Dax Wilkinson at his family's camp, Aird Island, on the North Channel of Georgian Bay; with over 30,000 islands Georgian Bay and the North Channel form one of the largest freshwater archipelagos in the world. | Courtesy of Dax Willkinson; John Reeves Photography

Far & Wide

Dax Wilkinson’s North Channel, Lake Huron

The Sudbury, Ont. native channels his passion for bush flying and the North into Red Canoe, his apparel brand that celebrates aviation and captures the spirit of the rugged landscapes that inspire him

By Antonia Whyatt

Published March 31, 2026

Sudbury native Wilkinson channels his passion for bush flying and Northern Ontario into Red Canoe, his apparel brand that celebrates aviation and Canadian heritage – from vintage de Havilland aircraft to the CBC – capturing the spirit of the rugged landscapes that inspire him.

MY FAVOURITE PLACE

A multi-generational family gathering on the beach at the Wilkinson’s island on Lake Huron. | Courtesy of Dax Willkinson

My family’s bush camp in the North Channel of Lake Huron definitely wins the title. Camp is the place where all of my passions come together. The lifestyle is unique in a world where the greatest luxuries are solitude and freedom. Each season provides an abundance of meditative opportunities to get on the water or explore the forests in pursuit of berries, mushrooms, fiddleheads, fish and wild game for the camp or boat’s galley table. I love sailing to an empty beach with sunset-view anchorages that rival any cruising globally. Multiple generations of my extended family gather to maintain the camp’s infrastructure, season sauna firewood and gently hold Mother Nature at bay. All work is rewarding and hands happily get dirty.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

One of the sculptural pink granite islands at the Benjamins. | John Reeves Photography

The spectacular Benjamin Islands form an unforgettable anchorage that boaters from far and wide enjoy all summer. These pink granite islands, smoothed into sculptural shapes by glaciers, and the distinct lack of boat traffic are some of the main reasons the North Channel (the body of water north of Manitoulin Island) is renowned as one of the top cruising destinations in the world.

IF YOU BUY ONE THING

Wilkinson with his catch. | Courtesy of Dax Willkinson

Chartreuse jigs and worms are my favourite lure for catching pickerel, bass and pike – all of which are fantastic delicacies once you learn how to filet them. Worms will last all summer if properly refrigerated. Use a blood knot to tie your line directly to the jig for the pickerel; they don’t like leaders. Also, I’m never without my lucky North Channel Yacht Club cap.

SAVVY TRAVELLER TIP

A misty morning in the North Channel’s Bay of Islands. | John Reeves Photography

If you have your own motor boat, kayak, sailboat or canoe, access the North Channel from the towns of Spanish (where Lucky’s Snack Bar makes the world’s greatest chicken gravy poutine) or Whitefish Falls. Otherwise the Manitoulin Island towns of Little Current and Gore Bay offer boat-charter opportunities as well as day trips on North Channel Tours. If you’re venturing out on your own, don’t forget to download your Navionics charts – they are all you need in the easy new world of paperless marine navigation.

MY TAKEAWAY

I have travelled all over the world and love a big city or European countryside adventure. But it’s never long before I need to escape humanity and chart a truly free course in awe of our unfathomable Canadian nature. It’s there for everyone’s taking. —As told to Antonia Whyatt

MAPPED INTEL

For a taste of what it’s like to stay in the area, the Killarney Mountain Lodge is a historic resort located on the northern shores of Georgian Bay.

To truly explore the North Channel and the islands, sailors can hire boats, with or without captains, from Canadian Yacht Charters in Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island.