Canadian Steelhead- advice for a late spring trip?

[EidesRX]

I'm planning early for a spring steelhead trip to the northshore of Superior in Canada. Does anyone have some advice for rivers to check out, or sites to see in the Thunder Bay area? I've heard about the Cypress and Jackpine, does anyone know how it compares to the northshore in MN? Any advice or recommendations are appretiated? It's my last trip to the northshore as a bachelor and my graduation present for myself, so I want to make it memorable. Thanks

[thistlekicker]

The rivers you mention are similar to the north shore in that they are largely boulder/cobble substrate and fairly high gradient, but they have a lot more river miles available to lake-run fish. You might think that's nice at first glance but it also means that you may have to do a LOT of walking to find fish, and road access up there is very limited. I've never fished the spring run up there but word from other guys is that it really helps to go with someone who knows the area and where fish will stack up in the various streams. It's not like the north shore where the anadromous water is so short you can cover the entire stretch in a given stream. But from what I understand, tactics are pretty similar in terms of bouncing yarn along the bottom, and the fish are slightly larger.

There is an article in the 2006 Lake Superior Angler (published by Lake Superior Steelhead Assoc) called "A Canadian Fishing Adventure" by Craig Wilson that might give you a better idea of what to expect up there.

Oh yeah it's approx. 5 to 6 hr drive to Nipigon from Duluth.

[Quickstrike]

I'm planning on making a trip up there this fall. Hopefully we can time it right for coasters, kings, and steelies, but it's looking more and more like the trip will be after the brook trout season closes. I still have a lot of research to do!