What's Happening at Halley's

It looks like Christmas here in Northwestern Ontario. Our main office is in Kenora and us elves have been busy with decorating and keeping up with our downtown store and reservations. Ever wonder who answers the phone when you call to check availability, book a trip or answer any questions you might have?

Staff Christmas party

Lots of our summer staff from the Kenora and surrounding area enjoyed our bowling party-lots of food and laughs. This by far was one of our most fun Christmas events!! Here are a couple quick pictures! We had Chris, Amber, Jonny, Reagan, Shawn, Lisa, Mike, Jaylynn, Gene, Wanda, Junior, Gunner, Stan, Todd, Ben, Kerry and their plus ones/significant others.

Louis and Lizzie missed our Christmas party as they were trying to get here driving from Edmonton, Alberta but the snowstorms added another 5-6 hours on their trip. Louis has passed his commercial pilot written test, and he is working on completing flying hours before he can take his commercial pilot flight test. We hope the weather holds out for him in January!

Brrrrr

If this picture below could talk it would tell you it was frigid out! -30C which is about -22F which either way is cold! Jonny and Louis were headed up north to lay a track on the lakes before hauling firewood with sleighs as with all the snow we’ve had it has made slush on top of the lakes. The slush can really get people on snowmobiles stuck especially with sleighs that are heavy that can get bogged down. The sleigh can start digging into the slush and eventually the snowmobile can pull the sleigh although it can barely move and then becomes stuck in the slush (there is a lot of ice below it but the weight of the snow forms cracks and water comes up through the cracks in the ice creating slush).

If you don’t know what to get your fisherman for Christmas, call us and you can purchase a gift certificate that they can use on towards their fishing/hunting trip, souvenirs or more! Halley’s Camps gift certificates will be available only until Dec 23, 2025 at 3pm!

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chris, Amber, Louis, Jonny, Reagan, Lisa and Shawn

The weather is changing and it is getting cold! We have had workers up and down the river using the barge hauling equipment. We are in preparation mode before the ice comes so winter projects can be started once we have lots of ice in January.

One of the workers who was staying at One Man Lake Lodge took this photo of the northern lights. November is a great month to see the lights change every color that dance across the night skies.

We are updating our website a lot and if you have any more photos that you would like to share of your 2025 trip, please email them to [email protected] and remember to put your name and location that you stayed at!

DID YOU KNOW???

Halley’s Camps is turning 80 in 2026!! 80 years=8 decades=13 Canadian Prime Ministers=14 U.S. Presidents, countless numbers of fish caught, and billions of stars seen!

Chris’s grandparents, Louie and Yvonne started Halley’s Camps in 1946 (some information stated 1945). Chris’s parents, Gene and Wanda, were 2nd generation with Uncle George and Auntie Sharon, and now Chris and Amber are 3rd generation owners. The 4th generation is coming about and we hope to keep continuing on Halley’s Camps for generations to come.

If anyone has any old photos of any of your trips that could contribute to a memoir book of Halley’s Camps-this could be of the old buildings/boats, fishing groups, stories, anything that truly pertains to Halley’s Camps history, please EMAIL us your stories, information and PHOTOS!! We would love to have some of these books on display for our upcoming fishing season!

You can always check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/fishincamps/

Our last guests of our season in 2025 stayed with us in October for our moose hunts.

We had some excellent moose hunts this month. We had 2 of our moose hunts going on and on Mike’s group, our unguided group, had successfully taken one moose. There were some very windy conditions but were still able to move around and get their opportunity! Congrats to them!!

Our other group of guided moose hunts were very successful-3 out of the 4 hunters got their bull moose! Gene and Mike were their guides for this hunt and Luca was also assisting with the hunt as well. Many of the Kettle Falls guests from this summer would recognize Mike and Luca and what an exciting way to finish the year!! And Gene-well most of you all know Gene-which then you will know that he loves going out guiding for moose hunters in the bush! The hunters were all extremely happy!

Chris, Jonny, Gene, Lisa, Mike and others went out moose hunting personally and Lisa shot her bull!

Canadian Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was on October 13, over a month earlier than that of the American Thanksgiving. We try and take the time to be thankful for our family which is always our #1 and our guests/fishermen who choose us as their fishing destination. And huge shout out to all of our staff for all their hard work and hands on creating fantastic fishing opportunities for all! This is a group of Kettle Falls staff as they are heading out for the season after working for 4 months at the lodge-fishing guides, bartender, photographer, retail sales, manager, and lodge maintenance-they all come together to work and it was great having them. There are so many other staff that deserve a shout out as well and we appreciate everyone of them!

