Old Post Lodge on Lake St. Joseph

Lake St. Joseph: It's not easy to get to but it’s my idea of real Canadian wilderness. It’s unique, relatively treacherous to navigate and full of fish. Stretching over 90 miles long, it's too big to figure out in a lifetime of fishing, and these are the types of places I like to guide. There is consistency in the quality of the experience but for the die-hard angler, the draw is the consistency in the fishing. The true value for me is the unknown - every day is epic when you plan accordingly. 

The daily challenge is not just to find fish, but to find the best fishing possible under the conditions you're given. Mother nature often has a say in the plans throughout this region but that just adds to the experience. Nonetheless, shaking hands after a big one is released, and losing count of the fish you’re catching is just tradition here.

The lake is remote and pristine, the underwater cabbage beds grow slightly different every year, and it’s a flooded river system. I think that’s why I love it so much; the baitfish roll with currents like a snake, piling walleye and bait populations up to the point where, when you find a good spot, your depth finder will show you images that make you think it’s broken. There’s not enough time in the day to fish everywhere, so the daily plan is narrowed down from thousands of options to whatever your instincts are telling when you leave the dock every morning. It’s one hell of a thrill, really. For a guide with an intense passion for fishing, it doesn't get any better. View the detailed maps of Lake St. Joseph to see all your fishing options.

I guided for John Grace at the Old Post Lodge for four years starting in 2008 and then ventured out on my own becoming a professional guide. I built a cycle from Northern Ontario to the Skeena River in BC, and back to Southern Ontario to round out the course of a typical year. I've learned a lot from the multi-species environments. It’s easy to learn being surrounded by passionate people all year round, it’s a lifestyle with an extended family of sorts. For the last several years, I've been determined to spend close to 300 days a year on the water, guiding and fishing. I've fished many beautiful regions of Canada.

The far north of Ontario will be getting a lot of my attention in the future. Lake St Joseph, its habitat, and its quality fisheries bring me back to guide for the Old Post Lodge and the Grace Family before I head West. If you're into exploration and good fishing, it's the place to be.

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