BRYSON LAKE LODGE Fort Coulonge, Quebec, Canada
Fort Coulonge, Quebec, Canada
www.comsearch-can.com/bryson.htm
(819) 683-1790 (819) 246-9330
HOSTS: Denis & Laurel LeBrun
A quiet & serene location: Modern accommodations with today’s amenities; A host family whose commitment to
needs of their guests is no less than 110%.
HUNT - FISH - or JUST RELAX
HUNT - Black bear in the Spring.

Moose & small game in the Fall.
Fish - For lake trout, it is Bryson Lake itself. This lake is 18 miles For, it is Bryson Lake itself. This lake is 18
miles long , 2 ½ miles at widest point and approx. 250 ft. deep. For speckled trout, choose any of their six
privately owned lakes, all approx. 6-8 km. from the main lodge. Fishing on these lakes is available only by
reservation through Bryson Lake Lodge. For walleye pike, they have two private lakes. They also
have 2 cottages available to rent on these lakes. For northern pike, there are ten nearby lakes available.
JUST RELAX - Accommodations include 12 available cottages at Accommodations include 12 available cottages
at scattered locations on Bryson Lake. These are large and spacious with two bedrooms for up to 10 people,
porch & lg. Living room. Also there are 10 "shelter" apartments in separate bldg. Each is 16 X 36 ft., bedroom
for up to 5 people living room/kitchen and a screened in porch over-looking Bryson Lake. All the above include
beds, ref., furniture & dishes. MAIN LODGE - This structure is only 3 yrs. old, and serves as their
This structure is only 3 yrs. old, and serves as their administration office, living quarters of the LeBruns
and game / entertainment room. Some of the items in the game room include pool table, shuffle board, ping
pong, a TV, computer (this is new). There also is a hot tub in the shelter apart. bldg.


Some HISTORY of BRYSON LAKE LODGE -----
What is available today did not happen overnight. Over previous years, it was utilized as a fishing location.
However, it was allowed to deteriorate to the point their regular clients (included of which was the LeBrun family
) said, "we will not return." Eventually, it went on the market for acquisition. Through the foresight of the college
educated Denis LeBrun, and the help of his father, Andre, the acquisition was completed……………….. that
was 1992, 14 years ago. At that time, there was a 60 ft. mobile home and 4, crumbling down cottages. Access
from the Province road was a trail, parts of which required driving through water. The lack of upkeep and
improvements was not acceptable to the LeBruns. Thus a new dirt & stone roadway was created. Maintenance
of that access road today is 2 full time road construction employees using a combination of diesel grader, hi-lift
& 12 yd. dump truck. Besides the lodge, cottages & ‘shelter’ apartments, other bldgs. became necessary. Today
they have a 40 X 60 maintenance bldg., the fish hut (for cleaning fish), butchering and bait prep.bldg., public
shower /combined with a laundry room, power generating & battery bldg. and others on the drawing board.
They have boats, motors, depth finders & other rentals. Typical items available for purchase include basic
groceries, fishing lures, clothing, gifts & souvenirs. Their employees receive medical training, which includes
how to use a defibrillator. Another example of the "extra mile" . For extreme medical attention situations, they
would call in a helicopter or sea plane to provide quick evacuation to hospital.
SORRY, No hookups for RV’s or tent camping………
No hookups for RV’s or tent camping………
Cottage rentals only.
In another light -- It seems the Province of Quebec has the
It seems the Province of Quebec has the right geological characteristics to possibly become a source
for diamonds. Currently a diamond geologist, Mr. Desmond Burke, is researching the area, and staying at
Bryson Lake. More info. could be found at www.brysonburke.com
Considerations for vacationing in Canada should include Bryson Lake. The depth of service provided to the
client at any lake side vacation spot would be hard to find that would equal what the LeBruns provide.

As the winner of 6-day spring bear hunt at Bryson Lake in Quebec , sponsored by New York Outdoorsman
Central, here are the events of my typical day…. HARRY EWING

