With more than 100 lakes within a 1-hour drive, the city of Kamloops can easily be seen as a mecca for trout fishermen. Nestled among the mountains of British Columbia's southern interior, the Kamloops region is home to the rare Kamloops rainbow trout, a fish prized by anglers that can be caught almost nowhere else in the world.
The Kamloops rainbow trout was the stuff of rumor and legend during the 1800s, when anglers in southern British Columbia began to report catching rainbow trout that were different in appearance from those caught elsewhere. These trout grew larger, fought harder and displayed a different coloration than their counterparts throughout the rest of North America. Initially thought to be a separate species, scientific study proved the Kamloops rainbow trout to be the product of specific environmental conditions rather then genetic differences. The fish remains a sought-after catch by fishermen, and nearly all the lakes in the Kamloops area provide opportunities to catch it.
About 30 minutes northwest of Kamloops, Pass Lake has historically been one of the best spots for fly fishing in British Columbia. Pass Lake suffered from a devastating fish kill in 2008, but has rebounded nicely thanks to management and stocking by the British Columbia government -- once again producing rainbows in excess of 15 pounds. Campbell Lake and Sciutto Lakes, about an hour east of Kamloops, are neighboring waters that are among the top trout lakes in the region. Both have extremely fertile waters that support abundant 3-pound fish with the occasional 10-pounder. Niskonlith Lake, Paul Lake, Roche Lake and Walloper Lake are also among the top fishing spots in the Kamloops area.
Fishing for trout in the Kamloops area begins immediately after the ice recedes from the region's lakes. The timing varies, but it's usually in early April. The first week or so after the thaw finds trout feeding heavily in shallower water, making it easy for anglers to find and catch them on spinners and spoons. Unfortunately, this spring feeding frenzy is followed by a turnover period in which warm surface water mixes with cold water from the bottom lake, creating muddy conditions and effectively ending the spring bite for a week or two. By early to mid-May, conditions stabilize and insects begin hatching on the lakes. The hatching season extends through June, and is prime time for fly-fishing. Fly patterns that imitate local hatches -- usually Chironomids early in the season, followed by mayflies and caddis in the following weeks -- are a safe bet. The fishing slows down a bit during the heat of summer, but cooling waters in September prompt trout to feed heavily again in preparation for winter.
A current British Columbia fishing license is required to fish in the Kamloops area. Licenses are available through the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations website, and at most bait shops and sporting goods stores across the province. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with British Columbia's fishing regulations before you hit the water, especially since many lakes have location-specific seasons, limits and bait restrictions. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations publishes an annual regulations guide, which is available through their website and anywhere fishing licenses are sold.
