My wife asked me last night what I would like for my 40th birthday next year. I told her that I would like to take my father and brother on a Canadian fishing trip at a fly-in lodge. Dad is getting up there in years and has never been fishing in Canada, and little brother would have trouble making a trip like this work financially. This is obviously going to be a huge investment on my part, so I want to make sure everything is perfect. I've been doing some research, and for travel purposes I would prefer a fly-in lodge in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or Ontario.
I know there are some seasoned sportsmen on this site, so I thought I would toss it out there. Does anyone have any good recommendations? The ads and websites all make me drool, but it's always nice to hear directly from someone who has "been there and done that".
Thanks in advance!
Dan
P.S. Part two of my birthday wish list is a trip to Mexico with aforementioned wife sans the kiddos -- thought it would help grease the skids on the whole Canada thing...
Been years ago...but Thaddeus is a great lake. Here is the link...
Thaddeus Lake Lodge
Has any of you ever been arrested? Ever?
The Canadians have a system that checks everyones background for all eternity. It doesn't matter the charge, whether it was dismissed or what, they will find it and you will have to prove that you are are inocent or have served your sentance. It is up to you to prove this.
In my case, I was trying to go hunting there. At the border, they checked my rifle and said no problem, but they had to do a background check. It came back that I had a Drunk Driving conviction ten years earlier. Yes I told them, that's true. The border guard said that I had to apear before a special inspector and prove to them that I had served my sentance and was no longer at risk for drunk driving. It was a very serious offence in Canada.
This was ten years earlier and they were making a big deal of it. I had to drive from Montana to North Dakota, get the court to fax over my paperwork and sit in front of an inspector to beg forgiveness and permission to enter Canada. Since my crime was more than five years previous, they allowed me to be rehabilitated for $200 Canadian.
My hunting buddy was turned down too. He was arrested for threatenng to shoot some tresspassers on his land when telling them to get out. This was right after Columbine and his threat was chargable. He spent the night in jail before seeing the judge. The case was dismissed and no charges were filed.
He also got all his paperwork and was interviewed, but was not allow do be rehabilitated. His arrest was less than five years, so it's an automatic denial. Nobody told us that one until it happened. He was told he could enter the country if he hired a lawyer and made an apointment with a judge to plea his case. They felt he had a good chance of winning it, but otherwise, he couldn't enter the country.
While there, we met other guys who had run ins with the law in there youth. One guy with a load of hogs had stolen a Christmas tree in high school back in the early 70's.
Before you go there, be sure you have all your records no matter how long ago it happend.
Good luck,
Eddie
...I never wanted to go to Canada anyway.
"Why leave America to visit America Junior?"
-Homer Simpson
Dan, I have been fishing Canada for years but have never been to a fly-in lodge. I have been to fly-in camps and to drive-in camps and can give you some recommendations depending on what you are looking for. What is your fish of choice - walleyes, northerns, smallies? What kind of accomadations would suit you?
Originally posted by eddie_walker:
Has any of you ever been arrested? Ever?
The Canadians have a system that checks everyones background for all eternity. It doesn't matter the charge, whether it was dismissed or what, they will find it and you will have to prove that you are are inocent or have served your sentance. It is up to you to prove this.
In my case, I was trying to go hunting there. At the border, they checked my rifle and said no problem, but they had to do a background check. It came back that I had a Drunk Driving conviction ten years earlier. Yes I told them, that's true. The border guard said that I had to apear before a special inspector and prove to them that I had served my sentance and was no longer at risk for drunk driving. It was a very serious offence in Canada.
This was ten years earlier and they were making a big deal of it. I had to drive from Montana to North Dakota, get the court to fax over my paperwork and sit in front of an inspector to beg forgiveness and permission to enter Canada. Since my crime was more than five years previous, they allowed me to be rehabilitated for $200 Canadian.
My hunting buddy was turned down too. He was arrested for threatenng to shoot some tresspassers on his land when telling them to get out. This was right after Columbine and his threat was chargable. He spent the night in jail before seeing the judge. The case was dismissed and no charges were filed.
He also got all his paperwork and was interviewed, but was not allow do be rehabilitated. His arrest was less than five years, so it's an automatic denial. Nobody told us that one until it happened. He was told he could enter the country if he hired a lawyer and made an apointment with a judge to plea his case. They felt he had a good chance of winning it, but otherwise, he couldn't enter the country.
While there, we met other guys who had run ins with the law in there youth. One guy with a load of hogs had stolen a Christmas tree in high school back in the early 70's.
Before you go there, be sure you have all your records no matter how long ago it happend.
Good luck,
Eddie
Sounds like nothing more than a money maker for the Canadian government to me. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Eddie's story is somewhat disturbing.
On one hand, it makes me wonder if the US Customs does such a check for incoming foreigners.
On the other hand, it makes me wonder how the Canadians can do that with even the slightest bit of efficiency.
On my third hand, it makes me wonder if the US government knows about this procedure by the Canadian Customs. It put's a small wrench in the NAFTA thing.
