My father has been wanting to go on a fishing trip in Canada.

I would like to plan one for him, but unfortunately I have no clue where to start.

Anyone taken a trip that they were especially happy/unhappy with or have any thoughts?

Thanks.

I've been going to Northwest Ontario since 1997. I jump off at Red Lake and pontoon out with CFF (Canadian Fly-in Fishing). http://www.canadianflyinfishing.net/ There is another outfitter using nearly the same name so be careful. CFF is the original.

Walleye and pike are the species. I can provide minute info. if this is what and where you are interested. I also have a DVD I made of the Y2003 trip. I can send you a copy if wanted.

If you want to know more, look up my email on my profile by clicking on my moniker to contact me.

I have a brother in law that has made several canoe-in trips along the boundary waters in mid summer, and I had another friend that used to go up the first week of June every year. I remember him saying that the first week of June is usually right after Ice-Out and before the biting flies get really bad. I've heard some stories about the flies and mosquitoes. Take plenty of Insect repellant and it wouldn't hurt to take your own mosquito netting. From what I hear, you can catch lots of walleye on bass baits, and Northern Pike and Muskies will tear up Spinnerbaits. Take wire leaders unless you want to lose the baits.

Northwest Ontario is definitely worth the trip. There's many outfitters up there operating camps. I can't specifically recommend any, since I haven't used them.

There's a couple ways of doing it. You can stay with a camp on a big lake, or you can be flown out to an outpost where they drop you off for a few days.

Googlemap Ear Falls and figure how to get there.

I have driven the whole way, flown in my own aircraft, and flown commercial. Getting there is the challenge.

Thanks for the help, fellas.

There seems to be a huge variation from lock-stock-barrel almost luxury trips, to almost complete do-it-yourselfers.

My father is in good general health but can't do anything too strenuous, and we have never fished in Canada before, so some handholding might be in order. But I don't know that we need the full-on luxury trip - just a comfortable place to stay and maybe access to a guide for a day or two to get our bearings.

Any thoughts on those issues?

Also, any thoughts on comparing different species or areas?

Thanks again.

I've had the good fortune to make 5 trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area - Quetico. It is an awesome experience with some of the best fishing ever. You can catch smallmouth, largemouth, pike, walleye...they are all lots of fun. I have many great memories and I look forward to going many more times.

You might check into Vancouver Island off the Coast of British Columbia. We went up a few years back, though we didn't fish, I remember the fishing was said to be excellent. You also can't beat it for scenery and the feel of really being in the wilderness. The Campbell River is especially good for Salmon.

Lot of mountains, rivers and glaciers. You can also likely see some bears while there.

Most of the towns along the coast are fishing and logging villages with real nice people and good food.

You may have to take a ferry or a float plane to get in depending on where you go, but it is well worth the trip. The scenery is great. You would likely have a jumping off point of Seattle or Vancouver. You have to look at getting there as half the fun.

They have some pretty nice places to stay if you do your research.
You can check out the link below for an idea of that area.
http://www.vancouverisland.com/

I've been fortunate enough to make a few trips with the family to the Lake of the Woods in Ontario. Absolutely great time. Its been over 10 years since I last went, so I don't feel right about recommending the place we stayed, but I'll give you some other info:

We drove from Mountain Home, AR. We drove in shifts and it took about 30 hours non-stop, with a border crossing at International Falls.

Have an idea of what you want to target. Muskie, northern pike, and walleye are all extreemly territorial. Where you find one, you are unlikely to find the others. And you fish for each in much different ways. We went after the pike- they are very exciting to catch, and will go after just about anything in your tackle box.

Get you some 5" PVC tubes long enough to store your rods. They are really more sturdy than the rod holders you can buy, and they travel even easier.

Buy the strongest type of mesquito repellant you can find and use it liberally.

Take gloves for cleaning/handling fish. N. pike are the slimiest fish you can imagine.

Each year my dad and I travel to Halleys Camps in NW Ontario and we have a great time.

Last year we went to Halleys but a month later we went back to the border waters on Rainy Lake and we had an even better time!
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...125#Post1476125

Check the passport requirements

Passports are not required until next year. Just bring a copy of your birth certificate, voter reg and DL.

We did a fly-in last year using:
We fished Portal.

NW Ontario is top notch. But a little biased. I have lots of family in the area of Ignace/Dryden.

F canada...go to ALASKA!!

it's required 1 JAN 08

Agreed! Makes life a lot easier too! I've been crossing the border with a passport for 10 years.

See PM

I agree with Hendo!!! After what they they did to us in Iraq & NAFTA I wouldn't let them have a penny. Why would any american want to support a country won't back up a neighbor!!