Fly Fishing in the Parkland
Don't come to the area expecting systems,
techniques and fly patterns from other areas to always work on and in Parkland
Lakes. We've had numerous visitors from western USA in particular who learned
that lesson the hard way and found they were too oriented and inflexible with
their own patterns and techniques. The lakes indicated below hold populations of very
large trout--anomalous in any stillwater fishery. But that doesn't mean they are
easy to catch. Quite simply put, they got that way by being shy and spooky, and
they eat certain forage at different times of the year and under different
weather\lake conditions. Prepare well if you're going to try your hand at this
fishery. Your best bet is to get a hold of my Strategies Book and the related
Top 50 Fly Pattern Book before heading out, not afterward, as many have done.
They are listed elsewhere on this site. Suffice to say with gasoline prices
being what they are they are a bargain in adding to your success and enjoyment.
I do some guiding but usually am overstressed with other FF activities,
seminars, and travel so one would have to book well in advance.
2008 - Spring and Summer
____________________________________________________________________
The following is a list of Lakes that are worth fishing, will be shortly--or were formerly worth
fishing--and in some cases, well above world class. They are located in the
highly fertile zone of Manitoba and Saskatchewan Parkland and in some cases
beyond. We attempt to update twice a year but I'm
going to be a wee bit busy again this year... no promises for a fall update.
There is no way that we can recommend fishing in Saskatchewan waters without warning readers of the high costs of licenses and entry fees to provincial and regional parks which often host the best water bodies. Saskatchewan and several other venues have allowed accountants to run their sport-fishing venues and cash starved clerical though rules. Instead of drawing more folks, especially families in their formative years, to the sport, the powers-that-be have chosen to tax the users and drive away revenues from other areas -- like taxes on bait, lures, pop, chips and chocolate bars that appear to be a must for the average fisher. I know of numerous plans cancelled annually because of their innate fiscal planning and although we'll continue to outline some of the best water in Eastern Saskatchewan we will not support such self-destructive provincial planning until someone with a little foresight that understands the psyche of the sport learns reality.
Lake William:
Still a great holiday spot and a good place for kids to
catch stunted perch until the night closes in. Using sizeable flies may sort out
some of the pecksniff perch and gain something worthy for a frying pan. Probably worth consideration for
the bass fishing which improves annually as they grow larger.
Bower Lake:
A golden...er...medium brown... er.. tea colored gem.
With water clarity approaching my notorious cup-of-coffee for opacity, this lake remains a difficult pond to fish unless you hit it late or early. Hit it early, before turbidity makes lateral line attraction the sole method of probing unseen slop. Bower remains a true trophy lake and is located in favorable proximity to the US border. My best results have come with bloodworm patterns in spite of the stacks of minnows that blot out sonar at times. Some meat fishermen once allowed me to examine stomach contents on some fish taken during one September. It looked like the fish has been feeding on balls of red yarn and many of the bloodworms were still alive. Consequently, my favorite Bower pattern remains the MacSheedy Bloodworm which is in my fly pattern book.
Bower was yielding 21-22 inch Rainbows as of this writing--through the aeration hole area.
Twin Lake
This is a Tiger Trout Lake and is the flagship lake for the entire Parkland. The
fish have approached 24 inches and are the hardest fighters found anywhere.
Pressure is always on to let folks keep the fish but the lake would die quickly
if that were to be the case. While they are not as aggressive as formerly. t40
fish days are still common. The lake attracts people from everywhere in North
America and justifiable so. In all my travels, which can be rather extensive at
times, this one remains the best of the best. It must remain a Catch and Release
Lake. The road has been vastly improved, toilets are being added, and planning
on nearby Persse Lake had progressed to land-use planning and a FEF application
submitted to aerate it.
Tokaryk's Lake:
. In the spring of
2006 we had a rather severe winter kill but Tokaryk has enough spring activity
to have preserved some fish. The lake was restocked in fall of 2007. The
RM of Rossburn is installing an aerator and funding for operations will be
largely paid by the Russell Inn. Here's to Daymon and Rheanne in recognizing the
importance of this valuable resource. Fishing regs will remain unchanged. It is
not a FLIPPR project.
White suckers flow down from the waters above as well, annually, in the spring but it is hoped that many of them died too in 2006.
Elgin Reservoir
Located south of Souris, MB. A a pike infestation is confirmed. Trout fishers need not apply.
