Spring Fishing Trip

[elkrub]

Well here we go again....
Last year was ok at Duncan lake, we were there for 5 days and only manage to catch one. Major sand storm on the beach, so we moved our camp up the hill to the campground.
This year we would like to maybe try Shuswap , Mable or Upper Arrow. I should be able to use the same lures I bought for Duncan, the Apex and Lyman plugs. I'm leaning toward Eagle Bay campsite on Upper Arrow.
Has anyone been to Eagle Bay, is it an OK campsite and does it have a boat launch?
Thanks guys

[rainman]

5 days for 1 ouch

[Dannybuoy]

Too bad about Duncan lake ... that's on my to do list of lakes as I heard it can be good in the spring , mable would not be my first choice and Shushap has a lot of restrictions and have to buy tags if you want to keep a fish so that leaves Arrow . I thought I knew the lake pretty good and apexes and lymans do work well. but where is Eagle Bay ?

[elkrub]

Eagle Bay is on upper arrow just south of Shelter Bay ferry.
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC6607&type=Site
Hope its open at the end of March.

[416]

Eagle Bay is on upper arrow just south of Shelter Bay ferry.
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC6607&type=Site
Hope its open at the end of March.

Thanks for the link.........love it when little nuggets like this show up!

[Sofa King]

what are you fishing for?
just whatever bites your line?
you might have more success if you actually target a specific species.

arrow is great for dollies, and some good bows too.
and like someone mentioned, if your intent also is to kill your fish, then shuswap probably isn't for you.
mabel would be awesome, a F of a lot better than 5 fish in 1 day like you're used to.
arrow is a lot bigger water, but that can also mean a lot bigger fish.

[elkrub]

I'm an old Walleye,Pike and Perch fisherman! Just learning about Trout. We are going to target Trout/Dollies, no downriggers just some weight. Dum question from a former Alberta about the ferry, if its a cable ferry can a boat cross there path.:?

[Dannybuoy]

Eagle Bay is on upper arrow just south of Shelter Bay ferry.
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC6607&type=Site
Hope its open at the end of March.
Ok I have seen that campsite from the lake and don't know if there is a good boat launch or not .
End of March ?? I would guess that there will still be a few ft of snow in that area .... also the lake will be at its lowest about then ... its dropping 1 ft a day right now as they are preparing for spring runoff . Maybe just camp at Shelter Bay .

[Dannybuoy]

I'm an old Walleye,Pike and Perch fisherman! Just learning about Trout. We are going to target Trout/Dollies, no downriggers just some weight. Dum question from a former Alberta about the ferry, if its a cable ferry can a boat cross there path.:?

The ferry at Shelter/Galena bay is Not a cable ferry ... the one at Needles - Faquier is and you can still cross ... just stay away from the ferry

[elkrub]

I don't think Shelter Bay Provincial Park is open .

[BigfishCanada]

hey if you want a little more luxury, i have one week open May 1-7 and After June 6, Ill put you into trout.

After getting tried from catching fish like this:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10947451_10152712026886523_3555714519314198154_o.j pg

You can drink Vino here and listen to music on the sat radio!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10945443_10152792271876523_334513033024629731_o.jp g

[Dannybuoy]

I don't think Shelter Bay Provincial Park is open .

If it isn't open that means No charge .... there isn't a gate and the boat launch is always open as long as it isn't snowed in or possibly water too low ?
BigFish Canada 's place is looking pretty good though.....

[.264winmag]

worse comes to worse just launch where the ferry docks. There is no dock at the campsite launch anyway so either have to trailer boat for night or run up on beach. Arrows can be spotty but there are some good dollies and bows. Not sure if the launch at mica will be open yet but kinbasket lake is deadly dolly fishing as soon as you can launch your boat in there.

[elkrub]

BigfishCanada thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind. But finding and learning how to catch them is all the fun. Maybe Kinbasket lake might work. Here in BC you guys have tooooo Many choices. This is a good thing!!

[.264winmag]

Nothing to have a 30 fish day on kinbasket in the spring. Never get that on the arrows! Two Lyman's on the surface out the side and one out the middle with a couple ounces.

