We started our way back to the Thompson River at about 9am. On the way, this deer almost caused an accident with the empty logging truck that was in front of us…
Before we got to the Thompson, we explored a lake filled with monster northern pikeminnow. We drove an hour into a scary FSR. This rough road snakes up a steep hill into sub-alpine lakes. If we go off the road a foot or two, the truck would have tumbled down a 45 degree slope.
We found Allen Lake and found the pikeminnow not as co-operating as Kazu had experience previously. The size was much smaller as well…but I did find a 12” fish on…Caddis!
Driving back down to civilization, we were met by a couple of plump brunettes. I think the left lady was a little mad that I was taking pictures of them without asking…:roll:
More wildlife along the way back to the Thompson! I have been keeping an eye for big horn sheep and mountain goats. While my eyes were searching the hills, Kazu found them beside a fenced yard. I guess they descend the hills to graze.
We passed by Kamloops…and I think this is Kamloops Lake…
In any case, it’s definitely different from the temperate rainforest we saw in Terrace just the day before.
Finally getting to the Thompson honey hole, we start fishing at about 8pm. Kazu and I hooked into a lot of parrs…including this salmon parr.
Finally, Kazu managed to get a rainbow to hit!
I wasn’t about to leave with a bad skunk on my head…so I worked hard and found reward on the caddis.
Plus a bouns species…redside shiner on the caddis.
I wonder what was hatching?
Kazu made the crazy decision to drive home after fishing…at 10pm! We decided to make a rest stop for dinner before the 3 hour drive. As we slowed the car to enter the rest area, an 18-wheeler came screaming down behind us. I thought it was going to hit us and freaked…but the truck drove beside us on the shoulder and there were a few choice words I left in the Okanaagan Region.
At the stop, Kazu made the bad mistake of looking up at the sky…and I busted out my tripod and camera and shot a few constellation. I won’t bore you again with more black pics…but Hercules, Ophiuchus, Aquila, Cassiopeia and Cepheus were added to my photography list. We did made it home safe.
July 11th
After some much needed rest, Kazu and I had brunch at 12pm and we went to look for more coastal cutthroats. We fish a very nice looking creek. It sure looked nice…but from what I’ve learned in BC after fishing many creeks, those cold, clear, freestone creeks just look nice...they don’t hold much fish LOL.
Later in the afternoon, we fished Alouette Lake for Kokanee. It was 33C during the day…and I guess everyone needed to cool down. The boat and jet ski traffic was tremendous and the fish were no active…so I could only leave you with a look at the lake…
July 12th
Kazu and I started the day early at 5am toward Kawkawa Lake. We were again looking for Kokanee and Landlock Coho. We launched at about 7am…and didn’t get the first hit until 9am. After a very spirited fight and many tense moments, the kokanee came in jumping and cartwheeling. This fish was 14.5” long…which is a BIG kokanee.
A little later, I hooked up! Again, the fish was jumping all over…and I lost it just as Kazu was ready to net it. Doh!
We didn’t get any more action after. So we slowly worked the weedline on our way back to launch. I got lucky with another new species…prickly sculpin!
We went back to launch. Kazu said he has a couple of places he wanted to check out for coastal cutthroats. I’m all in for that idea! We drove to Johnson Slough (I think) and fished around the mouth. Kazu got into a decent pikeminnow in about 5 min.
At the same time, I received 9 mosquito bites…so I quitted fishing and headed back to the truck. Since the creek was high, Kazu was followed me.
Then we went to a creek that flows into Harrison Lake. Actually, it was more like a culvert LOL.
Kazu promised me lots of little cutthroats. And there was! There were many 3-4” parr LOL. I did managed to get into a 7” cuttie that got out of my hand before a photo-op…got a video of it though LOL.
July 13th
We woke up even earlier to fish Kawkawa Lake. We launched at 5am and headed back to the area where we found fish the day before. What a beautiful calm morning!
We didn’t get any hits until about 8am…and Kazu had a fish on! Like all kokanees…this one jump and rolled and cartwheeled…and got off the hook at the surface. Not long after, Kazu was on again! This fish was jumping as well…but I lunged forward with the net as the fish was in mid air…and fish in the net!
By 11am, we were too tired to fish other places…so back to Kazu’s apartment for a nap LOL.
July 14th
I was going to meet with a friend, but her dog needed to see the vet…oh well
So…what to do with a free day? Let’s fish some more LOL. From reading a few reports, there’s this river in Vancouver where early coho were running! Sounds good to me!
We fished this river in a deep canyon. There were fish jumping all over…but none too willing to hit. I had a fish that took a pink spoon jigged under a spoon. It was on for about 3 seconds…maybe a 4-5lb coho. Another person had a fish on for about 3 seconds as well…and that was all the action for 6 hours of fishing. Oh well. I’ll just have to return in the fall (maybe in a couple of years) and take revenge on those pesky salmon!
July 15th
I hate leaving…we didn’t even get to do some morning fishing since my flight was at 11am. But I had so much fun in BC.
Big thanks to Kazu for being the official designated driver, fishing guide, cook and tour guide LOL. If you come back to Ontario, I’ll put in equal if nor more effort to get you into a muskie!
*You too Stan...come visit some time!
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