FISHING

Blue Fox Camp is located within the Blue Lake system, which is designated as a fish sanctuary under the lands for life park system. The system consists of a network of 5 lakes (Blue/Kirkpatrick, Elbow, Whitebear, Robb and Townline) which all contain naturally reproducing rainbow, speckled/brook and lake trout. The natural reproduction of these three species of trout in one system is incredibly rare and limited to less than 1% of lakes in Ontario. In addition to the natural stock, approximately 20 back lakes accessible from camp are included as part of a regular “world class” brook trout stocking program where +7 pound speckies are not uncommon.

For more history on the area:
http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?445
http://flyanglersonline.com/features/canada/can123.php

Four Seasons

Trout are typically a more difficult fish to catch than warmer water species such as walleye, bass and pike/muskie.  Throughout the year, they require specific conditions in order to feed and reproduce which separates the fishing season into four distinct “seasons” based on the water temperature and available light:

1. Spring and early summer (first of May to early July)
   This is the best time of year to fish for trout.  Due to the cold water, the fish are usually located in shallower water, making it easier to catch throughout the day by simply casting or trolling.  As the water warms up to around 42 degrees, the fish start to feed after a long winter of relative inactivity.  At Blue Fox Camp in the spring it’s not uncommon to catch rainbow, lake and brook trout in the same day on the same lake.  Common lures at this time of year include silver spoons (Little Cleos, Williams, EGB’s and Pixies), body baits (rapalas, qwikfish) and wet flies (wolly bugger, muddlers, anything black/red).  In the back lakes, red/gold Little Cleos, spinners with a fly and even a worm/bobber combination will be a big hit.
2. Early summer to mid-fall
   This time of year is typically the most difficult time to catch trout.  As the water warms up and the sunlight increases, the fish move deeper.  They can still be caught but the tricky part is locating them.  Once found, the next step is to get the lure to the fish.  Downriggers, sinking fly lines and heavy buck-tail jigs tipped with a minnow are good bets and fishing will be most productive in the morning and at dusk.
3. Mid-fall to close of season
   With cooling conditions and to prepare for spawning, the fish are usually located in shallower water and are more eager to feed than during the summer months.  The same lures apply as during the spring, but the fish will be slightly deeper.  Again, fishing will usually be the most productive in the morning and early evening.
4. Ice fishing
   During the winter fishing season the fish are in fairly shallow water and located close to structure.  White tube jigs and silver spoons are usually consistent lures to catch all three types of trout in the winter.

Blue Lake Natural Environment

At Blue Fox Camp, our mandate is to provide superior service to all our guests while protecting the natural environment that embodies the Blue Lake system.   We consider ourselves stewards of the Blue Lake System and are committed to the preservation of the natural resources that make this area so unique.  That being said, all we ask is that you practice “selective” catch and release fishing.

The idea is simple; we know that every fisherman that spends their hard earned money to fly into a fishing resort expects to eat fish.  What we ask is that you try and limit what you keep for the pan and what you bring home to share with the family.  There is no practical reason to keep a fish over five pounds to eat, they don’t taste as good but more importantly they are the major contributors to the fish population of the lake.  This stands to reason that the more “BIG” fish that we put back into the system, the more “pan fish” we’ll start to see in the years to come and the more fish we’ll catch on a daily basis because the only thing more important than eating fish at a fly in fishing resort is catching fish.

A couple of quick tips on releasing fish that will help increase the number of fish which survive the catch and release process:

• Trout have a protective slime that covers their body, which acts as protection against cold and infection.  When handling a caught trout, always use the rubber net provided and limit the amount of slime you remove by limiting the amount that you handle the fish with your hands.
• When landing a fish, leave it in the net, take the hook out, pick him up by the tail and under the chin without sticking your fingers into the gills, take a picture and measurements.  When you’re ready to release, place the fish into the water and hold the tail until the fish is ready to swim away.
• If the fish is bleeding more than a little bit, keep him for the pan because he’s a goner.

Our goal is to make your fishing trip a successful one. Before or during your trip, let us know what we can do to make your vacation the best it can be.

Fish'n Canada at Blue Fox Camp

The Fish’n Canada team of Angelo Viola and Pete Bowman traveled to Blue Fox Camp this spring for some serious back-lake brook trout fishing.  A great time was had by all and most importantly, some monster brook trout were caught. Stay tuned to our website for more details on dates for the show but in the meantime, check out a great article by Angelo and Pete on their trip into Blue Fox:

Fish'n Canada at Blue Fox Camp

Thanks again to Algoma Country for helping to organize the trip and to the team at Fish'n Canada for giving us the chance to show what Blue Fox Camp has to offer.  It was a great week!

Fishing Gallery

The New Fly Fisher at Blue Fox Camp

In the spring of 2015,  The New Fly Fisher came in to film an episode at Blue Fox Camp. They hit the back lakes for some brook trout fishing on the fly and weren't disappointed.  Excellent fishing and a great time was had by all and we can't wait for their next trip to Blue Fox Camp.

See the video below for the full episode that aired on WFN and PBS.  Thanks to Eric Waito and Fred Post for the excellent guiding, and Algoma Country for all the help in arranging the trip.