Pipestone Fly-In Outposts

03/13/2026

After the winter fronts go thru and the water starts to warm up the Grouper go nuts. They usually spawn in the winter in water deeper than 120 feet, so the federal government closes grouper beyond 120 feet until April 1st. This year with the cold weather they moved out, but as the water warmed the Red Grouper returned quickly. We had a fantastic time with guests and friends this week, before the winds kicked up again.

01/29/2026

The winds finally settled down so that we could go offshore with a few friends. Our first trip was a grouper trip with amazing fishing. The grouper were waiting and willing. They can pull beyond belief. Powerful runs to try and get back in their holes.
The second trip was an unusual one . A good friend called and asked if I wanted to go hog fishing, which I jumped at the chance. We both had never done it,but read a lot about it from other Captains we know. So off we went. I managed 8 with only one keeper, while Peter managed 2 keepers. What a beautiful weird looking fish they are. We were only 11 miles offshore. We plan to go out a little further next time and look for a few bigger ones.
After that I am on my way to a couple sport shows to visit with our customers and potential customers,

01/20/2026

Every year we pick an Angler of the year. That person that over the years has caught many trophy fish at Pipestone Fly In Outposts and has released them. They also have passed the love of fishing onto other people. This years Angler of the year is John Scholtens. He will receive 200 dollars off his trip this summer. Congratulations.


John Scholtens will be 82 years old this year and plans to return to Lake Kenoji “one last time.” His last several trips have been “one last time” but old habits are hard to break. John has been making the annual adventure for 35+ years, missing only the COVID year and maybe one other. A lot of the years included two consecutive weeks, and several years even included three consecutive
weeks! While sitting outside the cabin watching fish fry, it was determined that John has spent more than one year of his life as a resident of Camp Kenoji. He is qualified to talk about the “old days” that included an outhouse being the only toilet, no solar power, no sidewalk to the dock, no satellite phone, no shower, and using dry ice to keep items cold in the “icebox.” John is an accomplished fisherman responsible for thousands of fish being caught (and released) over the years. The fishing has always been amazing, but the trip is more than fishing for John. It is an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and share such a special place with others. Most of John’s time at Lake Kenoji included weeks with his older brother (Marty) and it provided John an opportunity to teach his older brother how to fish. Countless trips included John’s son (Jay) and the last few trips included three generations of Scholtens’ men with several of his grandchildren (Nathan, John, and Ben) along for the adventure. The planning of the trip has been turned over to Jay and John’s nephew (Todd) but it is still important that John and Marty monitor camp to make sure everything runs smoothly. John spent more than 30 years with the FBI catching and not releasing bad guys, and between John, other retired agents, family members and friends, countless stories have been told and retold at camp. John has been happily married to Carol for over 55 years, and he is very appreciative of her understanding of the importance of the annual trip, and he is looking forward to one last time trip in 2026.

12/17/2025

One of my customers called and said he wanted to see more shark videos, so I included another one.

12/17/2025

We use a descending device from Cabelas to send down fish from the depth of 30 feet or more. You simply set the depth you want the jaws to open and when it gets to that depth it opens and releases the fish.

12/17/2025

We use a descending device from Cabela’s to release our fish that come up from 30 feet or more and it works.

Compassion means compression. Mindful anglers know fish caught in deeper water need intelligent care for safe catch-and-release, to avoid dangerous effects on the fish. The SeaQualizer Fish Release

12/17/2025

Not only do we catch big grouper, but also sharks and Goliath grouper. I thought my fishing rod was going to break.

12/17/2025

After closing our Fly In Outposts we headed to South Dakota to do some pheasant hunting with some of my favorite companions Oakley and Gunner. It was a great time during the harvest, seeing hundreds of birds.
After the blizzards moved in across the plains we headed to Florida where I spend the winters as an offshore Captain. Many of my fly in guests spend the winter here and go fishing with me. This year the American red snapper are open along with the grouper, giving us plenty of action. We have to go quite a ways out to get into the big boys, but it is worth it.
On a recent trip we released giant sharks and Goliath grouper. What a fantastic time!

09/30/2025

Another great season is quickly coming to an end. We would like to thank all of our guests for making us what we are today,. 2026 will mark 40 years ago that I had a dream of building a business on high quality fishing Lakes deep in the wilderness. Ones that had very little pressure, and would remain that way by practicing catch and release.
Many of you have become a part of our extended family. It is amazing how fishing and hunting seems to atract many people from all walks of life. The beauty of the Canadian Wilderness is a fantastic back drop to world class fishing that we all enjoy. It seems to touch us deep in our soul and make us friends for life.
One of our last groups in Wabakimi Lake had a marvelous time. The Collins group concentrates exclusively on trophy Pike and are very successful.Ron Rittinger released a 42inch,Alex Fogt a 42, Dean Renner a 41.5,and Doug Fogt the money fish at 45 inches. what a great way to wrap up the season.
Again thanks to everyone.

09/10/2025

I had the opportunity to fish with some of my favorite guests on our new Lake called RockCliff and it was fantastic. Up here.We release our walleyes 18 inches and larger and had to work hard to get smaller fish for shore lunch. This Lake is incredible and produces tons of better than average size walleyes. We released many walleyes in the 20 to 25 inch category.
Kim also managed a trophy Northern while fishing walleyes. It was 40 inches ,but had an enormous girth.
RockCliff is 10 miles long,and the biggest problem I have had is putting a decent map together,because it is a narrow lake. I guess that is a good thing, because nobody can get lost,like they do occasionally on our bigger lakes.
Spending another day in the beauty of the Canadian Wilderness,and catching fish,along with a fantastic meal of fresh walleye…..it doesn’t get any better than that. Thank You Brandon and Kim.

09/06/2025

Most of our customers come back year after year to a Lake that they love. The advantage is that you catch trophies every trip,because you have learned the Lake and mastered it. The Ricke group have been on Smoothrock Lake since the time I got started.
They have had fantastic trips and catches.and this year was no exception.
They caught countless over the slot walleyes, along with some beautiful trophy Lake Trout. Karl Leisenheiner led the group with a 38 inch Lake Trout.Bruce Youngram ffollowed with a 37 and Canaan with a 35.
Congratulations!

08/26/2025

Another great trip for the Browen family at Smoothrock Lake! The young guns caught some monster fish. Ben Hammerstein a 36 inch lake trout,Bob Becker 35,Dan Becker 33,Josh Becker 37, Dan Browen 24 inch walleye,Ben a 40 inch PikeJosh Becker 38 inch pike. All in all a great family enjoying their trip at Pipestone Fly In Outposts. Congratulations.