It didn’t seem up for the fight. A brief struggle, a flexing of my fishing rod and it plopped almost apologetically into my net.
Maybe it had been hooked previously and assumed this was another “catch and release” day.
If it had been a Northern Pike or Walleye it would have been promptly returned to the pristine waters, but as a Lake Trout its fate was sealed: it would be joining us for our shore lunch.
The fish was doubly unlucky: it was the first one I had ever hooked despite several attempts on previous trips around the world.
But in northern Manitoba, a land of countless freshwater lakes but few people, the fish-abundant waters readily give up their residents and by the time we reached the sandy strip of “beach” we had a catch large enough to feed our group and fill a couple of freezer boxes that our Indigenous guides would take home to their families.
We watched – as did a couple of bald eagles from a nearby tree – as the Lake Trout were cleaned, gutted, covered in local spices and herbs and then deep-fried. What followed was, without doubt, the most delicious and certainly the freshest seafood lunch I have ever had.
Wilderness experience
A day on serene Egenolf Lake, for both novice and expert anglers, is one of the activities offered by Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge. In Manitoba’s sub-Arctic region, between tundra and boreal forest and surrounded by traditional First Nations land, Gangler’s offers a remote wilderness experience.
It’s a three-hour light aircraft flight – that’s 640 air miles – from Winnipeg to Gangler’s private 5,400ft airstrip, mostly flying over a vast patchwork of lakes and islands, before arrivng at what owner Ken Gangler says is “one of the most logistically challenging tourism operations in North America”.
Gangler’s started out in 1998 as a premium product for those looking for their own big fish stories – the lodge has the right to fish more than six million acres – but has since diversified and now also offers a range of eco-activities.
These include scenic flightseeing trips to remote lakes on its turbine Otter floatplanes – the aircraft that famously opened up the Canadian North as the first purpose-built bush plane – hiking the hilly sand eskers (unique geological features formed millions of years ago by glacial lifting), paddling on the slow-moving North Seal River, evening walks, mountain bike rides and viewing the Northern Lights.
Guests might come across wolves – we didn’t but they were around as we saw plenty of tracks in the sand – moose, black bear and, during the migration season, caribou.
It was a little too early in the year to see the northern lights, although these are almost guaranteed for visitors who stay later in the summer, promise Ken.
“Over the last few years, we have had a 97% success rate in seeing the Aurora Borealis,” he says.
The cabins at Gangler’s – a mix of one- and two-bedroom ensuite cabins – are more rustic than Relais & Châteaux but this is a place and location where luxury is in the eye of the beholder.
“There’s nothing else up here for miles,” says Ken. “It’s as remote as you can get. On our walking trips we often find spear points and fragments of axe heads that are 2,500 years old. They are just lying there on the sandy surface and undisturbed because few other people have ever trodden up here.”
Knowing you are one of relatively few to have visited; embracing the serenity; being hundreds of miles from the nearest community; casting a rod on a lake that has never seen commercial fishing; or kicking back in an Adirondack chair next to waters few have ever pushed a kayak out onto, qualifies as luxury in my book.
Canada, naturally
Experiences such as those on offer at Gangler’s are of the type Destination Canada is flagging in its new global brand campaign, which was launched at Rendez-vous Canada, the country’s major showcase of tourism products, in Winnipeg in May.
Canada, naturally. is the tagline of an initiative that illustrates extraordinary experiences that come as “standard” in Canada: awe-inspiring landscapes, interactions with wildlife and natural phenomenon, and warm-hearted locals invariably ready to lend a helping hand and offer advice to visitors.
The idea is that what might seem “ordinary” to Canadians – perhaps looking at the northern lights, seeing moose emerge from a forest, a lobster lunch in the Maritimes, strolling the cobbles streets of Montréal, even fishing on a remote lake – feels extraordinary to guests.
An accompanying tenant is that for those with open minds who are looking for fresh perspectives, Canada is “the place” to choose for a holiday.
