Our professional guides know the Winnipeg River up and downstream. All the channels, inlets, and falls—the rocks, the beds and where the big ones are hiding. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, our guides will ensure your trip is a success.

Professional Guides

DAVID DORSCH

Senior guide

“Hollywood Dave” has been guiding and entertaining guests at Pine Island Lodge for over 30 years. He enjoys fishing for all species but his overall favourite is Smallmouth Bass.

In the off-season Dave runs his small cattle farm, hunts, and plays goal in hockey.

Dave looks forward to the next adventure with new and returning guests.

ALAN HOPKINS

Senior guide

Alan began guiding at Pine Island Lodge in the early 1980s, during his summer breaks from studies at the University of Manitoba. He guided full-time for several seasons before he began his career in accounting. Every year since, Alan has guided part-time during his vacations and weekends.

For many years, Alan has enjoyed guiding long-returning guests. He loves fishing for Smallmouth Bass and is looking forward to the 2020 season with expected higher water levels, which provides exciting bassin’ opportunities.

Alan is also dedicated distance runner, having run over 20 marathons from Chicago to Frankfurt to Loch Ness Scotland.

TODD KNOX

Senior guide

Todd Knox has been fishing the Winnipeg River for over 50 years and has guiding at Pine Island Lodge for over 25 seasons.

Todd is now retired from a 30 year career with Manitoba Hydro.

When he’s not on the water, Todd enjoys hunting, yard work, traveling, and spending time with his family.

LORIMER THOMPSON

Senior guide

Lorimer has been fishing the Winnipeg River for over 40 years and guiding at Pine Island Lodge for the last 12 seasons. He’s been an avid fisherman all his life and first began guiding during his university summers, at lodges in northwestern Ontario and the Northwest Territories of Canada. 

Lorimer is now retired from his 35-year career in natural resources management. He worked for the Province of Manitoba Department of Natural Resources, in the Fisheries branch of Conservation and Water Stewardship.

JEFF DAHER

Senior guide

Jeff has always had a love for the outdoors and sports such as fishing, hunting, canoeing, and hiking but fly fishing for smallies is his passion. He’s been fishing the Winnipeg River (a world-class habitat for Smallmouth Bass) for 20 years and guiding at Pine Island Lodge since 2009.

Jeff has a bachelor of science degree and is currently a lineman for Manitoba Hydro. He is also an accomplished guitarist and banjo player. Jeff and his wife, Sherri, enjoy entertaining guests with a few songs in the evenings.

MEET OUR NEWEST GUIDE! CHASE STEWNER

guide

Pine island would like to welcome our newest member to team Chase Stewner with a great love for the outdoors and fishing we look forward to having him for our 2024 season

What People Are Saying

  • During our recent trip to Pine Island Lodge, the average catch was 20 to 40 fish per day, per boat. What was really impressive was the quality of the fish. Twenty trophy fish (all Smallmouth Bass) were taken by six anglers, most on topwater. Those fish ran between 3 and 4.5 pounds each. In addition to Smallmouth Bass, the waters of the Winnipeg River abound with Walleye and Northern Pike.

    —Bobby Sands, North Carolina

  • I’ve been fishing the Winnipeg River for 25 years. This past weekend, I stayed with a group of friends at Pine Island Lodge for four days with Brian as our host and it was, to say the least, fantastic!

    The weather was about normal for September. Windy, but it always seemed to calm down when we hit the water. The fishing was great and the camaraderie, even better. Thank you for an excellent time!

    —Ed Sabiston, Manitoba

  • I’ve been to Pine Island three times and can hardly wait to go back.

    — Jim White, North Carolina