Fly-In Picnic - Quyta Rapids, Blue Fish Lake

Whitewater, warm granite and a picnic table with the best view in the North!

Our original picnic spot - and still a family favourite! A short, scenic hop north over Old Town, the old Giant Mine and the Yellowknife River brings you to Quyta Rapids below Blue Fish Lake, where the river pours over smooth pink granite in a roar of white water.

Your pilot will drop you off, help unload the picnic and fly back to Yellowknife, returning to collect you at your scheduled time - so for the afternoon, this spot is all yours. Spread out on the warm rock, explore the pools and ledges, or take the canoe that is waiting on site for a paddle on the calm water above the rapids. Anglers can try their luck for pike and grayling, and when the afternoon winds down, the fire pit is ready for s'mores.

Highlights

• The roar of Quyta Rapids, steps from your table
• A canoe, paddles and life jackets waiting for you on site
• Smooth granite ledges and pools to explore
• Pike and grayling for the anglers in your group
• The shortest flight - perfect for little ones

Your picnic includes

• Private DHC-2 Beaver flights - drop-off and pick-up at your scheduled time
• A catered picnic basket for your whole group
• Canoe, paddles and life jackets on site
• Fishing gear on site (bring your NWT licence)
• Fire pit and a s'mores kit

In the basket

• Prime deli meats - roast beef, smoked ham, cracked-pepper turkey and Genoa salami
• Fine cheeses from around the world - French brie, cambozola, English cheddar, Boursin and goat cheese, plus Canadian favourites
• Crisp garden vegetables with ranch and dill dips
• Fresh seasonal fruit, sliced and ready to share
• Dill pickles, olives and cocktail onions
• Fresh baguette, rolls and crackers
• Perrier, San Pellegrino and soft drinks
• And for the kids at heart - a s'mores kit!

Your day

• 10:40 am - Check in at our Back Bay floatbase. Every guest and bag is weighed.
• 11:00 am - Lift off from Back Bay and fly north over Old Town and the Yellowknife River.
• 11:15 am - Land at Quyta Rapids - your pilot unloads the picnic and heads back to town.
• On site - About 2 1/2 hours to eat, paddle, explore and fish.
• About 2:00 pm - Your pilot returns to pick you up for the short flight home.

Good to know

• Season: June 5 to September 15, 2027, every day except Wednesday, departing 11:00 am.
• Private flight for your group of 1-5 guests. Price is per group and includes GST - $420.00 per person, based on full capacity of 5 sharing.
• Up to 1,200 lb of guests and gear combined. Every passenger and bag is weighed at departure.
• Want to stay longer? Depending on the day's schedule you may be able to extend - ask when you book (3 days' notice).
• Flights go as weather allows; weather delays reschedule at no charge.

What to bring

• Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• A light jacket; it can be cooler aloft and by the water
• Rain gear and footwear that can get wet
• Swimsuit and towel for the beaches
• Beach toys for the kids - especially at Pensive Lake
• Camera - and a book or a deck of cards
• Personal medications for the day plus extra - weather can delay a flight
• NWT fishing licence if you would like to cast a line