Spear Lake:
Spear was fished little in 2007. I spent one afternoon there in the fall and caught 5 trout (19"), 5 suckers and 3 walleyes. If I hadn't tried to fish the entire water body I probably would have caught more.
Kennedy
Lake:
Winter killed winter of '02-03. No trout in it for those who have been asking. As far as I know there are no plans to restock it.
East Goose Lake:
BIG SEVEN
Another "written-off" lake that no one fished much in 2007. Then in
the fall it suddenly "came to life". Folks from Calgary, Chuck Loftis and some
others had a field day on it. With W. Goose across
the road and Twin just to the north, fishers will continue to bypass
good-ole-Goose-egg Lake. More is the pity because it can be fished quite
successfully and it still hosts some true salmonid hawgs.
West Goose
Very dirty in 2007 and few fished it. In the late fall it cleared and I had a five fish day there as well. If it's clean in 2008 then head here! It has some huge browns and rainbows.
Pybus Lake
Stocked in 2007 and an aerator installed. Trout will need some time to grow. Lake has good parking, a launch site and a dock Located just one mile south of Sandy Lake, it should be a good one..
Corstorphine Lake
Corstorphine Lake is located about 7 miles NW of Sandy Lake. It is a clear water lake with no minnows at present. It has massive damsel and scud populations. Most years it is very clear and some sections can be waded. It has an aerator and an access that will be improved as the trout stocked in 2007 grow.
Rest Stop Lake
Located behind rest stop building at Junction of Highways 16 and 10. Trout to 20 inches have been taken. It's a pond but its very productive and a fun place on a windy day. It has another name but darned if I can remember it right now. Senior moment. I'm allowed them now.
Child's Lake:
Primarily a Lake trout lake but it has a good population of Splake. Lots of big spruce trees. Some power. Store and Restaurant. This is a great
place for bird-watching and boreal forest experience. When the trout come
up onto the spawning reefs in the late fall the place becomes a ff
paradise,--once you get to it. Work with the lodge to get there.
East Blue:
BIG SEVEN
Holds all the Manitoba Trout records for weight and now the record for
Rainbow length as well at 32 1/2 inches. It is so clear that
it is renowned throughout Canada as a diving lake. It can be tough to fish and you have to stay away from your
fly, use a float tube and don't move around much. Or long-line troll like everyone else
tries. I use my special bottom techniques with much more success.
This is a challenging fly-fishing lake. Water is like air and you can see bottom at 35 feet. Lots of guys do better at night. You can expect to go fishless on many occasions, even during the Hex hatch, which on the Duck Mountain lakes can be very impressive.
This is a plankton lake, that ends with some large schools of rather nebulous forage fish. However, my first choice of fly patterns favors, blood worms, gammarus scuds and hexagenia limbata patterns of variable color that usually are best fished at night. A BeaverRuff Dragon, fished right over the bottom would be my suggestion.
The
largest trout I've ever seen in fresh water this side of the great lakes was
swimming in this pristine puddle.
West Blue:
Morenski and I spent a day on this one in 2006 with him griping the entire day. What
else is new? I perfected a technique for catching 4 inch perch in 45 feet of
water with an Airflo #5 hi-sense line. It worked wonderfully and I felt every
take. I don't know what he was griping about. There's only 25 million perch per
school. He's a one species fisherperson.....
Perch Lake:
A catch and release
entity. Some of the bass are huge, true trophies, and can be seen just as it begins
to come daylight. There were some good reports in 2007 and I suspect 2008 will
be even better.
Laurie Lake:
A fly troller's paradise. Why it sees such few fly fishers probably
has to do with lack of success with normal techniques. There are large fish here
but only in spring and fall do they work the shallows in the daytime. Morenski
and I had a great session there in the spring of 2006, had a ball and caught some large salmonids. A large mohair leech in #4 was the key.
Obviously, daytime anglers would do well to use some of the deep-water techniques we posted earlier and is now found in the book, Bob Sheedy's Lake Fly Fishing Strategies
Gull Lake:
Still my favorite Duck Mountain lake. Splake, Whitefish, Brookies and Rainbows and
a few Spar. Always my Duck Mountain pick during weekdays. Hit it early in day
and along shorelines--tight to the shorelines along the weed edges because Gull
drops off quickly. It fishes well right through the season but expect summer
action to be early and late. Gull fished well during winter of 2007 but
temps were so cold that pressure was limited.
