A few years ago, I wrote that Tokaruk's Lake was not my favorite. Esthetically, it still isn't, but being one of the few Parkland trout lakes that doesn't bloom, it may well have become my lake of choice by hydrological decree. At one time, the lake was in deplorable condition regarding numbers of fish. It was and is a meat market for those who troll and take home the groceries.

Lacking input and creel census, the DNR allowed the stocking to die to levels that would have better addressed a 20 Acre trout pond. Moreover, the lake received only Rainbow Trout, which admittedly grow to prodigious sizes, but not as did the trophy browns that match the food-print of the water body perfectly. Many blamed the Fisheries people for their lack of attention, but few realize the huge cutbacks in staff that has hit the DNR in years past and the geography each must cover. To launch a creel census for an entire season is a forgotten dream in the fiscal restraints of the '90's. Short-sighted government policy can allow huge loopholes in the information flow. Consequently, Tokaruk’s fell prey to over-fishing as a favored haunt for those who kept the groceries. Stocking levels were insufficient to maintain pace.

The people we like to malign so often came quickly to the rescue with concentrated stockings in a balanced manner once they got some input. The lake responded in turn and again the fishery has rebounded, presently boasting a huge population of feisty 17 to 20 inch fish. Yes, the trollers are returning, but are a little more careful now that several have fallen victim to the TIPS line, and no doubt desire not to join the ranks who get to go to the annual auction to buy their boat back. Tokaruk's has a lot of friends and many care about its health. It seems that some also have cell phones...

Over zealous meat fishermen would do well to take care.

The lake will not peak for two years, but the growth rates approach phenomenal, especially regarding the Browns. Stocked at a whole five inches last fall, these have attained 11.5 inches in one year and are obese in shape. Is this a Brown Trout Lake, or what!

When shooting video for our series of Lake Fly Fishing Instructional VHS tapes, I encountered one double-digit Brown minnow chopper in the shallows. He posed nicely for 45 seconds of hi-quality video. When he made his last pass and swam away, it dawned on me that I might have tried to catch him. So much for dedication.

Yes, there are numerous trophy fish left in Tokaruk's. While it is true that they were pared down considerably over the past few seasons, it only reduces them to the numbers where boat trollers vacate and big fish fly-fishing tactics come to the fore.

Chris Travis who makes an annual trip in from California, is one who shines at this. Each year he sends photos of Rainbows in the 24 to 27 inch range. North Dakotan, Clint Baxter has provided me with excellent video on numerable occasions as he wrestles more of the same. They are there and in the interim there are huge numbers of 18-20 inch play-toys to keep one occupied until the remainder attain their full Tokaruk shape and potential.

In many respects, the lake doesn't fish as it formerly did. The numbers have altered the food print. I have found much more predation of the chaobordus and chironomid larvae layers, which require some rather specialized techniques. As always, when the trout go on chaobordus, we simply try to smash the hatch. It's not always an easy thing to do and one can go quite fishless. I have noticed that those who like to dangle some form of wooly bugger or minnow imitation along the breaks as formerly do not have the all-season success rate as enjoyed previously. Nonetheless, the technique still works, but may require alteration on some days.

This spring, I found that it was necessary to fish a red-ribbed peacock as a dropper and the trout took it. In a couple of mid-summer forays, it still worked but I had to take it out in the deep trenches over the soft bottom where stomach contents revealed masses of bloodworms and chironomid larvae.

On another occasion, small hare's ears worked well and once I came home without landing a fish, but I did get some great bear video.

I first fished Tokaruk lake in 1987 when it was still a Smallmouth bass paradise. Unfortunately, it succumbed to the winter-kill of 88-89 and received a stocking of trout. Within 3 years, it became the stop for trout fishermen right after Sandy Lake had it's winter kill and William Lake became infested with perch. As much as I enjoyed the bass fishing, I enjoyed hunting the shallow loving browns more. The huge rainbows of ‘92 and 93 used to run us into the backing on the largest reels we had as they charged off the broad flat into the deeper water. The Browns would take and fight in the depths until our arms ached. North Dakotan, Bob Morenski broke 30 inches twice during one trip and probably missed a couple more that he couldn't hold from the weeds.

