Pickerel Lake Outfitters/Canada Outfitters in Kenora

[smackthewalleyes]

Hello,

I am close to booking a trip with Pickerel lake Outfitters or was named Canada Outfitters in Kenora Ontario. I was wondering if anybody has previous experience with this group and if they had any issues or anything. The lake we would be flying into is Populus. Please let me know. Thanks.

[smb1]

I flew in to Treelined Lake with Pickerel and they were very attentive, went out of their way to be helpful, etc. Cabin was very good, boats good, etc. Have nothing but good to say about them. They made a midweek visit even though we were only there for four days and brought extra ice. Nice folk.

[smackthewalleyes]

Awesome! Thanks for the information. Yeah, the site looks really nice and they seem extra friendly and professional through e-mail. I think we would be fishing Populus Lake and it would be the 7 day trip. Any tips on what to pack or bring along on the trip that you forgot? Thanks.

[magnum mike]

The best advice I can give for packing for a fly-in is two-fold.

#1 you are flying so weight is an issue. If you don't NEED it, don't bring it. Most places have a weight restriction of about 40lbs per person for your gear. This usually includes food so think ahead.

#2 you are a long way from the nearest store so bring what you need. Layout everything you are planning to bring and then start thinking about what you do every day. The most common thing I see overlooked is personal items. Go through your toilet bag and make sure you have plenty of OTC remedies (basic first aid, allergy meds, etc). Next think about other personal things like chewing gum, spare lighter, batteries etc. Sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses and the list goes on. If you take your time and truly think about what you need, you should be fine. Start making a list now and you should be ready when it’s time for take-off.

[smb1]

The standard tips you're given on everyone's HSOforum about what to bring pretty much covers things...about the only thing I would add is that you might want to bring a smaller softsided ice chest for the boat to put drinks in (some outfitters have something for the boat, most don't. I can't remember if Pickerel Lake did or not, but I like to have cold soft drinks and/or water with me.) One other thing--I find that many, if not most, outfitters do not give you an anchor for the boat (I've been on a dozen or more flyouts). What I do, just in case, is bring a large mesh bag and some chalk line with me. It adds little weight to my baggage and if I don't find an anchor in the boat, I just put rocks in the mesh bag and it works fine as an anchor. Probably, though, if you check with Pickerel they either have an anchor or will get you one (Again I can't remember if they were one of the outfits who did supply an anchor, they may well have, but after arriving more than once at different fly-in's and not finding an anchor, I bring the mesh bag just in case. It also works as a second anchor if you like to fish that way.) Good luck ,I'm sure you'll have fun.

[superbee]

Mike - Who has a 40# weight limit? We have 125# and most are at least 80-100#.

[magnum mike]

Good catch Lucas. The sign says 40 kilos - 88 pounds. Either way, it adds up fast.

DHC-3 Otter useful load - 2000 pounds

7 guys @ 200lbs each (yea right) - 1400lbs

That leaves 600 lbs for food, clothes, gear, ice, etc.

[LMFlyin]

Transport Canada allows us to round each adult Male at 187 pounds each for weight and balance purposes.

[magnum mike]

I like that rule. 90% of my group hasn't seen 187 pounds since the 10th grade. As a pilot, I don't condone overloading any aircraft but the Beaver & Otter are pretty forgiving aircraft.