Soo Guides

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

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 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 at one of the many hotels, and inns. 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.

Adam with Jenna
Adam Vallee with Jenna McKeown.

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

Four Fantastic Ontario Musky Waters

Discover 4 hotspots that any musky angler must add to their bucket list.

Top Flies for Northern Pike

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

How To Stay Really Warm This Winter: the fingers, toes, ears, and nose edition

Must-wear items for staying warm—so you can enjoy your day on the ice!

Miles Bay Camp

Secluded fishing attracts anglers to Miles Bay on Lake of the Woods

Cat Island Lodge

Fly-in fishing for walleye and lake trout

Worm Your Way In

Try this go-to bait for bass on your next Northern Ontario angling adventure

Kicking It Old School

Dusting off the tin boat to fish less accessible waters

First Class Fishing Vacations

Northern Ontario boasts hundreds of lakes, rivers and streams.

Steelhead and Salmon of Northern Ontario

Ontario's north is home to tributaries of Lake Superior and Lake Huron—and many species of salmon and steelhead

Smallmouth Bass: Lightweight Champ

Learn about easy-to-access bass meccas as well as bucket-list hard to get to destinations.

Level Up Your Fly Fishing Game

Embrace the art of fly fishing with these 5 easy tips from a seasoned angler.

Brennan Harbour Resort

The place you always want to go back to in Ontario's Algoma Country

Mashkinonje Lodge

During our short stay we caught and released several trophy smallies over five-pounds.

Sniping For Lake Trout

If you love fishing for Lake Trout in Ontario, you’d be wise to hone your sharpshooting skills.

Out On A Ledge In Ontario

Bluffs are One of the Best Places to Catch Fish

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

Kashabowie Bass Blast

Fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike and Bass in Ontario's Superior Country

Fishing On The French

Fish TV Stay At Bears Den Lodge

Sandy Beach Cottages on Lake Clear

Pet-friendly cottages and everything you need to have a worry-free holiday!

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

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