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

Fishing Walleye on Dog Lake

What it is about Northern Ontario fishing lodges that appeal to so many anglers?

Lac Seul Lunkers

Non-Stop Walleye Fishing Action

Ice Perchin’ Ontario

Providing Great Fun to Adults and Children Alike

Year of the Trout

The Winter Trout Fishing in Northern Ontario is Outstanding

Gearing up for Ice Fishing

Today’s ice anglers have more quality gear to choose from than ever before.

Sweet Spot Season

When you have a limited amount of time to be out there fishing, you really want to look for those high percentage sweet spots.

Stalking Prehistoric Long Nose Gar

Hosts Angelo Viola and Pete Bowman took to the waters with the objective of 100% sight fishing.

Merkel's Camp

Fly Fishing for Musky, Pike and Smallmouth Bass

Eagle Lake Island Lodge

A Boat-to Ontario Lodge Experience

Dropshot the Shallows

A Technique That Should Be in Your Fishing Arsenal

Muskie Myths Part 2

Baits and Lures You Should be Using

Fishing Carp

German Fishing Superstar Babs Kijewski Visit Ontario

Laurentian Lodge - Something for Everyone!

Incredible scenery and world class smallmouth bass fishing on beautiful Flack Lake

Birchland Cottages

Fly Fish for Giant Smallmouth Bass

Igniting the Spark

Don't Overlook Carp Fishing in Ontario

Magpie Reservoir

Excellent Drive-to Angling to Hook Big Walleye

Eagle Lake Lodge: A Muskie Angler's Paradise

Fish'n Canada's Pete Bowman fishes for Muskie and Smallmouth Bass in Ontario's Sunset Country.

French River Fever

This waterway is rich in lunge lore, having produced muskies in excess of 60 pounds.

Manotak Lodge

A Fishing Paradise in Northwestern Ontario

Browns' Clearwater West Lodge

Home to incredible fishing for trophy Smallmouth Bass.