Flyfishing Bass
Hey Mac, I caught my first fly rodded bass. It was the smallest thing I've ever seen and it didn't fight worth a damn on my eight weight but I still managed.

Also saw a five pound largemouth come after my popper but as is my luck, I popped it just as it rose to the fly. I couldn't get him back. Largemouth are very rare on my lake.

Only have a trout and walleye to get now on the fly rod. Going brookie fishing within the week.

Cheers.

Way to go!
Better luck on the Largemouth next time. I'm still waiting to try Bassin' on the fly but the way things are looking now, it won't be till August!

Hey Mac

Just tried some bassin' tonight at Albert Dyck Park. Had two hits on a rubber worm but it was pretty dead. Does the fishing pick up when it gets warmer? And is surface fishing better when there's no ripple on the water?
Steve

Steve,
The fishing will improve as the weather warms, up until the time when the water gets so hot that it drives the fish to the bottom. I can't remember the magic numbers.
As for the ripple...try it later in the evening when the water is calm. Remember, Bass have big eyes and daylight hurts them, that is one of the reasons they seek cover, and also explains why fishing for these guys is usually better at night, or on overcast days (all other factors excluded, of course).
One thing to try if you're getting a lot of short hits, is to tie on a stinger-hook. I can't remember too many weeds in Albert Dyck, so you shouldn't have a problem snagging. If you use solid rubber worms, (as opposed to paddle tails) then try this:
Snell a #8 or #10 hook, leave plenty of line.
Using a common sewing needle, start at the very tail and thread the line through the worm till it exits near the head end.
Do this two or three times, moving up along the length of the worm until you have 2 or 3 hook gaps sticking out of said worm.
Take the line that is sticking out of the head and tie all strands into a swivel.
Ta-da...a rubber worm with 2 (or 3) stingers showing.
SPECIAL NOTE:
If this technique is not permitted in your region, then obviously DON'T DO IT!
Good luck!

Does anyone know of any bass or walleye lakes within an hour or two from Kamloops?

5005&page=5/767
Just about any lake in the Okanagan has "some" species of Bass in it: Osoyoos, Skaha, Vaseux, OK River, Tug-ul-Nuit, Deadman Lake.....(not in the larger Lakes though; Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka etc.)
As for Walleye, you may have to travel to the Kootenays, although I have heard that there are some around Revelstoke, but that's more than an hour or two isn't it?

Hey Shawn, stop on by and I'll put you on some walleye. A little more than an hour or two (northwestern ontario) though.

This is the first unsolicited walleye note I've stumbled upon on this board. Now I'm giddy with glee.

I've got to hit the lake again soon. Talk to you all later.

Hey Tyler,

I'll be in Southern Manitoba (Gimli area) at the end of July. We may head to the Lake of the Woods area too. Any suggestions on where to fish for Walleye, bass or pike?

The Winnipeg River is dynamite from Pointe du Bois up. You can catch all three.

Throw jerk baits (pigs, fantoms, suiks and vipers) for pike at current breaks where you'll find rock. A nearby bay or within a bay will almost guarantee a big pike holding there (+ 40 inches).

The walleye will be in two places. In the weeds, shallow and on tiered reefs in the main lake or river stem. For weed walleyes use four-eight foot leaders on plain hook or garnished with a colorado blade (hammered copper or white with red dot are my faves). Troll edge of weed lines or if sparse enough right inside. They can be as shallow as two feet even at high noon. Reef walleyes ambush ciscoes and smelts and can be as deep as thirty, fourty or even fifty feet.

Bass will slow down a little then so I would switch to tubejigs and small plastic presentations. Target rocks for smallmouth in three to fifteen feet of water. Some will also school deep on rocky reefs but I don't know how to find or catch them consistently.

You may already know all I've previously stated but if you have think that this is really therapeutic for me and I really enjoy writing about this.

As for Lake of the Woods, I have heard that Buffalo Bay gets pretty slow in mid to late summer so I would stay out of the Steinbach area. Instead head to Kenora. I haven't fished there but its only three hours away. Big walleye, big northerns and big bass. If you want come on down and I'll take you out on Rainy Lake. It can't be but five hours (Fort Frances) from Gimli.


Anyways, take care and have fun in July. Should be gangbusters then.

Tyler sounds like your having a good time up there in the sticks? Thought you would have lost enough blood to be slow in the head by now.Have you managed to find any big brookies yet? I'm still waiting for that story. I caught a nice bow in Ok. lake today. The bugger took a Tom and he wasn't even finished eat'en a 4in. shiner. Must be take'en lessons from those garbage guzzling bass. Well have a good one eh.

I plan to go hunting for brookies within the week. I found a lovely lake that isn't closed and I'm going to take my boat in there as soon as it's out of the shop. I might even make a trip to the Nipigon River to try for some more. It's only about five hours away.

On another note, I was up at a lodge for a couple days and went fishing yesterday. We got five fish and they were terribly small. Looks like I've gotten spoiled already. Two months ago, I would have killed for one fish. And now, its the worst day of fishing all year. How quickly we forget. I'm not trying to brag at all by the way. Sorry if it sounds that way.

I am having an awesome time using the fly rod. I can't wait until I get a big northern on one. Or a brookie. Take care everyone. Hope your enjoying the summer Fishcarver.

Back to Fly Fishing Page