Do-It-Yourself Fly-In Fishing

Fly into one of nine outpost camps on nine lakes with Lauzon Aviation

I love fly fishing for trout or smallmouth bass, especially if I can do it on a budget. For many anglers, the best option for getting good quality fishing is to visit remote outposts on a fly-in trip. Outposts are essential “cottages” located at remote lakes, many with streams or rivers running into them. You fly into these cottages with your own food and sleeping items, and essentially you do Do-It-Yourself!

There are dozens of services that provide fly-in remote outposts, and one of my favourites is Lauzon Aviation located near Blind River Ontario, in Algoma Country. Lauzon Air Service is a family-run business that has been helping anglers access great fishing for over 30 years. They have nine rustic outpost cabins on nine separate lakes, each system featuring different species. On one lake you can have walleye and pike and on another rainbow and lake trout. These DIY fishing trips are perfect for groups of anglers or families. You have the lake entirely to yourself for the whole week, a nice experience for those who want solitude!

An example of one remote outpost they offer is Hastie Lake, which has incredible smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing. Each day we cast topwater flies and lures and caught lots of bass up to 5 pounds. Near shore, yellow, orange, and black poppers worked well for both species. On the main lake, we found that smelt patterns like Murdich Minnows or Scotty’s McFly were deadly.

Another lake we tried on a repeat visit several years later was Blue Lake, which has good populations of lake and rainbow trout. We used sink-tip lines and full-sinking lines to take white streamer patterns down to approximately 8-12 feet to connect with the trout. In the early morning or late evening, we had success casting streamers in the top three feet of the lake as rainbow trout were “busting” the surface chasing minnows. Very visually exciting and fast-action! The small stream running into and out of the lake has a healthy population of brook trout, which are fun to catch on dry flies and woolly buggers.

Lauzon Aviation supplies flight in and out, a fully stocked cabin (including kitchen equipment), a boat and motor with gas, plus propane for the cabin appliances. Anglers just need to bring their food, sleeping bags, and fishing gear. Then you have the whole lake to yourself! Great for fishing and is totally remote. Lauzon Air Service is ideal because it is affordable and accessible.

Book a trip

Lauzon Aviation
PH: (705) 849-2389

About Colin McKeown

Colin McKeown is the producer of The New Fly Fisher Television Series, and several documentary series for the Outdoor Life Network, the Discovery Channel and the History Channel. With a passion of fly fishing, Colin's 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. Known for his keen sense of humour, Colin has two wonderful children and is married to the most understanding and patient woman in the world. 

Recommended Articles

10 Tips For Ice Fishing Safety

Proper preparation is key to ensuring a safe day on the hard water

Summer Fishing Patterns for Multi-Species

Bob Izumi discusses tips for different species and how to catch them when summer temperatures soar.

Epic Ice in Northwestern Ontario

An ice fishing report from the Northwest shows it could shape up to be one of the best ice fishing seasons ever.

Multi-Species Magic

Cedar Point Resort on Cedar Lake is a drive-in camp with the fabulous fishing of a remote fly-in.

Fishing for Muskie on the French River

Crane's Lochaven Wilderness Lodge

Ghost River Lodges

Remote, Boat-in Fishing on Marchington Lake

The Lake of Many Bays

Fly-in Fishing at Pine Portage Lodge

Trophy Pike & Ribs

Fishing at Kesagami Wilderness Lodge

Big Smallmouth Bass

Fly Fishing at Branch's Seine River Lodge

Go Junk Fishing

Can't Find the Pattern? Do This Instead!

Walleye Fishing at Waterfalls Lodge

Waterfalls Lodge offers a wide variety of angling opportunities.

Lady Evelyn Lake

Get to Know This Lake in Northeastern Ontario

Walleye on Lake Temiskaming

Fish'n Canada heads to Lake Temiskaming to tackle Ontario Walleye.

Indian Lake Lodge

The Musky Hunter visits Ontario's Sunset Country for large active musky

Easy Pickin's for Northern Ontario Panfish

Ice fishing for crappies on a lake in Northwestern Ontario.

5 Things to Know When Buying Your First Fly Rod

Learn a few tips and tricks when purchasing a fly fishing rod.

River Lake Trout Techniques

Some techniques to help you catch Lake Trout in the untraditional river setting across Ontario.

How to: Target Black Crappies (Part 1)

Learn to target Black Crappies in Ontario like an Elite Angler

Fishing is Like Golf

3 rods and reels for every scenario!

Girls Gone Ice Fishing

Great company, stunning fish, unspoiled wilderness: a winter ice fishing adventure!