Wayne Gelnett of Cleveland, NY wins a family fishing
vacation to Bryson Lake Lodge
My family along with my brothers, sisters and parents camp, hunt and fish on a regular basis and have done
this for as long as I can remember. We have been to many beautiful places in New York State. We’ve also
reason we have never made the commitment.

This all changed when I was notified by NYOC that I had won a deluxe 6-night – 7 day package for Bryson
Lake Lodge for two Adults and two children that included lodging, fishing rights, a 14’ boat with 15
horsepower motor and five gallons of gas.
This was now the perfect opportunity for me, my father, (Bill), My two
boys (Kyle 13, Ryan 8) to spend some quality time doing what we all
enjoy doing.

Our trip was booked from August 18, 2007- August 23, 2007. The more
we read about Bryson lake the more excited we got. Finally at 7:00am
on August 18, 2007 we began our journey. The first leg of our trip was
about 2-2 ½ hours north on route 81 to Canada. Expecting the worst
at the border we did not bring alcohol or live bait but did bring birth
certificates for the kids and a notarized note from their mother
acknowledging that she was aware they were accompanying me to Canada (suggested by the State
department web site when only one parent is traveling with the kids). After brief questioning, producing
our drivers licenses, we were through border security and on our way. About 2 hours later we were
crossing the Ottawa River by ferry. This was a very efficient operation for a $6.75 fare there were two ferry’
s in operation it wasn’t more than a 5 or 10 minute wait before we were shuttled to other side of the river.
Once on the other side of the river we continued an hour or so to
Fort Coulonge, Quebec. We were told this would be the last stop for
any supplies so it was here that we gassed up and purchased beer
for our trip. While we were there we drove around the area to see
what stores were available and to find a gas station. We crossed a
covered wooden bridge that spanned across the Coulonge river.
Most signs were only in French which made it a little more difficult to
locate some things but not impossible because everyone we spoke
to understood and spoke English. From here we continued our final
and what felt like the longest leg of the trip.
Once leaving the main paved roads of Fort Coulonge we followed 55
miles of dirt road. While these roads were plenty wide we did not
travel more than 30 miles per hour at times due to the washboard
parts of the road and my unfamiliarity with the area. It is my
unfortunately they were not logging in the area this year so it was
not maintained as well as it usually is. The last 10-miles leading to
Bryson Lake Lodge I believe is owned by Bryson Lake Lodge and was
noticeably better driving since they maintain it. At the end of this 10
mile stretch was The Bryson Lake Lodge Reception area.
A sight for sore eyes, miles into the sticks the facility is an attractive
new facility overlooking Bryson Lake.

Upon arrival we were first greeted by one of the owners Denis
Lebrun. After checking in we backed our vehicle down to the docks
to load our boat with our belongings for the week. Here we were
also greeted by one of the staff, Frank (I’m sure he spells his name
differently). Frank had our boat gassed up and ready to go. Anxious
to see our cottage we loaded the boat and headed by boat to our
cottage for the week. Other than the cottages and suites available
by the main lodge, this was one of, I believe eleven, cottages located in more remote areas on or near
the lake. I chose cottage 8 since it appeared to be remote yet close enough to the main lodge if we
needed anything. We were not disappointed as we approached the cottage. This cottage consisted of a
private dock, swim platform, screened in porch, two bedrooms with double bunk beds in each, furnished
dining\living area, bathroom complete with flush toilet and hot water shower, gas lights, kitchen with gas
refrigerator, gas stove, kitchen sink and wood stove for heat. Other accessories included dishes,
cooking utensils, split fire wood, lawn chairs, barbecue grill and picnic table to name a few. Certainly the
cottage was much more than we expected.
After settling in to the cottage we began to come up with our game
plan for the week. While Bryson lake is noted for its trophy walleye,
northern pike and lake trout we were more interested in Brook trout
and that is what we were prepared to do. Along with the 5000 acre
Bryson Lake there were several smaller lakes some noted for trophy 5-
Planned out. Each of the smaller lakes are either accessible by boat
and then hiking trails or by vehicle via dirt roads. Each of these lakes
are reserved in four hour increments. We had no problem reserving
any of the lakes. Our first opportunity was at Lake Division for 7am –
Noon on Sunday morning.
Grandpa the cook
(NOTE: the cook was not included. Dad don’t worry I don’t think mom knows you can cook. Your secrets
safe with me). The boat was packed and we were headed by boat back to our vehicle at the main lodge.
From there we drove the dirt road to Lake Division.>>>
Each of the lakes has a dock with aluminum row boats waiting for your
use. If you desire as we did, an electric boat motor and battery can be
rented for a reasonable fee at the main lodge so that you could troll
(not necessary). Once we arrived at Lake Division we were again awed
with how beautiful the place was. The early morning mist was rising
from the lake and Loons were constantly heard throughout the day.
Our first hour and a half on the lake was slow my Dad caught the first
fish a 10-11 inch Brookie. From there things got better and bigger with
each of us catching trout. We caught a total of six the first day with the
largest being about 16-17".
After a fun day at Lake Division we headed back to our cottage to relax, swim,
eat and get ready for our next day.
Monday August 20, 2007

This morning we have Lake St. Hilaire reserved all day. Lake St. Hilaire is slightly
bigger than lake Division. It is the lake that most of the trophy brook trout have
been caught from at Lake Bryson Lodge. Once again Grandpa got everyone up
at 5:30am for breakfast. We packed a lunch, drinks and only the tackle we
thought we might need because after a boat ride to the trail head we were going
to hike up a trail to the lake.

