Interior Lakes Report August

Fishing has certainly picked up. Everyone is catching trout these past couple days. Surface water temps are hitting the upper 60’s, but is definitely cooler down below. Algae bloom is still light, and the lake level has dropped a touch, but water clarity is still excellent. Trollers are catching trout on just about anything, from gang trolls, to Kwikfish plugs. The ‘K-Mart Special’ fly pattern in olive, has been working extremely well when trolled, or stripped in on a sink line. The resort is full of families with kids right now, and when they are not swimming off the docks, they are catching all kinds of trout on the worms, set under a slip float, trick is getting the worm just a foot of the bottom, in the muddy bottom areas of the lake, they need to be out of the weeds. A 4 lb -10 oz fish is the biggest so far this week we have heard of, but we have seen several fish right at the 4 lb mark coming in as well. Chironomid fisherman are starting to get into the trout pretty good right now as well.  Large chironomids were observed hatching last night from about 8:30 to 10 PM in front of our cabins and back in the channel in front of our campground as well. They also hatched in 6 to 12 feet of water yesterday along the north end of Tunkwa. Bigger chironies patterns, in size 8 or 10 long are working. Bright, metallic green, maroon/silver rib, Static-bag or KD’s patterns are all producing, just make sure it is close to the bottom and not in a weedy area. Fish on the cleaning table are full of huge green bloodworms, looks like things are shaping up for the “bomber” hatch not too much longer!

~report from http://www.tunkwalakeresort.com/fishingreport.php

TUNKWA FISHING REPORT July 8, 2010

Fly fishers experienced some good success late last week, keying in on emerging mayflies. Fishing ‘Hare’s Ear ‘nymphs, ‘Half-Backs’, ‘Prince Nymph’s, and our local pattern, the ‘Orange Sucka’ around emerging mayflies, were all working well. The nymphs had to be fished just subsurface off the bigger weed beds in Tunkwa. We are also seeing some sporadic hatches of ‘travelling sedges’ coming off Tunkwa. When the rainbows are crushing the ‘travellers’ on top, it can be some exciting action. Sedge Pupa or olive ‘K-Mart Special’ patterns are great patterns to use for these fish, hits are violent, often resulting in break off’s…a step-up in stronger tippet is highly recommended. Blonde coloured or light olive coloured damsel nymph patterns, fished deeper, again out off the weed beds, have been accounting for trout as well. Trolling or wind drifting, black/ red or maroon micro leaches have been working for some guests as well. Chironomid fishing has been a bit slow, but being at the right place, at the right time, fish are being caught with this approach. Guests fishing worms under ’slip-floats’ have been having the best success, landing good numbers of fish and some big ones as well. Not many reports from anglers trolling hardware, but this tactic is normally a producer anytime on Tunkwa. Guest day tripping out to area lakes, are reporting good catches and some big fish, and being able to be on the lakes where the Sedge hatches are coming off strong, is worth the effort.
The unusual weather patterns so far this season, definitely have the bug hatches way off. Some knowledgeable Tunkwa anglers estimating it as much as three weeks behind! Fortunately, the weather forecast is finally calling for some summer like temperatures, with the warmer temperatures, we should see local bug hatches pick up and fishing be much more consistent as we continue this summer.

Paul Patton

Tunkwa Lake Resort

Interior Lakes Fishing July 2010

Fly fishers have had a tough time with sporadic bug hatches making  it tough to dial into what the rainbows want. Lots of big trout are still being seen active on the surface, taunting anglers. Later in the past week with the warmer weather some guys are having good success in the mornings, fishing TomThumbs(dries) across fish that were rising for Caddis that are hatching……this is fly fishing at its finest!

Fishing the good old worm under a slip float are still doing very well, limiting out on rainbows in short order, if they are set up in the right areas, worm fishing is deadly, even with finicky trout, seems they just can’t resist a lively worm.
Trollers are still catching fish, with the usual presentations,……gang trolls or wedding bands tipped with worms, and HotShots or Kwikfish plugs, are making the trout react and strike out at them, it’s just a matter of figuring out the right area, and correct depth. Trolling quicker seems to be more productive, than a slow troll, right now.
Surface water temp is hitting 66°F mid day. Water levels are high, clarity is still very good, and the algae blooms are very light.

