1) Bigger Fish

There are plenty of big fish to catch on these trips: 3-pound bass, 5- to 12-pound pike, 15- and 20-pound muskies, and 5-pound lakers. Compare this to many trout trips, where the average fish size is often less than a pound.

2) More Fish

Catch rates are often excellent at Slippery Winds Lodge, on both the May and September trips. Bass catches sometimes run several dozen fish per boat per day. And guests who target pike have landed over 25 fish in a day. Compare this to steelhead, Atlantic salmon, tarpon or permit fishing, where catch rates may be barely a single fish per day.

3) More Species

Catching the same species day after day may be fine for some, but a diversity of species adds extra interest and excitement to this trip. Having six different species available also means that if one species has lockjaw, another fish will be biting.

4) Less Expensive

Many fishing trips nowadays are expensive. Alaska and saltwater trips, staying at a western trout lodge or flying to a far-north Canadian resort, all cost several thousand dollars for a few days of fishing. Our fly-in Ontario lodge trips are much less expensive, plus you have a professional host/instructor on hand to assist you during the trip.

5) Beautiful Settings

The spectacular beauty of pristine lakes in rugged North Country forests make every fishing day more enjoyable. Pine forests and rock-studded lakeshores, crystalline waters, the wail of loons, swimming moose and soaring eagles-- a North Country trip is much more than just fishing.

6) Uncrowded Waters

Standing elbow-to-elbow in a stream or fishing where another boat has just worked the same water is common on popular trout rivers. On our Ontario trips, you can have an entire lake to yourself all day. That's miles of fishy shorelines for just you and your boatmate.

7) Comfortable Accommodations

Being in the beautiful Northwoods doesn't have to mean sleeping on the ground and camp fire cooking. Slippery Winds Lodge provides comfortable accommodations in a wilderness setting. There are nice cabins with showers, flush toilets, refrigerators and 24-hour electricity, so you'll have enjoyable evenings and get a good night's sleep. The lodge's dining room serves hearty and delicious meals, and there is television, Internet and phone service.

8) Professional Instruction

Let's be honest. Most fly anglers aren't experts at lake fishing, and lake angling is very different from nymphing, stalking bonefish or chasing river smallies. So without assistance, a lot of fly guys do poorly on Canadian lakes. But our trips are hosted by lake fly fishing pros, to make your fishing successful. The pre-trip and during-the-trip assistance is priceless, and your experience will be far better than the folks who try to figure it out on their own.

9) Fly Fishing Friendly

These trips are expressly designed for fly fishers, so you'll be with other fly guys who are friendly and willing to share their knowledge. On a typical Canadian trip, you're surrounded by bait-soaking walleye fishermen. On our trip, being in a group of fellow fly fishers offers you both camaraderie and expertise.

10) Great Track Record

Smallmouth Fly Angler has hosted two trips a year for a decade. These trips' ongoing success, popularity and the high number of repeat guests shows how good the trips are. Plus, our ten-year track record has given us time to develop the best experience for you.

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