Fortress Lake Stillwater School
Fortress Lake Conquering Chironomids School
Join Me at Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat, British Columbia, Monday, June 8, 2026-Friday June 12 2026
Fortress Lake Stillwater School
I invite you to join me at Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat for my Conquering Chironomids Stillwater School. In early June the chironomid hatches are intense and the Fortress Lake brook trout feed heavily on the ascending pupa. A combination that provides you with the perfect opportunity to develop or improve your stillwater skills using chironomid patterns and a variety of presentation techniques. Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat is an Orvis Endorsed Lodge nestled in the spectacular Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat can only be accessed by helicopter. Home to trophy brook trout, Fortress Lake brookies are descendants from the renowned Lake Superior "Coaster" strain. Fortress Lake is located in Hamber Provincial Park. Hamber Park is in a remote reach of the province of BC, and is butted against Jasper National Park. The region is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are no roads, no industrial activity, and no motorized ground access. The only access is a 24 km hike to the lodge which limits the use of Fortress Lake to very few. The valley is dominated by several mountain peaks. The lake is at 4400 feet elevation and the mountains angle steeply to heights over 10,000 feet. Your trip price of $6,000 USD per person based on double occupancy includes the following: *Transportation from Calgary to the Cline River Heliport *Spectacular, round-trip, helicopter flight into Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat (flight time @ 30 minutes) *5 nights accommodation – Double Occupancy *Food and Beverages (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner and Alcohol) *4.5 days of fishing *Waders and wading boots *All gear including quality fly rods, lines, and leaders *Flies (You are welcome to bring your own) *Scheduled on the water time with Phil, a minimum one half day *Guided fly fishing, one guide per two anglers *Daily seminars and demonstrations *Use of lodge boats, electric motors, batteries, oars, anchors, safety kits and life jackets Not Included: *BC Freshwater Fishing License *Travel to Calgary, Alberta. ONLY FIVE SPACES REMAIN To book your trip please contact Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat through the linked button below
Daily Seminars
Daily seminars to ensure you will have the necessary knowledge and skills to get the most out of your time on the water
Scheduled Time on the Water With Me
Guided fly fishing along with scheduled on the water instruction. When you are not scheduled with a guide I take two students with me whenever I am on the water.
Lodging
Five nights accommodation based on double occupancy.
Dining
Food (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner)
Fly Fishing
4.5 days fishing for trophy, coaster strain, brook trout
Boat Access and Gear
Use of lodge boats, electric motors, batteries, oars, anchors, safety kits and life jackets. Fly rods, reels, lines, flies, waders and wading boots are included
Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat
The fly fishing and the scenery experiences at Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat are second to none – except, perhaps, the flight accessing our location.
Getting there is half the fun. Described as “an IMAX movie come to life” by Fly Fisherman Magazine, the flight is one of North America’s most scenic Rocky Mountain flights.
Before landing at Fortress Lake, you will fly near and over the world-renowned Columbia Icefields of Jasper National Park.
The Columbia Icefield is the only place in North America where its water drains to three oceans, the Pacific Ocean (Columbia River), the Arctic Ocean (Athabasca River), and the Atlantic Ocean (Saskatchewan River).
Your flight in takes you near or past seven of the nine highest peaks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It is a photographer’s dream, including vast, scenic views of the Columbia Icefield, the world-renowned Maligne Lake, Chaba Glacier, Mount Alberta, headwaters of the Athabasca River, Mount Clemenceau, and Mount Columbia.
Accommodations
Fortress Lake Fly Fishing Retreat’s facilities are cozy and comfortable. Our six private guest cabins are inviting and warm, framed and panelled in tongue and groove pine, with a canvas exterior.
Each cabin has a queen and single-bed arrangement and is furnished with unique hand-crafted log beds. Beds have 3″ memory foam and have new linens, pillows, and duvets.
The cabins provide an inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy personal time. The cabins are bright, clean, and well-kept. All cabins have wood stoves for extra warmth during those cooler spring or autumn nights.
Spectacular, towering mountain peaks and glaciers surround the cabins.
Space is Limited to 12 Students. Book Your Spot Today
For additional information, please select the Learn More button above. To get in touch with Fortress Lake Wilderness Retreat, select the envelope icon above. To register and book your spot please click the Register Today button below.
