It is always fun to re-visit this small, general regulation BC lake in the Thompson-Nicola area that I've enjoyed over the years. It is fairly well-known by the BC fishermen, but relatively unknown by the US fly casters. There are no resorts or homes around this lake. The rough road in keeps most of the people away. Some of you may recognize this lake, if you've been there, from this photo that shows one of the nice marl shoals:
The water is usually crystal-clear at this lake; on this outing the water visibility was around 24 feet. When it was calm, you could occasionally see the rainbows swimming around. There aren't a lot of shoals at this small lake, but the ones that are there give the water that amazing aqua color; the photo doesn't do it justice.
The Pennask triploid rainbows are almost all very silvery and most look like they have never been hooked before and fight like it. However, the past couple of years, it seems to me that the fish are on the thinner side. The water level has been gradually getting slightly lower and lower every year, and maybe that is negatively affecting the tiny scuds that the fish mainly feed on.
All the fish hooked (all were released) on this outing were on my T-Waterboatman pattern, although I don't think the particular fly pattern is all that critical at this lake. Getting the proper depth and retrieve style is way more important than the specific fly pattern. Most of the fish were found about 8 to 12 feet down on the drop-offs. Very short, quick and erratic retrieves seemed to do the trick.
The wildflowers are just starting at this elevation (over 3,000 feet), along with the mosquitoes. The area around this lake seems to be favorable for the Heartleaf Arnicas:
Anyway, it was nice to be back on a BC lake and it brought back a lot of good memories from previous outings there. To avoid the crowds, try to go during the week.
Rex
The water is usually crystal-clear at this lake; on this outing the water visibility was around 24 feet. When it was calm, you could occasionally see the rainbows swimming around. There aren't a lot of shoals at this small lake, but the ones that are there give the water that amazing aqua color; the photo doesn't do it justice.
The Pennask triploid rainbows are almost all very silvery and most look like they have never been hooked before and fight like it. However, the past couple of years, it seems to me that the fish are on the thinner side. The water level has been gradually getting slightly lower and lower every year, and maybe that is negatively affecting the tiny scuds that the fish mainly feed on.
All the fish hooked (all were released) on this outing were on my T-Waterboatman pattern, although I don't think the particular fly pattern is all that critical at this lake. Getting the proper depth and retrieve style is way more important than the specific fly pattern. Most of the fish were found about 8 to 12 feet down on the drop-offs. Very short, quick and erratic retrieves seemed to do the trick.
The wildflowers are just starting at this elevation (over 3,000 feet), along with the mosquitoes. The area around this lake seems to be favorable for the Heartleaf Arnicas:
Anyway, it was nice to be back on a BC lake and it brought back a lot of good memories from previous outings there. To avoid the crowds, try to go during the week.
Rex