September was filled with some great fishing days, and the weather really cooperated for the most part. We had some really warm days! We almost should’ve called this newsletter “September Leg Days” because so many people were rocking shorts well into the month. Talk about fall feeling a little more like summer!

As for the fishing, the quality of the fish this month was absolutely superb. Whether anglers were jigging or trolling, the walleyes, bass, and pike were really biting. The bite was strong and steady, showing just how active fish get as the season shifts. It was an amazing time on the water for everyone fishing!

Caribou Falls Landing

Caribou Falls Landing saw lots of fishermen this month. Lots and lots of familiar faces which we love to see! The kids are back in school, but the fish are always in school-haha! It was a fun month! We had a few groups that range back 30-40 years with Halley’s Camps-that’s a long time! We had Tom’s family group and friends come up and fish their traditional fishing trip at Caribou Falls Landing. Their group is always full of fun camaraderie but a saddened that their dad couldn’t make the trip this year.

September this year seemed to have more corporate groups getting their fishing in before summer ends-and the fishing did not disappoint. The biggest smallmouth was 19.5″, the pike was 40″, and the walleye was 29″ caught from guests staying at the landing. One of our new groups at Dufault’s Island loved the new cabin and the fishing-they were adventurous too-went in almost every direction trying new waters and had fabulous fishing.

Here is a picture of some fishing boats going out for the day from Caribou Falls Landing.

September hunting report for Jim!

September was a month full of action at our camp – not just with fishermen, but also with hunters! One special hunter took on a combined adventure: first, a bear hunt at Caribou Falls Landing, followed by a moose hunt at one of our remote tent camps 150 miles north. This is one of our most secluded moose hunt locations, offering plenty of wilderness and serenity. We’re thrilled to share that Jim had an amazing trip, bagging a bear early on and then capping it off with a bull moose on the final day of his hunt. Talk about a happy hunter!

Kettle Falls Lodge

The fishing was stellar this month!! We had many return customers and some new fishermen as well. Everyone was hooking into the fish this month!  Mic and his nephew fished with us again this year and look at their photos!! The fishing was amazing! The fall colors on the river were so beautiful with the orange and bright yellow leaves. Here are some true testimonials from customers about their stay at Kettle Falls Lodge this month:

From our guest Mike that stayed with us in September:

Fathers day 2025 I gifted my son in-law Colton a fishing adventure at Halley’s Camp. I waited a long time to have an epic fly-in fishing trip. From the moment we arrived at the dock the staff was amazing, really friendly and accommodating. At 2:30pm the adventure started we jumped on the float plane and we were on our way to Kettle Falls Lodge. As soon as we arrived the staff was ready and everything was taken care of with smiles as they showed us around. Our cabin was really nice with all the amenities you would want. We walked down to the dock and I tossed a line in and immediately hooked a 20″ pike. I knew right then we were in for a great trip. The fishing was the best fresh water fishing I have ever had in my life. One monster fish after another as the days went on. Our guide Joe was always putting us on the fish and he truly loved what he was doing. Shoreline lunches with fresh caught fish and all the sides you could eat. My son Colton caught the biggest fish of the trip 45.5″ Northern Pike, amazing effort on a 5′ Ugly Stick rod. We loved every minute of this trip from the staff, food, equipment, lodgings and the fishing it was all amazing!! We had Northern Lights on our last night just to make it all complete, many thanks to the staff of Halley’s you were fantastic, we are already planning our next trip!

Cheers, Michael & Colton

Another Happy Group at Kettle Falls wrote and sent pictures:

Subject: Thank You for an Unforgettable Experience at Halley’s Camps

Dear Lisa (manager) and Team,

We wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude for making our trip to Haley’s Camp in Kettle Falls an incredibly memorable experience. Your hospitality and the outstanding accommodations surpassed our expectations.

Lisa, you and your staff were simply amazing. Your attention to detail and warm, welcoming attitude made us feel right at home. The fishing was phenomenal—we were thrilled to catch nine trophy fish during our stay, which truly made the trip unforgettable.

Attached are some of the highlights from our adventure. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed creating these memories.

