A day Flyfishing on the Kathleen River

By maurichiossi

Catch and release - the right thing to do

How many times have I heard someone say as they're clutching that impressive catch, imagining it mounted on their wall; "its going to die anyway". True, like all living things the fish will eventually die...but probably not as a result of the fight it put up. Studies done in Quebec for example, have quite convincingly shown that even deepwater Lake trout will survive a lengthy haul from the depths if the fish is not badly hooked in the gills or esophagus. This happens most often when using bait...you feel the bite and let the fish "swallow the hook"...which is fine if you intend to eat the fish. But if you want to let the fish go it is crucially important to avoid using bait, keep the fight to a minimum, and stick to single, barbless, mild steel hooks that will rust away if broken off.

There are many reasons why catch and release fishing is a good thing. For example, there may be a requirement to allow a certain number of fish to reach their spawning grounds to ensure their ultimate survival. Still others have suggested that big fish have "big offspring". Thus there is an argument that big spawners, like the plus size Brook trout pictured below shouldn't be killed and mounted at all, but rather let go to reproduce more trophy size specimens.

For some, the reasons for letting fish go may be purely selfless; after all, who wouldn't want to fish where they know that others have let their catch go in good condition? To me, one of the greatest reasons why the fishing is so good in the Yukon is that most people release their catch back into the wild. To find out more about the fabulous fishing in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/ ...

Ringing in the Christmas holidays - Yukon style

When it comes to imagination and style, its hard to beat the Yukon spirit. Take the town of Haines Junction, for example, where Santa arrived at the general store in a Cessna 206 after landing on the main street! The snowfall in Southwestern Yukon is better than ever this year, providing a perfect setting for outdoor winter sports such as snowmobiling. To find out out where to rent a snowmobile or arrange for a professionally guided snowmobile tour in the Southwestern Yukon, visit http://www.kluaneridin.ca/

The ultimate fishing trip - other activities

Difficult as it is to believe, some people actually get tired of shaking fish off their line hour after hour, day after day. Still others aren't exactly fanatical about fishing but would like to share a wilderness experience with their companion and at the same time try different activities. The area adjacent to Dalton Trail Lodge in the Southwestern Yukon is an adventure seekers paradise. Home to the largest sub-polar ice field on the planet, this pristine wilderness is often referred to as the "Canadian Himalayas". The possibilities for the adventure seeker here are virtually endless. For booking information at Dalton Trail Lodge, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/











Here are some links to the "best of the best" Yukon agencies, outfitters, or enterprises that can make that side trip adventure become a reality:

Hiking: Check out Kluane Park at http://www.pc.gc.ca

Rafting: Tatshenshini outfitters offer day trips on the world renowned Tatshensfinh river. Visit http://www.tatshenshiniyukon.com/ for details.

Glacier tours: An aerial tour over the St. Elias glacier fields is a must for everyone; Visit http://www.siftonair.com/ for more.

Hunting safari: For the hunting trip of a lifetime, check out http://www.widrigoutfitters.com/

The ultimate fishing trip - float planes

Umiakovik lake, in northern Labrador, is typical of many fly-in fishing destinations located throughout Canada. For most people this means breath-taking scenery surrounding untouched waters so full of fish that you want them to leave you alone after a few days fishing. All you have to do is meet the float plane that's scheduled to fly you out during that window you've painstakingly chosen, right? Well, yes and no. Umiakovik lake does have some fantastic runs of fish, as do most fishing lodges. But one thing to keep in mind is that fly-in lodges are still commercial operations and receive just about as much fishing pressure as any other lodge. The other thing to keep in mind is that all float planes operate under visual flight rules (VFR) and you can often find yourself sitting on the dock, sometimes for days, waiting for the weather to clear up just enough for you to get in or out; not a fun scenario if you're on a tight schedule. And don't expect creature comforts either; with everything having to be flown in, most fly-in "lodges" are in fact camps, all brought to you at rates that equal or exceed most deluxe lodges with road access. The reason? The exorbitant cost of operating bush planes these days.

Don't get me wrong. As a former commercial bush pilot with thousands of hours flying time, I can tell you there is nothing more rewarding than a trip into a remote Canadian lake; whether its for fishing, photography, or just plain adventure seeking. For many people, a picture of a float plane at a secluded lake like the one below is about as Canadian as it gets.

One way to still experience a float plane trip without the inconveniences described above is to book at a lodge connected by road that offers fly-outs as an option to its customers at an extra cost. That way if you have the time and budget, you can enjoy the best of both worlds. One such lodge is Dalton Trail Lodge, Yukon. To find out more, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/

2010 fishing report - Chinook salmon

The largest of all salmon, Chinooks or "Kings" have been known to attain an incredible weight of over 120 lbs. Typically, however, King salmon in the Yukon are closer to 20 lbs., with some fish reaching a respectable 50+ lbs. The two main rivers in the Territory that host King salmon runs are the Yukon and the Tatshenshini. The latter is the preferred river for fishing because of its relatively short distance from the sea (less than 200 miles). Located in the Southwestern part of the Yukon, the Tatshenshini is a relatively cold river, originating from deep within the coastal mountain ranges of nearby Alaska and British Columbia. In the Yukon, King salmon can be taken with both spinning and fly fishing gear. But if you want to use a fly rod, leave your six weight behind; hooking one of these monsters is like hooking a Maserati weaving down a city street. Far fewer fish are landed than what are hooked.











