Up North Surrounded by Trout

When we started the So Fly podcast in 2016, one of the reasons we wanted to do so was to hopefully travel to as many parts of Ontario as possible to fly fish. We couldn’t have possibly imagined just how many opportunities we’d have to drive in, camp, and fly in to fish at some amazing locations and lodges over the years. Out of all the lodges we’ve been in Algoma, we typically find ourselves gearing up big flies, wire bite, and jaw spreaders for pike and walleye. Very rarely do we get to target only trout on the fly. Well, that was about to change.

Blue Fox Camp and Outpost is a fly-in camp on the shores of Kirkpatrick Lake in the Algoma Highlands (also referred to as Blue Lake). Getting there from Toronto, where we call home, couldn’t be easier or quicker. It’s a quick drive up to Elliot Lake with an overnight in the quaint town and then a wicked flight from Glassy Bay Outfitters into Kirkpatrick Lake. The lodge and its two outpost camps specialize in offering access to trophy rainbow, brook, and lake trout fishing. 

Blue Fox Camp is located within the Blue Lake system, which is designated as a fish sanctuary under the “lands for life” park system. The system consists of a network of 5 lakes (Blue/Kirkpatrick, Elbow, Whitebear, Robb and Townline) which all contain naturally reproducing rainbow, speckled/brook and lake trout. The natural reproduction of these three species of trout in one system is a rarity in Ontario, limited to less than 1% of lakes in the province. In addition to the natural stock, approximately 20 back lakes accessible from camp are included as part of a brook trout stocking program where 5-plus-pound fish are not uncommon.

So what does this all mean? We get to fish for trout, trout, and nothing but trout. We were stoked!

Upon landing, we were greeted by Pete and the team at Blue Fox. Blue Fox at one time was used as a summer camp, and it feels every bit like one still. Only, it's a camp for trout anglers. It’s more of a light “off-grid” experience with solar power and propane lamps, but Starlink WiFi. Meals are prepared by the staff and are probably the best we’ve ever had at a fishing camp. Anglers can access the main lake with the boats provided and head to the back lake systems from Kirkpatrick Lake, where canoes and tinnies are stashed.

After landing, a quick breakfast, and a fish briefing by Pete, we decided to head straight to White Bear Lake in the hope of finding some of those rainbows (Mitch’s fav). We were here in June, and thus the bugs were at their peak. Although unfortunate for us, it tends to make for better fishing. So we pulled the hoods on tight and walked the trail to the waiting tinnies on White Bear and were quickly on the water. Since we only had a few days at Blue Fox, we started by trolling flies to cover water and find fish. 

Well, it didn’t take long. Basically, as Mitch’s fly hit the water, he felt a grab. Could it really be that easy? 5 minutes later, he was hooked up, and after a quick fight, we were looking at a beautiful White Bear Lake trout. A Laker!? We had hopes of catching rainbows and brookies but thought the lake trout might be out of reach of our fly set-ups even with sinking lines. Our first day went on like this. Trolling, covering water, and picking up lake trout. It was an awesome surprise. 

On Day 2, we planned to head to some back lakes in the morning, have a shore lunch with Pete at the outpost camp on the east part of the lake and fish the eastern part of Kirkpatrick Lake afterward. Portaging into the back lakes was fun, but unfortunately we didn’t connect with any fish. So after some hiking and dealing with bugs, we had worked up quite the appetite. Luckily, Pete had a wicked lunch planned on the AMAZING ground of the outpost camp. We’d definitely stay here if we ever find ourselves coming back to Blue Fox. We fried up some trout, had some laughs and cold beers, and before long were ready to hit the water.

At the eastern part of the lake, there’s a natural flow into a waterfall that is part of the little white river system. We heard stories of rainbows hanging out at the falls, so we took the trail to the base of the waterfall and fished it. Well, Mitch was up again with that first cast luck and hooked up on a beautiful rainbow on a leech pattern on pretty much his first cast. The fish jumped and ran around the pool and was in the net and back in the river after a couple of photos. We explored further down the river and caught some more rainbows before heading back to the main lake, where we picked up another laker before heading back to camp for dinner. It was a great day and especially a great lunch and afternoon, but we really wanted to get into the legendary Blue Fox brook trout.

We woke up on our third day at camp to some less-than-great news. Weather was coming in, and we’d have to leave the next day, a day early. This meant we had today, and today only, to try and get one of those giant Blue Fox brookies. So today we set off to a chain of lakes accessible by trails straight from camp. After a spirited walk and 2 portages, we were at the lake we wanted to be at. These back lakes are small and easily explored. We noticed some fish rising by a rocky cliff and decided to focus our efforts there.

Well, Mitch came through again with the first fish of the day. Drifting over a rocky ledge, his rod doubled over, and after a very spirited fight, we had a 4-pound brook trout in the net. Amazing. Those fish kept rising by the cliff, so we kept fishing there and were able to catch and net two more 20-inch-plus beauties. These were the trophies we were looking for. Over two and a half days of fishing, we were able to catch and land all the trout species that Blue Fox has to offer. We couldn’t be happier. On our portage and walk back to camp, spirits were high, and we almost didn’t notice the mosquitoes. Almost. 

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