Thompson Okanagan
non-reproducing triploid and all- surface to mix and re-oxygenate
female triploid fish (designated 3N the lake waters, signalling the
The Thompson Okanagan region
and AF3N respectively) that, in a start of the main fishing season.
has long been British Columbia’s
food-rich environment, put most of Increased oxygen levels, and
year-round recreational playground.
their energy intake toward growing warming of the nutrient-rich water,
Part of the great Interior Plateau
to trophy-size instead of producing bring major hatches of the larvae
that lies in the rain shadow of
eggs. The hatcheries also rear of aquatic insects like chironomids,
the Coast Mountains, it boasts
non-native eastern brook trout that damselflies, dragonflies, mayflies,
warm, dry springs and summers,
fly-fishers cherish, but of the AF3N and caddisflies, along with
dazzling autumns, and cold, brisk
variety, to prevent the possibility of invertebrates likes leeches and
winters. The Okanagan Valley
inter-breeding with closely-related scuds (Gammarus and Hyalella
and Boundary/Similkameen are a
native char. shrimp). These are the main sources
colourful quiltwork of fruit orchards,
vineyards, and hayfields, while the
Hardy souls love the challenges of
of food for trout, char, and kokanee.
sparse, northern foothills of the
steelheading along the Thompson While you can troll for fish using
Thompson-Nicola valleys are home
River or ice-fishing during the winter hardware, or spincast with bait
to sweeping cattle ranches.
months, but it’s “ice-off” in the from shore, early spring is one of
spring that brings the year’s first the best times to fly-fish in this
The region’s myriad lakes and rivers
legions of anglers. Soon after the region. Hatches of mature insects
boast over 20 species of freshwater
ice melts from the region’s lakes, can be boiling off the surfaces of
game fish, a challenge to all anglers,
anglers find easy-to-catch fish in the lakes, but most of your success will
from beginner to expert. Larger
upper water column. Hungry after come from fishing wet patterns
lakes are home to lake char, bull
winter’s deprivations, these fish will that imitate larval forms as they rise
trout, kokanee, and whitefish in
hit just about any bait, lure, or fly. from the bottom to the surface.
a
addition to high-leaping, native
“Kamloops” rainbow trout. Many
Fishing slows after “turnover,” During the early summer, dry-fly
c
f
r
o
a
.
c
a
warm, shallow southern lakes
when oxygen-depleted, deeper enthusiasts target surface-feeding
c
f
r
o
a
.
c
.
b
water charges to the surface about fish feasting on prolific hatches of .
b
also hold hard-striking bass and
perch that slingers of hardware
two weeks after the ice completely big travelling sedges, caddisflies,
and artificial plastic bait absolutely
melts. Vigorous winds stir up the and mayflies. Autumn, when fish
www
www
are loading up on water boatmen
covet. Most lakes have excellent
4 I
access, with boat launch ramps and
campgrounds, and a good number 5 I
have resorts that cater to anglers.
I 4
There are also harder-to-reach,
hike-in jewels for anglers who crave
I 4
solitude as well as blue-ribbon
u
i
d
e
fishing.
u
i
d
e
With great pressure on resident
n
g G
fish stocks from sport fishing, the
n
g G
i
s
h
i
non-profit Freshwater Fisheries
i
s
h
i
t F
Society of British Columbia (FFSBC)
t F
p
o
r
produces about nine million fish
p
o
r
C S in their five hatcheries to enhance C S
1
0 B about a thousand lakes and streams
1
0 B
2
0
around the province. 100% of the
2
0
fee from every freshwater license
sold in British Columbia goes to the
FFSBC’s restocking program.
The province’s most sought-after
freshwater game fish — rainbow
trout — drives most of the FFSBC’s
annual hatchery efforts. The
society also rears other species (like
cutthroat trout, lake char, kokanee,
and even white sturgeon) using
native brood stocks wherever
possible. The society pioneered the
technology that produces sterile,
Thompson Okanagan Win a Dream Fishing Adventure.
www.bcfroa.ca/duncanby
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