Fishing

MANITOBA PIKE, WALLEYE AND LAKE TROUT $1360
This fishing operation located 450 miles northwest of Winnipeg offers guides and lodging out of their 5-star lodge or fly-in unguided packages to one of their outpost cabins with access to many different catch and release lakes.  Fishermen have been taking some monster pike weighing over 25 pounds in the 40 to 50-inch class, with some days producing 100 plus walleyes and lake trout averaging over 10 pounds.  These lakes produce quality fishing that has been achieved by practicing catch and release for the past 18 years.  The only exception to this rule is all fishermen can enjoy daily shore lunches on some morning keepers.

They offer the full service American plan out of the lodge, including airport shuttle, lodging, meals, boat, motor and gas, guide, shore lunch, and fish cleaning.  4 days and 5 nights are priced at only $1,675, on up to 7 days and 8 nights for $2,460 per man.  Corporate packages for 3 days and 4 nights are $1,710 and include 2 days on the main lake and a day fly-out to a remote lake, 2 person minimum.  There is an 8 1/2% tax to be added.

Unguided outpost cabins for groups of 4 to 10 people are priced from $1,360 for 5 days to $1,460 for 7 days.  These packages include the use of their 16’ boats with 15 horsepower motors, unlimited gas, cooking utensils, bedding, showers, hot and cold running water and airport shuttle.  They can also purchase your groceries ahead of time for your group.  To save money on airfare for a group we would suggest renting a van and make the 6 1/2 hour drive from Winnepeg to Flin Flon.  HCU’s Cliff Graham has fished this operation several times, both guided and unguided, preferring the unguided and he reported “This is the best fishing experience I have encountered in my lifetime.”  Fish MB358.  Pictures from this Trip.

MISSISSIPPI RED FISH AND SPECKLED TROUT BONANZA
ESPN recently voted Venice, Louisiana as the sport fishing capital of the United States.  This charter captain offers inland fishing in the Mississippi River Delta and offshore saltwater trips in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Inland fishing is done off 22-foot Ranger Bay boats for mainly red fish up to 40 pounds and speckled trout in the 2 to 8 pound range.  Fishing for both species is good year round, but the best sight casting for red fish is July, August and September.  He can take up to 4 fishermen per boat and it is priced according to the number of days.  3-day trip is $340 per man per day.

Offshore trips are conducted off his 36-foot boat with triple 250 horsepower motors.  The main fish targeted is tuna weighing in at 50 to 150 pounds, but they have taken them up to 250 pounds.  He can take up to 6 fishermen at a time.  Prices vary according to the number of fishermen and days.  Priced on 4 fishermen doing a 2-day combo, one day inland and one offshore, the price is $1,000 per man, 6 fishermen would be $800 each.

Top notch accommodations in a 6,400 square foot lodge with 8 bedrooms and 5 baths, all meals, beverages, fishing tackle, guides, fish cleaning and packaging, this is a full service operation.  Fly into New Orleans and rent a vehicle to the lodge. Fish LA504.  Pictures from this Trip.

KETCHIKAN ALASKA
SALMON/HALIBUT FISHING PACKAGES
This outfitter consistently catches the biggest salmon and halibut in Ketchikan in both size and quantity every year.  He takes 4 to 6 fishermen on his 30-foot boat with twin 250 Yamaha motors.  The best fishing is June 20 to mid-August.  Kings come in first and about July 4 silvers and some pink show up and by July 15 the kings are tapering off and the silver and pink fishing is best.  Halibut fishing is always good.  Average halibut are 15 to 25 pound fish and he also fishes other areas where the numbers are less, but size will average 40 to 60 pounds with the occasional monster.  Depending on the fishermen for halibut he can go for large fish or large numbers.  Normally everyone limits out on salmon and halibut daily.  They also fish for cod and chum salmon.  He finishes up early September.

3 days and 4 nights is $2,625 or 4 days and 5 nights are $3,000.  Trip includes lodge accommodations, meals, appetizers at the bar in the 24’ x 35’ trophy room, big screen plasma TV, fully guided charter fishing, bait, tackle, custom fish processing, vacuum packaging, transport boxes, roundtrip airport transfers, daily room service, phone/fax/wireless internet and all taxes.  Fishermen take a 90 minute flight from Seattle to Ketchikan, where they are met and driven 14 miles to the lodge.  Fish AK247.  Pictures from this Trip.

FLY FISH 5 FAMOUS SOUTHWEST MONTANA RIVERS
This beautiful log lodge was built in 1993 in the upper Ruby Valley 25 miles south of Alder.  It is nestled in the midst of the Greenhorn, Snowcrest and Gravelley Mountain Ranges with an extensive view of the beautiful Ruby valley.  The Ruby River flows through the property past the lodge for some of the finest fly fishing southwest Montana has to offer.  The lodge has comfortable rooms, home cooked meals, hot tub, satellite TV, wireless internet, fax, tackle shop and a great view of Ruby Valley.

They offer fishing on 5 famous fly fishing trout streams.  Ruby River known for awesome dry fly fishing, Madison River has the best float fishing, Big Hole River has a stone fly hatch season, Beaverhead River with big browns and the Lower Ruby is best for wading.  Clark Canyon Reservoir, numerous mountain lakes and spring creeks offer other options.

This is also a great family destination as they have horseback riding, river swimming and late night campfires.  All of this is even included on the unguided fishing packages.

Unguided packages include lodging and meals.  2 days 3 nights $450 adults, $225 6 to 12 years old, under 6 free.  5 days 6 nights, $895, kids $450, under 6 free.  One day guided for 2 fishermen is $400.

Guided 2 days 3 nights for 2 adults is $1,700, 3 days 4 nights for 2 is $2,400, 4 days 5 nights for 2 is $3,100.

All fly fishing equipment can be rented at the lodge and they offer instruction sessions.  Airport shuttle to Bozeman can be arranged.  The area also has spectacular sights such as Virginia City, Bannack State Park, Nevada City and Yellowstone Park.  Fish MT775.  Pictures from this Trip.

MEXICO’S SEA OF CORTEZ
OFFERS FANTASTIC FISHING GETAWAY
This is a great destination for a corporate group or a bunch of fishermen wanting a premier winter fishing package from early November to mid-March.

Accommodations for groups of 8 include a large beach home with 5 huge bedrooms facing the sea, pool, jacuzzi, with inside and outside cooking facilities in a wilderness setting.  All meals will be something special with a chef and servers.

Each pair of fishermen will have their own 23’ super pungas boat with a guide and fishing equipment at their service.  Most fishing is for dorado in the 20 to 70 pound class, yellow-fin tuna averaging 40 pounds and some up to 100, wahoo up to 90 pounds, pargo in the 50 to 60 pound range, rooster fish 50 to 80 pounds and possibly some marlin. 

5 full days and 6 nights is $2,500, but you need a group of 8.  Fishermen fly from San Diego or Los Angeles to La Paz on Saturday, overnight and are met on Sunday.  Return home the following Sunday.  There also is a private paved air-strip 10 minutes from the beach house.  Fish MX46.  Pictures from this Trip.