Back on topic, one of my friends goes to God's Lake each year. It's a fly in. I could get some details from him if you need.
Originally posted by Sunil:
Eddie's story is somewhat disturbing.
On one hand, it makes me wonder if the US Customs does such a check for incoming foreigners.
On the other hand, it makes me wonder how the Canadians can do that with even the slightest bit of efficiency.
On my third hand, it makes me wonder if the US government knows about this procedure by the Canadian Customs. It put's a small wrench in the NAFTA thing.
Back on topic, one of my friends goes to God's Lake each year. It's a fly in. I could get some details from him if you need.
Another NAFTA SNAFU...Try traveling to Mexico with tools, equipment, parts etC. to do work. We usually have to try and sneak anything in on a tourist visa, or go 2 wks. early to Mexican consulate for a work visa. A while back, a service engineer went to install some Navigation equipment on a ship in a Mexican shipyard. Tools and some install material was sent in advance. He got the stuff on the last day after being there for a week. He used a screwdriver and crescent wrench borrowed from the ships electrician to do the work.
DISGUSTING.
How can the ultra liberal Canadian government get away with such blatant denial of freedom and rights of passage. Come on HOLLYWOOD, ACLU, 60 MINUTES...where are you on this one?
You might want to look at Fireside Lodge in Ontario. I took my father and my two sons there several years ago and had a good time. We flew to International Falls, MN and rented a car and drove to the lodge. You don't fish with a guide, so you have to figure things out yourself, but that was half the fun. Beautiful lakes and good smallmouth bass, northern pike, and musky fishing. Since you drive in and don't fish with guides, it is MUCH cheaper. Food and accomodations were good as well. By the way, they give you good lake maps and the outfitter will tell you where to fish and what to use.
Let us not forget about our wonderful pond loving friends who reside north of the border (Wood and others)!!
Originally posted by Sunil:
Let us not forget about our wonderful pond loving friends who reside north of the border (Wood and others)!!
You are so right, Sunil. That's why I specifically referred to the Canadian government. It is a beautiful country and we have very knowledgable pondmeisters from there. Plus, Miss Jamie Salle', the skater, and Rachael McAdams are awesome.
Trust me, Canadians don't really agree with our Government's policies or actions either. We complain about it, vote someone else in, nothing changes. It gives us something to talk about while waiting for our vehicles to defrost.
I wish I could help with fly-in lodges, never been to one myself. With so many lakes within driving distance, I never had the need to fly-in. Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba are good choices, very few people, very large fish. Ontario has more variety of species, but more people also.
I just wanted to add to my earlier post, that my parents are Canadians and I have family all over the country.
After my little incedent I started asking around about what had happened and found all sorts of stories about it. I don't know if it's still the policy there, as it was 6 years ago that this took place.
About three years ago a guy I know here in Texas was going to go there and I told him my story. He had been arrested for having a gun in his suitcase at an airport. He tried to check it in with his baggage, but didn't tell anybody it was in there. They found it after he'd checked in and was arrested. He spent the night in jail, saw the judge the next day and was released. He was never charged with anything, just a stupid mistake on his part.
He contacted the Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles to see if he'd have any problems getting into the country. They asked for all his paperwork, which he provided. They determined that he was undesirable and won't be allowed into the country.
He's a succesful business owner that has nothing else on his record. Not even a speeding ticket. He was never charged with a crime, just arrested, but that's enough for the Canadians to keep him out.
From what I've been told, the Canadian government was very embarassed over 9-11 and how many terrorist use there country to get to the US. So in there defense, they have made it very hard for US citizens to enter there country. It's backwards logic, but it's the way most goverment agencies work.
I only post this so people wont have to go through what I did. It was a huge headache and humiliating to have to explain to them something that I'd already dealt with a decade ago.
Good luck with the fising trip, I wish I could offer some suggestions on lodges. I always just fished the rivers with my Uncles depending on what part of the country we were in. Dolly Varden was my favorite near Ft. St. John in northern BC.
Eddie
Eddie, I almost attended a business conference in Banff a couple of years ago. I didn't go but heard nothing about any problems with the 500+ attendees. Surely not all of them had lily white backgrounds.
I guess it is possible for convention attendees to be excluded from scrutiny. It would cause the cancellation of too many $$$ making conventions/business meetings.
I guess it would be best for me to not even attempt to get in. When Lusk, Otto and I went to Atlanta, I found that I was on the No Fly Terrorist List. I had to step aside for about 30 minutes while they straightened it out. I doubt that I would want to hire a Lawyer to go fishing.
Wood, we have the same thoughts about Guvmint here. In my case, it gives me something to think about while the A/C is being repaired.
Guess Barry Switzer won't be going to Canada either after his gun in his carry-on! Or was that Jimmy Johnson? Some ex-Cowboy coach....