I suggest using some deep water techniques along the mouths of bays with bloodworm patterns or in the open lake with backswimmer imitations. In summer, work just over the thermocline, especially where it touches the shore and use your sonar to stay on that contour. Gull is one of the few Duck Mountain Lakes without a perch incursion.
Shilliday:
Shilliday is a float tuber's paradise and it's forage base promotes great growth
rates. I like the bay leading out towards East Blue. Lots of sticks and brush
that's been flooded. Maybe it's not the greatest place to land a fish but a good
place to hook one. There are a lot of perch in the lake at present but there are
some nice trout too.
Two Mile Lake:
Rainbows and Brookies--and Yellow Perch. Lots of yellow perch so choose your fly
patterns and adjust your technique to avoid them and still offer your fly to
trout. Fish it late in the evening when it comes to life and the perch go to
sleep. It fishes best just before freeze-up, in
my opinion.
Glad Lake:
Still a good place to sniggle some large Rainbows as well as lakers if you get
there in the spring. If they aren't up where you can see 'em, probe the
thermocline and if not there, fish the bottom. Glad is a clear water lake. I
like to hit the bays. But watch for compressed balls and columns of forage fish,
often boiling on the surface. There are some good suggestions for that kind of
fishing in my Strategies book
Beaver Lake:
Very light fishing pressure. Adjustments are required to fish it now to prevent hooking Perch. I
didn't get any DO readings sent to me for Beaver
Black Beaver Lake
When it goes through through the winter Black Beaver fishes well. Check with
John Yury on this one, once the ice comes off..
Vini:
Vini is in the Porcupines. The
road can be an adventure at times but has been improved. During some visits, the lake can be
phenomenal and in the past fishing pressure has been light other than for osprey
activity. Vini has some large long-lived trout and is a highly
recommended lake.
Gass
Rife with variable rumors. Last I heard it fished
very well
Mid Lake
South of Thompson, Manitoba. This is a fun
lake, right on the side of the road.
There are great old trout in it but few are taken. It was popular in 1999-2000
but has been since "fished out"--which is a less-than-scientific term
for a forage base shift. I still recommend it if you're in the area. It is
stocked annually. It will never be "fished" out.
Barbe Lake
It seems that people are grudgingly admitting that "Maybe Barbe isn't fished out after all." It holds the record for the Brookies that "were all gone"--in fact what may be a world-record. Learning the flavor of the year is crucial. I used to troll Deep Misery patterns with great success and if they wouldn't take that, an Olive Flash Scud. Either one or the other would work. Other times, I lowered bloodworm patterns under a slip "strike-indicator" into 33 feet of water and did a lot of loafing in my float tube. Every now and again something would respond. Olive Marabou Muddlers work fine right at dark as do Zonkers when the trout come up to feed on the forage fish. The Crystal Minnow is great right after the spawn when the Fathead minnows are dying and flipping around on the surface after spawning periods. Large brown mohair leaches work at other times. The lake has a highly variable forage base and the trout can become very selective. They drive me nuts when they go onto snails.
The stocking rate remains constant, certain mathematical equations manifest. Barbe is still a great lake and well worth a visit. Good camping at Rocky Lake near Wanless. Hopefully teh bear that used to plague us when we camped at the the lake itself has passed off this mortal coil.
Patterson Lake
FLIPPR LAKE
The Silver Beach replacement.
Our thanks to the R.M. of Rossburn who took hold of the project, acquired land and had the vision to see the future in increased tourism. Patterson is the premier lake and supposedly yielded a 32 inch Rainbow last winter. We can verify that the fish have bypassed 28 inches and lunker trout are available in good populations, thanks to the FLIPPR regulations and a natural protection by acreage and the refined techniques required. The Brown mohair leech does well to represent the huge leech population we found in 2001 before the trout went in. I camp there in the summer when working lakes in the area and often got woken up by the browns night fishing right behind my tent. I didn't fish much since I only had a 8 foot boat and taking it off the roof of the van had little appeal after dragging it through the bush all day to new, prospective lakes with no trails and no fish. But I did a rudimentary creel census and found many folks had trouble catching the fish but loved the place. Now has power to campsites, quality washrooms ,a good launch ,and a dock.
I look for substrate changes when fishing it. Hot weather means you have to go to the thermocline but once cooler water comes I look for a stronger sonar signature that means the bottom is firmer, supports more benthic insect activity and hyallela scuds which are a main forage item. Scud patterns DO work. Best in late evening when they rise from the bottom.