As we all have experienced, when we go on any hunting or fishing expedition, anywhere, we can not determine
what we will bring back! Well, I came home with a lot of memories, my good health even some
money……..but no bear! If I were the only hunter there with no kill, I would feel bad. But of 5 hunters, 2 of which
were archers, NO ONE EVEN SAW A BEAR, LET ALONE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A KILL. This repeated
all week!
I was told that in 2005, Quebec had a lower than normal bear kill, Province wide. That year, Bryson Lake Lodge
had 14 bear killed by their clients. This year, with one day remaining in the Spring season, they have only killed
7 bear total! As the guide told us, the bear are still hitting the baits, but after dark.
Anyway, being that the focus was on bear hunting, ( the hunt started about 3-4 PM, preparing and getting to the
tree stand & returning after dark, 9:30 – 10 PM ) many of the amenities available where not utilized.
Therefore, after breakfast, you had "time to kill" until about 3 PM.
The first day, I just walked around, getting acquainted with the area and talking to other guests. I also had the
opportunity to chat a while with Denis & his Father, Andre. They really are quite personable, down to earth
people. The kind of host anyone would like.
All lakes were available to any guest. However, the 6 private lakes containing only speckled trout , had to be
reserved to go there. They provide three, 4 hr. time slots. When you reserve a time period, THE ENTIRE LAKE
IS YOURS, no one else is allowed there! I used two of the lakes while there, each was approx. the size of a large
city shopping plaza. But with your rented elect. motor, you could go all around the entire lake. There is a 5 trout
per day limit, but you could catch more if you released then back "to grow up". I had some success, all under
11", so released them to grow up.
Eventually, regardless of your activity, time to prepare for today’s hunt. Back to your apartment to insure being
ready when the guide picks you up. ( There were occasions you would drive yourself to the site, but again,
some sites were so far back in the bush, access was only made with their 4 X 4 pickup truck. )
The key to sound preparations was to insure you had ALL EXPOSED SKIN "COVERED", WITH SOMETHING.
Pant legs taped tightly shut w/duck tape. Hands had surgeon’s rubber gloves on first, then tape your wrist
w/duck tape. Finally, (not until you arrive at site) your mesh, honey bee type veil over your head. Then be sure
the bottom is completely closed off w/tape and perhaps an additional cloth scarf of some type. Be sure to also
tape the scarf.
The guide always placed you at your first site, explaining details of that location, and which way the bear was
most likely to approach.
He left; you climbed into the tree stand. (Hope you remembered to bring a rope to hoist your gun/bow up to the
seat level (about 12 ft. )
You settle in and wait, and wait, and wait. As always the case when you are in a tree stand, a million things go
through your mind. But there in one constant companion here, every day,,, mosquitoes !!!
There are 6 to 12 at each ear, each with a different tone of resonance of their flapping wings. A concert you will
always remember.
The bait box is 25 – 30 yds. away, no more. So you will be shooting short range in this kind of hunt. The guide,
who is the only one caring for the sites, checks the sites in use, every day. He sometimes will leave bread on top
of the box, as an incentive. (but that also feeds the squirrels, rabbits & birds , all of which I observed). The bear
bait is in a 5 gal. size pail, under the box. Thus, the bear has to work for his meal. Hopefully, if you can’t get a
worthy shot during the bear approach, he/she will become more interested in eating the meat than it’s own
safety. Then, nail him.
Prime time zone for bear to arrive was between 7 – 9 PM. In our case, they all arrived after dark!!!!
Interesting point. If successful, at whatever time, and the bear retreats into the bush, you think the guide will
pursue it first thing in the morning. WRONG!!! When he comes to pick you up, THEN IS WHEN HE GOES
AFTER THE WOUNDED ANIMAL. I told him not to expect any company from me in that pursuit, if I am successful.
If successful, at whatever time, and the bear retreats into the bush, you think the guide will pursue it first thing in
the morning. WRONG!!! When he comes to pick you up, THEN IS WHEN HE GOES AFTER THE WOUNDED
ANIMAL. I told him not to expect any company from me in that pursuit, if I am successful.
He just laughed.
Due to the hunt timing, your meals may become more irregular than normal. I had my big meal about 2 PM, and
a snack after the hunt.


Summation - If you have a passion for bear, moose or partridge hunting in Canada, Bryson Lake Lodge is as
good a choice as any other, and perhaps better than many.
If you have a passion for bear, moose or partridge hunting in Canada, Bryson Lake Lodge is as good a choice
as any other, and perhaps better than many.
For fishing or just relaxing, they have a variety of lakes and species to select from, all a short distance from the
Lodge.
The two hour drive from Fort Coulonge seems endless. But then you arrive at a modern setting in the
wilderness and you can’t wait to become involved, at whatever your passion sent you here to enjoy.
Would I return for another hunt? Yes, but I would like variety, and go for moose next time. Another point, take
your Son or a buddy along.
There’s more enjoyment when you are with someone you know.
Thank you , nyoc. Looking forward to another trip. HARRY EWING
Harry Ewing, our first
trip winner.