Fishing

One of the reasons our little part of the Kootenays is such an attraction is the exceptional fly fishing in the area.

by Paul Samycia The Elk River and its tributaries are well known for their gin clear waters, that wild native, Cutthroat trout and Bull trout call home. It is these glacial and spring fed waters surrounded by majestic Rocky Mountains that lure anglers from around the world for a chance to hook a Cutthroat on a dry fly or get a big Bull trout to bite their streamer.

The Elk River itself flows through the towns of Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie. It then goes past Elko and flows into the Koocanusa Reservoir. This path is conveniently followed by Highway 43 and 3 making access relatively easy for a quick fish. Tributaries such as the Fording River and Michel Creek are a great choice for those who would want to get away from sound of traffic. For the more adventurous, a trip to the Bull River or a hike into a high alpine lake can make discovering new waters that much more exciting. Keep in mind, while fishing the Fording River that the high level of selenium has taken a toll on the fish population in that river. It would be best not to consume any fish from that stream and release all fish caught in the hopes that the population recovers. Anglers will need a B.C. freshwater license for fishing any lakes, and if fishing rivers in the area, an additional classified waters license can be purchased online or at a license vendor in Fernie. To simplify fishing regulations as they can be quite complicated, anglers who practice catch and release using single barbless hooks and no bait will be compliant with the regulations. Fishing regulations can be found at local fly shops or online at Gov.bc.ca and follow the links to fishing regulations. For young anglers just getting into fishing, a tour of the Bull River trout hatchery is a great way to spend some holiday time. Located just past the town of Bull River on the way to Fort Steele, the hatchery conducts tours of the facility and also has a kids’ pond. Partially funded by angling license sales, the hatchery and its staff are a great source of information and they have some excellent fishing related programs throughout the summer. The grounds around the hatchery are quite pleasant and make for a great picnic spot. Early season on the rivers will depend on run off but going to a local fly shop for information and the latest flies and gear is a must. The shops often offer guided trips, lessons and gear rental if needed.