It was a twenty minute boat ride up Byrson Lake to the trail head. Once again
there was a heavy mist coming off the lake. As we got close to our destination
we could see the dock and trail head leading to the lake.
After unloading our gear we headed up the trail. We were told by Denis
to keep our eyes open for moose known to be in the area. While we did
not encounter any moose we did see moose tracks. Overall the trail
wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. There were areas of the trail that
you had to navigate over large rocks and up hills but there were many
level areas as well. If you took your time as me and my Dad did it was
no problem. The boys on the other hand were ahead of us most of the
time.
It took us approximately 50 minutes to get to Lake St Hiliare. Once
again there were boats waiting for us. If you chose to use an electric
motor, as we did, you were given a key to a shelter located at the
lake. The shelter housed a few electric motors and the batteries. This
shelter was complete with a solar panel used to keep the batteries
charged. We had great expectations at this lake because of all of the
trophy trout that have been taken from this lake. As with Lake
Division we trolled around the lake slowly. Our fishing started out
slowly here as well.
and leeches the fish had plenty of food. It was a few hours before my Dad hooked up with the first fish (12
inches). As we worked our lures in many of the shallow areas we could see several brook trout of similar
size and larger chasing the lure. Apparently they were more curious than hungry. All total my Dad ended up
with two 12 inch Brookies that he worked hard for. We finished our day at St Hiliare around 4:00 pm. And
began back down the trail to our boat and back to the cottage.

While cleaning the two Brook trout we could tell they were eating because they were full of large water
spiders and bugs.

Tuesday August 21, 2007

Tuesday we reserved Lake Grattoire. This lake is accessed by vehicle via dirt road from the main lodge.
This lake like the other two we had been to is beautiful as well.

My older son, Kyle, fished from shore catching a couple of smaller Brook trout, 8-inches, that were
released. Meanwhile my Dad, younger son Ryan and me trolled the lake coming up with a couple of 12-inch
Brookies. At one point in time there was a turtle that appeared to be about 18 inches in diameter following
the boat about a foot below the water surface. Later when we returned to the main lodge Denis told us of
stories of other fishermen loosing there catch to hungry turtles. Apparently the reason the turtle was
following the boat was to check out our fish that were tied off to the side.

Once we returned to camp Ryan who normally doesn’t eat much fish, decided he wanted to cook his
supper, one of the Brookies, over the fire. I think he his hooked now.

The end of Tuesday I believe getting up early may be having its toll on Ryan.

Wednesday August 22, 2007

Wednesday was going to be a day of rest for the boys. Getting them up early each morning seemed to take
its toll by Tuesday morning. We promised them they could sleep in and do what they wanted on
Wednesday. Once the boys were up they decided that they wanted to go to the main lodge and to shoot
some pool and play table tennis. We left the boys with two way radios while me and my Dad decided to try
fishing the main lake. While we not as prepared for walleye or lake trout fishing, it didn’t matter. We boated
over to area we were told that was very good for lakers. It so happens that this area was not to far from
our cottage. We stopped and drifted while we prepared the rods. I had two rods in rod holders and was
fixing a third when something hit one of the rods in the rod holder. Apparently my rod was not secured in
the rod holder and by the time I reacted to it I could see my rod sinking out of reach below the water
surface. I was a little disappointed since this was one of my new rod and reels, but it wasn’t going to ruin
my trip. We did troll for a short while until the boys radioed us that they were ready to be picked up. For
the short time (an hour or more) we were at the main lake we were not successful fishing. It was still
enjoyable even after loosing a new rod and reel. While we were picking up the boys we decided to sign up
for an afternoon time slot at Lake Division again.

We arrived at Lake Division in the afternoon. We fished here successfully on Sunday so we felt pretty good
that we knew what we needed to do to catch fish. This by far turned out to be our best day of fishing. All
total we caught about twelve Brook trout all over 12 inches, including three that were 16 inches. To top the
day off while retrieving my lure on one of my casts my lure was attached to some old fishing line. By the
time I brought in all of the old fishing line there was a rod and reel attached to the other end. Certainly not
as nice as the one I lost earlier in the day but good enough to clean up and replace the one I lost.

Thursday August 23, 2007

Thursday we reserved a time slot for Grattior for one more time. Thursday was kind of a gloomy day with
drizzle on and off all day. During our time slot we caught a couple of Brookies the largest being 14 inches.

Friday August 24, 2007

It was hard to believe our week at Bryson was up already. We spent the morning packing our belongings to
head home.

We all had a great time. Lake Bryson lodge exceeded our expectations. Everyone at the lodge was very
friendly and bent over backwards to accommodate us. The Brookie fishing was very good I can only
imagine what the fishing would be like early in the year and we didn’t even get around to trying the walleye
or laker fishing (maybe next time and there will be a next time). It is truly a place you want share with
others whether you just enjoy relaxing taking in the scenery or fishing. The experience is not something
easily shared with others simply with pictures and words. I am grateful that was able to experience this
with my father and my two boys I don’t think any of us will forget about our experience any time soon.
Thank you NYOC and Bryson Lake Lodge for making this possible!