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Bushland Adventures

La Tuque, Quebec

Fly-in-only outpost operator on Lac Evans in northern Quebec, focused on trophy northern pike fishing.

3 Outposts

Locations 3

Max Guests 8

Species pike, walleye, sturgeon, burbot

Access fly-in

WiFi Yes

Only cabin/lodge No

Pricing $$$$$

Overview

Bushland Adventures is a fly-in fishing outfitter founded and operated by Jim Saari, offering exclusive outpost packages on Lac Evans (Lake Evans) in the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James territory of northern Quebec. The operation centers on the Broadback River basin, a remote sub-arctic region lying south and east of the Caniapiscau Reservoir. The staff carries over five decades of combined experience exploring James Bay and Hudson Bay territories in search of productive fishing venues.

The outfitter follows a one-camp-per-area, one-party-per-week format, meaning each group has the lake to itself for the duration of the trip. Saari originally pioneered catch-and-release fishing on Lac Evans in the early 1980s under a prior operation; professional outfitting on the lake under the Bushland Adventures name resumed in 2008.

Established: 2008

Best for: Serious pike anglers and small groups of up to eight seeking self-guided, fly-in-only access to a remote northern Quebec lake with no other parties on the water.

Best time: The season runs June 1 through the first week of September, with peak northern pike fishing throughout the open-water period.

Highlights

Fly-in-only outpost on Lac Evans

Northern pike, walleye, lake sturgeon, and burbot

One party per week per camp

World-record silver pike caught and released on Lac Evans

Cabin sleeps up to eight

Boats, motors, and fish finders included

Starlink WiFi and satellite messenger at camp

The Fishing

Lac Evans and the surrounding Broadback and Rupert River basins hold northern pike, walleye, lake sturgeon, and burbot, a combination Bushland Adventures calls Quebec's Canadian Grand Slam. Northern pike is the main draw, and the lake has produced fish over 50 inches. The world-record silver pike (49 inches, 38.3 lbs) was caught and released on Lac Evans. Fishing is mostly in shallow water, where trophy pike stay throughout the season on this far-north fishery. Anglers can fish fly, bait-casting, or spinning gear on a large, lightly fished body of water.

The season runs from June 1 through the first week of September. Guests fish self-guided from 16-foot Lund SSV boats with 20 hp four-stroke Yamaha motors and Humminbird fish finders. A camp caretaker is on site, and guided fishing is available for an additional fee.

Accommodations

Each outpost consists of a private cabin that sleeps up to eight guests comfortably, with one party booked per week. Cabins include electric lighting powered by solar with generator backup, a propane stove with oven, a BBQ grill, a hot shower, and a fully equipped kitchen with cookware and utensils. Starlink WiFi and a Zoleo satellite messenger are provided, along with indoor waterless urinals. Food for the week is included in the package; guests are responsible for their own alcohol, tobacco, sleeping bags, pillows, and personal items.

Fish Species

pike walleye sturgeon burbot

What They Offer

Amenities available at one or more of this outfitter's properties.

Guide service

Boats included

Gas included

Fish cleaning

Fish freezer

WiFi

4.5

Based on 2 reviews from across the web

Review Highlights

Guests describe Bushland Adventures as a reliable, honest operator. One group has booked a week with them for years, and another reviewer called them "the real deal." Ratings are positive (4/5 and 5/5), and the reviews present the outfitter as a good fit for people who want a remote, bush-camp trip.

Guests praise the remote camps, the equipment, and the trophy fishing. One detailed account describes a smooth 15-minute flight from the air base to Lac Evans. The cabin was simple and sat right on the lake near the boat docks, with an indoor urinal and a hot lake-water shower. Starlink satellite internet was available for the first time. The guide and caretaker, Connor, kept the boats fueled and running, ran the generator, supplied firewood, and helped the group get through a connecting river. Booking through Jim Saari was also part of why that group kept coming back. The same group landed several pike between 37 and 47 inches, along with many pike of 12 to 20 inches.

The main thing to be aware of is that fishing results depend on conditions. During that week on Lac Evans, rain and muddy water slowed the bite. Walleye were hard to find, though the group still caught enough for a couple of walleye dinners, and the fishing picked up on the last day. A long-time member of the group said it was the fewest fish he had seen on any of their Canada trips, but the reviewer still called it a great week. The cabin is simple rather than luxurious. Based on these reviews, the destination suits experienced anglers and groups of friends who want pike fishing, trophy potential, and a remote, no-frills fly-in trip, and who accept that weather can affect the catch.

Read all 2 reviews

Steve W Jan 5, 2024

Forum

Great remote bush camps, equipment and trophy fishing experience for real outdoorsmen. Honest and reputable operator. The real deal.

Outfitter overall

View on Forum

Jim (Route to Retire) Aug 9, 2022

Blog

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone Led to an 8-Night Fishing Trip of a Lifetime in Canada

Four guests booked a week on Lac Evans through Jim Saari at Bushland Adventures, a booking the group has made for years. The flight from the air base to the cabin took 15 minutes with a smooth takeoff and landing. The cabin was simple and sat right on the lake with easy access to the boat docks. It had an indoor urinal and a hot lake-water shower. Starlink satellite internet was available for the first time. The guide and caretaker, Connor, kept the boats fueled and running, ran the generator, supplied firewood, and helped the group through a connecting river. The fishing was slow for most of the week. Rain and muddy water kept the bite down, and one of the group's long-time fishermen said it was the fewest fish he had seen on any of their Canada trips. The group still landed pike of 47, 45, 42, 38 and 37 inches, plus a lot of 12 to 20 inch pike. Walleye were hard to find, but they got a couple of walleye dinners. Fishing picked up on the last day. The reviewer fished more than 60 hours and called it a great week with a lot of fun.

This lake

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Getting There

Guests fly in by float plane from the Kilo 237 Hydro-Base, with round-trip float plane transportation included in the package. Lac Evans is located in the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James region of far northern Quebec, a roughly 15-minute seaplane flight from the staging base. Guests typically drive to the air base before departure; the drive from southern Canada is lengthy, and the camps are fully accessible only by air.

Access:

fly-in

Air service:

Bushland Adventures

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