Dave,
A buddy of mine who I grew up with has been in all sort of trouble. He's a drunk and can bench 500 pounds for reps. It's a terrible combination that has gotten him arrested more times than I can count. The year they wouldn't let me into the coutry, he and his wife went to Vancouver without any problems at all.
I can't explain it, nor do I know the rules that govern what they are doing. It happened to me, my buddy and a few other people I've met. It's also never happened to other people that I would have thought were more deserving than I am.
Eddie
...hmmmm; maybe a trip to Vancouver doesn't sound so bad after all.
I'd better watch it then 'cause you all know that I can bench press 600lbs.
They wouldn't want a bruiser like me up over the boarder.
I can be lethal from the fetal position.
I'd better watch it then 'cause you all know that I can bench press 600lbs.
600 lbs of bricks or 600 lbs of feathers?
Whichever weights more, Lance, whichever weighs more!
I might add that my 600lbs of feathers don't fit in my house anymore.
Fishman Dan,
I talked to my buddy about God's Lake. It's in North East Manitoba about 100 miles South West of Hudson Bay (according to my friend's memory).
They stay at Healey's Lodge. The website is:
www.godslake.com They catch Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout, and Brook Trout. It's too far north for Smallies.
There are three lodges on the lake, and they stay at Healey's. It's on an Indian Reservation. At the lodge, they eat breakfast and dinner; for lunch, the guides prepare shore lunches with the fresh caught fish.
Hope this helps.
To add to this conversation I think it's more about the money than anything. Why? Because a friend who runs a hatchery in Ohio has to have a broker to bring eggs in. No matter that he has all his documentation etc. He has to hire someone and pay them to get the eggs through. Pure bureaucratic profiteering IMHO.
Another thing is, I've heard it works both ways. I've had some anglers tell me that some of American border agents are worse than the Canadians.
And I will say all the Canadian citzens I have met are outstanding individuals. It's the government policies that I have a problem with.
Have been to Canada one time about 10 years ago on a fly-in fishing trip & it was a great experience. Used Bolton Lodge & you can find their website on Google. Caught Pike,Walleye, & Lake Trout. They have a lodge with full meals & guides to fix lunches or you can fly to smaller cabins on secluded lakes & sort of "rough it" This is the Lake Trout my wife caught along with our guide(a really pleasant fellow) I highly recommend this place as long as it hasn't changed hands since we were there
Fishman Dan,
I've fished several places in Alaska and actually just returned from a trip to Mexico, but don't have any experience in Canada. If you are interested in either Alaska or Mexico (or other Carribean fishing spots), I'd be happy to offer my experiences.
Dan:
I've been lucky enough to take about a dozen Canadian trips, maybe more and I'm not sure you gave enough information to give you a good specific answer. What type of fish do you want to catch and how much do you want to spend? Do you want to be fully guided or do some fishing on your own. Cook your own meals or American Plan? Dropped in the wildnerness and be the only people on the lake or fish from a main lodge? Nueltin Lake is considered the premier Canadian fly in lodge with many options on remote camps and lodges but pricey and no walleye.
We did a combined fishing/duck hunting trip to The Pas Manitoba this past fall that was great and economical. Wish we had time for more fishing but the management was outstanding and willing to go the extra mile to make sure you have a good time. They had great food and many options to fish including walleye, lake trout, northerns and brook trout. All our fishing was unguided but guides were available. It wasn't fishing, it was catching (it was also October). My best advice wherever you go is to get several references on the staff and call every one of them. The outfitters will tell you that Gunisao Lake is the best walleye lake in Manitoba but I haven't been there. Gods, Reindeer, are well known. In Ontario you have Kesagami, Lac Seul in the upper echelon.
Being a person who heads over the boarder more than a few times a year to do some fishing, there are many places that are very good. Most of the best places are those where you will not see advertised. They are truly word of mouth.
I have a few places where it is about a 5 hr drive from my house where I get great smally fishing and some larger northern pikes and some average size walleyes ( place has cottage and 12 ft boat for about$400 canadian a week ). I also know of a few places to fly into that are more aimed at trout and big walleyes ( can have meal plan or bare bones and can go anywhere from $500/wk to $1500/wk ).
The general thing you might want to look at is how comfy a place do you want to stay at and what type of fish are important to you as well as how much do you want to spend. From there I could give you some general ideas as to where I have been and how they worked out.
Good luck and let me know what is the ideal place for you.
Ryan, that is a neat place. Good to see that they have the "conveniences".
Finally took the 40th birthday fishing trip last week. We ended up going to Silsby Lake Lodge in Northern Manitoba. We had a great time, though the weather was not ideal -- we couldn't go out one day because of the wind, and as a result we only had three days to fish. Otherwise, a terrific time with pretty good fishing. We each caught at least one "Manitoba Master Angler" pike (over 41 inches), and tons of "teenagers" (between 35-41 inches). Here are a couple of my trophy pike:
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
A lot of forest fires up there as well. In most cases they just let them run their course. This one was just smoldering one day, then the wind picked up and the fire took off. This picture was from about 20 miles away:
[/IMG]
