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Questions To Investigate Or Ask Your Outfitter

Many outfitters have websites now days. A website can answer most questions so you don’t have to ask a bunch of questions on the phone.

Remember just because an outfitter has a top ranking web site doesn’t mean they are a great outfitter. It does mean they understand that search ranking is important and they might also understand that pleasing their customer is important. Then again, it might not. Don’t assume that any outfitter is going to offer high quality cabins, lodging, equipment and customer service. They all offer different packages and some just offer a higher quality experience. Try to find one that suits your needs.

1. Weight allowances and weight penalty fees. – Make sure you know exactly how much weight you are allowed to fly In with. Find out what it costs per pound if you go over. Weigh all your stuff BEFORE leaving home. Get with your fishing buddies andget organized on what you bring in. Make sure you are not bringing unneeded duplicate items.

2. Lodging
A. Number of rooms and beds.
B. Does cabin or lodge come complete with eating utensils? For how many guests? I still bring my own coffee pot and a can opener just in case.
C. Lighting – does the cabin or lodge have interior lighting? Propane or generator powered? I also bring a lantern, extra mantles and a flashlight. I keep my flashlight by my bed in case I have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Propane lighting seems to be the most common. You usually can’t wake up and turn on a light switch in the north woods. When visiting an outdoor bathroom at night make sure to make some noise so you don’t sneak up on a bear and startle him. That could turn out to be a negative experience.
D. Refrigerator / Freezer / Ice House – A refrigerator and freezer is a must. You don’t want to spend all that money and have to bring in your own ice, or use a cooler of ice for your refrigerator. There are too many good outfitters who offer these necessities. When I used to camp on a Fly In Fishing trip we had to use coolers and ice. That almost always turns out bad. We eventually figured out dry ice (carbon dioxide) works best but dry ice took some experience to use also. Ice melts and makes a mess with your groceries. You won’t want to eat butter that has been floating in water contaminated with meat bacteria etc.

Some outfitters have ice houses. They work great when it’s time to prepare and package your fish before departure. The ice is usually covered with sawdust. The first time I took my oldest son on a Fly In Fishing trip we were flown in to a cabin that was new to me. I asked him to look for the ice house while I put our belongings in the cabin. He came back and told me he didn’t find an ice house, instead he had found a small cabin full of sawdust. I sure got a kick out of that.
E. Cooking Appliances - A good Fly In Fishing lodge or cabin should have a propane stove. Most have a stove/oven and are the same type of gas stove you see in a home. It’s not uncommon for outfitters to offer a propane barbecue grill either. If you are interested in doing some barbecuing, ask about a grill.
F. Woodstove – I’ve never lodged in a cabin that didn’t have a woodstove. I’ve never seen or heard of one that doesn’t but I always ask anyway. If your fly in fishing trip is in the spring or even late summer make sure your outfitters supplies you with firewood and a woodstove. Don’t forget to bring some matches and a little newspaper just in case your wood gets wet. Always keep some wood stacked inside your cabin for just that reason. Keep some small kindling wood dry too, you might need it. Make sure you are safe with your woodstove. Don’t stoke it before you go fishing or leave it unattended after it’s been recently stoked.

G. Well Water – Some fly in fishing cabins have well water. Some are electric (generator produced) and some are hand pump wells. Sometimes you have to get your water from the lake. If you don’t like the idea of drinking lake water you should ask if your cabin or lodge has well water.

If you do have to drink lake water make sure you boil the water before you drink it. If this is the case and it’s not very uncommon you may want to bring something to flavor the water with. Country Time lemonade works great and comes in a nice small container with sugar. Any powder drink mix that you like will probably work great to cover the lake water taste. I personally don’t mind lake water if I don’t have a choice, but it is a hassle. Just be prepared and ask before you do your grocery shopping so you know what your situation is. I also bring a few extra Gatorade jugs. They work well as a drink then the containers work great to store boiled water in. Make sure the water cools back down before you put it in the containers. You could even bring empty containers to save weight if that’s an issue.

H. Shower – Some cabins have showers and some don’t. Often cabins with showers are more expensive than cabins without showers. A shower is definitely a luxury in the north woods.

If you are thinking about bathing in a lake you may want to think again especially if you go in spring or late summer. The water is quite cold not to mention most waters in northern Canada have leeches.

I have one of those camping showers you hang in a tree. They look like a giant douche bag with a little plastic shower nozzle on the end of the hose. What you do is fill it with water and set it in the sun. The water heats, then you hang it in a tree and stand under it and shower.

If you buy one of these get one with a valve so you can conserve the water. Also make sure you purchase one that is black on one side or one that absorbs heat. You can bring a tarp or even buy a portable stall if you want privacy.

I get myself wet real quick and turn off the water. Then I lather up the best I can and use the rest of the water to rinse. It’s real easy to use the water up if you don’t conserve.
I. Communication – Sounds kind of funny but communication with the outside world does not come with all fly in fishing packages. If there is no electricity chances are there is no radio, and radio is the only way to communicate other than a satellite phone. Remember there is no way to charge a battery without electricity either. If you have a medical condition or just feel safer then try to find a fly in fishing package that has a radio phone or some means of communication.

You just never know when an emergency could arise in the north woods. I’ve witnessed it myself on more than one occasion. It can take days to get back to civilization by boat if even possible.

Once a member of my party forfeited most of his fishing trip to help a guy who stepped on a sharp stick crossing a beaver dam. The stick went right through his boot and deep into his foot. He and his partner didn’t have a clue how to get back to civilization. It was a definite situation. They were lucky they found Ron, not many people would be willing to give up their fly in fishing trip like that.
J. Boat Rental – Does a boat come with your fly in fishing package or is it extra? What size is the boat? Does a motor come with the boat? Does the motor come with unlimited gas? How many men must be in 1 boat?

These are all questions you need to find answers to. Usually your boat rental is not included in the package and is an extra fee. Sometimes the motor is an extra fee beyond boat rental. Usually the motor comes with unlimited fuel. If a boat comes with your fly in fishing package it will often reflect the boat rental price anyway. Make sure to take this all into consideration when comparing prices.

Don’t forget to find out how many men are required per boat with an odd number party. It’s usually 2-3 men per boat in this situation. This means when there is an odd number, a boat will have to hold 3 men. It’s best to keep your party even numbered; you have more room in your boat. It is usually less expensive per man for the fly in package but more to rent an extra boat and motor. You should also consider these costs when comparing price and comfort.

Live Wells – A live well is a mesh or wire container that sits in the water and holds live fish. They are useful to keep your catch fresh. My experience is that live wells are often in need of repair. Bring a good multi – tool.

Inspect the live well if you can before your bush pilot flies away. If it needs repair ask him if there are any materials you can use to make the necessary repairs. If they don’t have materials to repair the live well they may fly something in later to help you. Remember if you don’t bring your dissatisfactions to the pilots’ attention before he flies away you probably won’t be helped. Use this same strategy and find everything that’s needs the outfitters attention and let the pilot know before he flies off. If your outfitter doesn’t have a radio phone in your cabin you will have no way to let them know and you will likely spend your entire trip in the same situation you were in when you arrived.

You should also ask about a live well for minnows if you plan to use them. Most outfitters have a live well for game fish and a live well for minnows.

I suggest buying minnows if you are going walleye fishing, also bring at least 1 minnow bucket per boat. Only bring what you will need in your boat and keep the rest back at camp.