OC Online - Hot Spots 2006

text by Tom Adamchick, Mark Anderson, Ken Bailey
Patrick Campeau, Brad Fenson, George Gruenefeld
Jake MacDonald, Paul Marriner, Jim McLennan
Wayne Phillips, Gord Pyzer

Simply the Best
(Rainbow Trout)

RAINBOW TROUT
Blackwater River, B.C. For trout measuring up to 16 inches, and lots of them, fly fishers use bead-head nymphs and deer-hair caddis patterns. Spin anglers toss small spinners downstream of Titetown. More info: The Blackwater Company, (250) 412-7687. –G.G.

Kootenay Lake, B.C. December through June is the time to target Kootenay’s huge Gerrard rainbows with polar bear hair flies trolled on the surface behind a planer board. Troll fast and hang on. More info: Split-shot Charters, 1-877-368-3474. –B.F.

Roche Lake, B.C. Fly-fishermen flock to Roche, but anglers with spinners and small spoons also do well. Late summer and early fall is awesome for big ’bows. Look for the hatch and you’ll find the fish. More info: Roche Lake Resort, (250) 828-2007. –B.F.

Sheridan Lake, B.C. From mid-May to mid-June during the mayfly and sedge hatches, work the deeper water with Hotshots or leech fly patterns early or late in the day for fish up to 10 pounds. More info: Sheridan Lake Resort, (250) 593-4611. –G.G.

Skagit River, B.C. The best fishing is from late July through September. Small spinners will work, but fly fishing is more productive in the pools and runs below Sumallo Grove. More info: Reaction Fly & Tackle, 1-888-339-2277. –G.G.

Rainbow trout hot spot: Figure Eight Lake, Alberta (Fred Noddin).

Stellako River, B.C. Superb stonefly hatches in midsummer draw anglers downstream of the bridge at Francois Lake, and just below the narrows. Access is rough and there are fly fishing-only restrictions on most of the river. More info: Stellako Lodge, (250) 699-6695. –G.G.

Whiteswan Lake, B.C. Troll drop-offs with medium-sized spoons (single hook) or work the edges of marl flats with midge or damselfly patterns. Fishing peaks the first week of June. More info: St. Mary Angler Fly Shop, 1-800-667-2311. –P.M.

Bow River, Alberta The best fishing is from late June to mid-October with hoppers, caddis, San Juan Worms and Mepps spinners, between Calgary and Carseland. More info: Calgary Hook & Hackle Club. –Jim M.

Crowsnest River, Alberta The best fishing is between the Frank Slide and the Oldman Reservoir from April to October, but avoid the runoff in early June. Use Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Stimulators or small spinners. More info: The Crowsnest Angler Fly Shop & Guide Service, (403) 564-4333. –Jim M.

Cypress Lakes, Alberta In mid-May, cast scud patterns from shore or from an anchored pontoon boat, then let them drift toward shore. More info: Cypress Fly & Tackle, 1-888-211-8184. –P.M.

Figure Eight Lake, Alberta Spinners, tiny spoons and small, trout-patterned cranks work for most of the season. The fish are well dispersed and can also be taken on a Lindy Rig with a worm or PowerBait. More info: Tackle Shack, (780) 539-6354. –B.F
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Oldman River, Alberta Between July and mid-October, fish from Highway 22 down to the Oldman Reservoir, or below the reservoir. Use grasshopper imitations, or Panther Martin spinners. More info: Anchor B Ranch Fly-Fishing Lodge, (403) 627-7967. –Jim M.

Swan Lake, Alberta Spin anglers can do well on Swan, a favourite among fly-fishers all season, with small crankbaits, spinners, spoons and jigs. Shore anglers using worms or PowerBait are also successful. More info: Tackle Shack, (780) 539-6354. –B.F.

Battle Creek, Saskatchewan Work the pools and brushy banks in July with grasshopper patterns fished with fly rods or spinning gear (and a casting bubble). In dry years, June is best. More info: Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273. –W.P.

Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan Slip bobbers and nightcrawlers or leeches are perfect in September. Float your bait across drop-offs toward the shallows by fishing into the wind from shore. More info: Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273. –W.P.

Mekewap Lake, Saskatchewan Mekewap lies four portages off Highway 102. The trout are everywhere. Ford Fenders tipped with an F2 FlatFish trolled behind a paddled canoe are the hot ticket all summer. More info: Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273. –W.P.

Piprell Lake, Saskatchewan July evenings are best for trolling Piprell’s long shorelines. Run shallow spinner rigs baited with minnows or leeches. If no fish hit, work deeper and farther from shore. More info: Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273. –W.P.

Sealey Lake, Saskatchewan In June, work shallow bays at dusk. With prolific caddis hatches, caddis emerger patterns yield the most fish. Use splitshot to help get the flies just below the surface. More info: Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273. –W.P.

Bower Lake, Manitoba Throughout the year, catch big fish from shore along weedbeds. Use worms or PowerBait on Lindy Rigs, or under bobbers. Trolling fly line, or using spoons, jigs, spinners and crankbaits, also works. More info: Manitoba Conservation, Boissevain office, (204) 534-7204. –B.F.

Gull Lake, Manitoba For massive, 10- to 18-pound ’bows, fish Psychedelic P-Quad flies around shoreline structure in the spring and fall. Or try beaver leech patterns in the middle channel during the summer. More info: Bob Sheedy, (204) 564-2447. –M.A.

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