British Columbia

Steve Vaughn

Steve Vaughn

Steelhead
Forum Supporter
Been laid up with a pinched nerve in my back with the associated sciatica, so what better time to start planning 2025 fishing trips. One area of interest is British Columbia lake fishing. After a short interweb investigation, it appears that Highway 24, north of Kamloops offers a lot of options and is a popular destination for stillwater fishing. I would sure love to get any firsthand intel on the region, including accommodations, recommended gear, and specific lakes. Really, any experience or guide to sources of information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Steve Vaughn said:
Been laid up with a pinched nerve in my back with the associated sciatica, so what better time to start planning 2025 fishing trips. One area of interest is British Columbia lake fishing. After a short interweb investigation, it appears that Highway 24, north of Kamloops offers a lot of options and is a popular destination for stillwater fishing. I would sure love to get any firsthand intel on the region, including accommodations, recommended gear, and specific lakes. Really, any experience or guide to sources of information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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I hope you feel better soon!
 
Happy scheming! I think there are many “right answers” to your questions. I’m no BC expert but I’ve done a couple week-long trips and researched the Hwy 24 corridor. For small water and lots of lakes take a look at the fish camps on the Nehalliston Plateau out of Little Fort. Meadow and Rock Island camps are very nice and simplify the logistics. For big water, take Sheridan as an example. Big water, big fish, busy place. Just depends what type of experience you are after.

My experience is if you have your local lakes dialed in and you’re comfortable fishing all the regular lake techniques, you’ll do fine up there. Bring a box of dries. They look up more than my local trout.
 
I haven't been there in over 25 years but went several times back in the day. There was not near as much information available back then as there is now so I had to wing it. There is plenty of water to wing it on! I found happiness camping at Sheridan Lake including a 15#+ rainbow that is the biggest I ever caught. Hitting a sedge hatch just right or being in a mayfly emergence was memorable. We did some walk in lakes with old Caddis float tubes on our backs and had tremendous fishing.

Nowadays there is a lot of info about the area on line and there are enough guys on the board that have been there recently that should help you out. Back then the Little Fort fly shop was a big help for a clueless newbie. Now I hear it is closing, that is not good news.

The big rainbow was taken on a 6wt rod with an SA System 1, 4/5/6 click pawl reel and about 100 yards of backing behind a slow sinking line. It took a size 14 caddis pupa and headed for the far side of the lake at warp speed. I turned my back to the fish and kicked toward it as fast as I could holding the rod over my head pointed towards the fish and watched helplessly as the backing disappeared. The puny drag did little to discourage the fish and I was sure that it would snap off at the end of the backing but as the backing ran out and I prepared for the disappointment of losing the fish of a lifetime it stopped! With less than two winds of backing left on the reel!! After that I slowly began to gain on the fish and after what seemed like half an hour finally got it's head in my net but the net was no match for a 30'' fish.

In 73 years of fly fishing I have caught 3 fish that were truly "Awesome!" and this was the best of the 3. I know, I know-every 14'' fish that Ladin catches on his TV program is "Awesome" but this fish was truly fukin' Awesome!
 
Billy

Thread 'Rock Island Lake Fishing Camp'

Just finished up five full days of fishing at Rock Island Fishing Camp with @Yardus @troutpocket and @Irafly. The camp consists of a main lodge, several cabins, ice shack, smoker and outbuildings. It is off the grid with no cell service and rustic overall but with nice services like heated showers and a comfortable dining area full of fishing lore.

It is the epitome of a perfect fishing camp and is run by great hosts James, Cathy and Genie. We were super impressed by the meals served, the professionalism and the knowledge shared by the hosts. I would highly recommend...
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Recommend!
 
iveofione said:
I haven't been there in over 25 years but went several times back in the day. There was not near as much information available back then as there is now so I had to wing it. There is plenty of water to wing it on! I found happiness camping at Sheridan Lake including a 15#+ rainbow that is the biggest I ever caught. Hitting a sedge hatch just right or being in a mayfly emergence was memorable. We did some walk in lakes with old Caddis float tubes on our backs and had tremendous fishing.

Nowadays there is a lot of info about the area on line and there are enough guys on the board that have been there recently that should help you out. Back then the Little Fort fly shop was a big help for a clueless newbie. Now I hear it is closing, that is not good news.

The big rainbow was taken on a 6wt rod with an SA System 1, 4/5/6 click pawl reel and about 100 yards of backing behind a slow sinking line. It took a size 14 caddis pupa and headed for the far side of the lake at warp speed. I turned my back to the fish and kicked toward it as fast as I could holding the rod over my head pointed towards the fish and watched helplessly as the backing disappeared. The puny drag did little to discourage the fish and I was sure that it would snap off at the end of the backing but as the backing ran out and I prepared for the disappointment of losing the fish of a lifetime it stopped! With less than two winds of backing left on the reel!! After that I slowly began to gain on the fish and after what seemed like half an hour finally got it's head in my net but the net was no match for a 30'' fish.

In 73 years of fly fishing I have caught 3 fish that were truly "Awesome!" and this was the best of the 3. I know, I know-every 14'' fish that Ladin catches on his TV program is "Awesome" but this fish was truly fukin' Awesome!
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I broke out in an adrenaline induced sweat reading this…What a RUSH…!!! 🤘🏼😁🤘🏼
 
There are a number of Trip Reports regarding BC on this site.

Trip Reports

We prefer useless reports here.
pnwflyfishing.com pnwflyfishing.com

If you have not checked them out, you might want to. Also gives you some people that you can contact privately about BC also...
 
Wanative said:
Calling @Buzzy
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Fred - I've only been up to the Little Fort area once; we stayed at Star Lake Resort and fished several local lakes. The accomodations were primitive at best and we didn't find the fishing to be very good. I'm much more familiar with the area between Merritt and Kamloops. There are many lakes in the area that area that some years produce big fish and some years will get you smelling of skunk. If @Steve Vaughn wants any detail on where we've spent most of the past 17 years I'd be happy to share. @Russell - that's some fascinating information you shared. Nifty indeed.
 
Buzzy said:
Fred - I've only been up to the Little Fort area once; we stayed at Star Lake Resort and fished several local lakes. The accomodations were primitive at best and we didn't find the fishing to be very good. I'm much more familiar with the area between Merritt and Kamloops. There are many lakes in the area that area that some years produce big fish and some years will get you smelling of skunk. If @Steve Vaughn wants any detail on where we've spent most of the past 17 years I'd be happy to share. @Russell - that's some fascinating information you shared. Nifty indeed.
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Thanks Pat.
 
_WW_ said:
Any idea how old that is?
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Does it matter? The lakes won't have moved much 😃 - fishing conditions are always subject to change

(me just being a smart ass)

Cheers
 
I'm a fan of the area between Merritt and Kamloops (lake). A ton of good lakes to fish, and not as far of a drive. There's a few well known lakes in that area that produce regularly, and quite a few other lakes that can be hit or miss.
 
_WW_ said:
I like things that are old, that's why I love myself so much. Mostly just curious because all the distances are in miles instead of kilometers.
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Ahh, good catch!! That would definitely make it mid 70's or before.

cheers
 
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