[Sofa King]

keep in mind that kinbasket is one of the most dangerous lakes.
and you'd be wisest to pull your boat out at night.

[orly]

keep in mind that kinbasket is one of the most dangerous lakes.
and you'd be wisest to pull your boat out at night.
Can you elaborate more on the dangers of kinbasket? Deadheads, weather? It's on my list of lakes to fish in the near future. Thanks

[.264winmag]

Ya it can get windy for sure, we fished it out of a 16 ft aluminum growing up with no problems. Just watch the weather and be prepared to pull onto shore to wait out the wind. After spending several years guiding on the west coast VI it doesn't seem so bad. Deadheads shouldn't be too bad, not as much logging up there these days and even less Heli shows.

[Sofa King]

the winds can be truly wicked out there, and can blow up in a second.
I've been extremely fortunate though, and every trip i've enjoyed up there, only one day wasn't like this.

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w362/deddeer/P7170095_zps1c9c59df.jpg (http://s1072.photobucket.com/user/deddeer/media/P7170095_zps1c9c59df.jpg.html)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/332798_103055463148042_1149779756_o.jpg
https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/331271_103059259814329_1866466136_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/322162_103058936481028_2097513747_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

the winds and rough water are the lesser evil if you ask me.
what truly makes it dangerous is the unseen.
people talk about dead-heads that can come up from the lake bottom due to the flooding years ago, ala Williston.
I've never seen nor experienced those.
but, what I've found, are the massive stumps that are all through the lake.
there's lots of wood debris in general, especially in the spring, when lots has washed into the lake from the high inflows due to the melting.
but the stumps are there year-round, and always will be.
they have nothing to do with logging activity or the now lack of logging.
these are very old stumps that are all over the shoreline.
the water rises and lowers significantly with the opening and closing of the dam.
that floods the shorelines, submerging these stumps, then the water lowers, with the dam's opening, and re-exposes the stumps again.
over time, all the soil is eventually gone and the stump then becomes free and washes out into the lake.
many are floating and visible, but many are submerged and are just at leg depth.
ideally, a jetboat is the preferred motor option.
other than that, one needs to really watch the waters and be very careful with their speeds.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/323790_103059859814269_57569033_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

and pulling your boat out at night is recommended.
I've both woken to my boat floating and also to the boat being way up on shore.

[BigfishCanada]

Awesome pics Sofa, any fish porn?

[Sofa King]

Awesome pics Sofa, any fish porn?

sadly I have almost no pics of all my fishing adventures over the years, and I'm a camera nut.
but it's usually either me taking pics of the other people's fish, or mostly when I'm out alone, I'm more concerned about getting the fish released than getting a photo.

[.264winmag]

As for the submerged stumps just don't travel fast close to shore, lots of water in the middle not to worry about. If you venture up the wood arm it's really bad. We never tagged any stumps or logs up there. Remember snagging a few stumps while trolling that's for sure!

[elkrub]

Nice pics Sofa! We are leaning towards Sprague Bay rec site. Any idea how to find out if there is still snow up there, were going the last week of March. I was on Kinbasket years ago down by Bush arm, but never tried fishing. I have a 14' with a 25hp. We should be able to get to Wood arm, I see in the Back Roads book its right across the large part of the lake to the North East.
Maybe we'll try casting spoons at the creek mouths? Any tips on color..

[Sofa King]

Nice pics Sofa! We are leaning towards Sprague Bay rec site. Any idea how to find out if there is still snow up there, were going the last week of March. I was on Kinbasket years ago down by Bush arm, but never tried fishing. I have a 14' with a 25hp. We should be able to get to Wood arm, I see in the Back Roads book its right across the large part of the lake to the North East.
Maybe we'll try casting spoons at the creek mouths? Any tips on color..



that's my exact destination whenever I go.
my zodiac is a 14' with a 25 hp, you'll be fine.
it's the entrance to the wood arm that usually gets the most wood, hence "wood" arm.
I slowed right down and just putted through the debris, and was well past it all when I started speeding up again.
luckily I kept motor unlocked.
ka-bang!!
my leg hit something and swung up.....luckily.
I swung around to go back and see what I might have hit, as I sure as hell couldn't see anything in the water.
as I looped back, one of those huge stumps was rising up to the surface with a little chunk missing from where I hit.

