Blackbirch Lake Outpost

Guests rate Gray Wood Outfitters very highly. Nearly every review gives 5 stars, and a few give 4. Many reviewers are repeat customers. Some are on their second, third, or fifth trip, and some have re-booked at other camps. Several call it the best outfitter or fly-in trip they have used. Reviews cover the Blackbirch Lake, Beteau Lake (Attawapiskat River), and Windsor Lake camps. Owner Adam Wood and the team are described as responsive, communicative, and honest, and some say Adam texted during the trip to check in.

The fishing is the most consistent praise. Guests report large numbers of walleye, with some reporting daily limits, "hundreds" over a week, or days of 100+ fish. They also report plenty of northern pike, and many mention several pike over 40 inches. One group reported 20+ pike over 40 inches across multiple trips. Reviewers say much of the fishing is close to camp, and some caught walleye from the dock. Camps are described as clean, well maintained, and well equipped. Reviewers mention a full kitchen, fridge and freezer, generator power, hot showers and running water, and Wi-Fi or Starlink. Fish cleaning stations and reliable boats and motors also come up, including 14-foot Lunds with 15 HP Mercury motors. Camp caretakers and hosts (Steve, Wayne, Ivars, and Ben) are praised for helpful fishing tips, keeping boats fueled, fixing problems quickly, and in one case organizing a shore lunch. Nakina Air Service, the flight provider, is repeatedly called excellent, including one report of flying in through bad weather. Guests also mention seeing moose, bear, and scenery. One guest got a moose during a combined hunting and fishing trip. Another says the price is reasonable and a good value.

Complaints are minor. The main one is hot weather. In heat waves with warm water, the bigger pike fishing slowed, and one 4-star review called the fishing "generally slow," though each boat still hooked a large pike. Another group saw fewer 40-inch pike than in earlier years but still caught three, along with plenty of walleye. The portage lake near Blackbirch and Beteau holds pike only, with no walleye, and one report says it turned off for days at a time. One reviewer described the accommodations as "rustic but sufficient," and another had a shower pump fail, which the caretaker replaced. Gray Wood suits anglers who want high-volume walleye and big-pike fishing, groups of friends, and father-son or family trips. It also suits experienced fly-in guests and first-timers who want a well-equipped, comfortable outpost with good communication. Hunters can also use it for moose. It is a better fit for those who want catch numbers and comfort than for those who need a luxury lodge.