In Town River Access & Local Landmarks
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Mount Fernie Provincial Park
Fernie Alpine Resort
On Mountain Accommodations
Photo credit : Mike McPhee
Kootenay Fly Shop & Guiding Co .
• Over 25 + years of guiding
• Offering float , walk & wade and lake fishing trips , along with learn to fly fish programs
• Full-service fly shop : Douglas Outdoors , Simms , Orvis , Fishpond and a large selection of fly tying materials
• Guided Fish & Stay packages at Tightlines Lodge
Kootenayflyshop . com | 250-423-4483
To Island Lake Lodge
Morrissey Boat Launch
To Cranbrook / Kalispell
Hwy 3
FWA Fly Fishing
Photo credit : Mike McPhee
• Celebrating over 30 years of guiding on local & backcountry lakes and rivers
• Offering single day fishing , helicopter fly-ins & stillwater trips
• Backcountry wilderness lodge available for groups
• Also offering nature viewing tours & winter ice fishing
fwaflyfishing . com | 877-423-6704
Dogwood Park Boat Launch
Elk River
Elk River Guiding Co .
Kootenay Fly Shop In Town Accommodations
FWA Fly Fishing
Historic Downtown Fernie / 2nd Ave Shopping , dining & services
Elk River Guiding Co .
Hwy 3
• Experienced , local guiding services for float , walk n ’ wade & stillwater lake trips
• Fully stocked fly shop : Simms , Sitka , Patagonia , YETI , Sage , Nautilis Reels , SCOTT Rods & more
• Rentals including boats , waders , fly rods & equipment
elkriver . ca | 877-423-7239
Fernie RV Resort
Fernie Golf & Country Club
To Calgary
Elk River
In Town River Access & Local Landmarks
Hosmer Boat Launch
Other fly fishing rivers & areas under 3 hours drive from Fernie : Bull , Wigwam , St Mary & Kootenay Rivers and Local Lakes & Streams
Andres Fly Fishing
• Andres Gonzales has over 26 years of experience in the guiding industry and a decade of experience fishing in the Kootenay area .
• Day trips , multi-day and accommodation packages available
andresflyfishing . com I 250-430-2870
Fly Fishing in Fernie Trout Town
Historic coal mining towns , grizzly bears and burly Canadian wilderness are the setting through which the classic freestone Elk River flows . At 220-kilometres ( 140 miles ) in length , the character of the river changes along its journey to Lake Koocanusa and meets up with several tributaries of equal charm and worth .
The River
Sourced from the Petain Glacier next to Mt Joffre on the British Columbia - Alberta border , the waters of the Elk River are filtered and clarified as they flow through the Elk Lakes north of Elkford , BC , resulting in a crystal clear waterway perfect for Trout .
• From the town of Sparwood down , the river gains momentum and girth . From Sparwood to Olsen , the river is known for big greedy Westslope Cutthroat , long boulder sections , countless riffles and deep corner holes .
• From Olsen to the hamlet of Hosmer is drift-boat heaven . Hosmer also has a boat launch – a good place to start or finish a day .
• Hosmer down to Fernie offers braided sections and some big log jams with magical views of the Lizard Range . Buckets and holes are ripe for the casting on this stretch . In the heart of Fernie is a boat launch at Dogwood Park with ample parking , a public washroom and space for multiple boats .
• The section from Fernie to Morrissey winds gently through perfect trout water and includes some long deep runs , riffles and seams . The takeout at Morrissey Bridge has also had some work done recently and there is ample parking along the road .
• Morrissey to Elko is the next haul and should be given a whole day . If you like fishing log jams - this stretch is for you . Some great stretches of wood provide perfect habitat that the Cutties stack up under and along . The easy access float options end at Elko at the Hydro dam . Below this is the Elk Canyon ; the domain of river rafts due to class 3 rapids and imposing canyons .
The Catch
• Pure Strain Westslope Cutthroat Trout . The Elk holds the largest population of perhaps the one true mountain trout species of western North America . Cutties thrive in some of the most scenic and wild places on the continent and the colour and spotting of these fish is truly spectacular . Their voracious appetite keeps them close to the surface looking up for flying insects , the cold mountain water from the snowpack of the continental divide combined with the warmth of the valley providing the perfect habitat for healthy populations of their prey .
• Hybrids . The lower portion of river below the Elko dam has hybrid Cuttbows – a cross between a Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat . Rainbows , which inhabit the Kootenay River , have interbred with the Lower Elk Cutties creating an interesting sub species that seems to have the appreciated traits of both . They will easily take a dry fly and also leap out of the water like a rainbow . Average days on the Elk above Elko dam will yield many 14-16 ”, several 17-18 ” and the odd 20 ”.
• Monster Bull Trout . The mighty Bull Trout can be found throughout the Elk River . These river sharks have a tendency to dart out of the shadowy depths at unexpected moments startling an angler and providing moments of adrenaline . Although they will take the odd Stonefly off the surface in early summer , big weighted streamers are usually best . Above the Elko dam , resident Bulls are regularly 20-30 ,” bigger is not unheard of . The portion below the canyons and rapids at the mouth Lake Koocanusa may yield stock over 30 .”
The Essentials
When : Rivers are open year-round except between April 1 – June 14th . Lakes are open all year and are perfect for spring & fall fishing .
What : Best as a float fishery , a variety of public access points are available for walk-and-wade . Gear : 4 , 5 and 6-wt . rods , floating-tip lines .
Useful fly patterns : Spring / early summer : Large Golden Stone flies , Western Green Drakes and Yellow Sallys . Mid summer : Deer hair caddis , Pale Morning Duns and Hoppers . Late summer : Black Ants , Hoppers and Beetles . Fall : Oct Caddis and Blue Winged Olives
Accessories : Polarized sunglasses , waders , wading boots , life jacket , sunscreen , dry-fly dressing .
Licence : Day Rates : $ 11 - $ 22 , 8-Day licence $ 22 - $ 55 , Additional Day rate for Classified II Waters : $ 22 . Prices subject to change . Tax not included .
Books / maps : Get the new Elk River Map ! View online : fishfernie . com .
Published by Tourism Fernie , June 2023