[Huronfly]

Hey all,

Im headed out to Vancouver mid July for 2 weeks with the old lady. We are renting a car and visiting a friend in Victoria for a few days then heading up to Tofino and across and up through Kamloops and up to Jasper. Then we will head down to Banff and back across through Kelowna back to Vancouver. I will hopefully have a smaller switch rod by that time and plan on making a few stops along the way to fish some of the beautiful rivers in the area. I hate asking for places to fish but it seems there are a million different options, and I dont want to waste too much time exploring rivers that may or may not have fish. Being from Ontario, I would love to try n catch some cutts/dollies/bulls, or possibly grayling. Could anyone share with me a few tribs that might be worth the effort? PM's are appreciated too please!

Thanks.

 

[fireweed]

I would spend my fishing time in the cleawater/wells gray area. Freshet should be done by then. Bugs can be bad though. Backroad mapbook for north thompson would be very useful. These are tribs of the north thompson.

 

[Bargeboss]

Don't forget the Regs

It will be a good idea to print off the BC fishing regs, or stop in at a tackle shop and pick up a copy. On your way up island stop in at Nile Creek Fly shop and talk to Courtney or Valeria. They can give you good info on upper island spots. They are on the old highway in Bowser. The run along the water is much better than the new highway.

Another idea is to scope out the local fly fishing clubs in the respective cities you plan on visiting. There are few good old fossils in the Penticton club that are a good source for places to go. Getting them to tell you what to fling is whole nother topic.

A 4/5 switch would all that you would need. Sounds like a fun run, have a great trip

 

[PGK]

You won't be far enough north for grayling. Second on Nile Creek, great people. The switch will be a bit big for most of the trout streams that fish well at that time of the year, save the Thompson & larger tribs. Pack your best 590-4 and you'll be good for everything.

 

[Huronfly]

Thank you guys for you help, looks like Ill be packin up the 9' 4wt and 5wt then if Ill be fishing some smaller tribs.

 

[Huronfly]

or 5 and 6 weight would probably be better....

 

[bigbadbrent]

If you've never caught grayling, there's a couple lakes near Canmore that hold them, if you're willing to head a bit further east.

 

[PGK]

I forgot about those...full sink or intermediate off the rocks with a classic micro leech or black chironomid. Some nice ones in there! Not the same as picking them off a slotty tailout on caddis in the northern rockies, but they are close by!

 

[bigbadbrent]

You could also get cutties out of Kananaskis Lakes, in the vicinity to Wedge Pond (grayling).

Note that I'm fine telling you these, as you'll hardly be alone fishing them

 

[Brambo]

What do you think about a little detour to Fernie? Lots of nice cutts and big bulls in the Elk River and the Wigwam.
Elk River is Class II water but has reasonable access.
Have a nice time anyway!

 

[Huronfly]

Brent/PGK: Canmore should be pretty close to where I am heading and Im willing to drive a little bit out of the way to possibly get my first grayling to hand. Care to share which lakes I might find them in?

Brambo: Ive heard the Fernie area is great fishing, it is a little out of the way but I may be able to fit that into the trip, I hope I can anyway! Thanks.

 

[PGK]

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Ca...0x5370c59595456331:0x46b6315f9e1e692e!6m1!1e1

The small pond to the west is stuffed with small brook trout too.

 

[Troutfly1]

Try the Horsefly

The Horsefly River is located in the Cariboo region. Seriously large trout follow the spawning sockeye out of the lake. Not sure of the timing but it may start as early as July. This is trout fishing at its best. I haven't done it for a dozen years but it is totally likely to catch a fish or two in the mid 20s on any given day and my son got a 30 incher on our last trip. Well worth the research and detour if the timing is right.

 

[Huronfly]

With my limited time I do not think the horsefly is close enough to where I will be travelling, but thanks! Im thinking about trying the St. Mary @ Kimberley area, any you guys fish there?

 

[4weight]

Good luck on the trip! I'll be staying in Bowser at the end of August for a few weeks and hope to hit some pinks while I'm there. Apparently it's just a 10 min walk from my in-laws house to the mouth of the Nile, gettin' stoked!!!

 

[bigbadbrent]

With my limited time I do not think the horsefly is close enough to where I will be travelling, but thanks! Im thinking about trying the St. Mary @ Kimberley area, any you guys fish there?

Good cutthroat fishing, can be a bit tough to access. Be worth the side trip to get to the Elk as well. Bring some big streamers and you can add bull trout to your list.

 

[Huronfly]

4 weight- That will be awesome, I wish I was able to go a bit later so I could get a crack at the pinks and some more migratory fish!

Brent- I prefer fishing streamers so that is likely what Ill be tossing most of the time anyway and Ill let the gf try her luck with some dries, looks like its only about 40 mins out of the way and I would love to knock bull trout off of the list!

 

[4weight]

Ya I'm hoping to get into a few fish while I'm out there. Got the whole summer to spin some patterns and see what happens!

 

[Huronfly]

Ok so Im pretty set on trying the elk river, is there some decent access near Elko? or possibly the Wiggy?

 

[Brambo]

Elk River

It's been a few years since I was there but there are several spots with very good access to the river. In some cases (where the guides launch their boats) within a few meters and in others cases you have to walk 5-10 minutes.
I'm sure the Tackle Shop in Fernie can point some of them out for you. You have to visit them anyway for your licenses.
Just drive along the river and look for parked cars :saevilw: