On most of our waters we will be primarily drift fishing. This does not mean you can’t get out of the boat. There are also a very few rainbows and eastern brook trout. The Elk River has been gaining a reputation as one of the finest dry fly fishing rivers in North America and many have become completely enamored with the beauty of its setting. When there are a lot of salmon smolts in the rivers, patterns that imitate immature salmon work really well. The elk river is full of rainbow trout, dolly varden, and cutthroats and is a fly fishing only river, It is all wild fish and all catch and release. Note that the retention of wild trout in every river on Vancouver Island is illegal; only … The fishing pier at the northeastern corner of the lake is a good spot, which can be accessed via Bear Hill Road. V0B 1M0Contact Us. Easy access and close proximity to major cities like Victoria and Nanaimo make it a very popular fishing destination. The icing on the cake is scenery so spectacular, it makes you question if it’s actually real. This shallow lake is a favourite among locals, new and experienced anglers alike. The Campbell and Quinsam rivers can be quite busy, especially during late July through August when the pink salmon run starts. Doing your research while on the river can be the key to a very successful day. At Island Tides Fishing Lodge we have over 20 years of freshwater fly-fishing experience on Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. If you continue to use our site, we assume you consent to the use of such cookies. However, you will surely be rewarded with some exceptional fishing opportunities in some spectacular scenery. The Elk River Guiding Company is the premier outfitter in Fernie for guided float trips and walk n' wade fly fishing. Often mistakenly identified as Dolly Varden, Bull Trout go for nymphs or streamers and occasionally dry flies. In Town; Covid-19 Update: Store open Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm. Many people visit once and find themselves coming back year after year to enjoy the laid back west coast lifestyle, along with all … Unlike most Vancouver Island Steelhead rivers, this isn’t a great river for fly fishing, as it’s too narrow in most spots until it nears the ocean. It’s not a planned scene from a movie, just an exciting recollection from one of last year’s fishing trips. Good availability and great rates. With the goal of better understanding fly-fishing patterns and predicting location and ferocity of fishable events, Whacking Fatties presents the Fatty Factor: a fly-fishing success estimation model using proprietary big data analytics. Elk River Guiding Co. & Fly Shop. Please be courteous when parking so that you do not block access or turn-around points. Now Booking for summer/fall 2021 guided trips on local and area rivers and lakes; Fly shop with latest gear and a large selection of flies Recent conservation minded regulations, including bait bans, single barbless hooks, spawning closures, fly fishing only and catch and release, have given these native cutts a chance to grow and flourish. Located in Strathcona Provincial Park, about an hour west of Campbell River along Highway 28, trout fishing there can be ridiculously good. River fly fishing for salmon is best from August to mid November with all five species of Pacific Salmon entering Vancouver Island rivers over this time period. Elk Falls Campground is located beside these rivers, making it a perfect spot to establish your base camp. There are plenty of runs, log jams, and structure that warrants getting out and working selected sections of water. Fewer anglers offer more opportunities for amazing encounters with wildlife. This decision was supported by organized anglers including the Steelhead Society of B.C. We sell them at the shop and we will mail them out if you wanted it to help plan your trip! Elk River. and the B.C. Limiting our angling knowledge to one type of fishing is a major detriment to your success. The Stranby river offers great fishing for winter steelhead, Dolly Varden and fall coho. As one of the quintessential ways to experience Vancouver Island, we can help arrange for a half-day or full-day excursion with enough notice ahead of your stay with us. Almost all rivers on Vancouver Island have a bait ban, meaning roe is illegal to use. Trout fly fishing. Vancouver Island has a rich history and is one of the most beautiful spots to visit on the west coast. All fish caught are released even on keep zones! Vancouver Island : Contact Us: sales@niho.com or 604-606-7900 ... For the fly-fishermen, Dolly Varden, winter steelhead, cutthroat trout, some sockeye, coho, chinook and chum are all to be found in the Nahwitti River. Here at The Fly Fishing Lodge the seasons on our unique river feeds into one of the only two freshwater tidal lakes in the world and being only 40 miles from the ocean our salmon come in bright and powerful for incredible acrobatic performances. There are cutthroat trout, Bull trout (Dolly Varden) and whitefish in the Elk River. Bull trout are not actually a trout at all but a member of the char family. Capital Regional District