Don't forget to drop a few dollars in Oakburn, Rossburn, and at the Olha store. They've definitely earned it!
More
Other Manitoba waters worth mentioning, although not in our immediate sphere are:
Footprint Lake, Webster Lake and Amphipod Lake
--OVER THE LINE --
SASKATCHEWAN!
You'll have to work a little harder and brush up on your trout location techniques, but the rewards are there and very large. Saskatchewan has spectacular scenery and is a favorite of mine. I just don't care for their licensing fees, park entry gouging, and the insane ability to discourage people from taking up the sport of angling.
Wilson Lake:
Wilson hosts some very large
Rainbows. It is a structure-less lake, lacking
concentrators and is subject to some truly horrendous algae blooms, but is
fertility cannot be argued. Use a giant scud.
Lake is aerated. Located NW of the town of Yorkton.
Lady Lake
Big 7
North of Preeceville, Sask.
This is a great fly-fishing lake and 24-inch rainbows are common--if you
fish the concentrators. It continues to harbor the colorful Tiger Trout as
well--a 29-incher in 2002.
This is a must lake if you are anywhere near the area-- probably
the best in Eastern Saskatchewan. Fish a Beaver Leech of BeaverRuff Dragon in the deep parts if
there's no action in the shallows.
Steistol Lake
Big7
Steistol is in Greenwater Provincial Park. Steistol
Lake was "discovered" in 2001. It's a worthy lake and boasts
excellent structure. It has record sized Rainbows but catching them is another
matter. I like to fish dragon nymphs in the bay down past the beaver house. It's
a hike-in lake unless you can get permission to run your quad into the lake
shore. Use the techniques outlined in my
Strategies book
Lake Deifenbaker:
Deif is nowhere near the Parkland, but it must be included if you
even breathe Saskatchewan. I know everyone there in the province likes to fish the Little
Bear Country or along the Hanson Lake Road for trout, and justifiably so, but I like
Deif.
In spring 2000, a net split at the fish farm and a half-million adult Rainbows entered the lake proper, to trigger one of the largest migration of fishers to the area since it's birth. Complete duffers caught huge trout and huge amounts of trout. Now those finned critters prowl the coulees that I love so well in July.
Dief has yielded 37 lb. + Brown Trout, Atlantic Salmon, Rainbows galore and all of the warm water species. One 'bow taken in 1998 ran 27 lbs. Since then it has produced two world records!
Its
surface area is larger than some European countries. Its shoreline and coulee contour looks like
the original hydra. Love it!
Bass, Muskies and Giant Pike
Many of our readers would like to hook a giant Pike or a musky on a Fly Rod.
Most bypass southern climes to big lakes and lodges in Northern Ontario,
Manitoba, and Sask. that offer sufficient forage bases to nurture
croc-o-mo-gators to true trophies sought. Figure on 2 to 3 grand for the fly-in
experience of a lifetime. Having guided for some of these in my earlier days I
can attest that the fish are there and are now getting more protection as
affluent North Americans make the trips and enforce regulations, not wanting to
see what happened at home, happen in Canada.
For those of us with only one lifetime and
smaller purses, you may be
happy to know that it is not only possible in Western Manitoba too replicate the
experience but a real likelihood. I've released more and larger Pike in good ole
Lake of the Prairies, about a mile from here in one week than a season on the
so-called big water trips. I sure
wouldn't knock the fishing in any of of the Northern flights but a steady forage
base of walleyes can also produce some very large Essox. Moreover,
northern fishing isn't what it was 30 years ago when I guided.
I long ago discovered that water fertility makes for big fish whether it be trout, walleye
or Pike. These toothy monsters grow faster in the fertility of the lakes around the
Parkland and the Assiniboine watershed than in any acidic Northern Lake, where
longer-lived trophies take more years to reach the same dimensions. They may not
be not as numerous, however, but they are there and must
have protection .
Don't go bringing a 7 weight rod to do battle with these guys. A 10 would be better. More
to be able to cast the flies you have to get out than anything.
Anything less than 9 you have to bring a tent and be prepared to fight on into the night .
. .
Singuish Lake:
BASS
Lake has lots of Smallmouth bass, pike and walleyes. I fish it for Bass on occasion
because there are some true trophies usually popping around in the morning but alas I'm usually
off to a trout Lake or River. Great spot to ponder, procrastinate and conjure and tie the
flies I should have tied last winter.
