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

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

Wind, Cloud & Walleye

How Weather is Important to Walleye Anglers

Striker's Point Lodge

Hungry Walleyes and Big Pike on Whitewater Lake

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 Three Ontario Musky Waters

Where to catch the fish of 10,000 casts.

WOW Summer Whitefish

Whitefish hit harder in the open water season than in the winter

Abitibi Walleye Experience

Fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike and Jumbo Perch

Casting for Coasters

Fishing for Brook Trout at Bowman Island Lodge

Lakers of Lower Manitou: Fishing Just North of the U.S. Border

Fantastic Lake Trout Fishing at Manitou Weather Station.

Ontario’s Monster Northern Pike Fishing Adventures

Ontario is home to first-class accommodations and incredible fishing experiences.

Nipigon Brook Trout

Experience some high caliber trout fishing in Northwestern Ontario.

Stalking Prehistoric Long Nose Gar

Fishing a unique fish species in Ontario.

Bob Izumi searches for bass and pike

Fishing unfamiliar territory, Bob Izumi lands monster smallies and Northern pike

Chapleau Lodge: More Than Just Fishing

This great lodge is also one of Canada’s best commercial diving schools.

The Big Bass List: 5 Incredible Hotspots in Northern Ontario

From hidden back bays of Sunset Country to the legendary "wolf packs" of Lake Huron.

Lady Evelyn Lake

Get to Know This Lake in Northeastern Ontario

Experiencing Prince Edward County - The Angler’s Way

Walleye fishing on the world-famous Bay of Quinte.

Top 10 Streamers for Ontario Brook Trout

Big Brook Trout get that way by eating lots of smaller fish which is why streamers work well.