Two geographical features dominate the Kootenays region of Southeast British Columbia: mountains and water. There are four parallel mountain ranges in the Kootenay region. They all run in a northwest direction, starting with the Monashee Mountain Range, then the Selkirks, followed by the Purcells, and finally the Rockies.The regions largest lake at 65 miles long is Lake Kootenay and the largest river of the region is the Columbia River.
Kootenay Lake is located between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges and it is ice free during the winter. It is a widening of the Kootenay River which drains into the Columbia River. Lake Kootenay offers fisherman a chance to catch the infamous Gerrard Rainbow Trout, a true trophy fish that can weigh in over 35 lbs. The lake also has the Bull Trout or what is known as the Dolly Varden in British Columbia. The lake is great for fly fishing during the spring time on the south arm where you can catch Yellowstone cutthroat. Most big fish are caught on a lure. Fly fishing for the big trout is also great near any creek mouths during the late summer time. On this lake, you can bring your own boat or rent one. There are many campgrounds with boat launches on the lake.
Like Lake Kootenay, Arrow lake is a widening of a river and in this case it is the widening of the Columbia River. The lake is divided into two sections, the upper and lower lake. The lake lies between the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges. There are campgrounds, picnic areas and boat ramps on the lake. The upper region of Arrow Lake is a reservoir and is known for ling cod. The lower arm of the lake is known for Gerrard trout and the fall is the best time to catch this trophy fish. Trolling with flies at about three miles per hour seems to be the popular proven method for this fish. During the summer months, when the waters are, low use a flasher a hootchie or a dodger with a fly leader. Bull trout can be caught in the spring and winter in the lower arm trolling on the surface.
Kootenay River flows from Kootenay Lake and eventually joins the Columbia River. The Kootenay River flows 485 miles through the northern Rocky Mountains. It is famous for cutthroat, bull and rainbow trout. In Southeast British Columbia, the Kootenay River is untamed and relatively unknown. The river is very scenic covered in lodgpole pines and flanked by two mountain ranges; the Prucell range to the west and the Steeples to the east. The best fishing occurs during April and May in this region and then again in late August to October. During this time, the river is low and clear. The bull trout are good fishing in the pre-runoff time and then when the stone flies emerge, the cutthroat and rainbow feed off the surface. Fishing is done with drift boats particularly during the summer months in this river because of the size and depth of the river. The rive runs deep throughout the region and makes wade fishing difficult.
The Elk River is located in Rock Mountain portion of the Kootenays and the river flows 110 miles before it joins with the Kootenay River. The Elk is home to a wild and native population of Westslope cutthroat and bull trout. Here you will be challenged by cunning cutthroat trout who are very selective in the flies they pounce on. This river is infamous for dry fly fishing. This is where fishermen use fake flies to imitate flies, that sit on the lake. The dry fly floats on the surface like natural flies and are replicas of stone flies, may and caddis flies, on the river. You might even catch a large bull trout hunting the depths on a lure. Both wading and drift boating is done on the. On the Elk River you need to pay attention to the fishing regulations. Many parts of the river are no bait and fly fishing only and some are catch and release zones. The dry fly season opens on June 15 and continues to mid October.
The Columbia River is probably the largest and least known tailwater which is fishing below a dam. There is a 30 mile stretch of river from the Dam at Castlegar to the United States Border north of Spokane, Washington that is known for the best dry fly fishing in the region. There is a type of trout called steelhead rainbows that frequent this area in large schools and quickly adapted to the freshwater habitat because they are trapped and cannot return out to sea. The traditional steelhead can grow up to 55 lbs and this species usually migrates to saltwater to spawn. The steelhead become trapped when the lower part of the river was dammed by the United states in the State of Washington. From mid June to September in the mid afternoon and evening, Grannom caddis hatches are the mainstay for this area.