When I first saw the bass in this lake on their nests, I was shocked at their size. Later, I
caught and released a few. Great top water action with dry flies in the calm of the
morning in the area just out from the campsite.
Primitive camping but the most beautiful spot I've ever seen in Manitoba and I've been to
a few. Towering Spruces. Grey Jays and squirrels become part of the family. Clean toilets
but no running water. Hand pump. Just a great spot to rest up.
I write and program there. Send me Email there after ice out.
Two Loon Lake:
BASS
Everyone knows that Nopoming and the Whiteshell has the best Bass fishing in Manitoba or
even central Canada...
Wanna bet?
Located off of Rocky Lake by Wanless, MB north of The Pas. Cross Rocky in a big boat and
then portage. Better still take a boat across Rocky and then carry your tube in.
I keep getting flack for talking about this one. Not everyone up there wants it
fished.
And Still Others:
McNicols Lake:
Thompson. My son likes to go there and get his canoe towed around.
Giant Pike. Better take a ten weight.
THE RIVERS
The Pine
Picture a quiet little Appalachian Stream tucked away in the North Woods. Quiet
sun-dappled pools and runs. Stony bottoms give way to quiet and thoroughly enjoyable
pools. Good wading and sand bars and easy access. Lots of pressure and small fish,
in
easily approached stretches but there are may larger Rainbows and Brookies in upper reaches
where there is little or no pressure (or trails). If your hale and hearty and like
wilderness you can hike off the road to the various stretches and fish the log jams and
undercuts and 14" to 18" trout. Down where the road crosses the stocked trout
are fished heavily by bait fisherman and surprisingly numerous fly fishermen. I
love this place and visit it often when I need to relive life on the streams.
Steeprock River:
There is a fine madness that dwells in the hearts of men. It envisions rivers with waters
that would be as clear as air and its pools numerous and deep and its cataracts tumbling
down over moss covered rocks. It would be a wild and unspoiled wilderness and its trout
would break tackle and men's hearts. Every cast would be to an unknown lie. Its paths
would be animal trails. It would be in a impregnable wilderness. It would test every
aspect of endurance and tackle.
This was no dream.
It WAS the Steeprock River before chopping every tree off the top of the
escarpment let the flood of '95 scour the basin and flood plain. But the river is
rebounding and gaining a little topsoil to repair its riparian zones, every
year. Some of the upper reaches still host good trout and habitat.
No campsites. No trails. No roads or human presence. 100% backpack. Wild and virgin canyon
country. Fast crystal water.
Natural spawners and some supplemental Brookie stockings. After leaving the cutbanks
and hogsback regions, 15 to 20 miles of hiking, wading and sweat--living
amongst black bears, black flies, moose, wolves and some rather questionable rumors of Sasquatches from some early-day loggers that I met in the 1980's when it was a
fly fisher's paradise for those brave enough to tackle it.
The flood of the early 90's removed most of
the topsoil for some distance on each side of the river so walking is best suited for a Patagonian Rock-Hopper (that's a penguin--not a
Sasquatch). The loss of fertility reflects in the reduced size in the trout but
it's still a backpackers dream. Not for the faint of heart or out-of-condition but an experience that should be.
Right now there is only a handful of people who have ever been to its
upper reaches as fly fishermen. Biggest Rainbow I have ever taken was 22"
(before the flood and before Rainbows were excluded from stocking) and in a
pool at the bottom of a cataract right in the canyon that heads up toward Steeprock
Lake.
It's mostly smaller Brookies, but the scenery will rival anything in the
West and the darkened, moody canyons could host any tale. When camping at night
owl hoots sound like rifle shots up in those segments.
More
There are several other streams in Western Manitoba but when you consider the size of the
trout in the Lakes it is hard to give them the attention they deserve.
Fly Patterns are covered on other pages in our sites and ARE
available in the book, Bob Sheedy's book, Bob Sheedy's
Top Fifty Stillwater
Fly Patterns complete with how, when, and where
to fish them. (Our only
ad--mine). If you want to learn the techniques required, they too
are available, in my book, Lake Fly Fishing Strategies.
REMEMBER THIS IS MY OPINION. YOU MAY KNOW OF SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK IS BETTER, SEND
ME AN EMAIL AND TELL ME ALL ABOUT IT.
mailto:flyfisher@mwflyfishing.net
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