Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much should I tip the staff?
A. Gratuities to guides and kitchen staff should be distributed personally by youto those who have served you during the week. Since we've been asked numerous times for suggestions a simple guideline per guest is 10% to 15% of the cost of your trip, divided 2/3 to the guide and 1/3 to the kitchen staff. This is strictly a guideline.
Q. Are beverages included?
A. No, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are not included but arrangements can be made to pick them up on your behalf. We will send you a request form in advance of your arrival.
Q. How do I pay for the beverages?
A. Beverages are paid for locally before you depart for the lodge.
Q. Are there any other charges I should be aware of?
A You are responsible for accommodations and meals en route to and from Goose Bay, or for expenses which may be caused by circumstances beyond our control (such as weather delays). You may also face additional costs by airlines if you travel with excess weight in your luggage.
Q. How much weight am I allowed to carry in luggage?
A. The maximum allowed by commercial airlines should be checked before you depart; however, most flights into Goose Bay limit each passenger to 50 pounds. Additional charges will be assessed if you exceed that limit.
Q. How much weight in beverages can I bring into the lodge?
A. We attempt to have some beverages shipped in with supply flights before you arrive but this is not always possible. Each case of 24 beer or soft drinks weighs 20 pounds, and we are limited to maximum weights by the charter carriers. If special flights are required due to large beverage orders there may be additional charges assessed to you. We suggest limiting your order to about 25 pounds, roughly a case of 24 beer or soft drinks and one or two bottle of spirits.
Q. Where do I buy my fishing license?
A. Fishing licenses are provided with your package and issued at the lodge.
Q. Do I bring my own fishing tackle or is it provided at the lodge?
A. Fishing tackle is your responsibility. A few of our guides do carry some spare tackle which they can loan you in case of breakage or lost luggage.
Q. Do I bring a sleeping bag and towels?
A. No, bedding and towels are provided at the lodge.
Q. Can a beginner fly fishing person come to your lodges?
A. Yes. Our packages are fully guided and for those needing lessons or instruction, a guide will be more than happy to assist you.
Q. Do we fish on the river or lake or both?
A. Boats are used by our guides to transport guests to pools on the inlets and outlet where wading can occur, or you may opt to fish from the boat. It is up to guests to decide.
Q. What kind of fish are in the system?
A. The English River and Awesome Lake system has only large Eastern brook trout.
Q. What flies and rods do we bring?
A. Once you have arranged a stay with us, we will send you a "Recommended Equipment" list with all the important flies listed for you to bring. We recommend two rods, a 3-5 weight for most activities and a 7-8 weight for casting larger flies. If bringing only one rod, a 5-6 weight is a good all-around choice. Reels should be equipped with a floating line, with one sink tip line as an option.
Q. How many fly fishing guests do you accommodate at one time?
A. Awesome lake Lodge accomadates 8 guests.
Q. What is your fishing policy?
A. At Awesome Lake we enforce a policy of "catch-and-release only" and "fly fishing only, single barbless hook". A few small fish may be retained for shore lunches.
Q. What is the length of your fishing season?
A. Our season is relatively short. Awesome Lake Lodge opens the first week of July and closes at the end of August.
Q. What sort of weather can we expect?
A. Labrador weather is unpredictable at best. You may awaken to frost on the ground and by afternoon the temperatures could be in the 90 F. Range. We recommend layered clothing and good rain gear.
Q. How many fish can I expect to catch?
A. These are all wild fish, so catching will be relevant to the anglers' skills and the time spent fishing. Trout activity is usually dependent on insect hatches, while pike will take anytime.
Q. What about the female angler?
A. Fishing knows no gender, therefore we welcome all anglers to come and enjoy our trips.
Q. What about the non-angler in my group?
A. Non-fishing guests are accommodated at a reduced rate, call for details.
Q. Is age a factor?
A. Not really. We have catered to anglers in their teens to their 80s with no problems.
Q. What documents should I have?
A. Travel to Canada from a foreign country may require a passport.
Q. What is the quality of available medical service?
A. You are asked to advise us of any special health needs you may require. All special medications should be brought with you.. Medical Care in Goose Bay is very good with a new hospital facility. Emergencies are handled by MediVac helicopters.
Q. Are there a lot of biting insects?
A. Black flies and mosquitoes can be bothersome depending on time of the season. A good insect repellent and bug jackets are effective in deterring them.
Q. Do the guides speak English?
A. Absolutely! Our guides are from English-speaking Newfoundland and Labrador.
Q. Is there available telephone communication?
A. Yes. We use a fringe radio system and a satellite phone is usually available.
Q. Can you provide references?
A. Yes - take a look at the "References" page.
Q. Which is the closest airport?
A. Goose Bay, Labrador.
Q. Can you meet us at the airport?
A. Yes, at no additional cost. We also provide pickup from hotel or motel to the floatplane base for departure and meet you on the return.
Q. Do you have an "all-inclusive" package?
A. Yes - we offer a package deal which includes guide services, accommodation, meals, charter aircraft, fishing license, ground transportation in Goose Bay. Packages do not include Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) which currently is at 14%. Guests are responsible for their transportation to Goose Bay and any expenses incurred en route.
Q. Do you arrange overnight accommodation?
A. Yes, we can arrange this for you at a hotel in Goose Bay.
Q. What type of boat is used?
A. We use locally-constructed wooden Gander River boats, 25' in length, powered by outboard engines.