For the fourth consecutive year, I am producing and hosting another fly fishing adventure to southeastern British Columbia. The Elk River, and picturesque ski village of Fernie, provide the perfect venue for the fly angler who appreciates wild, native fish in a wild, pristine river...and loves to fish the dry fly!
This area is home to perhaps some of the finest dry fly fishing in all of North America. With strong, dependable hatches and an extremely healthy population of West Slope Cutthroats, the Elk is a fly fishers dream. It flows freely for about 110 miles before entering into the Kootenay River, flowing through one of the prettiest valleys you can imagine. The Elk has a number of sections that are perfect for day long floats, each containing textbook trout habitat. Add in the St. Mary, Old Man, Crow's Nest, Waterton, Bull, and Wigwam Rivers and the possibilities are endless.
Wading Michel Creek is another great option. A tributary of the Elk, it is a wonderfully scenic and productive cutty stream, with some big ones that will absolutely surprise you.
This trip is timed to coincide with two of the best hatches on the Elk...the Golden Stonefly and Green Drake hatches. Flies are big and buggy for the most part. 6's and 8's for the Golden Stones and 10's and 12's for the Green Drakes.
This fishery has perhaps the highest probability of excellent dry fly fishing that I have ever seen. And when the fish are not looking up, they are still hungry and aggressive; switching to subsurface presentations makes the action almost continuous.
This is a wonderful place and time to catch a big bull trout as well! Truly an indicator species that requires clean, flowing water, bull trout are aggressive strikers and exceptional fighters. Real beauties, these char fit into this river and landscape so well.
This is not the typical destination trip in that we are not traveling to a lodge...there is not really a lodge in the area. We stay at the Best Western Mountain Lodge in Fernie and we travel to various restaurants after our day of fishing, enjoying the great dining available. Our guides pick us up at the motel and return us to our motel. After a rest and shower, we take the van to the restaurant of our choosing, only blocks away.
Fernie provides a unique blend of civilization and nature. Modern motels, diverse restaurants, main street stores, and fly shops all add to the experience and are just minutes away from mountains and the river...the Elk runs right through town.
No doubt about it, whether it is its natural beauty, the history and architecture of main street, or just the casual outdoor lifestyle found there, Fernie has a charm all its own.
Our outfitter will be Dave Brown Outfitters who is based in Fernie. Dave has been outfitting and guiding in the Fernie area for many years and has always exceeded our expectations.
The dates are July 8-14, 2018. We will fly into Kalispell, Montana and stage there on July 8. The next day (7/9) a van will transfer the group to Fernie. Fishing days will be July 10-13. July 14 will be departure day and we will transfer back to Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell. Of the four fishing days, it is planned to fish three on the Elk and the fourth day on one of the other outstanding rivers in the area.
Cost is $2600 per person based on double occupancy. Single occupancy rates available. Price includes five nights lodging, four days of guided fishing, shuttle service to and from Fernie on appointed days, and breakfast and lunch on fishing days. Does not include evening dining, guide gratuities, licenses, and lodging and meals on staging day.
Watch this video from 2016!
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