[Sofa King]

fifth down on the left row.
if I could only take one spoon, that is it.
and yup, sit out from the inflows, every one you can find, and just cast into and across them.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRUlGPWrd2D1RlaPcbJMHZEHRmh7rDpr 1jBQTy8Rs99NXku1w-d (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorproshop.com%2FAcme-Little-Cleo-p%2Facme-little-cleo.htm&ei=7F7-VPzdN5G7ogT_2IKoCw&bvm=bv.87920726,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNHAC5mVwwkeOlK9rckekJS-6HKNAg&ust=1426042795821528)

[elkrub]

Hey what's with the road (its up the lake toward Valemount) in the back roads book across the lake from Saddle Lakes looking east into Ptarmigan Bay.......Its says Private Road. Is that private land?

[Liveforthehunt]

There will be snow ... up that valley for sure till mid June even with the warm weather

[Sofa King]

here's that stump I hit that then came up to the surface.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10860925_748001998653382_2282675554519207585_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

here's how big they are.
that's a 14' boat.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/11025885_747997098653872_9145422231703316830_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

always keep your eyes open.
this is right in the middle of the lake.
if the water were high, this could be just at a very bad depth under the water.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/11034445_748002431986672_3962570906431879511_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

here's a barge that's underwater with the high water.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/11050795_748009045319344_8863331972580154832_o.jpg



and here's a previous time where I actually camped on the shore wayyy down below that same barge.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/11034949_748044355315813_7351821201796904344_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

and lots of places to pull to shore and go for a little stroll up into the hills.


https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/10498108_748000531986862_5910008942663382853_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10857170_747997971987118_1821663047275730052_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

find these spots and cast.
always lots of bullies sitting in there.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11046309_747997511987164_4286589648916196229_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/11038751_748010991985816_2776058965034610624_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

the shores are covered in these.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/11026073_747997721987143_8032316233608301721_o.jpg


the water is constantly fluctuating, submerging them and exposing them, slowly eroding all the soil that's holding them in place.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/11034319_747997451987170_7790463643751095029_o.jpg

then you end up with this.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/10986891_748010898652492_8878503303756874162_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t31.0-8/11028360_748009481985967_3288134869427375306_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/11050326_747997851987130_7111777564937206507_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/10989210_748009185319330_4735828392606831687_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/11043314_748002265320022_1475847586829383388_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

but for days like these, it's hard to beat.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/11050808_748011015319147_2094133672256864030_o.jpg
https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/l/t31.0-8/905716_748009111986004_8422274008108328103_o.jpg

[Sofa King]

and absolutely the best of all, never seeing another soul or boat the entire time.
it's about as opposite as one can get from Okanagan or shuswap.

[Sofa King]

of course, one never has to go that far though.
revelstoke lake can be damn good too.
not as remote or quiet, but still lots of cool things to see.
and it's always nice to go for a drive up downie creek.

https://scontent-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/1462750_748044185315830_5809051362895787716_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/11025260_748043721982543_7856590876179266385_o.jpg

[.264winmag]

Nice pics!

[elkrub]

Sofa, Looks like you've spent some time on that lake! Looks pretty much the same at Bush arm. Can't wait to explore it. Hope the snow melts soon, I'd like to head up there on Mar29.

[Sarge789]

Well here we go again....
Last year was ok at Duncan lake, we were there for 5 days and only manage to catch one. Major sand storm on the beach, so we moved our camp up the hill to the campground.
This year we would like to maybe try Shuswap , Mable or Upper Arrow. I should be able to use the same lures I bought for Duncan, the Apex and Lyman plugs. I'm leaning toward Eagle Bay campsite on Upper Arrow.
Has anyone been to Eagle Bay, is it an OK campsite and does it have a boat launch?
Thanks guys

i think with shushwap you have to have a special license, bought online on The freshwater fishing license site.. Just FYI

[.264winmag]

