But the main attraction at Clayoquot is the wilderness itself, and a slate of varied activities include horseback riding, river and ocean kayaking, whale watching, grizzly bear watching, hiking, mountain biking and world-class river, ocean, and lake fishing - some guests come primarily for the angling.

FORBES: Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada - Larry Olmsted The Great Life

Mick Woolhouse, executive director of the trust, said the complex - which would also include a fishing lake, BMX track and triathlon facilities - would have "local, regional, national and international significance", and would result in "both sporting and economic benefits".

BBC: Cambridge Sport Lakes ?25m complex a 'step closer'

One early-morning buzz around snow-topped Mount Kenya later, we landed near a glacial lake for a bracing bit of fly-fishing.

FORBES: Escapes

Jackson and his brother-in-law had been fishing for crappie in Lake Conroe outside Houston when his brother-in-law got a call from an 800 number.

CNN: Drinking beer and waiting for their women to come home

Schussing your way through the sparkling powder is the premiere reason both outdoor types and the glitterati descend every winter, but Aspen has plenty of all-season activities on hand, from fly-fishing to mountain biking to kayaking in areas such as Snowmass Lake and the Maroon Bells peaks.

BBC: Living in: Great cities for outdoor adventures

Our goal: Sportsman Lake, a dot of water near 10, 969-foot Electric Peak, a fly-fishing paradise 11 miles from the nearest road.

FORBES: Hi-Ho, Nell