Kicking Off the 2026 Fly-In Fishing Season at Cat Island Lodge

It is officially June, and the 2026 fly-in fishing season is in full swing! After a long Northern Ontario winter, our docks are once again welcoming guests to Trout Lake. The boats are back on the water, guides are helping anglers find fish, and the dining room is filled with stories from days spent exploring the wilderness. One of the things we look forward to most each season is hearing those stories.

Every guest arrives with different goals. Some are chasing trophy fish. Some are introducing a friend or family member to fly-in fishing for the very first time. Others are continuing traditions that span generations. No matter the reason for visiting, every trip adds another chapter to the story of Cat Island Lodge.

This year, one of our first guest stories comes from Kristin Wing, who traveled all the way from Kansas City with her husband and their friend Mike Dunnaway.

For Kristin, it was her first visit to Cat Island Lodge. For her husband, it was his second. And for Mike, it was a return to a place he had been visiting for years. Together, they traveled more than 1,800 miles to spend a week on Trout Lake.

When asked about the highlight of her trip, Kristin's answer was simple: "Landing a 39” pike on a fly rod." For any angler, that's a fish worth remembering. Kristin described a week that included more than 100 walleye and "too many pike to count," along with the kind of hospitality that helps turn first-time visitors into returning guests.

One thing that stood out immediately was the atmosphere around camp. When asked what surprised her most, Kristin shared: "The incredible warmth of the staff, who were like busy beavers hurriedly buffing up the resort for the summer after Mother Nature played a late spring prank (hello ice in May)."

Anyone familiar with Northern Ontario knows that spring doesn't always arrive on schedule- this year certainly kept us on our toes. But hearing that our guests felt welcomed and cared for from the moment they arrived means the world to our team. Kristin also shared memories of meals at the lodge, highlighting both the food and the people who helped make their stay enjoyable. "Everyone greeted us with Canadian warmth, easing us into the week."

She specifically mentioned Chloe, one of our team members, whose friendly smile greeted guests each morning alongside hearty breakfasts of eggs, skillet potatoes, fruit, and toast. She also noted that our staff easily accommodated dietary needs for her gluten-free friend, Susie.

Every morning, the group headed to the boats for a full day on the water. As an experienced fly fisher, Kristin was comfortable with a fly rod but admitted that targeting northern pike and walleye was outside her usual experience. Fortunately, she had confidence in her guides. "Don't bother renting a boat and going it by yourself. Waste of time. Cat Island has a staff of professional guides who know how to find the fish." She went on to say, "I'm a very experienced fly fisher so targeting pike and walleye was out of my wheel house. No worries. The guides had my back."

For guests visiting Trout Lake for the first time, local knowledge can make a tremendous difference. Our guides spend countless hours on the water throughout the season, helping guests maximize their time and experience while introducing them to everything the lake has to offer.

For anyone planning a visit this season, a little preparation goes a long way. Remember that there is an 85-pound baggage limit per person for fly-in travel. Bringing essentials like rain gear, polarized sunglasses, a camera, and your Ontario Outdoors Card and fishing license will help ensure you're ready for everything Northern Ontario has to offer.

Most importantly, come prepared for adventure.

Whether your goal is landing a trophy northern pike, catching your first walleye, photographing wildlife, enjoying a shore lunch, or simply spending time with friends and family in a place where cell phones take a back seat to conversations, every week at Cat Island Lodge offers something a little different.

As for Kristin and her group?

When asked if they would return, her answer was short and sweet:

"You betcha."

As the 2026 season continues, we look forward to welcoming familiar faces back to camp and meeting many new ones along the way. Thank you to Kristin for being the first guest to share her story with us this season, and thank you to everyone who continues to make Cat Island Lodge such a special place.

We can't wait to see what stories the rest of the summer has in store.