Hearst Air Service - Land of Opportunity

If you’re looking for trophy northern pike and walleye, Hearst Air Service has remote fishing for both these species

Hearst Air Service has everything for anglers looking for that unique experience in Ontario’s North! If you’re looking for honest shots at trophy pike and walleye, Hearst Air Service has something for you. The "air service" specializes in delivering anglers to remote lakes rarely seen by other anglers. They will help you pick the lake that best serves your angling needs and deliver you right to the doorstep of your own camp. That’s right, your own camp. It’s called DIY, or Do It Yourself, which is fast becoming a popular choice for many anglers travelling to Algoma Country, as it provides fishing on remote, pristine lakes where there are no other anglers.

hearst-air-service-1

DIY is the ultimate in remote, wilderness cabin lodging. You’re not exactly camping in that you don’t sleep in a tent, as the cabin on the lake you choose will have the basics, including a propane fridge and stove, lanterns for light, and a wood-burning stove for heat. You bring and cook your own meals and come and go as you please, fishing as much or as little as you like. You’re roughing it without missing out on any of the usual amenities.

hearst-air-service-2

There is nothing quite like the volume of silence you experience when the float plane takes off and leaves you at your personal camp for a week. The engines slowly fade in the distance until you hear nothing, just your immediate surroundings and your heartbeat. It really is a rush to know that you and your group are on your own for the duration of your trip! And standing on the end of the dock, with your new world at your feet, is an experience you’ll never forget!

hearst-air-service-3

Hearst Air Service has seven outpost camps strategically placed on lakes in the Algoma region to provide access to a variety of fisheries. If you’re looking for lots of fish, you go here. If you’re hunting trophies, you go there. If you’re in search of multi-species, this lake will be best for you. Bottom line: no matter your angling ability, conventional or fly, you can experience phenomenal remote DIY fly-out angling at a reasonable price.

hearst-air-service-4

Species you can target from Hearst Air Service include trophy pike, walleye, and perch. Pike well over the 40” mark are caught and released every season on many of the outpost camp lakes where Hearst Air Service has cabins. Two of the camps on lakes offering excellent trophy pike are Quantz and Napken! We have fished both!

hearst-air-service-5

This spring Colin and Bill travelled to Napken Lake in search of a trophy pike and they were not disappointed! It was shortly after ice-out and the pike had just finished spawning. They were still shallow and on the hunt. Bill and Colin spent a lot of time casting streamers and poppers into dark-bottomed, shallow bays in search of pike on the prowl. Red and black articulated streamers, large chartreuse bunny leeches, and salty jack topwater poppers teased giant northern pike to eat on a regular basis. Many fish per day, per angler, is just what post-spawn fishing is meant to be. The fishing was so good, even Cameraman Ryan got in on the action! Colin released the biggest fish of the trip, taping out at an incredible 44 inches!!!

hearst-air-service-7

hearst-air-service-6

DIY is truly such a unique experience, it really should be on every angler’s bucket list. Hearst Air Service are pros at logistics, delivery, and safety in their field. They cater to all angling abilities and wishes in their comfortable rustic cabins on the lakes of Algoma Country. Hearst Air Service is also attuned to anglers’ needs for even more adventurous fishing expeditions. Consequently, they are in the process of developing even more remote adventures on rivers in Ontario’s far north! So, stay tuned to Hearst Air Service for more on these upcoming angling adventures!

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

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

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

Summer Smallmouth

Bass Techniques to Help You Catch a Trophy

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

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

The Tigers of Sunset Country

The most picturesque of all freshwater fish.

A Guide to Fly-in Ontario Lodges

Today’s fly-in fishing vacations are no more expensive than most other getaways.

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Top Flies for Northern Pike

Try These Go-to Flies and Tips on Your Next Trip

Fly Fishing the Grand River with Mikey Metcalfe

A Walk-and-Wade Guided Trip for Brown Trout

Four Seasons of Bass in Ontario

Northern Ontario is home to year-round bass.

Top 5 Flies for Brook Trout

Favourite fly patterns from The New Fly Fisher

Smallmouth Bass Destinations

From rivers to lakes, smallmouth bass are found throughout Ontario.

Catching Ontario Walleye

Pro Tips for Bait and Walley Presentations

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

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

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

The Best of Ontario

Home to World-Class Fishing & Hunting

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Tomiko Lake Lodge

An Outstanding Resort for Fishing and Families

The Best Of Times in Northern Ontario

A guide to the best time of day to hit the ice while fishing this winter.

In Search of Brookies

Fly Fishing at Esnagami Wilderness Lodge

20 Years With Fish TV!

Fish TV discusses their favourite Ontario catches