| Wells Gray for Anglers |
| Disclaimer: always check the current Fishing Regulations for current Rules, catch limits and restrictions |
| How many ways can you say "WOW!"? |
| Guided fly fishing: Only one company really offers guided fishing around Clearwater- www.silentsportflyfishing.com Paul and Stephanie offer a great service with hand built drift boats, great gear and a great stretch of river to run just outside the park boundaries. If you're coming into the area from out of country, try this, you'll love it! Note - There is no legal guided fly fishing within Wells Gray Park - so report illegal guiding to the Conservation Service or BC Parks staff. |
| Pretty much every lake or stream in and around Wells Gray has fish in it... Lots of rainbow trout, the occasional Dolly Varden or Kokanee, and in the fall, Salmon. |
Fly Fishing
Pick a waterfall on Azure Lake, a creek mouth
on Murtle, a drop off on Clearwater Lake or
drag a fly on Alice or Shadow Lake, all are
good for a couple of nice trout.
The truly spectacular spots are all catch and
release on the upper Clearwater River, areas
around Bailey's Chute, and the Horseshoe,
many that can be walked into and fished from
shore.
In late September, experienced fast water
fishermen find paradise on the lava beds at the
south end of Clearwater Lake- not for the
poorly equipped or faint of heart. It's nice to
watch someone else do, But I won't recommend
it to anyone.
Ask the Boat Tour folks, the Marine Patrols on
the lakes, and at the local fly shops about what's
biting and where.
Think size 6-8 hooks.
Favorite flies:
Muddler Minnows(deer hair with gold or silver
wrap)
Leech and Dragonfly Nymph patterns,
especially in the smaller lakes- like Placid and
Alice.
Try dry patterns on the river, like Sedges and
Damsel Flys. Nothing too big.
Fly fishing for Salmon? You're braver than me.
Pick a waterfall on Azure Lake, a creek mouth
on Murtle, a drop off on Clearwater Lake or
drag a fly on Alice or Shadow Lake, all are
good for a couple of nice trout.
The truly spectacular spots are all catch and
release on the upper Clearwater River, areas
around Bailey's Chute, and the Horseshoe,
many that can be walked into and fished from
shore.
In late September, experienced fast water
fishermen find paradise on the lava beds at the
south end of Clearwater Lake- not for the
poorly equipped or faint of heart. It's nice to
watch someone else do, But I won't recommend
it to anyone.
Ask the Boat Tour folks, the Marine Patrols on
the lakes, and at the local fly shops about what's
biting and where.
Think size 6-8 hooks.
Favorite flies:
Muddler Minnows(deer hair with gold or silver
wrap)
Leech and Dragonfly Nymph patterns,
especially in the smaller lakes- like Placid and
Alice.
Try dry patterns on the river, like Sedges and
Damsel Flys. Nothing too big.
Fly fishing for Salmon? You're braver than me.
Fishing from your boat
Trolling the drop offs, cliff bottoms, past
waterfalls, and river mouths seems like the thing
to do. The north end of Clearwater Lake, west
end of Azure, around Rainbow Falls are all
popular destinations.
Dragging a spinner behind your canoe when
paddling to your next campsite will get you
trout dinner about half the time.
Mahood Lake sees few fishermen, and has a
great variety of fish, so if you're looking for an
untapped fishing spot, this might be your best
bet.
The Rainbow Trout(and other species) in these
lakes are pretty uncomplicated fish - the most
common mistake I see is people using gear too
big for the fish. Small 6 or 8 hooks, smaller
flatfish and spinners, willow leaf, wedding ring
and worm combos seem to catch trout.
Depth is some of these lakes also seems
critically important, so play around with your
trolling depth a bit, it may improve your chances.
Trolling the drop offs, cliff bottoms, past
waterfalls, and river mouths seems like the thing
to do. The north end of Clearwater Lake, west
end of Azure, around Rainbow Falls are all
popular destinations.
Dragging a spinner behind your canoe when
paddling to your next campsite will get you
trout dinner about half the time.
Mahood Lake sees few fishermen, and has a
great variety of fish, so if you're looking for an
untapped fishing spot, this might be your best
bet.
The Rainbow Trout(and other species) in these
lakes are pretty uncomplicated fish - the most
common mistake I see is people using gear too
big for the fish. Small 6 or 8 hooks, smaller
flatfish and spinners, willow leaf, wedding ring
and worm combos seem to catch trout.
Depth is some of these lakes also seems
critically important, so play around with your
trolling depth a bit, it may improve your chances.
Local Tackle Shacks
The really good one is the Little Fort Fly Shop, just at the highway 24 junction with Highway 5 in Little Fort.
Think local knowledge. Its also the only shop in the area dedicated solely to fishing.
Fishing tackle(and usually licences) can also be purchased in Clearwater at: Silent Sport Fly fishing, Home
Hardware, Super Save Gas. A few other places carry a bit of stuff, But those are the big ones.
Blue River, the supermarket has some stuff.
The really good one is the Little Fort Fly Shop, just at the highway 24 junction with Highway 5 in Little Fort.
Think local knowledge. Its also the only shop in the area dedicated solely to fishing.
Fishing tackle(and usually licences) can also be purchased in Clearwater at: Silent Sport Fly fishing, Home
Hardware, Super Save Gas. A few other places carry a bit of stuff, But those are the big ones.
Blue River, the supermarket has some stuff.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Diamond Lagoon
Bailey's Chute Salmon
22 inch Rainbow Trout on Murtle Lake