I cannot forget to mention the great job JR our guide did for us. A true professional in his field and a credit to Kettle Falls.

Thank you once again for the amazing experience.

Bob, Charles, and Mark

Halley’s Outposts-TRM is the abbreviation as we call it-Trapline Lake Outpost, Rex Lake Outpost and Moosehorn Lake Outpost

Trapline Lake welcomed the Davis group-some of the guys have been coming to Halley’s Camps for quite a few trips. I laugh as I had to take a picture of their tackle box when we were at Trapline dropping off ice and supplies. Here is one of their tackle boxes-notice it is not used for spices-pretty clever!

The Davis group has lots of fishing spots up their sleeves from many, many moons of fishing Trapline and their fishing was incredible. Walleye, trout, and northern pike!! Check out Jeff’s fishing photos:

Aside from the fishing, one of the highlights of the trip was the stunning aurora borealis. The northern skies were ablaze and would dance across the sky with vibrant green, yellow oranges, purples, and pinks, creating a breathtaking backdrop as the group gathered by the lake each evening.

An Epic Journey to the North – A Long-Awaited Fishing Adventure

This September, we had the distinct pleasure of welcoming a special group of guests to Trapline Lake Outpost, a group of 11 family and friends who had been waiting since 2020 for their long-awaited fishing adventure in the north. Their patience, built on 5 years of anticipation, truly paid off as they arrived in the beauty of northern Ontario to find fish the world-class fishing that Halley’s Camps Trapline Lake Outpost is known for.

The group was in for an unforgettable time. The waters of Trapline Lake are teeming with big walleyes and northern pike, and it didn’t take long for the guests to start reeling in some incredible catches. Whether it was the sheer joy of fishing together, the thrill of reeling in a big walleye or pike, or simply soaking in the peacefulness of the wilderness, this was an experience none of them would soon forget. We feel privileged to have been a part of their long-awaited adventure, and we’re looking forward to welcoming them back in the future.

 Rex Lake

Our very seasoned moose hunting group, Mike and the boys, were off to hunt the end of September! Their gear ready, groceries packed, their bow and arrows aligned, we wish them luck at getting some moose! Stay tuned in the October newsletter for their moose hunting results!!

We want to see your photos!

We’ve been receiving some amazing fishing photos from many of you. We know how much everyone loves seeing photos in the newsletters, and we’re thrilled to showcase them. Some of you have sent in pictures even after the newsletters have gone out, and we’re so grateful for that. We appreciate your patience, as sometimes life gets busy for everyone and we want to include as many photos as we can from each month of fishing at each lodge/outpost camp, and it may take a little longer than expected to get photos and everything together. Please keep sending in your photos – we love seeing your fishing adventures through your eyes! When you send them, don’t forget to include the month, the lodging location, and the group you were fishing with. These little details help us tell your story and share the joy of your experience with the rest of the community.

Thank you again for being a part of our unforgettable season!

At the end of August, we can’t help but smile at what an unforgettable month it has been here at Halley’s Camps. With warm, steady sunshine, calm waters, and some stellar fishing, this was one for the record books. Whether you visited for a long weekend or settled in for a full-week stay, we hope the memories you made will carry you into the cooler months ahead. Fishing with live entertainment on the other end of your line, shore lunches, laughs, commentaries, jokes, comradery, spoons, jigs, suntan lotion, minnows, leeches, brimmed hats-there are many parts to a fishing trip! Let the count down to next year’s trip begin!

A Stellar Month for Fish Catches

The weather was perfect; the fishing was downright phenomenal. Across the board as we look at the walleye, northern pike, bass, and lake trout fishing our guests reported consistent action and impressive size.

Walleye were especially lively this month, favoring mid-lake humps and 15–22 feet of water. Several groups experienced some fantastic fishing mornings and our guides counted more trophy-class catches than we’ve logged in recent summers-with quite a few being caught in the afternoon. Live bait with jigs took the spotlight early in the month and by the end of the month it was spoons and rattle traps.

Smallmouth bass produced some of the biggest smiles from guests. Many fish pushed the 18–20 inch mark, with several hooking bass over 20”. Topwater lures, especially in the cooler hours of dawn and dusk, turned quiet mornings into explosive action.

Northern pike kept everyone on their toes, especially those venturing into the weed edges. A few lucky anglers went home with stories of “the one that got away”—including an estimated 40+ inch pike that snapped a leader right at the boat. It’s still out there!

