Rocky Mountain Cutthroat Trout
Fishing the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies for cutthroat trout
Southeastern British Colombia, the Elk River and cutthroat trout. Its not like the combination is knew news. But it was only this spring as we started to emerge from the clutches of the COVID-19 pandemic was it part of a serious conversation on our part as a potential fishing destination. For the most part our group of fishers had focused our attention on central and eastern Canada. But the topic of the Elk River came up and it struck a chord for a few reasons. One cutthroat trout were relatively unknown to our fishing experience, conditions seemed to favour dry fly fishing, and the destination was in Canada, eliminating one of the key remaining COVID constraints. I am sure there were other attractions but as I recall these were the main ones.
So we began our planning, choosing Fernie, BC as our initial staging point with emphasis on fishing the Elk River and potentially some of other nearby rivers. Timing wise, we aimed for September in anticipation of hopper fishing and with the hope that the risk of COVID related issues would be behind us. As the planning took shape, and since we would be flying into and out of Calgary it seemed like a good idea to add a few days of fishing the eastern slopes of the Rockies as well. So Coleman, AB was added as a second base.
Winter transitioned to spring and then summer and with it, forest fires. Much of southern BC was significantly impacted by forest fires this summer to the point that we were concerned it could impact our fishing plans but fortunately that did not happen. Mid-September found us on a plane heading to Calgary and then southern BC and Alberta.
The Elk River - A freestone mountain river
The Elk River is a freestone mountain river has its origin near the continental divide and flows for approximately 220 kilometres more or less south through the Elk Valley. It is known for its wild cutthroat trout and bull trout.
Given the possibilities, our plans were to fish the Elk River for four complete days and two partial days on either side. Our intention was to devote considerable time to the Elk as well as to one or two of its tributaries. While the thought was we would fish for both cutthroat and bull trout, in reality we spent our time concentrating on cutthroat trout. And in hindsight, there is far more fishing than could be fit in the number of days we had allocated.
Arranging local logistics started with contacting Kootenay Fly Shop. They helped us to sort out our fishing plans and accommodations. This included two days of guided drift fishing on the Elk and one day of guided walk and wade fishing on the Wigwam River, one of the Elk tributaries.
We arrived early Sunday afternoon and after checking in at the fly shop to arrange for our first drift the following day, we headed out on our own in search of a spot for a bit of fishing.
Make it stand out
BC Highway 3 parallels a considerable portion of the Elk River between Sparwood and Elko providing lots of fishing opportunities. Prior to our trip we had identified some potential sites. Our first stop was one confirmed by the fly shop and it did not disappoint. We were able to wet our waders and experience our first cutthroat trout.
First full day and by mid morning our guide had us rigged and on the water drifting downstream. After a few on the water pointers about casting from the boat and line management we were starting to click. The focus was on putting the fly in the foam line or small near short slips of water. I’ve frequently heard it said that catching cutthroat is pretty straightforward but on a river like the Elk where fish see a lot of flies over the season, proper technique is still required to get a response. When our presentation was accurate and naturally drifting, we were regularly rewarded with a response from a trout. A satisfying day included lots of takes and quite a few fish on - great incentive to do it again.
Drifting the Elk River
Make it stand out
Overall, we had great autumn mountain weather. Most days were a mix of sun and cloud with only a bit of rain. There were however periods of strong wind which made for some challenging casting but at least from drift boat, casting distances were such that the wind could be managed (mostly).
Our guide was most helpful in positioning the boat to help us deal with the wind.
Virtually all of our fishing on the Elk River was done with dry flies and terrestrials including hopper and beetle imitations. Depending on the circumstances they all were effective in drawing trout to the surface. While the action wasn’t non-stop we had lots of action as we drifted different sections of the river.
In addition to the fishing itself, drifting the river gave us the opportunity to identify potential locations for walk in fishing on our non-guided days.
Walk and wade
Our two days of drifting were separated by a walk and wade trip on the Wigwam River. After a four wheel drive up and down to our starting point, wading sticks in hand we headed onto the river. The plan was to spend the day fishing three pools, starting with the one furthest downstream and working our way back to our starting point.
The water in the pools we fished was clear and bright. It was frequently possible to spot fish in the pools and proper presentations were frequently rewarded with fish.
One of the pools along our “walk”
The Wigwam River flows north from the United States before entering the Elk Valley and swing east to join the Elk River. In doing so it passes through the Elk Valley Heritage Conservation Area. Mount Broadwood an area critical to the north-south migration of wide-ranging carnivores such as grizzly bear, wolf, wolverine and lynx. Our eyes were open but we didn’t encounter any of them on the day we were out. We did see a healthy black bear but that was from a secure vantage point in the vehicle.
Mt. Broadwood in the Elk Valley Heritage Conservation Area
Fishing on our own
The remaining time while based in Fernie, we fished on our own, mainly drawing from spots we had noted the two days we floated the Elk. Thursday was a full day of fishing on our own and the most productive. For the most part the action was on terrestrial imitation but towards the end of the day the trout were keyed in on a mayfly hatch which resulted in some great dry fly action. It was hard to leave the fishing to finish the wade back upstream and across the river to our vehicle.
Dry fly action for cutthroat trout
A very nice cutthroat to end the day
The last morning on the Elk proved to be very tough. The wind was our enemy and the fish weren’t cooperating either so we decided to pack it in and head to Alberta. We were relocating to Coleman for three nights and hopefully more fishing success.
Next post - cutthroat fishing in southern Alberta…..
