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Taking Great Photos on your Fly-in Fishing Vacation

Walleye caught by American man fishing in Canada.
If you're interested in the fly-in fishing experience at Oak Lake Lodge, you need to master fish photography before you come. Why? Because we utilize a unique “catch and release” fish management system. This helps us maintain a steady population of the biggest fish in Canada. 

Unfortunately, it means you won't be able to take your fish home.
However, one look at our fishing photo wall shows just how exciting a great fishing shot can look. Mastering this art will help you share your monster catch with your friends and family. Follow these tips to take the best fishing shots of your life!

Checking the Camera

Take a few hours to simply play with your camera and its settings. Learn how to set it to “auto focus” so you don't have to fiddle around with that during a battle with a fish. 
However, you should also make sure to set your ISO to a reasonable level (about 200-400 should be good for day fishing shots) as well as your aperture (4.5 is perfect). Shutter speed should be around 500-1,000, depending on the light.

Watch for Condensation

When you're out on the lake, you need to make sure that you store your camera in a water-tight container with the lens cap on. If you don't take these precautions, your lens will be filled with condensation. This will make your shot blurry and can even ruin your lens if the water seeps inside.

Set It To Action Shot

You don't have to limit your fish photography to just a single “trophy” shot. Instead, you can use the “action shot” setting to take multiple pictures of its capture and release. 
Action shot takes multiple pictures as long as you hold down the shutter, allowing you to get multiple great shots.

Clear the Shot

Before taking any photos, make sure to clear any extraneous items out of the way. These items include such obvious obstacles as a fishing pole, a tackle box, or even a water bottle. 
However, you should also make sure other fishermen stand back and avoid getting parts of their body in the shot. This will help ensure a great, focused, and clear shot.

Avoid Centering the Shot

Photography is all about avoiding centering the shot: this creates a static and uninteresting photo. Instead, break up the image into “thirds” and try to position the body of the fisherman along the intersection of the far left thirds. The fish can then be positioned along the right third. This creates a more dynamic and interesting shot.

Properly Hold the Fish

Holding a fish properly requires handling a very slippery and afraid animal that will try to fight out of the hands holding them. Keeping one still for a photo is tricky, but not impossible. Simply have the person stand with their arms in front of them and their hands in a “cupping” position. Now, place the fish in their hands.

This presents the side of their body for the best picture. The person holding the fish needs to squeeze very slightly to keep the fish still. Then, it can be easily released back into the water without suffering from too much air exposure.

However, you can also have the person hold the fish vertically and away from their body by placing their thumb on its bottom lip and the rest of their fingers on the bottom jaw. The fish shouldn't be able to bite or squirm away from such a grip.

Now that you know how to take great fish pictures,you're ready for the full fly in fishing experience at Oak Lake Lodge! We offer luxurious cabins, amazing food, and the most exciting private fishing experience in Canada. Please contact us today to make your reservation. You'll be glad you did!

