Sunset Country Streamers: A DIY Fly Fishing Quest at Pine Sunset Lodge

I’ve always loved the challenge of a do-it-yourself fly fishing trip, and when it comes to Northern Ontario, the opportunities are endless. This past mid-September, I set my sights on Ontario’s Sunset Country, more specifically, Dinorwic Lake, just an hour’s drive from Dryden. The drive up Highway 17, skirting the edge of Lake Superior, is nothing short of breathtaking. Pine Sunset Lodge was our destination, and it turned out to be everything you’d hope for in a northern base camp: clean, quiet, and right in the heart of prime Ontario’s Sunset Country.

Multi-Species Fly Fishing on Dinorwic Lake

When it came time to pack my fly gear for this trip, I’ll admit it was a little overwhelming. Dinorwic Lake has it all: trophy musky, monster walleye, big crappie, heavy northern pike, and smallmouth bass that can bend a rod in half. Trying to prepare for that mix is no small task. Pine Sunset Lodge makes it even more tempting, with access to several remote lakes where they’ve got boats and motors stashed, ready for guests. A short portage can put you on untouched water loaded with lake trout or smallmouth so large it almost feels unfair. This place is a true do-it-yourself angler’s playground.

What Fly Fishing Gear To Pack 

With all that running through my mind, I settled on bringing my 9-weight, 9-foot rod paired with a large-arbour reel and a heavy sinking line down to a wire leader. With musky and big northerns cruising these waters, I figured the 9-weight would have me covered. I packed a mix of large musky flies and proven pike patterns that had done the job on other big lakes. But with the cooler temps rolling in, I was also hoping to connect with some hefty smallmouth loading up for winter. Nothing beats a heavy smallmouth on the fly. For that, I brought along my 9-foot 7-weight setup with a large-arbour reel and a weight-forward floating line. Knowing those bass might be holding deeper, I packed a few sinking leaders in different weights and lengths so I could swap out my 9-foot 1X fluorocarbon leader for a sinking one if I needed extra depth. Simple, packable, and ready for anything.

Pine Sunset Lodge: The Perfect Base Camp on Dinorwic Lake

Pine Sunset Lodge owner, Ryan Park, was as accommodating as they come. After showing us to our clean, comfortable cabin, complete with a solid kitchen and beds that hit the spot after a long day on the water, he walked us down to the dock. For anglers without boats, like us, the lodge has a fleet ready to go. Well-maintained rigs with trolling motors and easy-start Yamaha engines, exactly what you want for exploring big water.

Remote Fishing with Modern Comforts

And here’s the bonus, even out on these remote lakes, there’s solid cell service thanks to a new tower nearby. It’s a great piece of mind for emergencies, or for checking in with other anglers who might be finding more action than you are. 

There are no secrets at Pine Sunset Lodge. Ryan laid it all out for us: which islands to hit, which bays to target, and where the fish had been biting. From there, it was up to us to make it happen.

Adapting to Changing Weather on Northern Ontario Lakes

But right out of left field, the weather turned on us. After a week of calm, warm conditions, the wind picked up hard, and the temperature dropped just as we headed out. We started by working a few rocky ledges, hoping to find some toothy predators, but between the gusts and the size of those flies, it didn’t take long to realize that casting a fly rod in that wind was a losing battle.

So, we changed plans and moved to some of the spots Ryan had marked for us, the calmer sides of islands sheltered from the blow. No muskies showed themselves that day, but a few aggressive northern pike were more than happy to smash a fly. They’d thrill any fly or spin caster, no question. We weren’t targeting walleye this trip since most were holding deep, but the other guests couldn’t stop talking about the 27-inch-plus fish they’d been landing. What a fishery.

Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Sunset Country

For the next three days, the wind never let up. As any angler will tell you, you can’t predict the weather, but with the number of fish in Dinorwic Lake, you can still have a great trip no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. When our arms needed a break from hurling big predator flies, we switched things up and worked the rock croppings just a short ride from Pine Sunset Lodge, hunting for smallmouth.

Best Flies for Smallmouth Bass on Dinorwic Lake

It doesn’t matter how many big ones I catch; I’ll never get tired of watching a four-pound-plus smallmouth crush a fly. And there’s no shortage of them here. Dinorwic is loaded with these bronze tanks. Bring along some Clouser Minnows, crayfish patterns, and baitfish imitations, and you’re in smallmouth heaven.

Plan Your Fly Fishing Trip to Pine Sunset Lodge

I’ll certainly be back to Dinorwic Lake and Pine Sunset Lodge. What great memories were made here, with cozy cabins and solid kitchens for your convenience. Bring your own boat or rent one from the lodge; either way, you’re set. The fishing is truly world-class, with countless species waiting to test your gear and your patience. All of it set against the backdrop of Ontario’s Sunset Country, this is truly where wilderness meets adventure.

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