Best fishing times? As with any salmon, the run begins and ends on predictable dates each year. On the Tatshenshini river, normally you can get good action from early July until the end of the month. But good fishing can be had on the nearby Takani river through the 1st week in August. King Salmon fishing at Dalton Trail Lodge was above average in 2010, with many exceptional fish taken throughout the run. Although anglers can normally retain 1 salmon per day, a catch and release policy is strongly encouraged to ensure the health of this magnificent species. For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/...

2010 fishing report - Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout are rather unique to the Yukon. These beautiful fish are native only in watersheds that flow into the Pacific ocean and therefore are found only in the extreme Southwest portion of the Territory. While there are several rivers where Rainbows can be targeted, the Kathleen river is unquestionably the best. Ice cold, crystal clear and free flowing, the Kathleen is definitely the crown jewel of all Yukon rivers. Perhaps to the benefit of the fish that live there, the majority of it is inaccessible, however, except by jet-boat. Rainbows can be taken with both spinning and fly fishing gear, but the latter is by far the preferred method in the Yukon. These fish are cyclical feeders, seeming to appear out of nowhere with the arrival of their favorite insect hatches and then suddenly retreating to their previously dormant mode.

Best fishing times? Good Rainbow fishing can be had from early June to freeze-up in October. But the biggest fish are usually taken in late August, as the insect hatches diminish and the fish become more aggressive in their pursuit of whatever other food is available. Rainbow trout fishing at Dalton Trail Lodge was better than average this year, with 40 + fish per day not being unusual, particularly through June and July. For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/ ...

2010 fishing report - Grayling

Perhaps the only thing that surpasses the beauty of a Grayling is the natural surroundings where you find them. Gin clear lakes and rivers in a wilderness setting so pure and pristine that it takes your breath away. In effect, quintessentially "Yukon". With insects making up virtually 100% of their diet, Grayling are a fly-fisher's dream. Don't be fooled, however, these fish can be extremely capricious, particularly trophy sized ones! Rule of the thumb for big fish, go small. Size 18 - 20 gnats or sedges often work. But if you're happy having a fish on the end of your line all day, try a Chernobyl ant. You won't be disappointed.



Best fishing times? Grayling can be caught from ice-out in late May to freeze-up in October. But the warmer months that bring the heaviest insect hatches are best; i.e. July through mid-September. The fishing for Grayling at Dalton Trail Lodge was exceptional this year, with numerous trophy sized fish taken throughout the season. For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/...

2010 fishing report - Pike

A  fishing trip to the Yukon wouldn't be complete without a day spent searching for Northern pike. Possibly one of the most under-rated Yukon fish, pike can wear your arms out or leave you scratching your head in amazement at their wariness. Expect the unexpected with these unusual fish; from ferociously cocky to downright elusive. One thing you can count on though, is that pike can't resist a well presented fly. What works? Mostly large, brightly coloured ones like those below. Thanks to my friend and expert fly fisherman, Markus Kemmer, I was fortunate enough to witness these flies in action at a remote lake last summer, and believe me they work.

How big do pike get in the Yukon? Well, sometimes bigger than their captors, as you can see from the photo below. Best fishing time? All season is good, but late May until the end of June is best for aggressive fish. Dalton Trail Lodge saw its best season ever for pike in 2010, with over 130 trophy size fish landed. The largest measuring over 47". For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/

2010 fishing report - Lake trout

For most people, when you mention Lake trout they think of trolling the depths of a remote lake with a downrigger for hours, hoping to somehow entice one of these monsters out of their sleepy lair. Well, not so in the Yukon. In fact in some areas, the majority of these fish are caught on a fly rod! That's right, a fly rod; 7 - 9 weight, sink tip, and a woolly bugger. Thanks to a unique set of environmental circumstances associated with some Yukon watersheds, namely very cold temperatures, one can find these beautiful trout throughout the season in depths of less than 10 feet, and even in some rivers.

How big do they get? Just about as big as they want! The one pictured above was never weighed, but it did measure 44". The one shown below, however, is more typical of those found in many lakes and rivers. Best fishing time? All season is good; i.e. late May to October. But the first and last two weeks of the season are best if you're looking for a trophy on a fly rod. Lake trout feed aggressively during these times and can often be seen cruising the shallows like sharks, gorging on small whitefish or whatever else is in their path. The Lake trout fishing at Dalton Trail Lodge was exceptional this year, with numerous trophies taken throughout the season. Largest on a fly rod: 38" (+/- 25 lbs.); spinning gear: 46" (+/- 45 lbs). For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/ ...

2010 fishing report - Inconnu

Inconnu, or "fresh water tarpon" are a little known Yukon species that pack a big punch! Otherwise called Sheefish, they're so rare that their name comes from the french language meaning "unknown". In the Yukon, there are thought to be both anadromous and land-locked varieties, both of which migrate to spawning grounds in rivers and streams (sometimes downstream) in late summer and early fall.

Like most fishing, if you're in the right place at the right time, its not hard to hook one of these beautiful fish. Getting one in is another thing. Often exceeding 30 lbs., these fish put up a brief, electrifying fight, not unlike their saltwater counterparts. If you were lucky enough to fish for Inconnu at Dalton Trail Lodge in 2010, you probably weren't disappointed; numerous specimens like the one pictured below were landed during the peak of the season in late June. For more information about Dalton Trail Lodge and the spectacular fishing available in the Yukon, visit www.fishcanadanow.com ...

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, Life of a Yukon guide! First, a few words to introduce myself. I've worked as a professional fishing guide for close to ten years now, first in the Quebec/Labrador region of Eastern Canada, and more recently at Dalton Trail Lodge, Yukon. I also arrange custom fishing travel for those who are looking for an ultimate fishing experience. To find out more, visit http://www.fishcanadanow.com/.

Cameron Widrig, aka Wolverine