Or, as Gloria Loree, Senior Vice-President, Marketing Strategy & CMO, for Destiation Canada, puts it: “Travellers are looking for more authentic experiences that immerse them in the lives of people doing ordinary things.
“In Canada, jaw-dropping views are not staged or temporary, they are just out there all the time and have been for over 10,000 years.”
She adds: “There is a feeling that now is the time to target those guests who are attracted to unfiltered experiences and are open to getting out to more remote communities.”
Destination Canada officials in Winnipeg were hesitant to suggest that Canada is a beneficiary of the often negative (political) narrative directed at its southern neighbour, the USA, but did concede the favourable attention Canada has received this year was welcome.
Strong sales
“I think we are ‘having a moment’. Canada tries to position itself in a good way and is generally seen as a “good’ country… so we are fortunate to feel the support from much of the world right now,” says Marsha Walden, Destination Canada’s outgoing President & CEO.
Tour operators were more willing to confirm that Canada is very much flavour of the month.
“Canada is having a good booking year in 2025, with strong selling in both the lates and early markets. The trend for early bookings is set now and seems to start earlier each year, but the late market is performing well for both east and west destinations this year,” says Stuart Rogers, Head of Product and Commercial for Canadian Affair.
It is a similar picture for Audley Travel, explains Product Manager James Butler. “Canada is selling well and remains one of our best-selling destinations. The country offers a genuinely warm welcome to visitors…it is noticeable that we have been getting more late booking enquiries than usual.”
Keir Ashley, Destination Manager, First Class Holidays, says: “We have experienced keen interest in Canada for 2026 and even had some enquiries for travel extending to 2027. The west remains a popular first-time visitor destination, and the Atlantic provinces are also particularly strong.”
Destination Canada has set two targets by 2030. Firstly, it hopes to rank among the top 10 most popular destinations for holidays. Secondly, it wants to achieve $160 billion in direct annual revenue from its visitors. Key to both is tempting more travellers to spread their visits across all four seasons – and there are signs that a focus on promoting traditional shoulder seasons autumn and winter is bearing fruit.
“Autumn and winter are performing well; Canada’s fall colours are engaging more UK customers,” says Rogers at Canadian Affair.
“We will soon reveal details of our Travel Agents Alberta winter initiative, where agents and a partner can book seven days of winter experiences in Banff and Lake Louise – they can choose to ski or try non-ski activities for an amazing price. It’s the third year we have been operating the incentive, and it helps agents sell the destination with great first- hand experience.”
Audley Travel is another operator seeing rising demand for autumn, says Butler. “Yes, we have seen more enquiries for travel in October and actively promote the month as an excellent time to experience the country’s highlights away from the crowds.
“It’s also an excellent time for viewing bears and autumn colours. Winter travel is growing in popularity too, with northern lights viewing particularly popular.”
Prestige Holidays will shortly reveal details of its autumn campaign, says Hunn, who adds: “Early to mid-October is such a great time to visit. Fall colours come to mind in Eastern Canada and wildlife viewing excursions in Western Canada offer a great opportunity to see bears, whales, and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
“Also, throughout the Rockies, golden larch, a deciduous conifer, put on a stunning show of colour against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.”
Tourism is big business in Canada: last year the sector generated $130 billion in direct visitor spending – that’s more than $350 million every day. Destination Canada’s research shows that every $1 the organisation invests generates $23.85 in total economic activity.
BOOK IT
First Class Holidays has a nine-day self-drive West Coast wonders trip, from £2,849pp. Departing September 8, 2025, the deal includes return flights from the UK, six days’ car rental, eight nights’ accommodation (with two nights at West Coast Wilderness Lodge) a Stanley Park Cycle tour, ferry crossings, and other activities including a Malahat SkyWalk and whale watching tour in Victoria.
fcholidays.com
Titan Travel has a 14-day Canadian Rockies and Vancouver tour, from Banff to Vancouver, starting from £4,295pp, based on departures on May 2, 2026 or October 1, 2026 and two adults sharing.The deal includes Titan’s Nationwide return chauffeur service
titantravel.co.uk
