Fishing For Brook Trout At Northern Skies Resort

As any angler knows, the first fishing trip of the season is often highly anticipated and planned in detail, with days marked on the calendar counting down departure. At least, this was the case for me as I awaited my first fishing adventure of the year to Northern Skies Resort, in the Algoma district of Northern Ontario. 

I’ve been visiting Algoma with friends and family for years, and the area still has the same magic for me as it did on my first trip. The wildlife, the beauty of the landscape, and, of course, the incredible fishing. I have so many fond memories of fishing the many lakes, streams, and creeks with my Dad, it’s no wonder I’m always eager to return. This trip, however, I had planned for a new kind of adventure. While normally I tend to target smallmouth bass (a fantastic choice when in Algoma), this year I was after a different species-- wild brook trout. While the area does boast some wonderful trout stocking programs, there are also several accessible opportunities to catch wild-run brook trout, especially in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. This was my goal on this trip, and I could hardly wait.

Driving up from Ottawa, I arrived at Northern Skies Resort in the early evening of mid-May and was greeted by owners Robin Sutherland and Fred Post. Fred was going to be my guide for the week, and we were quick to come up with a game plan for the following day. 

Previously known as Kegos Camps, Northern Skies Resort is nestled along the banks of Chub Lake, right along Highway 129 North within the Mississaugi Valley. Robin and Fred are fourth-generation owners of Northern Skies Resort, and it’s evident in the welcoming, friendly atmosphere that has guests leaving feeling like family. With a variety of different-sized cabins, each complete with full kitchen facilities, a screened-in porch, BBQ, and a private dock, this is a fantastic option for those looking for a comfortable place to stay while exploring the area.

Throughout the first few days of my trip, Fred and Robin brought me to several of the rivers, creeks and streams located only a short distance drive from the resort. Despite some challenging weather conditions and high waters, there are always options for fishing in Algoma. Fred brought me to the small creek he fished growing up, and as someone whose fishing experience is primarily on big lakes, it was quite the adventure! Fred’s tips and guidance were essential to keeping my fly in the water, and out of the trees…most of the time!

On this trip, I came prepared for a variety of conditions and bodies of water. I brought along 4- and 5-weight rods, in 7- and 8-foot lengths for fishing in small streams and creeks, as well as 4- and 5-weight rods in 8.5- and 9-foot lengths for fishing larger bodies of water, such as the Mississagi River. I packed a sink tip, intermediate, and floating line, as well as a variety of different streamers, nymphs, and both wet and dry flies. You never know what you might encounter in such a diverse area- a point which was proven when I landed a beautiful smallmouth bass on the Mississagi River, despite my goal of brook trout!

As the weather grew warmer throughout the week, so did the brook trout fishing! Fred introduced me to another local guide named Tristin Jarrat, who took us to another great brook trout location. I had such a great time learning from Tristin and Fred, both of whom grew up fishing in this region, and hold a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the local watersheds. 

Needless to say, my trip to Northern Skies Resort was yet another memory-filled adventure in Algoma. I had a blast using both streamers, nymphs, and the occasional dry fly, and learned so many new tricks for fishing tight creeks and streams! By the final day, I had landed a stunning 15-inch, wild brook trout, and I couldn’t have been happier.

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