Remarkable Remoteness

Fishing Far From the Familiar

Pine Portage Lodge is a fly-in fishing destination located on Kabinakagami (Kaby) Lake in Ontario, Canada, and it has held a special place in my heart for many years. Having visited this remote lodge several times, I am increasingly eager to return more frequently, seeking the tranquility of the wilderness, the opportunity to enjoy fresh walleye shore lunches, and the chance to spot an array of wildlife (moose, otters, ducks, bald eagles, & bears, oh my!).

One of the planes you might take from Wawa to PPL's Dock on Kaby Lake. Pack light!

First and foremost, Pine Portage Lodge is a true fly-in fishing destination. Accessing the lodge by vehicle requires a long, rugged journey- an all-day, bumpy drive along a two-track trail through Ontario’s dense forests. The winning option (& only option to guests, anyway) is the 30-minute flight from Wawa, which offers an unparalleled aerial view of lush forests, sparkling lakes, and wildlife. It’s a breathtaking experience you won’t soon forget. If you're lucky, you might even spot a moose as you fly in or out.

Unparalleled view from the plane on my flight to the Lodge.

Each time I’ve visited Pine Portage Lodge, I've taken the early morning flight in and out. Though I’ve yet to spot a moose or a bear from the air, it hardly matters. I find myself captivated by the sight of the lakes steaming in the soft glow of sunrise. Loons glide and dive gracefully, reappearing far from where I expect them to be- truly a marvel of nature. As I watch ripples spread across the water's surface, I imagine the fish just beneath. What I cherish most about this lodge is its remarkable remoteness- an untouched beauty that never fails to leave me in awe.

Upon arriving at Pine Portage Lodge, situated on the expansive Kaby Lake, we wasted no time securing our Outdoors Card and Non-Resident Fishing Licenses- ready to dive straight into what we came for: walleye fishing! Kaby Lake is incredibly vast, covering 25 miles by 13 miles with 147 islands, that even after multiple visits, you’ll barely scratch the surface. Fortunately, with endless shoreline to explore, there's no chance of ever getting bored. The scenery never fails to impress, whether you’re seeking a picturesque spot for a shore lunch or encountering a diverse array of wildlife—both above and below the water.

Two loons showing off their elite fishing skills.

Our trip to Pine Portage Lodge in September 2024 was marked by unusually cold weather and unpredictable conditions. We faced a dramatic 40°F temperature swing, along with rain, fog, snow, ice, and strong winds. None of us had packed enough layers to stay dry, as each one quickly became soaked—whether from rain, waves crashing over the boat, or an accidental plunge into the lake (oops!). Despite the challenging weather, we ended each day with wide smiles, grateful for the opportunity to immerse ourselves in such a stunningly remote paradise.

Moments before we "called it" and headed to our lunch island to start the fire and prep lunch.

Now that I am home, warm, and dry though, I look back on that accidental plunge into the lake with two new lenses. First- some background:

There were four of us on this particular trip to Pine Portage Lodge- two boats, each with two people. Boat one was my mom and dad, and boat two was my husband and me. On the day of the incident, the wind and rain had chilled my husband and I to the point of needing to bail a bit early for lunch, so we decided to head to the island we had all agreed on for our shore lunch. We left my parents nearby, hoping they might land one more fish to add to our hopeful feast.

Arriving at an island with a rocky shore, we tied off the boat and began hauling firewood, cooking pots and pans, and a tote filled with utensils and side dishes up the steep bank, aiming to get the fire started and lunch prepped for when my parents joined us. Whether it was my Type A personality, my people-pleasing tendencies, or the fact that I’m an only child who continued striving to make my parents proud in every aspect, I found myself hustling up and down the rocks to get everything ready as quick as possible.

As anyone can probably foresee, in my rush, I wasn’t paying enough attention to the wet, slippery rocks and sure enough, I lost my footing at the bottom of the incline and took a slide-off-the-side-of-an-island-plunge into the water, going in up to my neck and my feet not touching bottom. Keep in mind, the day was cold, maybe 45°F. I had layer after layer on- merino wool long johns, fleece lined pants, water-proof bibs, wool socks, heavy sweatshirt, water-proof coat, gloves, hat, etc. etc. etc. All of it (except the hat), SOAKED.

Preparing shore lunch, while drying my wet boots, socks, and pants after my accidental swim!

Lens 1 / Comical:

Reaction 1: ****! I let out a good yell that, in hindsight, makes me grateful my parents weren't around to hear it.

Reaction 2: I love my husband! He came bounding down the hill to my rescue, told me to calm down, grabbed my hands, and somehow lifted me out of the water as if my waterlogged layers and I weighed no more than 20lbs.

Soaked to the bone and freezing from the cold and wind, my husband quickly set me up next to the fire he had started, then began peeling off my wet clothes layer by layer. Just as he was almost done, guess who rounds the corner of the island, ready to join us for lunch? Hint- it wasn’t a moose… It was my unsuspecting parents.

My mom: "Oh, sweetie, did you fall in? Are you okay?!"

My husband and I exchanged a look, then glanced at my parents. With a playful wink, we replied, "Yep, that’s the story we’re going with."

Having made it out the other side of this ordeal with no more than a bruised ego and sore shoulder, I can't help but reflect on this memory with a sheepish smile.

A quick pause from helping me get the wet base layers off to take a picture "for proof".

Lens 2 / Lessons Learned:

Nature is not to be underestimated- it's vast, powerful, and relentless. The water right next to the shore was immediately over my head, leaving me with no ground beneath my feet. The currents at the base of the island were strong, quickly pulling me away, and the wet, slippery rocks made it impossible to grab hold and stabilize myself. I gripped the side of the boat for the few seconds I waited for my husband to come to my rescue.

We can wear non-slip boots to stay upright and layer up with wool base layers, fleece pants, waterproof coats, and windbreakers. But at the end of the day, safety often comes down to one simple thing: paying attention.

Pay attention to the conditions, plan your clothing, water, food, and first aid accordingly, and stay alert to any changes in the weather, terrain, or even the wildlife. Stay focused and avoid careless mistakes that could lead to accidents. The great outdoors is a remarkable place to spend your time, but it can also be dangerous if you’re not careful and prepared.

A chilly & foggy morning on Kaby Lake.

Between fishing and sight-seeing, you can find me reading-- probably out loud to my husband who is single handedly driving the boat & netting his fish.. good job, babe!

According to Government of Ontario, Ontario spends 100% of hunting and fishing revenue on fish and wildlife management. The revenue comes from sources such as commercial and recreational license fees, royalties, fines, and penalties. The funds go into a fish and wildlife special purpose account, which invests more than $71 million a year in fish and wildlife management.