The twin radial engines of the Beech 18 rumble to life, sending ripples across the glassy surface of Shingwak Lake.
Within seconds, the floatplane is skimming the water, spray arcing from the pontoons as the pilot pushes the throttles forward.
Then, liftoff.
The massive seaplane breaks free from the lake and climbs toward the treeline, banking northwest toward the remote outposts that Northwest Flying has served for over six decades.
Lake Life Adventures captured this departure perfectly in their recent video. It’s just 30 seconds, but it tells the whole story of what makes fly-in fishing different from anything else on the calendar.
The Beech 18: Your Ride to Remote Water
The Beech 18 is a workhorse.
Built tough for bush flying, it carries gear, boats, fuel, and groups of up to six anglers with room to spare.
This isn’t a cramped puddle jumper. The twin-engine Beech offers space, power, and the kind of reliability that matters when you’re landing on a lake with no road access for a hundred miles.
From Nestor Falls, our fleet of seaplanes reaches five exclusive outpost lakes in 8 to 36 air minutes. Shingwak serves as a key regional departure point, where floatplanes lift off toward systems like Loonhaunt, Kishkutena, and Gordon Lake.
The flight itself is part of the adventure. You’ll see chains of islands, deep bays, and endless boreal forest rolling beneath the wings.
From Water to Wilderness in Minutes
The video shows the Beech 18 leaving Shingwak on a calm summer day. The water is smooth. The sky is clear.
Conditions like this make for perfect flying weather.
Once airborne, the pilot follows familiar routes over wilderness that looks the same as it did a century ago.
No roads. No power lines. Just water, rock, and spruce stretching to the horizon.
Within minutes, you’ll spot your destination.
A cluster of islands. A rocky shoreline.
A cabin tucked into the trees at the edge of a bay.
The engines throttle back.
The floatplane descends in a wide arc, lining up with the wind.
Then the pontoons kiss the water, and you’re there.
No shuttle. No check-in desk. No waiting.
You step off the plane onto your own private dock, and the week begins.
Single-Group Lakes Built for Serious Fishing
Three of our Northwest Flying outpost follows the same principle: one group per lake. That means the water is yours alone for the entire trip, while Loonhaunt and Kishkutena have distant outposts on the same lake.
No competing boats. No pressure. No wondering if someone fished your spot yesterday.
The cabins are modern and solar-powered.
You’ll have hot showers, full kitchens, comfortable beds, and all the space your group needs to spread out after a long day on the water.
The boats are 14 to 16-foot aluminum models with Yamaha four-stroke motors. Fuel is unlimited and included. One boat per two anglers means everyone gets their own space to fish their own way.
Whether you’re chasing walleye on deep points, pike in weedy bays, or smallmouth bass on rocky shoals, you’ll have the entire lake system to explore.
The Right Aircraft for Remote Access
Bush flying isn’t glamorous. It’s the practical way to reach the best fishing in Ontario, quickly. The Beech 18 gets the job done safely and efficiently, and it’s been doing it for decades.
Here’s what the twin-engine setup gives you:
- Reliability: We have our own Aircraft Maintenance Hanger because safety and peace of mind have always come first for us.
- Capacity: Room for full groups plus all the gear, coolers, and tackle you’ll need for a week.
- Proven design: The Beech 18 has been flying Canadian bush routes since the 1940s.
- Experienced pilots: Every flight is handled by Transport Canada-certified bush pilots who know these routes by heart.
The DeHavilland Beavers and Cessna 180s in our fleet handle smaller groups and tighter lakes. But when you need power and space, the Beech 18 is the go-to choice.
Your Turn in the Left Seat View
Lake Life Adventures caught a beautiful moment on a beautiful day. But every departure from Shingwak looks like this when conditions are right.
The best part? You don’t need to bring anything but your fishing gear and sense of adventure. Everything else is waiting at the outpost.
Check current rates and availability to see which lakes are open for your preferred dates. Prime walleye weeks in June and September book early, but we fish all summer long.
Call Shane directly at 1-800-461-2126 to talk through which lake fits your group’s goals. He’ll walk you through species, structure, and what to expect based on the time of year you’re targeting.
Watch the Beech 18 Takeoff from Shingwak
Sometimes the simplest moments capture the magic. This 30-second clip shows exactly what it feels like to leave civilization behind and head toward water that’s been waiting all week just for you.
Watch the full video here: Beech 18 leaving Shingwak
Ready to film your own takeoff? Book your fly-in fishing trip with Northwest Flying and share your adventure. We love celebrating our guests — and your story could be next on the featured reel.
Featured Guest: Lake Life Adventures
Lake: Shingwak Lake (Regional Departure Point)
Adventure Video: Fly-in access flight
Season: Summer 2024
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