Soo Guides

From lakes and rivers to rapids, these fishing guides will help you tackle that trophy fish in Algoma Country & Sault Ste. Marie.
tyler dunn.jpg

The St. Marys River, which flows through Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has become renowned for the quality of its fishery and the long season it can produce excellent fishing. Outside of Sault Ste. Marie, the region of Algoma (Northern Ontario) has also been growing in popularity with fly fishers as an exceptional destination for brook trout, smallmouth bass, northern pike, salmon, and much more.

All this great fishing, and hundreds of pristine lakes and rivers…but the main question for first-time visiting anglers is, where to start? Thankfully, Algoma and Sault Ste. Marie (known as “the Soo”) is blessed with several outstanding and professional guides who can help direct you to the right place and at the right time to be successful.

Adam with Bill
Angling Algoma's Adam Vallee with The New Fly Fisher Host Bill Spicer.

For those that love big smallmouth and largemouth bass (like I do), then guides Adam Vallee and Tyler Dunn are your best bet. Both grew up fishing in the Algoma region and are ardent bass fishers, whether with a fly rod or a bait caster. In fact, Adam has been quite active in Canada and the USA, fishing in bass tournaments. You can bring your own boat, or both guides have their own craft to take you to lakes and rivers. Usually, customers either stay in Sault Ste. Marie was at one of the many hotels and motels, while others often stay outside of the city at lodges and resorts. This allows for shorter driving distances to lakes and rivers that are productive for bass.

My daughter spent several days with Adam Vallee fishing from his boat and catching some massive 4- to 6-pound smallmouth on poppers. They stayed at Limberlost Lodge, which is conveniently located to have good access to smallies. Conversely, on another occasion, Tyler Dunn took my daughter to Lake Superior to search for big smallmouth off pencil weeds and other structures. They did exceptionally well using white streamers that simulated smelt in the area. Both Tyler and Adam can guide on the St. Marys River as well for steelhead and salmon.

After numerous years of fishing new locations, if there is one thing I have learned to help raise your fishing success, it’s hiring a high-quality guide. They will take you to the best fishing locations, demonstrate what to use and how, and ensure you enjoy your quality time on any Algoma river or lake. Having fished with a great number of guides in the USA, Canada, and internationally, I can honestly say that Adam and Tyler are all in my top 10 guides based on their quality of knowledge, fun factor, and also helping you have success on the water.

Contact Information

Angling Algoma 
PH: (705) 943-5286

Tyler Dunn Guiding 
PH: (705) 206-0984

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

Pleasant Cove Resort

Setting sights on Georgian Bay Northern Pike

Smallmouth Bass in Sunset Country

It's great to be a smallmouth angler in Sunset Country because of the numbers and size of bass.

Awesome Algonquin

World Class Brook Trout Fishing in Algonquin Park.

Top 5 Musky Destinations in Ontario

The Musky Hunter shows you where to land the best musky in Ontario waters.

Bass Fishing at Lost Lake Wilderness Lodge

This drive to lodge offers some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Northeastern Ontario.

Fly Fishing at Anderson's Lodge

A smallmouth bass fly fishing adventure to this famous lodge on Lac Seul.

Lake Temagami Fishing

Sharpshooting Trophy Lake Trout At Loon Lodge.

The Right Tool for the Job

Check out this guide to gear up like a pro.

Sweeping the Basin

October is a Great Time to Fish for Ontario Crappie

Long Nose Gar

A Fish for the Bucket List

Four Seasons of Bass in Ontario

Northern Ontario is home to year-round bass.

Lake of Bays fishing

Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Muskoka

Top Flies for Northern Pike

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

Top 5 Tips To Fish Smallmouth Bass in Ontario

Ontario has some of the top smallmouth bass opportunities. in the world.

Smashing Topwater Smallmouth in the Heart of Walleye Country

From spacious, spotlessly clean cottages to aggressive multi-species action.

Stalking Prehistoric Long Nose Gar

Fishing a unique fish species in Ontario.

Bear Creek Bruisers

Fishing Musky on Lake Nipissing

Striker's Point Lodge

Hungry Walleyes and Big Pike on Whitewater Lake

Spring Walleye

Try These Tips on Your Next Ontario Walleye Fishing Trip

Salmon Fishing

The Michipicoten River is a Sleeper for Chinook