There’s nothing like a fly-in fishing trip. You’ll get access to some of the most pristine, least-fished waters in the world. You’ll be guided by professionals who have fished those waters for years—guides who will help you find the perfect fishing spot, all while helping you perfect your technique.
Most anglers will go for week-long fly-in fishing trips—some go for even longer. Almost everyone forgets something on one fishing trip or another. This guide will help you bring everything you need for a great time at our lodge—or at any other lodge!
Remember—you only want to bring what you need. We don’t recommend packing “light” per se—you’ll need rods, tackle boxes, all kinds of clothing, and more—but do focus on the essentials. Here’s what we recommend you bring:
Clothing
The clothing you’ll bring depends on whether or not you’re expecting warm or cool weather (we’re skipping ice fishing for this guide). Our fishing lodge tends to have cooler weather, though we’ve seen temperatures in the high 20s (~80°F). No matter what temperature you’re fishing in, though, there are a few clothes you’ll always need:
Socks (3 wool and 4 cotton or thermal for a week. Don’t be afraid to bring extra socks)
Quick-dry shirts (3)
2 pairs of pants (we like zip-offs)
Waterproof shoes
Gore-Tex or similar rainwear, including a rain jacket and pants.
A waterproof day pack
Hip waders for certain kinds of fishing (here, we recommend them when fishing for Grayling)
Polarized sunglasses
Warm Weather
Sun-protective hat
Sun gloves (light gloves to protect your hands from UV rays—they’re usually fingerless)
Sun-protective clothing—lightweight, long sleeve shirts and zip-off pants.
A bandana or other face covering
A lightweight rain jacket you can fit in your day pack
Cool Weather
Layering pieces: A heavy jacket, a lighter jacket, sweaters, and long-sleeved clothes
An insulated hat and gloves—toques are a great idea
Personal Items
Your fly-in fishing lodge may be able to cover some small personal items—most offer snacks like granola bars and shore lunches, so you probably don’t need to bring food. It’s a good idea to contact the lodge and ask which items will be provided. Here’s a list of everything we recommend you bring:
Any prescription medications
Personal care items like deodorant, toothpaste, and shampoo. Remember to keep quantities small.
Sunscreen—whether you’re in a hot or cold climate, UV rays hit hard when you spend the day out on the water
Insect repellant
A small first aid kit—though your guide may already have one
A water bottle
Passports, visas, and any other essential travel documents
Fishing Gear
The fishing gear you’ll bring with you depends on what fish you’re trying to catch. Your fly-in lodge will probably be able to help you secure a fishing licence (it’s often included in the cost). You’ll need all the usual gear, including:
Fishing rods and reels
Fishing line
Lures
A fishing net
Leader
A light tackle bag
A fold up walking pole (for balance when you’re walking in the water)
Hip waders
A small fishing net (that clips onto you)
Bug spray
A bug net
As we mentioned, your gear list will vary depending on where you’re going and what fish you’re angling for. Many anglers can benefit from contacting the lodge and asking them about their favourite rods, reels, and lures.
At our lodge, Northern Pike and Arctic Grayling are the two most common targets for anglers. We’ve created a list of our recommended equipment for both.
Conclusion
We know you’ll love our fly-in Arctic Grayling fishing lodge in Manitoba; we’ve got some of the best Arctic Grayling and Northern Pike fishing in the entire world. Now that you know what to bring, all you have to do is give us a call and set a date—you’ll be glad you did!