Discovering a Fantastic Brook Trout Fishery

Read all about a train-in trip to Algoma Country's Loch Island Lodge

He was sitting in a red pickup truck, window cracked with light plumes of cigarette smoke slowly rising outside from the gap. I walked up, and he rolled the window all the way down, letting the rest of his exhale escape the cab. His orange-stained moustache rose as he smiled and asked how I was.

“Good morning! I’m great!” I responded. “Is this where I pick up the train to Lochalsh?”

“You betcha, he’ll be here at 6:30. Just throw your bags over the fence and he’ll get you loaded up.”

“Thanks,” I said, and I asked if I could buy him a double-double as I was heading into town. He politely declined.

via rail budd car train track

The train came to rest in front of the White River Via Rail Station, it was in fact 6:30 am. A young man, seemingly no older than 24 years old, announced himself as the conductor and carefully placed a bright yellow step stool in the lava slag below. He invited us to step onto the train embarking on our last leg to our final destination. We were happy to go “all aboard” as a cold front had moved in and t-shirts with flip-flops were not weather-appropriate. It was COLD! We were FROZEN!

Taking a train into a fishing lodge is an experience to behold and is a genuinely unique way to travel. Liberal luggage limits, heaps of space, and windows rivalling the largest big-screen TVs manufactured today, provide luxurious travel and comfort. When we stepped onto the triple-car train, I glanced about. It was hard to believe we were the only passengers heading east. Stretching out, it was the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy landscapes rarely seen by human eyes as the train chugged toward angling ecstasy. It was now 6:37 am on a Thursday morning; I was looking for a moose.

The train-in to Lochalsh is a short hour-and-a-half trip. When the cars come to a stop, you literally step down on that same yellow step stool to disembark and find yourself standing on the tracks, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. There isn’t a station, a building, or even a port-o-let. Lochalsh is the Via-Rail train stop to an active rebuild of Camp Lochalsh, the grandfather lodge to Loch Island Lodge—our final destination. Lochalsh is a functioning housekeeping lodge that is steeped in character, being reclaimed each day by ongoing renovations. We walked to the docks, loaded our gear into one of Ontario’s iconic Giesler cedar strip boats, and headed out to Loch Island Lodge, north in Wabatongushi Lake.

main lodge at loch island lodge

The weather was a disaster! The previous three weeks of 90°-degree F weather (30 degrees C) were sent sailing by a rare early June cold snap. We awoke to 28°-degree F temps (-2° C), and I quickly realized how useless those damn flip-flops were going to be for days to come. Welcome to the North, just a small part of what makes Ontario so inviting to adventure seekers across the board. Notwithstanding, fishing was going to be tough, seriously tough! That’s part and parcel of adventures in wild places! Alas, the best attitude is to simply “fish it as you find it” because there isn’t anything you can do about it anyway. We are here and planning to have as much fun as we can, stay as warm as we can, and experience all that Mother Nature is offering us.

tree formation in a rock

We were to begin our adventure targeting brook trout, Ontario’s Jewels of the North. Fish who are rarely pressured and probably have never seen a fly! The alarm went off at 6:30 am, however, I was already awake and dressed, inching closer to a freshly lit wood stove fire. The pine log snapped as the fire got larger and the cool edge was taken off the cabin. We strung our fly rods together and headed up to the main lodge for breakfast. Piping hot coffee served with a genuine smile, crepe suzette with sausage, and fresh fruit really didn’t stand a chance as we tucked into our morning fuel.

Fishing brook trout at Loch Island Lodge is as adventurous as you want to make it. This fishery is brand new to the lodge, to the area really. It seems that some put-and-take lakes have taken hold and may hold naturally reproducing wild fish, while some streams in the area are pure adventure access and home to wild specimens. This is all part of the adventure, as Loch Island is even still discovering the extent of the fishery they have in the area. Can you imagine, accessing a brand-new brook trout fishery on the fly? Sounds idyllic.

brook trout fishing at lodge island lodge

We overturned the tin boat at the first lake, put the trolling motor on, and began fishing. The lake is quite small and can be explored easily in a couple of days. Long casts to shoreline undercut banks were the ticket in locating these eagle-weary brook trout. They would aggressively charge out from their underpinned lair to ravenously attack our streamers. Fish in the 18- to 19-inch range are possible with many brookies in the 14- to 17-inch range. Regardless, with a 6-weight rod (or less) and a light tippet, it doesn’t really matter the size of these fish, they are fantastic regardless of their measurements.

We played in the area for the remainder of our time at Loch Island Lodge, seemingly discovering a fantastic brook trout fishery. The creeks, though technical, looked incredibly trouty, although we weren’t able to bring a fish to hand during our short river trip. All in all, we released a great number of brookies from 12 to 19 inches, on the fly in a lake we had all to ourselves.

Loch Island Lodge, known for its northern pike, walleye, and even whitefish, is now exploring brook trout opportunities in the area. It’s adventurous, wild, and extremely accessible.

Though you can drive to Lochalsh via logging roads, or you can charter a bush plane to access the lodge, the true adventure is via rail. It’s worry-free, easy, and actually a little nostalgic travelling through Northern Ontario replaying exactly how it was done generations ago.

About Mark Melnyk

Currently, Mark is the host and producer of The New Fly Show. With a passion of fly fishing, the shows goal is to help both novice and veteran fly fishers everywhere by giving them a top-quality fly fishing series that will make them better anglers. 

Recommended Articles

Four Seasons of Bass in Ontario

Northern Ontario is home to year-round bass.

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Slow Death Revisited

This technique is used to slow down the walleye bite transitioning from spring to summer.

Dream Fishing Trips

These two Ontario lodges, just across the border from Minnesota, offer anglers the chance to fish multiple species.

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

Summer Brook Trout

Expert Advice for Fishing Ontario Lakes

Experiencing Prince Edward County - The Angler’s Way

Walleye fishing on the world-famous Bay of Quinte.

Wind, Cloud & Walleye

How Weather is Important to Walleye Anglers

Hidden Musky Gems

The Musky Hunter shares 3 favourite musky hot spots across Ontario.

3 Great Walleye Lakes

Lakes Home to Both Eaters and Trophies

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

Karl of Extreme Angler recommends must do walleye lakes in Ontario.

Bronzebacks of the Whalesback

One of the top bass destinations in North America.

Difficult Day Walleye

Learn a few techniques to address the sometimes challenging fishing conditions for walleye.

Lake Temagami Fishing

Sharpshooting Trophy Lake Trout At Loon Lodge.

Big Moose Camp

Fishing for Trophy Musky on Lake Nosbonsing

Lake of Bays fishing

Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Muskoka

The Best of Both Worlds

From spring right through to late fall there are species that you can target close to the home base in the Spanish River

Troutfly Lake Outpost

Everything You Need to Know about Your Trip to Troutfly

The Eagle has Landed

If you're looking to make your Ontario fishing dreams come true, this is the place to do it.