Sharing my time on the lake.
Sharing my time on the lake.
22 September 2023
Our First Fly-In Fishing Adventure: Thrills, Accidents, and Lessons Learned
We ventured 1000km north from Southern Ontario to Hearst, Ontario to embark on our first ever fly-in fishing trip that had always been a dream of ours. The prospect of spending quality time in the remote Canadian wilderness, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, to attempt to catch a “Trophy” Northern Pike and some walleye (aka Canadian Pickerel) for shore lunch. Little did we know that our first ever fly-in fishing trip would be an unforgettable mix of amazing experiences and valuable lessons learned.
Our base for the adventure was Martison Lake, where we spent seven unforgettable days. The package cost $1100 per person for our group of four, which included a cozy cabin with amenities like a propane stove, propane fridge, cooking and dining utensils, but no electricity. The rental also provided us with three boats and motors (lots of gas), ensuring we could explore this beautiful Northern lake.
Martison Lake, located about 100km north of Hearst, Ontario, is renowned for its abundant walleye population and the chance to catch massive pike. The long, shallow lake nestled in the Arctic Watershed, with an average depth of around 8 feet, offered a unique fishing experience that we will cherish forever.
The first few days of the trip were amazing, despite a couple of windy days that made fishing a bit more challenging. However, on our 3rd night, we had an unexpected swarm of mosquitoes that turned our cabin into a battleground. Battling thousands of mosquitoes throughout the night left us sleepless and covered in bug bites, an experience we certainly didn’t anticipate in the cabin.
Just when we thought our troubles were limited to mosquito invasions, we started the next day with another setback – two of our three motors stopped working. Undeterred, we made the best of the situation and decided to fish from the dock inside camp. The persistent winds blowing toward the camp presented a unique opportunity, to keep the bugs away, which also pushed a lot of the bait to our side of the lake. We were able to catch fish after fish, including pike and walleye, right off the dock. However, our streak of luck was interrupted when the fish mysteriously stopped biting.
My uncle switched to a white and red Mepps #5 lure and cast it near the mouth of the creek that flows beside the cabin. After a few minutes of quiet, he hooked onto something enormous. With sheer excitement, we reeled it in and discovered a massive 40-inch trophy fish – undoubtedly the highlight of our trip.
As we continued through our day, tragedy struck when my cousin accidentally hooked himself while taking off a small pike. With two barbed hooks deeply embedded in his hand, it was clear that removing them wouldn’t be easy. After trying for a few hours, we realized that we weren’t going to be able to remove them… We used the emergency SAT phone provided by Hearst Air Service to contact Mel, who promptly flew us out, where I was able to drive my cousin to the nearby hospital.
This unexpected incident taught us two crucial lessons. First, on remote trips like this, carrying treble hooks with barbs isn’t necessary and can lead to accidents. Second, having travel insurance is a must, even for residents of the province. The $1300 cost for the emergency flight served as a costly reminder of the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
We spent 36 hours intown due to some rough weather, before we flew back into Martison Lake. During that time we were able to fish some local drive-to lakes where we caught lots of pike including Jack hooking into the biggest pike of his life… but right at shore I didn’t put down the camera and tried to land the fish with one hand (all 3 nets 100km away at camp)
Despite the challenges, we managed to enjoy some fantastic fishing sessions during the trip. For walleye, we found success with white and green chartreuse jigs on long shank 1/4oz jig heads, sometimes tipped with a worm. Additionally, the Rapala Shadow Rap11 lure in a white color proved to be highly effective, ranking as the second best lure of the trip, right behind the white curly tail jig. These lures not only caught us walleye but also yielded some impressive catches including the longest pike of the trip, a 41.5-inch Northern caught by Bob.
Another benefit of staying at Martison Lake, other than having the entire lake to yourself, you can also walk a trail to another nearby lake. They keep a couple canoes and paddles there for guests. We picked a good day with mild bugs to hike over, we did not catch anything worth while, although we didn’t fish for too long.
Our first-ever fly-in fishing trip was filled with exhilarating moments, unexpected challenges, and valuable lessons. From battling swarms of mosquitoes and mechanical mishaps to catching monster-sized fish, we embraced each experience with enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn. While the trip wasn’t without its share of blunders, we emerged from it with newfound wisdom that will undoubtedly enhance our future adventures in the great outdoors. Martison Lake will forever hold a special place in our hearts as the backdrop for an unforgettable journey into the wilderness of fishing.