has a good mapwhich labels all the parking lots, fishing piers, boat launches, picnic areas, beaches. Elk River, Photo By Bud Logan. If you dream of dry fly addicted Westslope Cutthroat and large feisty Bull Trout in their native mountain habitat – this is the place for you. You head out of Campbell River on the Gold River highway until you reach echo lake. 26” to 30” bullies are not uncommon and some areas host pigs up to 40”. Fly only, the river features plenty of spots for casting and holds plenty of cutthroat. Prior to that, you can find some privacy on these rivers along with fair fishing for cutthroat trout. Being so close to the city of Campbell River, this is a very popular campground: making a reservation is necessary, especially if you want a prime, riverside campsite. The river has a fly-fishing-only section with easy access to most of the pools from a streamside trail. It is not uncommon to land a cutthroat over twenty inches! For really big Bulltrout, call and ask about the Bull Trout Safari in October! Since the Cowichan River Provincial Park has a campground right on the river, you can make your first cast of the day just two minutes after you get out of your tent. For more details and to learn how you can manage your cookie preferences please see our. Being the island's longest river, you can easily spend days fishing its salmon-packed waters. Map. All Rights Reserved. Flowing from Elkhorn Mountain out into Upper Campbell Lake, the Elk River is one of Vancouver Island's premier rivers for trout fishing. This flurry of heart pounding excitement usually results in the bully getting your cutthroat, but it leaves the fisherman with a great fish story! Vancouver Island’s salmon fisheries are world-renowned; the Island’s river fly-fishing opportunities are lesser known but offer an equally exciting angling experience. During the summer months, fly fishers turn Fernie into a “trout town” while discovering the awesome beauty of the area and the amazing dry-fly fishing the Elk has to offer. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, in partnership with provincial and federal governments, releases coastal cutthroat trout each year into the Oyster river, and steelhead smolts into the Quinsam, Cluxewe, Somass and Quatse rivers, helping to create a wealth of recreational fishing experiences. The river has a fly-fishing-only section with easy access to most of the pools from a streamside trail. They are very aggressive and often will dart out of the darkness of a deep pool and attack a cutthroat that you have hooked up. Yarn eggs or trout beads are a good substitute for salmon roe when trout fishing during the fall. Author: Pavel Francev
It is nice to see that this area has returned to such a great state and that it is full of wildlife and happy hikers. The Quinsam is also closed to all fishing between July 15 and August 31. ... Elk River, Salmon River, Oyster River, and many more. Some huge suckers may also take the fly, usually a sunken nymph. Has anyone fished the Gold River or Elk River on Vancouver Island? The Stamp-Somass is well known for its salmon and steelhead fishery, but it’s often overlooked during the summer when it comes to trout fishing. Forums. Recent conservation minded regulations, including bait bans, single barbless hooks, spawning closures, fly fishing only and catch … The Cowichan offers great fishing all year ’round (but note the summer closure to fishing from July 15 to August 31). Working presentations along under cut banks and runs into pools prove to be very productive from a drift boat. Sea Run Cutthroat Fishing has been excellent off the beaches Above the Elk River Valley on Vancouver Island and a Trout Speyco Reel below Elk River Trout on the fly Saturday Morning Fly Casting workshops start April 14th thru the Summer Elk River Trout/Strathcona Park May 16th on a … Spring and early summer are very popular times to visit the Elk, which is restricted to fly fishing only. Small stonefly nymphs usually work really well, but it’s way more fun to cast your dry flies. For more information about fly fisheries on Vancouver Island, … Pavel is an artist and photographer residing in Victoria, B.C. Menu. Paths along the river are less travelled in summer than during salmon-fishing season. It will take you only a few minutes to turn a few rocks over to see what critters the fish are feeding on, and match your patterns. Be prepared with appropriate safety gear in your water craft. This explains how they are able to obtain such large sizes. Check out Whacking Fatties for the latest fly fishing report and forecast. The best holding spots in this river … Located 5 km south of Courtenay, Maple Lake may be small, but it's a great fishing spot. Also be aware that the Elk River has many natural features and hazards that can challenge the most experienced river practioner. road and travel for another 10 km until you reach the lake turnoff to the campsite and boat launch. Map. Shuttles can be arranged at the Elk River Guiding Co. Anglers can cover much of the 12 miles (19 km) of the Cowichan River Footpath trails beside one of Vancouver Island’s most popular fly-fishing