Some of our Favorite Small Lakes

So this will be my first report for Westside stores. I get asked constantly to do more reports on my Blind bay Adventures blog so i'm hoping everyone will check these reports as well as i will be adding my two cents in over here as well.

So the small lakes in the area have really started to pick up. The ice is off most of the lower lying valley lakes and the fishing is really starting to pick up. So here's some quick reports from some of our near by lakes.

White Lk- Has been fishing very good. The chironomid fisherman have been doing very well casting out off the shoals and now in the last few days casting in on to the shoals. Everyone waits for the opportunity to sight fish these fish as they cruise though shallow water looking for food. So id say on a nice warm day try plunking your fly in towards the shoreline 6' to 10' under your indicator for bets results. You can use a variety of different chironomids right now try black silver rib red butt, chromie red/blk rib, fabulous 58/maroon or try gray black rib. Think darker colors when your picking your fly's for White. I had a report from one of our good customers today from Saturday and he told me of the great day they had just trolling on the lake with a leech pattern. The thousand yard shoal was so full of fisherman that they fished the road side of the lake and landed 19 fish. If your a troller try leeches, dragons and pumpkin heads.

Phillips lake- Has still been fishing pretty slow. I'm really waiting for this lake to pick up as i know that there will be 7 pnd fish coming out of there this year. Ive just heard slow reports coming from the lake so stay tuned for more positive reports we will let you know when that lake is hopping.

Gardom lake- Has been slow but seems thing to have maybe turned the corner this weekend. I saw a picture of a fish some were in the 7 pnd range today that came out of the lake this weekend caught on a chromie. Fish the structure in Gardom. The points of the islands are always productive. Try a gomphus or dragon pattern, one of my favs on the slow days on Gardom.

We have the new line of custom tied chironomids from north Okanagan flies. We have a number of antistatic patterns, vid mids and chromies. These flys are proven fish catchers.

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So I have been out on the Shuswap Lake numerous times over the past few weeks and have had what I would call really good fishing. I’ve heard from many anglers this year that the fishing "just isn’t as good as last year". So I guess it’s all in what your perception of good fishing is? Don’t get me wrong I love having those 25 fish days out there on the Shuswap and landing a few big demon fish but not every year is going to be like that. Last year we were throwing back 5 pound chromers like they were nothing in search of the ten pound fish, this year I’m working hard to catch those 5 pound beautes from last year. The Shuswap Lake revolves so much around the salmon runs in the area. If we have big returns to the rivers we will have fat fish in the shuswap. Unfortunately the last two years have been dismal returns to the Adams and Eagle Rivers. I actually talked to one fisheries officer who told me last year’s sockeye run is pretty much extinct and the guys that were counting fish were just packing up and heading home. I spent at least 20 fish days on the Adams River last year and did not see one sockeye. So I guess my point is I have come to realize that not every year is going to be like the last and I’m fine with that. I think we sometimes get a bit spoiled living were we do. I’m still having 15 fish days and sure they are not all 5 plus pounds but I’m out on my favorite lake in the world catching a few fish.

So now after all that I’ll give you a bit of an overview of the last couple of weeks. Well the tequila sunrise and creamsicle flies have soared to heights of popularity like I’ve never seen a lure or fly hit in the store. These flies are just so hot and again I just can’t keep up with the demand. Last Sunday I was working my other job as a guide for Blind Bay Adventures and had four clients in the boat. We started up at the narrows where we landed a bunch of nice fish, mostly two- three pounds but it all seemed to be on the same rod. Yes it was the rod with the creamsicle on it. By the end of the day I had no choice but to load all three fly rods with the yummy orange fly. We had 15 to the net and many long line releases, as well as two keepers. For the fish being smaller this year we still have landed a few nice ones. I hit one at Harold’s Park in the 7 pound range and that same day had a nice five pound bull. My little brother Greg landed a 63 cm fat bow that tipped the diggy scale at just over 7 pounds as well. Other than the tequila sunrise/creamsicle flies there are a number of other things you can try on the lake. One of my favorites is the dick nite #2 nickel red head. I call this little lure my money maker as it really is a go to fly when I’m guiding. You can throw it on a fly rod and troll it or put it down on the down rigger and troll it - it works both ways and has proved itself time and time again. The apex in #1 and #1.5 size is always a popular choice. My two favorites are the plain silver and the gold and silver. Speed is crucial and a nice troll at about 2mph with a type 6-7 sinking line should get you into the zone. For the guys with the big boats who are having a hard time getting down to those speeds stop in and see me at the store. I have a slip weight / split shot set up that might just help you get down where you need to be while still being able to use light tackle.

So for now I’m just going to enjoy the Shuswap Lake and how quiet it still is out there, and catch a few fish big or small I don’t care. The Shuswap is always good in my opinion.

Happy fishing