Just spent the weekend at sprague bay rec site, kinbasket lake. Wouldn't have made it in there last weeken due to snow. Weather was beauty, fishing was great. 12 hrs trolling for 12 bull trout between 5 and 12.5#. One tiny rainbow off the planer board:( Dollies were mostly caught off the downrigger, 50 ft flasher/hootchie. 20 years ago all you needed were plugs on the surface. 2 small blackies and one billy spotted up the wood arm.
The fish were fat and healthy, full of Kokanee.
Gonna try pickling some, any tips?
Cheers
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/98F7741B-3E28-43D6-A6F1-74DE10892128.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/98F7741B-3E28-43D6-A6F1-74DE10892128.jpg.html)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/C692F6A3-C77A-488D-A0A8-5385E0025B84.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/C692F6A3-C77A-488D-A0A8-5385E0025B84.jpg.html)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/9317C92F-D311-4399-879F-6CD7A466111F.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/9317C92F-D311-4399-879F-6CD7A466111F.jpg.html)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/F7B1CD09-B55F-4C79-8D6E-963C630672DA.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/F7B1CD09-B55F-4C79-8D6E-963C630672DA.jpg.html)

[.264winmag]

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/5CCF61ED-A8AD-47C4-BB6B-434A059E57E8.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/5CCF61ED-A8AD-47C4-BB6B-434A059E57E8.jpg.html)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/3CA6D39E-A9BE-41A6-95A7-8E99840D7BE0.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/3CA6D39E-A9BE-41A6-95A7-8E99840D7BE0.jpg.html)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/1A443201-8581-4C3E-A8BF-74B5C527EAA4.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/1A443201-8581-4C3E-A8BF-74B5C527EAA4.jpg.html)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/78F0B90F-F047-4722-A142-1924539FF64E.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/78F0B90F-F047-4722-A142-1924539FF64E.jpg.html)
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/A407DA39-62D7-4CF6-BB00-E9A559C796CF.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/A407DA39-62D7-4CF6-BB00-E9A559C796CF.jpg.html)

[Salty]

Nice 'dollies' D! When I lived in the bay there was a dude that made really good pickled salmon. No secrets he said he just used pickling spice from the store which is a mix of a bunch of seeds and spices I've seen it in the spice section in big grocery stores. I've never done it but pretty sure its just a vinegar show with the spice?

http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/1A443201-8581-4C3E-A8BF-74B5C527EAA4.jpg

WTF are we looking at here ^ ?

[BRvalley]

running planer boards it looks like

awesome pics, looks like a great trip

[.264winmag]

Right on Dan, that's my plan so far. My brother used to make it back in the day, delicious!
That's indeed a planer board, only got 2 dollies n one little bow on em...

[.264winmag]

Brought the Lapua but no blackies worth chasing, buddy smacked a 6" rock first try at 570yds:) First shot ever with a high powered rifle! He's hooked:)

[.264winmag]

Oh yeah the lake was super low with no deadheads or shmag in the water at all. Roared all over with no worries of hitting anything, everything is on the beach including stumps.

[Salty]

Planer boards ok... the only place I've ever seen them is hanging on the wall of guys sheds. lol They throw quite the wake-
First ever big rifle dude shoots your Lapua? ... talk about starting at the top of the pile :) Nice lookin country out there thanks for posting the pics.

[.264winmag]

To give you an idea of how low the reservoir is!
Head of the wood arm:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/9923993F-0C51-4283-B615-E38E1E316FD3.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/9923993F-0C51-4283-B615-E38E1E316FD3.jpg.html)
Mouth of encampment creek:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/DFA95B60-4F6F-4B4B-80DC-9EF7059BBDA4.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/DFA95B60-4F6F-4B4B-80DC-9EF7059BBDA4.jpg.html)
Sprague launch:
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/BCE1793B-0818-4B36-A5F2-DC981398B70B_1.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/BCE1793B-0818-4B36-A5F2-DC981398B70B_1.jpg.html)
Second morning, lost/missed 4 other good ones but I did manage biggest rainbow lol!
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/kinbasket%202015/F3C6E559-B3A8-4E75-BD27-FA43638A7F62.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/kinbasket%202015/F3C6E559-B3A8-4E75-BD27-FA43638A7F62.jpg.html)