Opportunistic Chironimids
Was up at Tunkwa April 21st and the ice came off totally last night. By two o'clock today there were thick clouds of chironimids everywhere. Still
nine days before it can be fished. Too bad. Prof.

How long does the chironimid fishing last on Tunkwa? Mid May should be alright eh?

Fishcarver,
Tunkwa is a special case when it comes to chironimids. It has a maximum depth of 18' and has a mud bottom, prime conditions for chironimids. Mid May might actually be too early for the very best action on Tunkwa. I find the last week in May to the first week in June to be perfect. The big bombers(size 8-10)usually make their presence felt in June. The hatches are pretty regular all season. I spent an hour today comparing flies with
George, the person we're taking over for. He has some unbelievably long and fat chironimids that are the perfect size to match the big ones. I can't wait!! Prof.

I have heard Tunkwa is good chironimid fish'en. I bet you can't wait. A belly boat would be all I would need as far as boats go. I have a 12ft. alum. but I'm not to crazy about dragging it around unless I have to. It doesn't fit in my camper very well. ;) I hooked one of the big boys down at the creek mouth today. My 4lb. tippet was childs play for him. Didn't snap on a knot so I'm not being to hard on myself. Sh*t happens.

Fluorocarbon or mono? I've had tippet snapped 8 times in one day! If you tie good knots and lubricate them well then you're right,**it happens. Prof.

Dale,
I think I should mention Tunkwa is 296 ha. so that is what, 700 acres? There is a sunken island right out front of the resort not to mention a good shoal only 300 kicks away. Prof.

Hi John

Do you ever fish Leighton at all. I have found that they don't seem to be as finicky as Tunkwa Rainbows. I went to Tunkwa/Leighton 4 times last year and all but one time I found myself fishing Leighton 90% of the time.

I would like to head up around late May or Early June. Hopefully Ill have my 4 weight Gloomis back as the other day it was introduced to the truck door. I had good luck with red butts last year in August. Before I had made a cast I already had a fish on because my fly was hanging over my tube while tying on a strike indicator. 4 more casts produced 4 more fish. Rob the lodge owner told me that we missed some 40-50 fish days by only 3 days. They were getting that many fish with some up to 6 pounds on Damsels and Chironomids.

Are you staying at one of the campsites that the lodge has for people who stay all year?

Prof. your going to be stuck in this place all year. Man I feel for ya. How do we find you next spring. Just look for a cabin buried in fresh tied chironomids with fish crawling up the bank to get at them? Don't lose hope. I think bobber is still working on your case. Well if Greg can catch 5 in four casts, I don't think I'll have to cover the whole lake to get a good lesson in.

Greg, we have a residence behind the lodge which is more than I had imagined in my mind.
I personally use a GL2 and I love it for chironimids. A friend has a GLX 10' 4 wt and says it is more like a 5 wt. but has unbelievable casting power.
As for Leighton, I like that lake as well but to be totally honest I haven't fished either a whole lot in the past but I think that is about to change. The lakes I fish in the Logan Lake/Highland Valley area are much smaller and have good populations of large fish. It is fun going out hunting for trophies but if a commercial tyer did nothing but that it would take forever to develop effective patterns. In my experience if you can get people into 2-3 pound fish regularly then they're happy. I know I am!
Dale, I'll be like the original owner of Peterhope Resort and you'll know me because I'll be the one discharging my shotgun across the bows of bait fishermen.(actually that was just a rumor about him). Next spring all you have to do is remember, "The Shining", if you're coming to visit. You be Scatman Carruthers and I'll be Jack.
Instead of a pillar I'll hide behind a lodgepole pine. I better start my diet now! Prof.

Sure two or three lb'ers untill my arms are sore. I'll be happy!

Professor, are you implying that a 2-pounder isn't a trophy ? No wonder the taxidermist guy looks at me funny when I bring in my fish in for mounting. Oh well, the wife will be happy. Not much room left on the walls ...

How many whitefish you got on your wall bobber? Have you decided where your going to go fishing in the interior.? You were talking about it awhile back. I'm still thinking either the Canim river or the Revelstoke area.

Sad to say, only one whitefish trophy - they swim too darn fast for me to catch 'em. Lots of carp smiling down on me though. And one chinook who had a bum fin.

No firm plans for the interior, I'm afraid, and I'm already running out of time for the spring. As for the rest of the year - I'll be checking out some Island lakes in mid-May, then up in the Whistler/Pemberton area in June, Nootka Sound in July, a float trip on the Elk River in late August ... probably the Skagit in September. Nah, I ain't rich - I just have some good contacts :) .

So many fish, so little time. But if I could make the time, I'd probably head up towards 100 Mile and fish my way back to "civilization". With luck, I'd get lost and never make it back.

(Revelstoke, eh ? A buddy of mine in Calgary wants to meet in Revelstoke for a few days of camping. I told him "no way" because I didn't know anywhere to fish up there - and camping without fishing is ... well ... it's living outdoors for no obvious reason.)

Bobber there's lots of stream, creek and river fishing to be had in the area. Small streams to the Columbia river, take your pick. I have never fished the area but a friend that grew up there said there's some awsome creek fishing. Like you say ( to many fish'en holes and not enough time)

Well, you know, if you're going as far as Revelstoke, it wouldn't take much to sneak across the border and wet your line in the Bow. Finest stream I ever saw, especially around Canmore. Would've fished it last summer, but I slept in (honest - I was just passing through, had it all planned to get up before dawn and fish for a couple of hours ... next thing I knew, it was 10 in the morning. I think I was dreaming about all the fish I was gonna catch). Next time - there's always next time.

Hello to all. Anyone know how Stump lake has been fishing? I heard early reports of great fishing, but I have an uncanny ability of arriving just as a lake starts to turn-over! Any info would be appreciated. I was planning to head up from Van. next week. Tight-lines everyone.

You should be alright. I haven't been by there in a few days but they were getting fish to 8 lbs. on micro leeches, chironimids and tan damsels. It's been quite windy all weekend and I would think it would be turned by the time you get there. Prof.

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