SEPTEMBER 2020
THE SOUTH SHUSWAP SCOOP
35
Shuswap Overland Adventures One Fish in Each Lake
By Jason Lutterman jump and my fly rod dove toNot often, but as often as possible, I ward the water, moments later a stretch out a map, drag my finger across it beautiful Rainbow lay in my net. and stop on a place I’ve never been. Satisfied I paddled back to camp Sometimes it’s a place suggested over and we stayed until morning. casual conversations held while leaning on I am a huge fan of old ships the hood of a dirty truck or by a campfire. and just around the corner in Other times, it’s a plan made by someone Kaslo sits the SS. Moyie, the else that now includes me and I’m a fan of oldest intact steam powered padgoing prepared. dlewheel of its kind in the world. This 1000 km trek began in the later Launched in 1898, it is now a fashion. With the dogs anxious from tourist draw in this small town. Sugar Lake watching us pack and Standing downtown prep for the last few looking around makes favourite spots along the Arrow Lakes. A days, we set off for Sugyou feel like you have ar Lake to meet some gone 100 years into the spot that has welcomed me before after plans had gone sideways. Not where I family and spend a few past. days camping and fishAfter replenishing some expected to be but happy I was there, I ing together. It was to be supplies, we carried on took to the water with a paddle and rod. It the first stop on our “no toward our next destina- was nearly a 2km paddle to my favourite spot and as I got there and began my rouobligations” road trip. tion, Trout Lake. The tine, I almost instantly felt that priceless Almost instantly I trip would lead us had already ruined that through Gerrard, a small tug. A Rainbow had taken my line and tonight’s dinner was provided by the cold Northern Pike Minnow theme by promising my town known for the Geryoung nephew that I would rard Trout. A government waters of the Arrow lakes. Two days were spent paddling back catch him a fish. Letting down a four-year fish hatchery was built there in 1914 and and forth along the shoreline. The -old wasn’t going to happen. Not long fry from there were stocked trip was coming to and end but after, through the winding roads of Cher- throughout the province and that craving for a new place was ryville and many kilometres down a dry sold to the USA. They are still lingering. With some well dusty forest service road, stood me waste known for their incredible played timing we managed to get deep in my waders throwing a line into the size, many 30 inches or bigthe last of 105 campsites located still lake and with a quick splash, I kept ger and up to 18 lbs. The bigat Blanket Creek and finished our my promise. I reeled in a fish for my gest recorded was caught in adventure standing in the mist of nephew to see and for him to release back 1976 weighing in at 35.5 Lbs. Sutherland Falls located within into the emerald water. We arrived at Trout Lake the Provincial park somewhere After two nights, we said our goodbyes but not to what we expected. we had never been. and carried on to Summit Lake, another The access to the campsites We are here for such a short location mentioned over the glow of a had been dug up and a spraytime, turn off your phone, find a campfire. Not knowing what to expect I painted sign made it clear copy of the Shuswap Scoop, grab was pleasantly surprised by this small lake local fear over Covid 19 was your paddle and slide your finger located in a scenic valley. Quickly we to blame. Caught off guard across the creases of a new map. made camp and I was able to paddle out in but not defeated, we carried Adventure is the key to happithe kayak and take in the view. Hazel is anxious for on through Galena Bay and ness. another adventure Almost like a gift the fish began to across the ferry to one of our