Walleye Fishing Posts

Walleye at Oak Lake Lodge, Ontario, Canada.
June 22, 2023
Discover the ins and outs of fishing for walleye in Canada with a comprehensive article. Gain insights on the various seasons, baits, and techniques to make the most out of your fishing experience.
August 18, 2022
The differences between The Outpost and The Lodge
Float Plane docked at Oak Lake Lodge lodge.
August 17, 2022
Getting to Oak Lake Lodge and Outpost
Walleye fish held by fisherman on Oak Lake.
May 3, 2020
Walleye is a tasty freshwater fish found in the waters of Canada and North America. When anglers fish for walleye, the best bait is live minnows. However, live bait presents several problems such as the minnow may wiggle itself off the hook, or it may die. Several tips can help anglers avoid these issues.
Man holding a walleye fish
May 2, 2020
The idea of going to a fly-in fishing resort can be daunting to the inexperienced. After all, it seems like only true fishing fanatics would go to such great lengths to enjoy a semi-private fishing hole! In reality, though, this is far from the case. Many people sign up for these packages even if they've done little or no fishing before. This is because there's more to a fly-in fishing resort than the fish. Our resort also offers relaxation, seclusion, and a truly natural environment. At Oak Lake Lodge, each guest's experience is perfectly tailored to meet that guest's desires. For example, many who are new to fishing are squeamish about handling bait or sharp hooks. Alternatively, they may not want to have to handle a wet, wiggling fish that has just been caught. These customers will appreciate our full-service packages in which our guides bait the hooks, unhook the catch, or both. This allows guests to focus on the most fun parts of the experience - enjoying the water, pulling up the fish, and of course, eating fish dinner. Those who enjoy all aspects of the fishing experience need not worry. Our guides will be happy to step back and let guests take care of all of the little details. Of course, our guides will still perform the essential service for those who know and love every part of fishing: finding the best spots! They'll also be glad to explain just what makes a spot good, so guests can find their own favourite fishing holes even after their stay here ends. Here at Oak Lake Lodge, we know that there's far more to a fly-in fishing trip than the fishing itself. Therefore, we've put plenty of effort into ensuring that the rest of the trip will be relaxing and enjoyable. Our meals are one of the most important parts of the experience. Breakfast and dinner are cooked by our fine kitchen staff. You'll start your day of fishing or hunting with a big breakfast that will keep you going all the way until our shoreside lunch. This lunch includes fish that are prepared right on the spot - from cleaning to frying - along with appetizers and sides from our kitchen. Dinner is made in the kitchen and is an excellent end to the food offerings of the day. After dinner, you can go back out and fish more or simply take in the great woodsy atmosphere from the porch of your cabin. Of course, we know that it's not a proper vacation if you have to do the cleaning at your cabin. Therefore, we provide daily maid service to keep everything ship-shape. You'll never feel like you're roughing it! Getting to our fly in fishing location isn't as hard as one might expect. You simply need to get to Vermilion Bay, Ontario to start the journey. Most guests get there from the airport at International Falls . If you choose to take our van service, you won't have to do anything after arriving at the Falls - you'll have a ride to our private air service in the limo-van. Car rental service is also available for those who choose to drive to Vermilion Bay. Once you're at Vermilion Bay, our air service will take care of the next hop. You'll fly in a float plane which will take you to the resort. Upon arrival, you'll experience a soft, water landing before the pilot moves the plane to the dock. Disembarking is similar to getting off of a boat, so there's no need to worry about it being too hard. To learn more about our fly-in fishing or hunting vacations, just contact us. We'll be glad to answer all of your questions and book you in for a stay at Oak Lake Lodge.
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May 2, 2020
When you vacation, finding access to food is always an issue, especially when you're traveling with a big family. Having many people along on your trip also means dealing with some picky eaters. When you ultimately can't find the food you want while traveling, it only makes your vacation more of a frustration than a relaxing experience. This is all the more reason why you should try our fly-in fishing vacation package here at Oak Lake Lodge. Meals are never a problem at our lodge because we prepare in advance to make your experience the best it can possibly be. You'll also appreciate our attention to something other vacation spots don't always do: Making sure you never go hungry while still making the food healthy. If the word "healthy" sounds like it shouldn't go on vacation, having a hearty meal already means eating well. You have to keep your energy level up to fully enjoy the pristine nature around you here at Oak Lake Lodge. While providing relaxation for you is our goal, you'll have the privacy of Oak Lake where all-day fishing excursions are available at your leisure. The same goes for archery hunting out in the wilderness that's untouched by excessive amounts of tourists or industries. Despite you vacationing in one of the most undisturbed natural locations on earth, being out in the great outdoors always works up an appetite. It's why we place special emphasis on creating meals we know you're going to love. This includes some of the amazing and large fish you'll catch in Oak Lake that you can enjoy as part of a shore lunch. Take a look at what kind of meals you'll experience for every meal of the day, including the ability to snack when you want to.
