The Kootenay-Boundary is renowned as a winter playground for outdoor enthusiasts who take to the slopes, their snowmobiles, snowshoes or cross-country ski trails to recreate in winter. But there are few places in North America where you can don your choice of skis one day, then fish for the world’s largest rainbow trout the next.
The West Kootenay-Boundary offers many forms of winter fishing opportunities and destinations, including trolling large lakes, fly fishing or spin casting on the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers, or angling on a myriad of frozen lakes for some hard-water action. And there are few who know the area and its waters better than Kerry Reed of Reel Adventures Sport Fishing Charters.
"Winter in the West Kootenay offers many opportunities for anglers," says Reed. "We're lucky enough to have large lakes that don't freeze over, so one opportunity is to fish either Kootenay Lake or Arrow Lake or Slocan Lake either from shore or from a boat."
Reed grew up in the Kootenays with a fishing rod in his hand and an insatiable appetite for angling on Kootenay lakes and streams. He started up Reel Adventures in Nelson in 1998, which has since grown into one of the region’s premiere fishing guide outfits.
Trolling these lakes in winter usually entails a slow troll depending on the lure, which include hand tied bucktail flies, Bill Norman or Lyman plugs, and flasher-hoochie combos. Anglers are rewarded for the efforts by hooking into large Gerrard rainbows or bull trout that feed heavily on kokanee salmon during the cold weather season.
Fishing for these potentially massive Gerrard rainbows is an incredible experience and some of the best fishing comes during the icy grip of winter, but with Reed as captain, it doesn’t have to be a chilly experience.
"My favorite type of winter fishing just might have to be the comforts of my heated boat on Kootenay Lake, trolling for giant rainbows," says Reed. "Although that has been changing too."
While Kootenay Lake has faced its challenges of late with low kokanee returns, which affect Gerrard populations, the cyclical nature of the fishery means it is expected to rebound to its former glory. In the meantime Reed is taking advantage of a fishery in transition.
"Kootenay Lake is still producing lots of fish," Reed explains. "In fact, we are catching more fish than ever before. However, the decline in Kokanee as a main food source has created a decline in large fish. So, a normal day on the lake now would consist of 10 - 15 fish between two-to-five pounds."
Reel Adventure Charters does not confine itself to the large lakes but regularly make trips to the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers that offer the best tail-water fishery in North America.
"The Columbia River is open to fishing year round," added Reed. "In fact, a lot of our biggest fish caught on the Columbia happen between December and March."
And these Columbia River rainbows can be caught on the Fly by casting sinking lines, sink tips, or nymphing with a floating line. Favourite flies include Clouser minnows, stonefly nymphs, or leech patterns. But hold on, for the lunkers lurk in deep pools or in the seams of runs and riffles and a Columbia River rainbow will peel line like a demon, and you’ll find yourself into your backing in mere seconds.
For shore fishers, casting spoons or spinners or fishing a three-way rig baited with shrimp, maggots, or worm with a spin-n-glow, corkie, or marshmallow float and a one-once weight can be very productive.
Ice fishing is another popular option, and can be complex as one wishes to make it. The basic equipment is a rod and reel, an ice auger, warm clothes, hook, sinkers, and bait. Many get by with an axe and simply chop out the thin ice formed over the old holes, but having an auger gives more options when it comes to drilling holes. Early in the winter season, trout will feed close to shore on aquatic invertebrates and leeches still munching on decaying organic matter. So drill your holes in water between four and 10 feet deep. The types of bait vary from a single hook with worms, maggots, corn, and shrimp to artificial soft baits, jigs, and lures.
There are plenty of stocked lakes around the Kootenay-Boundary that are great for ice fishing. Summit Lake, Box Lake, Fish Lake, Bear Lake, Jewel Lake, Wilgress Lake, Rosebud lake, Erie lake, Third Champion Lake, and Nancy Greene only to name a few.
The West Kootenay-Boundary offers a variety of epic opportunities in the height of winter to satisfy the casual caster or even the most ardent angler. And as Reed says, "I guess I am just happy to partake in any type of fishing. It's great to have the options."
Reel Adventures offers many types of angling opportunities for all levels of fishermen, from lake fishing in their heated cabin on the boat, river fishing from the jet boat, or from shore. Groups from 1 - 5 people are easily accommodated, although they do have many boats available for larger groups up to 16.
See B.C. freshwater fishing regulations for angling and water restrictions.
No comments:
Post a Comment