Interior Lakes Heating Up June 2010

This last week or two has been a little slower  with our barometric pressure falling putting the fish off.  This week we are in store for some nicer weather bringing with it more hatches. The Chronie fisher must have with him black and red rib ice cream cones, Chromies,  static bags and limeys in their arsenal.   Lots of Mayfly hatches are happening now,  some  productive patterns are 52 Buicks and Pheasant Tail nymphs, with a Gray Wulff or Adams Dry fly in your box.  Don’t get caught without  your mayfly  dries at this time of year.  My favorite  pattern this year has  been the Bulldog, I substitute this pattern with  an orange bead and eliminate the olive  hackle. It has brought  on some great days this last month.  Try fishing leeches such as the Bulldog, or Pumpkin Head  on a heavy sink line such as a type 6 to get down  to the fish and hold on the strikes can be ferocious. Towards  the end of the month Caddis  should start to hatch as well  as damsels.  Bring these patterns  with you in the nymph stage, and drys for later on.

Ice Off April 2010

Well we going to try to keep you updated with all the ice that is coming off. So far, Barnes, Canim, Morgan, White, Stump, Six mile, Jacko,and most of the Douglas Ranch lakes are open. For those still ice fishing, shrimp through the ice seems to be producing the best results. Time to check your supplies, leaders, tippets and indicators because come the end of the month we will be fishing everywhere! Chronomids, Leeches and dragons are going to be key along with a good density compensated sink line or tip to get to those fish just coming up to feed after a long winter. So come on by and see what’s new and let us show you some new gear for this season.
Don’t forget licences need to be renewed now as they all expired Mar 31st, 2010.

Interior Lakes Update MARCH 2010

With this years mild winter expect a much earlier stillwater season with ice off up to a month earlier than normal! Although the winter was mild and shorter than past years, ice fishing was still great with many people having good success this year. Several reports have came from the Kamloops area saying that Six Mile, Canim, and Morgan all have ice off (and fishing) with the majority of the remaining lakes having “black ice”. The rest of ice off is expected by as early as the end of the month or early April. Chironomid hatches will likely be earlier than usual so start tying now! We’re expecting a great season this year and enjoy the early ice off!

Ice Coming Off Early Feb 2010

With this warm weather all over the province you can bet the start of the lake fishing season will be earlier by almost a month this year, barring a real extended cold snap.  The last I heard Tunkwa Lake was fishing quite well for it’s first ice fishing season.  A lot of lakes have good ice coverage but it is about 6-8 inches thinner this year than last year, so I’m guessing the ice should come off around the first half  of May. 

 

Don’t forget about the BC Sportmen’s Show at the Abbotsford tradex March 5, 6 & 7th, we’ll see you there!

Interior Lakes Ice Fishing Jan 2010

The Ice fishing season is well upon us and there are some new lakes open to ice fishing.  Tunkwa Lake is proving to be a great destination this year.  This is the first year that Tunkwa has been open to ice fishing and the fishing is good.  A good proven technique at any lake is using white or yellow marabou jigs, or you can use some curly tail grubs in chartreuse, white, pearl, chartreuse glitter.  Later in the season when oxygen levels drop in the lake and the fish become more lethargic using extra attractants can aid in your catching.  Some things you can use are ruby eyed wiggler spoons or other silver spoons that you use as a flasher above your jig or bait set up to attract the fish.   You can also use baits where allowed.  There are a lot of different baits I use but the two most popular seem to be cooked shrimp and bacon.  Small pieces of either of these on your jig will help produce numbers.  Try fishing for Brook Trout for a change they are very tasty table fair.  Check your regulations for openings as a lot of new areas have opened this season.

Garrys Baby Pool is now Over!

Garry and Erika welcomed a beautiful baby girl to the world on Dec 7th 2009.  Her name is Audrey Maria Elgear, she weighed in at 7lbs 12 oz and was 22 inches long.  Mom Dad and the baby are all doing well and thank everyone for their well wishes.  Garry will be back in the store Dec 16.

Interior Lakes Starting to Freeze Nov 09

Well it’s that time of year again and a lot of the lakes are starting to or are already icing over.  The Merritt area has been fishing really well for those few die hards who are willing to deal with icy mornings and foul weather.  Just make sure to check your elevation before going as anything over 1500 meters is pretty well iced over now, with a few exceptions.  Low lying lakes and warm south winds may keep some lakes open for another week or so, especially if you don’t mind doing a little ice breaking first thing in the morning.  For those brave enough the reward has been many nice fish and very few if any fisherman.  Tight lines and time to start sharpening those auger blades.

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