It was a dark and stormy night. OK, OK, it wasn’t really, but how does one start one of these little tales? B.C is famous for its fishing waters, and we wanted to enjoy some of the ones in our own backyard. You see, I’d been dreaming about taking a vacation with Chilcotin Holidays for several years and when the time and the opportunity appeared, I took it. Chilcotin Holidays offers several things that I like a whole lot. Wilderness, Fishing and Horses. As our time was limited, we opted for the four day fly-in fishing trip(my favourite activity.)
Arriving at the Ranch, we were greeted by Kevan. A short drive to the float plan on Tyaughton Lake and we were off.
The trip in, although brief, is absolutely awesome. The view from the plane is the emerald blue water of the lake framed on either side by the deep greens of the trees and on top by the white clouds and powder blue sky. We bank to the right around a mountain and our destination comes into view. Spruce Lake. At the far end of the lake, the pilot points out an old pioneer log style cabin. We pass over and bank sharply around to land on the lake. As we drift up to the shore we see Len, our guide who promptly packs our gear away and offers us some of that never ending supply of food.
After that satisfying meal, Len showed us to the boats and then took us out on the lake. It was awesome! We were the only ones on this gorgeous lake. We were the only ones on this gorgeous lake. The scenery was spectacular. The fishing, let me tell you about the fishing.
If you’ve done most of your fishing in the easily accessed resort lakes and such, you’re in for a real treat at Spruce. The fish in this lake are wild rainbow trout. I’m not sure what strain, but I think they’re related to Tyson or Holyfield. Did these fish ever fight!
Every fish we caught would make 2 to 3 hard runs, walking on their tails. They weren’t large fish, but they fought like they were twice as big. It didn’t really matter what pattern we used, as long as it was green or black and trolled or stripped in. By the end of the evening, we had caught and released 30 odd fish.
The next day dawned and Len stuffed us full with a nice hot, hardy breakfast. We proceeded to wander about for a while. The area is unique in that there are fossils exposed all over the place. My dad found several fossilized crustacean type creatures on the ground outside the cabin. Len told us that half way up the hill near the cabin you could find all kinds. Wildlife abounds in the area and a Bald Eagle lives across the lake. Besides the eagles, we spotted deer and various other little critters around camp.
We decided to head out and do some more fishing. We caught and released a few more fish immediately, but the weather was changing and the fish seemed less interested in biting. I tried a few different patterns, but otherwise just relaxed and rowed about the lake. Heading back to the cabin was a breeze(more like a strong wind), and we got there quickly. More food. More talk. More sleep. The plane arrived and after unloading supplies for the group of guide trainees that was due in that evening, we loaded our gear up, said our good-bye and hopped in for the short flight back to the Ranch. Back at the Ranch we were offered yet more refreshments. We chatted a while and then headed for home.
I’ve met some really good people on my various travels into B.C’s back country and Kevan, Len, and the others were no different. This had been our first fly-in fishing trip. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.
Darren, Richmond, British Columbia
