Off The Grid: Fishing Ontario's Back Lakes with the So Fly Crew
GETTING LOST NEVER FELT SO GOOD
THE SO FLY CREW IS A MOTLEY DUO OF CANADIAN ANGLERS BASED IN TORONTO. THEY FISH (A LOT), THEY TRAVEL, THEY HAVE A KILLER PODCAST, AND THEY EAT FAR LESS POUTINE THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT. THIS BLOG IS WRITTEN BY SO FLY CREW FOUNDERS, MITCH DUESLING AND ALDO PESCATORE-TARDIOLI.
When fall starts creeping in, we head north for trout. Ontario’s remote back lakes are our happy place - quiet water, changing leaves, and rainbows and brookies within reach of a fly. We’ve been exploring them together for over ten years, and bobbing around in a tiny inflatable raft and canoe never gets old. Northern Ontario is such a special place. Few people, old trees, quiet skies, and endless fishing opportunities. These are the things that have kept us coming back year after year.
Our game plan was simple: a quick weekend rip with Mitch and Aldo. Get out of the city, camp, fish, sleep, fish again, head home. Inflatable rafts and canoes to keep things simple. They’re easy to transport, launch and explore these super small remote lakes where you rarely see another person.
1. BAJA RETAINER
Sunglasses make terrible fish habitat. We prefer them on our heads. LOVE these retainers.
2. REDINGTON EDC RODS
Versatile and perfect for still water fishing - especially the 9’6” 6wt.
3. STILLWATER FLIES
Blobs, buggers, leeches and spent-wing dries. Small box, lots of options.
4. SWITCHPACK
Just enough room for a few fly boxes and essentials without crowding the raft or the backpack.
5. FLOATING AND SINKING LINES
A mix of lines so we can find trout wherever they’re holding - it’s beyond key.