Oak Lake Lodge view of docks and cabins.
May 2, 2020
When you hear the term "fly-in fishing", no doubt you immediately picture thoughts of a hideaway vacation. While accurate, you've perhaps created a new definition of what a hideaway vacation is. You've possibly become overly cynical about the term because so many hideaway vacations your family visited in the past didn't live up to expectations. This was even more disappointing considering you paid a significant amount to commune with pristine nature and a promise of few tourists. In reality, there aren't any truly pristine tourist areas left in the world other than deserted islands and uninhabited jungles. Only a few places still exist on earth where you'll get some exceptions. We're fortunate to tell you that we provide exceptions here at Oak Lake Lodge thanks to long-standing stringent plans on limiting tourists. Here in Ontario, Canada, we still have some pristine natural environments left not invaded by excess tourism or industry. The land around our lodge received government approval to stay as pristine as you can get while still allowing limited visitors at a time. We only allow 32 people in every few weeks, so you're never experiencing excess tourists. You'll also find many other differences compared to other so-called hideaway vacations. Maybe you know about other secret locations where you can essentially get lost, at least in the off-season. Even if you can sometimes successfully escape crowds in those places, they don't offer the amenities we do. Let's take a look at some of those differences and why we frequently get singled out as one of the best vacation spots within Canada and the United States. We'll help you redefine what a hideaway vacation really is.
Pork back ribs served at Oak lake Lodge, a fly-in fishing lodge in Canada.
May 1, 2020
There isn't any question that food is a top concern when traveling on vacation. You've probably had more headaches over what to eat than anything else when visiting hideaway resorts, hotels, or even bed & breakfasts. What makes this all the more problematic is the kind of food you'll find in the places where you stay. If you're staying overseas, it sometimes means consuming exotic items you've never had before, which only brings elements of risk. While the above is exciting for some people, it can bring some dangers to your health. The last thing you want is food that could potentially make you sick in a foreign location where medical facilities aren't the greatest. Here at Oak Lake Lodge, we decided that food needed a strong focus on our vacation packages. We knew that when people travel to a vacation destination, they wanted food that's substantive, yet also not overly offbeat to a point where it could cause illness. Also, based on the response of our customers, we understood that most people enjoy having traditional food. Yes, traditional food gives you a sense of home, despite being served here in a remote location where pristine nature surrounds you. Let us show you the kind of traditional food you'll find for your fly-in fishing vacation. We'll show you why it's safer and even healthier than many other foods found in other tourist destinations.
A view of Oak Lake Lodge from the lake. A fly-in fishing lodge in Ontario, Canada.
May 1, 2020
When you decide to experience our fly-in fishing vacation package here at Oak Lake Lodge, you'll immediately notice the sense of peace and quiet you'll have in comparison to other vacations. We'll remind you that when you arrive here, you're a long way from any industry. This means miles and miles of natural surroundings and not the loud bustle of traffic. With our limitations of 32 people per visit, you also eliminate concern about excessive tourists. You won't find many vacation spots on earth that don't have an excess of tourists clogging streets, or even on lakes. This sense of peace might sound like we're too far away from providing outstanding amenities. Keep in mind we fly in and provide more amenities and supplies than most lodges do that exist away from civilization.
Main dining room at fly-in fishing lodge.
May 1, 2020
Experiencing autumn during your fly in fishing vacation here at Oak Lake Lodge is like no other nature experience available in the civilized world. Even if you already live near natural areas and love doing activities in the outdoors during the fall or winter, you probably have to experience an excessive amount of people in those places. Plus if it's a vacation spot, you probably work up a considerable appetite after excessive physical exercise. The problem with the two situations above is that being in nature with too many people already ruins any claims of the surroundings being unspoiled. At a vacation resort, it also means crowded restaurants, leaving you having to wait for food when you want food immediately. You won't find either of the above unfortunate scenarios here at Oak Lake Lodge. The nature here is truly pristine because there isn't any industry around for miles. We also have limitations on how many people we let in at a time, so getting food when you want it isn't a problem. Moreover, you'll have more food here than you can probably digest. Our meals are extremely hearty and generous in their servings. The question is how much of an appetite can you generate while visiting us? When you have cooler weather, invigorating fishing, and hunting all together, you can probably get as hungry as the black bears and moose are when they forage for food this fall.
Muskie fish caught at Oak Lake Lodge
April 30, 2020
You've probably heard of that term "vacation from the vacation" more than once and maybe only thought of it as facetious.
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