Best in class service, fishing and hospitality! I highly recommend Grizzly Creek Lodge to anyone who’s looking to catch Lake Trout, Pike and Arctic Grayling, while also looking for scenic guided adventures as well as encounters with the occasional moose. You will not be disappointed!
Grizzly Creek Lodge
A True Canada Fly-In Fishing Lodge Adventure
As far as a Canada fly-in fishing lodge goes, you won’t find a place more remote or more comfortable. Grizzly Creek Lodge sits in the extreme southeast Yukon Territory, one of the last true wilderness areas left in North America. We fish both Lower Toobally and Upper Toobally Lakes, connected by the Upper Smith River, giving us access to an incredible amount of water without costly fly-outs.
Both Toobally Lakes are very deep with extensive structure. Large shallow shoals scattered throughout the lakes, along with deep channels reaching over 250 feet, create some of the best lake trout and northern pike habitat the North has to offer. The Smith River is also teeming with Arctic Grayling, Whitefish, Lake Trout, and Northern Pike.
For over 25 years, we’ve worked to ensure our lodge is not only a world-class fishing destination but also world-class in comfort. Come experience a true Yukon Canada fly-in fishing lodge getaway that you and your family will never forget!
Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, and Northern Pike.
Canada fishing lodges are built around these three species.
What Makes Grizzly Creek Lodge Unique?
Our attention to detail. Because we are a small family-run Canada fishing lodge that has been in the business for almost 30 years we have total control over every detail of your trip. We don’t leave it up to others. Lodge owners David and Reggie O’Farrell, are with you every single day. David and his son James will be your guides, and with over 50 years of combined experience on these waters, you can be assured you are in competent hands. It’s not uncommon for us to land over 100 fish in one day, with many going over 20 pounds.
An amazing remote Lodge with a Lake all to yourself to fish … I’ve died and gone to heaven, or I’m at Grizzly Creek Lodge. David and Reggie are very gracious hosts and the food is great.
What a wonderful experience – gorgeous scenery, great camp, amazing guides, lots of fish and the hospitality is the best!
it was a trapping trip of a lifetime which I will never forget good service and good people.
Amazing family-run operation! Great fishing, trapping and yukon experience!
Second-year coming to the lodge, David, Reggie, and James were as awesome as ever, the fishing was phenomenal caught a minimum 30+ fish per day and none smaller Than 20lbs, looking forward to next year!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to the lodge?
Because of our remote location, Grizzly Creek Lodge is a "fly-in only" destination. Your trip will officially begin in the town of Watson Lake, Yukon. Upon arriving in Watson Lake, you will board a floatplane that will fly you directly to the dock at our main lodge.
How long is the floatplane flight?
The flight takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Once airborne, you'll get a stunning, scenic view of the magnificent boreal forest and hundreds of small, unnamed lakes before touching down on Lower Toobally Lake.
What species of fish can I catch?
The pristine waters of the Yukon are renowned for three main species:
- Lake Trout: We pull massive, prehistoric-looking Lake Trout from our deep channels. Interestingly, we catch three distinct phases of trout here: silver trout, a golden phase with copper-coloured fins, and massive "green phase" trout that live in the deepest, darkest parts of the lake.
- Northern Pike: The shallow bays are packed with aggressive, trophy-sized Northern Pike, offering world-class sight fishing.
- Arctic Grayling & Whitefish: These are highly abundant, especially in the river systems connecting the lakes.
Where will we be fishing?
You will have access to a massive amount of water without incurring the costs of daily fly-outs. Guests fish Lower Toobally Lake, Upper Toobally Lake, and the Upper Smith River, which connects them. The underwater structure is incredibly diverse, featuring shallow shoals for Pike and steep drop-offs that reach depths over 350 feet for Lake Trout.
Is fishing better for high numbers or trophy sizes?
At Grizzly Creek Lodge, you don't have to choose between action and size—you get both. It is very common for our boats to land over 100 fish in a single day, with many of those fish weighing over 20 pounds.
Will I have a guide on the water?
Yes. Grizzly Creek Lodge is a small, family-run operation. Owners David and Reggie O'Farrell oversee every detail of your trip. David and his son James serve as your daily guides. Between them, they have over 50 years of combined experience navigating and fishing the Toobally Lakes system, ensuring you are in highly competent hands.
We also have a ‘self-guided’ option for the DIY anglers.
Are we a catch-and-release lodge?
The short answer is yes, absolutely! We go out of our way to release fish unharmed. We will bring a few out for photographs though. Our catch-and-release methods are simple and have stood the test of time. Most fish are released without ever coming out of the water. We don't use nets. The slime you feel on a fish’s body is part of its immune system, so the less we disturb it, the better; even rubber nets will remove some of the slime. We do keep a few small fish each week for a shore lunch, but we release everything else unharmed.
What types of fishing do we offer?
Here at Grizzly Creek Lodge, we offer both fly and spin fishing for all species. Lake trout have a reputation as a deep-water fish, so a lot of anglers are surprised to learn that they can catch them on a fly rod. Here in the Yukon, our water is cold enough that lake trout are in shallow water throughout most of June. On calm days, sight casting is possible up on the shoals in three to four feet of water with either fly rods or spinning gear.
What kind of tackle should we bring?
While you are always welcome to bring your own tackle, you don't have to. We provide everything you will need at no extra charge. This includes all rods, lures and flies. We keep a variety of high-quality rods and reels on hand at all times. This includes spinning, baitcasting and fly rods. Should you want to bring your own gear, the following will give you an idea of what works on our waters:
Rods: Medium Heavy fast action spinning / casting rods work well for both trolling and casting. Fly rods rated 8 wt and up are best for lake trout and pike. My personal favourite is a 9wt rod. Fly reels should have quick-change spools preloaded with sink-tip and full-sink lines.
For arctic grayling fishing, an ultra-light spinning rod with 6 to 8lb test line is best. Panther Martin spinners are, hands down, the best lures for spin-fishing arctic grayling. Arctic grayling are voracious surface feeders, so fly fishing for them is very productive. Anything from a 0 wt fly rod to a 5/6 wt with a floating line is ideal for these fish.
Lures: Eppinger Daredevil spoons are hands down our favourite lures for both lake trout and pike. The 1-ounce and Husky Jr. are the best sizes, and we use a variety of colours. For fly fishing, big streamers are the best bet. Patterns like the Clouser minnow and rabbit strip leech are top producers.
Do we mandate single barbless hooks?
Yes. We are a strictly single-barbless lodge, so keep this in mind if you choose to bring your own tackle. We have single barbless hooks on hand and will be happy to switch them out for you, but treble hooks are not allowed under any circumstances.