Those were the days we remember with a glow and wished that there had been no holes in the stocking program and that something like a one-fish limit had been implemented.

The stockings of 1998 saw the return of the Browns, due to the insight of Fisheries administrator, Bruce Wright and his amenable staff. The aforementioned growth rates reflect the wisdom. We can expect an awesome fishery with the 26 to 30 inch fish available in a handful of years. Moreover, the Browns live to a good age in Tokaruk’s as witnessed in my video efforts.

One does not fish for them. In periods of lower water temps, one hunts. We watch the shoals for the telltale swirls. I have watched some hardware spin fishermen try to capitalize on the technique as well but the lake is not conducive. Rapalas like to hug the bottom in the shallows and have an affinity for weeds. It is the floating fly line or #1 sink that shines as the fly must be delivered over weeds, but no into them. I see more and more trollers switching to flies as they see the effectiveness. Will some of these people in time, realize how much more effective their presentation would be if they would anchor, use a fly rod and fish the zone instead of vacating it except for the briefest of passes. Will they suddenly realize that their high profile actually spooks the fish and lower themselves into a float tube where they can approach fish stealthily and at the closest of distances. Probably they would catch so many fish that keeping them all would become ridiculous. So probably, the method of trolling slowly down a break and picking up the denizens who turned out and came back in will remain in vogue.

Obviously it has worked in the past.

The fish working the breaks will remain un-catchable and the same tantalizing frustration they were in the mid-nineties when I heard the complaint so often. "I could see them but you couldn't get in there after them. Every cast brought up weeds. I'll wait until just before dark. I can get them then."

And they did.

The deeper fish are quite catchable too. Boat anglers anchor and fish night crawlers. Success is sporadic, but they do score on days when the fish are active. So does anyone fishing a #three sink with a beaver and tan, an olive marabou muddler, a red-ribbed Peacock or a Prince Nymph.

Or as Tony Dean always says. "Damn the hatch. Fish a Wooly Bugger."

He does and he catches fish. Lots of fish.

In the next few years, Tokaruk's will become a hot spot and the pressure would be intense, except that the government has awakened to the fact that many visiting fishermen who visit the area leave behind a trail of dollars. Moreover the surrounding area hosts many more lakes which are undergoing quiet investigation for initial stockings. I've attended some of these forays and have even been allowed some input. We won't name any here for winter oxygen levels, must be addressed and negotiations with cash-strapped RM's who will be required to maintain aeration systems and the resultant power bills.

None-the-less, as many as six more Tokaruk's may be added in the near future, if visiting fishermen will continue to pick up their garbage, honor fish and game laws and honoring the wishes of property owners surrounding the lakes. One of the lake's even bears the name - Tokaruk's Lake. Think of the confusion that one will stir!

I can't wait!

What does one use for flies? I've tried them all. An Olive Wooly bugger works well as does, the Tokaruk's special although most tie both in too large a size. Keep it to size ten. Don't forget the Tokaruk’s Brown in your list of woolly buggers.

Many have had good results fishing a store-bought golden muddler right on the surface. I'm more inclined to use a marabou version, again in size ten.

Some sunny fall days, backswimmers are the answer and on others, the bloodworm shines. The red-ribbed peacock seems to be the big-fish fly under those conditions. Mark Olinger launched the very successful P-Quad family of flies on Tokaruk's. The squirrel P-Quad, The Psychedelic P-Quad, the Neon P-Quad and the good old fashion original will all work, especially in late summer and fall.

One never wants to forget the hopper "hatch which" originates from the nearby alfalfa field' or the huge brown sedge hatches of late summer and early fall evenings.

Large Olive Zonkers stripped along the shorelines at twilight will cause your rod to almost jump from your hand during the take.

Yes, Tokaruk's lake is the home of the Tokaruk's take, that all encompassing mighty jerk that parts the tippet and leaves you breathless, stripping in vacant line while your heart pounds.

It is also home of the Tokaruk's "Took". If anyone finds an 11-foot custom rod with a STH reel on it, it's mine.

Release the rainbow. I already saw him.

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