small boxes or duffels are always easier to pack than a single larger one; this holds true for all your gear. And since you have to fly your trash out, remember to bring some sturdy bags, and avoid cans and bottles. Finally, to save even more weight, transfer canned food into plastic containers or sealable bags. Even if it feels a little déclassé, this may also be the time for boxed wine, and pouring liquor into plastic bottles.

Selecting The Gear

If you’re a one-tacklebox-doesit-all angler, packing is easy. For those of us who love tackle, however, paring down can be tough. To make it easier, I follow two guiding principles. First, I only pack what I’ll probably need, not everything I could ever need. And second, I only bring tackle I enjoy using. If you don’t like baitcasting outfits or bottom bouncers, for example, don’t waste the space—something else will work just as well. In two decades of backcountry trips, I’ve yet to encounter fish I’d consider fussy. And it takes fewer baits than you think to cover the various scenarios. For example, spoons and spinners in a variety of colours and sizes can be fished quickly or slowly in shallow or deep water for a wide range of species.

No matter where or how you plan to fish, do not scrimp on terminal tackle. As Wes learned vividly last summer, any cast could be the fish of a lifetime. Over the years, I’ve heard many stories of lost trophies due to mangled wire leaders that obviously came from the bargain bin. Take only premium snaps, swivels and leaders, and swap out hooks for sturdier ones.

Every angler should also bring at least two rods and reels, if only because accidents happen. On that count, spare tip-top guides, super glue and duct tape can save your trip, as well. And you’re tempting fate if your rods aren’t packed in cases, which don’t have to be fancy—you can make your own for $10 using materials from a hardware store.

Sonar units and batteries are heavy, but they’re immensely helpful. If I had to, I’d leave behind half my tackle (and all my beverages) for one. Since I always plan to catch—and release—a lot of fish, I also like to bring my own net sporting conservation-friendly mesh. As well, walkie-talkies are handy for keeping in touch with your group out on the water. Finally, it’s essential to bring a comfortable PFD you’d actually wear, rather than rely on one supplied at the cabin.

Researching The Waterbody

The whole reason we spend time and money getting to an outpost is because the fishing is so much better than at home. That said, the more you prepare, the more successful you’ll be on the water. Obviously, there’s no substitute for actually being there, but find out as much as possible before going. Tips from past visitors are helpful, but just one piece of the puzzle.

For me, nothing beats a good map. Backcountry lakes rarely appear on mapping chips, but there are a surprising number of old-school contour maps available. Google Earth is also helpful, revealing the surrounding landscape, plus weedbeds, sandy beaches, reefs and even drop-offs. It’s not impossible for anglers to get a lost on strange water, so I always print maps for everyone in the group.

Following The Game Plan

No matter the season, region or fish species, there are some strategies you can follow to ensure fishing success. Most importantly, know what you want. Do you want to fish every corner of the lake, or just find a couple of honey holes?

I’m afflicted with wanderlust, for example, always compelled to see what’s around the next point. Similarly, do you want numbers or trophies? These goals demand different tactics, and you usually can’t do both, so make an informed decision. You don’t want to wake up on the last morning and feel as though you’ve missed out.

Also, stay mobile. There are lots of fish in these remote lakes, but the old axiom about 80 per cent of the fish being in 20 per cent of the water still holds true. If you’re not catching anything, there’s nothing there. After 15 or 20 minutes without a hit, I change spots, often heading to the next one highlighted on my map.

Along the same line, question your assumptions, and beware of falling into a rut. Don, Wes and I mostly fish rocky Canadian Shield lakes, plus we do a lot of bass fishing. As a result, we tend to focus on structure and shorelines. Despite all our experience, it took us a couple of days to grasp that boggy, soft-bottomed Whittle wasn’t that kind of lake, and we needed a new plan. Sure, it was a setback, but that’s part of the adventure. When things do come together, there are few angling experiences more satisfying than convincing a new lake or river to share its secrets. OC

ALSO SEE PAGE 22 FOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR SCOTT GARDNER’S REGULAR FLY-FISHING COLUMN.

Air Time

Based in Nakina, Ontario, Leuenberger Air Service offers 14 outposts and a fullservice lodge on Kagianagami Lake (a.k.a. Kag), as well as charter flights for anglers and hunters organizing their own trips. All of the outposts feature walleye and pike fishing, with some also providing opportunities for lakers and brook trout. For more info, visit www.leuenberger.ca.

BY GORD PYZER