BC lakes fly recommendations?

[Northern]

Hey all,
I'll be going up to Meadow Lake Fishing Camp first week of July.
I'd like to start tying some stuff up; suggestions from those who have been there?

I much, much prefer active fishing over bobber watching (and will gladly accept fewer fish to keep my eyes from rolling back in my head) but I'll soak chironomids if I have to

Much thanks in advance!

 

[stevesflyfishing]

I'll be headed there 2 weeks after you so leave a couple of nice ones please!! I have always had good luck with olive and black Hale bop leeches, olive willies and Little Fort specials. Many do well with Doc Spratley's but for some reason not me! I also have done well with a fly called Knouff Lake special (I think) that the fly shop in Little Fort used to have. Please post when you return. Really wondering how Francesco is doing.....

 

[troutpocket]

Dragon and damsel nymphs, callibaetis nymphs, caddis nymphs and adults. Various leeches. You can always fish chironomids off an intermediate when the hatch is on. One thing I will do for my next trip is have a 4 or 5 weight rigged with a dry. Those BC fish look up more than our local varieties.

Are you bringing a tube? I found I preferred it over the boats on the smaller lakes. The boats are fine but I have my tube rigged to my preferences.

I did buy some flies in Little Fort but mostly did fine with my usual stuff.

 

[Irafly]

I’d bring a bunch of Siebert Wigglers
In all honesty, if you want to fish a full sink, I’d fish a Tequila Booby mostly. I’d also highly second @troutpocket for the dry line for dries, especially for the higher elevation lakes.

 

[Northern]

I’d bring a bunch of Siebert Wigglers
In all honesty, if you want to fish a full sink, I’d fish a Tequila Booby mostly. I’d also highly second @troutpocket for the dry line for dries, especially for the higher elevation lakes.

Is your Wiggler one of the foam ones that kind of mimic a Lazy Ike? I'd totally fish that

Thanks - I'll restock my Booby box

 

[Rio Grande King]

I'll be headed there 2 weeks after you so leave a couple of nice ones please!! I have always had good luck with olive and black Hale bop leeches, olive willies and Little Fort specials. Many do well with Doc Spratley's but for some reason not me! I also have done well with a fly called Knouff Lake special (I think) that the fly shop in Little Fort used to have. Please post when you return. Really wondering how Francesco is doing.....

Here's a Knouff Lake version that fishes really well.
Fluorescent red or orange dyed GP tippet tail
Peacock chenille
Holographic rib- (on newest ones been securing holo with fine blue wire)
Hackle the "bluest" pheasant you can find

 

[Robert Engleheart]

Tom Thumb or similar dry traveling Sedge patterns for when they’re on dries and Gomphus when they aren’t are good to have.

 

[troutpocket]

Another heads up: some of the trails to the lakes are quite boggy. I think they refer to them as Knee Boot trails. I got by with waterproof hiking boots and trying to avoid the really marshy stuff.

 

[Northern]

Tom Thumb or similar dry traveling Sedge patterns for when they’re on dries and Gomphus when they aren’t are good to have.

Oh, I like those - they look fun to tie!
Any preference on color for the Gomphus? Natural, olive, mottled?

 

[Northern]

Another heads up: some of the trails to the lakes are quite boggy. I think they refer to them as Knee Boot trails. I got by with waterproof hiking boots and trying to avoid the really marshy stuff.

Ah, good to know!
Lucky for me, I've allowed my chromosomal affinity for collecting shoes to lap over to water shoes, waterproof boots, and wading boots

 

[Robert Engleheart]

Oh, I like those - they look fun to tie!
Any preference on color for the Gomphus? Natural, olive, mottled?

The ones I’ve seen are dark green, very dark. Probably depends on color of marl they reside in?

 

[Billy]

Last year was my first trip up there and I found it interesting for sure. My usual big craw stuff didn't work. Smaller buggy stuff and leeches seemed to work better. Little olive jigs like this: The gomphus on a type 7 was also a fun and productive fly to fish. As @troutpocket said I would also have a dedicated dry fly rod. I want to go back!

 

[Northern]

Last year was my first trip up there and I found it interesting for sure. My usual big craw stuff didn't work. Smaller buggy stuff and leeches seemed to work better. Little olive jigs like this: View attachment 60187The gomphus on a type 7 was also a fun and productive fly to fish. As @troutpocket said I would also have a dedicated dry fly rod. I want to go back!

Mostly small stuff it is, then!
Did anyone try traditional baitfish streamers? Did you witness any feeding on minnows going on? Hope springs eternal

I'll switch out my usual gurgler-rigged rod for a presentation-line dry fly one. My favorite 4wt has been much neglected lately, so it should be happy!
Thanks!

 

[Buzzy]

Leigh - I always keep one rod rigged with a 9’ leader and some generic mayfly emerger tied on. Several of the lakes we fish in the Kamloops area often have a short duration hatch.

Last year the chironomid bobber fishing was slow but small jigs under the bobber worked well (sometimes).

 

[Robert Engleheart]

Mostly small stuff it is, then!
Did anyone try traditional baitfish streamers? Did you witness any feeding on minnows going on? Hope springs eternal

I'll switch out my usual gurgler-rigged rod for a presentation-line dry fly one. My favorite 4wt has been much neglected lately, so it should be happy!
Thanks!

I read or heard that the insect life is so rich and plentiful trout don’t focus on baitfish on most lakes. That was my experience on a lake that was full of red-sided shiners. Couldn’t get a bite on pattern that copied them. Not saying they won’t work.

 

[Guy Gregory]

You might tie a couple Western spruce flies, in size 8-12 if you’re looking for a “baitfish” impression. Its old, but useful.

 

[Smalma]

A box of soft hackles have long been a must for any BC trip. The box contains a range of colors and sizes to cover potential sizes and color of potential. The general bugginess (?) of those soft hackles are very suggestive and provide a fair representation of everything from scuds to dragon fly nymphs depending on the size and color.

I always take a fly tying kit but that box would cover my needs the first day (and sometimes the whole trip). If needed as it became apparent what the current hatches/food items were being taken I would refine my pattern choice with what may have been in my other fly boxes or tie as need.

Curt

 

[Scott Salzer]

Fish BIG dragons right next to reeds/cattails, hang on.

Bobber fishing can be fast and furious. Not just chronies, pheasant tails......

Enjoy.

 

[Northern]

Fish BIG dragons right next to reeds/cattails, hang on.

Bobber fishing can be fast and furious. Not just chronies, pheasant tails......

Enjoy.

Sweet - do you mean dragon nymphs, or adults?

 

[Northern]

First attempt at some suggested patterns
(That's purple-dyed pheasant on the 2nd & 3rd collars)