|
|
Posts: 5
| Greetings all...I'm looking for a few suggestions from folks who have done a fly-in fishing trip to Canada. This is going to be a gift for my father, so I'm interested in comfortable accommodations, rather than a more rugged outpost vacation. In other words, American Plan is definitely a requirement.
I'm looking for a lodge that offers quality walleye, smallmouth and, of course, muskie fishing. If the lodge offers multiple lakes via portage, all the better.
The only other requirement is that it be a fly-in...we've both wanted to experience this type of vacation and have done numerous drive-ins.
Thanks in advance for your help...
|
|
| |
|
Location: Athens, Ohio | Check out the Leuenberger family out of Nakina, Ontario. Been in the business for years. Some of the nicest folks I know, ask about their Kag Lake lodge. m |
|
| |
|
Posts: 7120
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | http://www.nielsensflyinlodge.com/
http://www.allenscrowlakelodge.com/
http://www.bignorthlodge.com/
http://www.greenislandlodge.com/
Those are what I found in doing some searching for you. Can anyone comment on any of these places from personal experience?
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 5
| Thanks for the information....another one that I'm looking at is Slippery Winds Wilderness Resort.
Slamr, thanks for taking the time to do some looking...I've come across those as options as well, and am interested to hear if anyone has spent any time at these resorts.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 686
Location: Tomahawk, Wisconsin | I don't think you could go wrong with Nielsens on Rowan Lake. First class people, accommodations, and that lake will stick with you for the rest of your life!!!! I wish all musky peoples could spend some time on that lake, it is AWESOME!! |
|
| |
|
| I've been to Rowan on a few occasions. Great body of water with some true giants! I would definitely recommend getting Don Pursch to guide you for a day....he has the fastest boat on the water which provides the ability to fish a lot of the lake in one day. Also, Don can certainly locate fish! While I didn't land a muskie the day I fished with him, we saw 20+ follows...a few pushing 50". The facilities at Rowan are great. While I didn't do the American Plan, I've heard that they provide a 1st class experience. Best of luck! |
|
| |
|
| Big EE,
Here would be my 2 recommendations:
1. Rowan
I definitedly echo what was said about Rowan. My dad and I stayed at Neilsen's every year from 1991-95, and we both agree that it's the best musky lake we've ever been on. (and we've fished 6 other famous musky lakes in Canada) It's simply awesome, although your follows to eaters ratio can be as high as 40 to 1. Lots of lookers, but they're all HUGE fish. Great accomodations, great food. I highly recommend it. To the best of my knowledge there are no smallmouth, however, and walleyes, though big, are not very numerous. Not a good place to go if you want to fish smallies and walleyes. Phone # 1-800-65-FLY-IN
2. Happy Landing Lodge - Pipestone Lake
It's technically not a fly-in, but it's quite remote (only accessible via a railroad portage from Clearwater/Burditt Lake), so it's 28 miles from the nearest boat landing. Definitely has a remote fly-in feel to it, and some guests do in fact choose to fly in, due to the remote location. We fished Pipestone for the first time last summer, and the muskies there are definitely as big as they are in Rowan. (Although maybe not quite as numerous as on Rowan). Smallmouth fishing is awesome on Pipestone!! Extremely abundant smallies. The lodge also has 13 portage lakes with great fishing for walleyes, smallies, muskies. A ton of options to choose from. Call them at 1-800-766-0876 to request their brochure and video / CD-ROM. It's very impressive. Could be the best collection of portage lakes I've ever seen advertised by a resort, with excellent musky fishing on the main lake and on Yoke Lake, if you're willing to overlook the fact that it's not technically a "fly-in".
FYI: We didn't actually stay at Happy Landing last year. We were staying at another resort, and had to seek shelter at Happy Landing during a thunderstorm. So we took a tour of the camp, and talked to the owner, guides, and several guests. It's one of the most impressive places I've ever seen, and I've researched quite a few lodges. I can definitely see myself booking a trip there in the very near future.
In summary, if I was just concentrating on muskies (without regard to walleyes or smallies), I would choose Rowan. If I wanted to take a break from muskies, and soak up the total Canadian experience of walleye and smallmouth shore lunches, an outstanding variety of portage lakes, etc. I would choose Happy Landing.
In my opionion, you can't go wrong with either one. They are both lake trout waters, and by far the two most scenic lakes I've ever been on.
Let me know if I can provide any further info. Would be happy to help.
Good Luck,
"Jackpot" John Schroeder
|
|
| |
|
| One more note...
I just saw that you're looking at Slippery Winds as well. I believe that that is located on Yoke Lake. (just north of Pipestone) If you want to fish Yoke, you may as well stay at Happy Landing, as Yoke is one of the 13 portage lakes that is available to Happy Landing guests. You just have so many portage options at Happy Landing that I think it's hard to beat. But I've never stayed at Slippery Winds, so I don't know for sure what they have for portage options. From what I've heard about Yoke Lake, it's an awesome smallmouth lake, and a very good "numbers" lake for muskies, with some trophy musky potential as well. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5
| John,
Thanks for the information...Happy Landing looks promising. I've sent for the additional information they offer and am looking forward to seeing the video.
Do you have an email address that I could send additional questions to? I'm curious to know more about the experience you had with the muskies and smallies on Pipestone.
Thanks again for the information....I look forward to talking with you.
Eric
|
|
| |
|
| Big EE,
My email address is [email protected]. Would be happy to provide any further info. From what you've described (American Plan muskies, walleyes, smallies, and variety of portages), I think Happy Landing would be a perfect fit.
Drop me a line with any further specific questions
"Jackpot" John Schroeder |
|
| |