Caribou Falls Landing

It was a busy August with lots of fishermen which is always good to see! Looking at the docks full of boats in the evening and the decks full of people taking in the cool evening temperatures is a sight to see! We had a couple of groups that had already visited us once this summer return to fish in August. They had such great fishing. Bruce and Blaine, twins, came up again and proved over and over again that they still go it in the fishing department! Mike came back with a second fishing gang as well and their group had stellar fishing too with Mike himself registering 6 trophies himself and not including the other trophies that were caught by other guys in the boat!! Cannot wait to see what the fishing is like in September!!

Kettle Falls Lodge

It was a busy August for us at Kettle Falls this month-lots of fish tails, pictures, shore lunches, soaring eagles and beautiful sunrises.

Russ, Don, Eric & Tom had an excellent 4 days fishing at Kettle Falls, their guide, Dan, netted Don a 40″ northern pike on day 1. The remainder of the trip saw Russ get his trifecta 27″ walleye, a 38″ northern and a 19″ smallmouth bass. A notable mention goes out to Eric who caught the biggest fish of the trip with his 40.25″ northern just ahead of Don’s catch. 

We had Brian and his crew come and fish again at Kettle Falls and it was great to have them back. Check out Brian and Zack with their double smallmouth bass! Everyone had some good fishing times!!

Al, a very seasoned Halley’s Camps guest, has been coming up annually for 3 years with his family. Al has fished for over a decade coming and fishing with friend/s at Caribou, One Man and has been for the last 3 years at Kettle Falls. Again, they have such amazing fishing-they always book the last week of August into September to come fishing. Who says that the fish turn off at the end of summer?!? Definitely not Al!! Check out a couple of their photos from this year’s fishing trip!

One Man Lake Lodge

We had some very memorable faces this summer with Gabe and his fishing crew-they come from California to fish with us every year. Dale caught this massive 42.5” northern pike that was really feisty! Joe and his son Joe, the Joe Fishing Team, were with us in June. Now Joe Sr visited us for the second time this summer at One Man with his fishing buddy, Dan. They fished for Lake Trout again and wowza!!This was something completely new for them and they were able to catch some tasty white fish too that we were able to smoke for them-tasted so good!!

Jon and Keith, brothers, always fish with us in June but due to the fires, they came and fished in August. They proved that the fishing is good through all the months!! They love their smallmouth bass and walleye fishing. Jon is coming up in a couple of weeks with his wife to Kettle Falls Lodge!

Rex Lake Outposts

August at Rex Lake Outpost means one thing—prime fishing, great company, and unforgettable memories. In August  we’re thrilled to welcome back a familiar crew of five from Missouri, one of them proudly sporting his “Drink MO Beer” shirt and ready for another adventure in the north.

These seasoned anglers know how to make the most of their time on the water. Last year’s trip set the bar high with a double header of trophy bass that had everyone talking. This year, the rods are ready, the bait is waiting, and the cabin is fully stocked for another round of big catches and bigger laughs.

The lake is alive with action, and the bass are biting. After a long day on the water, the crew will be greeted by a hearty steak dinner, part of their pre-arranged provisioning package, so they can focus on what matters most: fishing, relaxing, and enjoying the wilderness.

From the moment they step off the floatplane, everything is set. Fresh bait, cold drinks, and a fully prepped cabin await. It’s the kind of seamless experience that keeps guests coming back year after year.

Here’s to another successful trip for the Missouri crew—tight lines, and plenty of stories to share. 

Moosehorn Lake Outpost

This August, Moosehorn Lake Outpost welcomed a new pair of adventurers who traveled all the way from Texas in search of world-class northern smallmouth bass—and what a trip it turned out to be.

The calm northern waters and the untouched wilderness set the stage for an unforgettable experience. Between the action on the water and the peaceful moments spent soaking in the beauty of the boreal forest, their time at the outpost was everything they hoped for.

When the rods were set aside, they enjoyed quiet evenings at the cabin, surrounded by the sounds of nature and the glow of a northern sunset. It was the perfect balance of excitement and serenity—exactly what makes Moosehorn Lake Outpost such a special place. We’re thrilled that these travelers chose Moosehorn Lake Outpost as one of their adventures. 

Wishing you were fishing? Drop us a line by email at [email protected] or call us at 1-800-465-3325 and let’s go fishing!