fishing & hunting guide - Tourism Saskatchewan

12 S A S K AT C H E W A N F I S H I N G & H U N T I N G G U I D E 2 0 1 2
Not only was it a bold move for Blackmur and his family,
but it would prove to have wide-ranging effects far
beyond his own doorstep.
“It was a lifestyle change,” Blackmur said. “That’s really
what it was all about, creating your own destiny.”
Almost four decades later, it is clear that he has
accomplished just that.
Blackmur’s Athabasca Fishing Lodges are highly
successful with a solid reputation among consumers and
fellow outfitters. Cliff and his wife Stella have a loyal
customer base, the majority of whom are repeat
customers. Some of their guests have been visiting for 30
years or more. “It becomes like an extended family,”
Blackmur said of these long-term clients.
The Blackmurs have a knack for keeping their employees
happy, too. Many of their guides have worked with them
for between 10 and 25 years. With a wealth of skill and
expertise, the Dene guides have grown up in the area and
know it inch by inch.
The guides’ experience, combined with the outstanding
natural resources, make for some serious fishing. Lake
Athabasca is the largest lake in the province and, with its
Days on the water and plentiful angling make for some
tasty shore lunches, prepared by the guides. And, the
home cooking back in the dining room is not to be
missed; rumour has it that Stella fixes a mean turkey
dinner.
Like the main lodge, The Engler Lake Lodge and Cabins
feature a complete dining room. With five separate guest
cabins, the lodge sits near the inlet of Riou River, which
empties into Lake Athabasca. Here, the walleye and
northern pike catches are hard to beat.
In addition to the trophy fishing, the area is full of
outstanding natural terrain. This is where Blackmur’s float
plane and Athabasca Eco Adventures step in. Custom
packages are offered in this stunning region of the
Precambrian Shield.
Highlights include the Athabasca Sand Dunes, which
tower over the landscape at 30 metre high and are the
world’s most northerly dunes. The lakes, rivers, and
waterfalls can only be described as spectacular.
Although there is no question that Blackmur runs a solid
business, his work around the boardroom table has been
the most influential.
“Cliff has been
invaluable, not only
to the outfitters
association but to
the entire province.”
Cliff and wife Stella
numerous species of fish, stands up on a global scale for
top-notch angling. Lake trout, Arctic grayling, northern
pike, whitefish, and walleye are found here.
The Blackmurs’ fly-in camp, located near the 60th
parallel, is split between two lodges. At the remote
Otherside River Lodge and Cabins, guests can choose
from river fishing, a fly-out trip to an even more remote
location, or to explore the many bays and inlets. Boasting
all of the comforts of a four-star facility, the lodge also has
a dining room and spacious lounge.
Under his presidency in the 1990s, the Saskatchewan
Outfitters Association (SOA) expanded from northern
fishing outfitters to include hunting and birding outfitters
throughout Saskatchewan. There were many different
organizations, localized in different corners of the
province, so bringing them all together was no small feat.
Blackmur’s commitment paid off, and it brought about
unity and the beginnings of industry standards that would
prove to be of utmost importance.