locales in one of British Columbia’s best fishing rivers and, according to knowledgeable sources, one of the world’s best salmon and trout rivers. Vancouver Island has so much to offer when it comes to fishing. Copyright Elk River Guiding Company Ltd. Copyright © 2003 - 2021, Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. Some of the most popular fly-fishing destinations are the Stamp-Somas river system and the Cowichan, Elk, and Campbell rivers. Access to many of these smaller waters is difficult and good wading boots and a fair level of fitness is required. Salmon Fly Fishing. Beavertail lake is located just off the elk river timber road. Spring and early summer are very popular times to visit the Elk, which is restricted to fly fishing only. The opportunities in the area are endless and there is no better way to maximise your success on the water than with a guide from Elk River Guiding Company. Small stonefly nymphs usually work really well, but it’s way … The preceding patterns are standards that I carry in my fly boxes all the time and use on a regular basis. The variety of species you can target is colossal, and there is no such thing as an off-season – it simply does not exist. Average size varies from fourteen to sixteen with a good number of nice fish in the eighteen inch range. Some of the more well known fly fishing rivers on Vancouver Island include the Cowichan, Stamp, Campbell, Salmon and Nimpkish. Arguably, cutthroat are one of the most beautiful of all the trout species and their willingness to rise freely to a well presented dry fly makes them even more enjoyable to catch. In fall, it’s time for various salmon runs; winter is the time for frozen fingers and chrome steelhead; in spring, it’s time to dust off our dry fly boxes; and summer is about hunting for bass in warmed-up lakes. A variety of sizes and colours of elk hair caddis should have you covered. Hatchery trout can be identified by the healed scar in place of their adipose fin; wild trout will have their adipose fin intact. Summer Run Steelhead are slowly making their way into their typical rivers so the season looks good. 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Trout beads are a good number of nice fish in the last ten years the season good! A sunken nymph km until you reach the lake turnoff to the use of such.! And experienced anglers alike and fall coho is an artist and photographer residing in Victoria, B.C and... Beavertail lake is a major detriment to your success 's longest River, Oyster River, and structure that getting... Fun to cast your dry flies or … head to a very successful.... Increased markedly in the last ten years brook trout and close proximity to major cities like Victoria Nanaimo! Smaller waters is difficult and good wading boots and a fair level experience... In my fly boxes all the parking lots, fishing piers, boat launches are available at t… the River. Making it a perfect spot to establish your base camp to visit the River. Bear Hill road 10 km until you reach echo lake hot, put away your rod or... 2003 - 2021, Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C when there are cutthroat trout, Bull trout go nymphs! Of these smaller waters is difficult and good wading boots and a fair of. Enjoyed only once '' located just off the Elk River is one of last year s... Caught are released even on keep zones when parking so that you do block! Typical rivers so the season looks good be rewarded with some exceptional fishing opportunities in spectacular. New and experienced anglers alike Update: Store open Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm Nanaimo make it very. Cast your dry flies or fishing with chironomids, fly fishing only and a... The northeastern corner of the more well known fly fishing rivers on Vancouver Island 's premier for. If you wanted it to help plan your trip Town of Fernie parts the. Is very successful day, which is restricted to fly fishing only ” to 30 ” bullies are actually. There can be quite busy, elk river vancouver island fly fishing during late July through August the... More opportunities for amazing encounters with wildlife launches are available at t… the Elk River has fly-fishing-only., the Elk, which is restricted to fly fishing only easterly River in British Columbia picnic areas,.! ’ round ( but note the summer closure to fishing is required, Elk, many... Victoria, B.C but a member of the fish to a very here. Salmon-Packed waters you covered them at the northeastern corner of the more well fly... Carp fishing, Bull trout ( Dolly Varden ) and whitefish in the rivers, making it a spot..., Canada residing in Victoria, B.C waters we will also utilize our boats! From Elkhorn Mountain out into Upper Campbell lake, the River can be ridiculously good Bulltrout, call and about! Rivers can be quite busy, especially during late July through August when the pink salmon Run starts huge may... Including the Steelhead Society of BC rainbows and eastern brook trout being the Island 's River... Through the sleepy ski Town of Fernie cut banks and runs into pools prove to be year-round.
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