In Town River Access & Local Landmarks
N
Mount Fernie Provincial Park
Fernie Alpine Resort
On Mountain Accommodations
Photo credit: Mike McPhee
To Island Lake Lodge
Morrissey & Elko Boat Launches
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 Cranbrook / Kalispell
Hwy 3
Stanford Inn Boat Launch
FWA Fly Fishing
Photo credit: Mike McPhee
Dogwood Park Boat Launch
Elk River
Coal Creek
• 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
Elk River Guiding Co.
Kootenay Fly Shop In Town Accommodations
FWA Fly Fishing
Historic Downtown Fernie / 2nd Ave Shopping, dining & services
Hwy 3
Elk River Guiding Co.
• 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
Fairy Creek
Fernie RV Resort
Visitor Centre
Fernie Golf & Country Club
To Calgary
Elk River
In Town River Access & Local Landmarks
Hosmer & Olsen Pit Boat Launches
Other fly fishing rivers & areas under 3 hours drive from Fernie: Bull, Wigwam, St Mary & Kootenay Rivers and Local Lakes & Streams
Andres Fly Fishing
River Map & River Access Information
• 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 Line Creek north of Sparwood, the river gains momentum and girth. The section between Sparwood and Olsen 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 has a boat launch on the northwest side of the Hosmer bridge.
• Hosmer down to Fernie( Dogwood) 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 picnic table.
• The section from Fernie( Dogwood) to Morrissey winds gently through perfect trout water and includes some long deep runs, riffles and seams. The takeout at Morrissey Bridge has had a new boat launch installed and there is additional 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 upriver of the BC Hydro Dam. Just on the downstream side of the bridge is the Elk Canyon; the spectacular domain of guided whitewater rafting 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- $ 23; Eight-Day Licence: $ 23- $ 42. The Elk River also requires a Classified II Waters Licence. Additional Day Rate for Classified II Waters for non-residents: $ 23. Prices subject to change. Tax not included.
Books / maps: Get the new Elk River Map! View online: fishfernie. com. Published by Tourism Fernie, February 2025