I had a chance to dip the float tube into the water on a chilly morning over the weekend.
Trolled a black micro leech towards the spot as the sun rising over the other side of the mountain began to light the sky. To my surprise, a fish rose and splashed me a foot away from the tube
, causing me to reel in the full sink and switch up to a full floating line.
Rise after rise around me as I excitedly pick out a fly. Floating on the surface are tiny chronies, I estimate about a size 20. The best I can do is an 18 CDC puff emerger midge. (Mental note to grab some smaller hooks next time at the shop
). I false cast and watch the path rising trout to predict where to land my fly. As it lands, I notice my tippet is doing the "S", didn't quite straighten out enough
. I quickly strip in slack as the trout makes a sip on the other side of my fly. Too close to the last rise, I think to myself, as I watch the trout rise close to where my fly was. I see my tippet being pulled under, so I set the hook. Fish on! After a quick fight its in my net and I take a quick picture of it in the net before gently releasing it.
My little dry soldier was no longer so dry and wouldn't float, as much of the CDC was torn off by the trout's teeth. I then tie a size 16 chromie and watch another fish path rising. A nice cast right into a rise is rewarded with another nice fish, which made the 4 weight bend quite nicely.
The fish were surprisingly active, which made waking up so early worth it. After a couple hours on the tube, I had to go. Great morning.
From what I understand, for the most part, Whistler area lakes are catch and release. For those lakes that are not, catch and release is favored and recommended by locals. I believe this results in fish actually being present come autumn.
The lakes in the area are in the 500-600m elevation range. Interior fishing must be picking up