RIVER FLOAT TRIPS

ST. MARY RIVER

Born in the Purcell Mountains, the St.Mary River is a classic free stone stream which flows gently for some 50 miles before joining the Kootenay River. We at the St.Mary Angler consider it to be one of the finest dry fly fisheries in North America. You will enjoy wild west slope cutthroats from 14 to 20 inches and catch rates of 10 to 50 fish per day. As an added bonus, there is a good chance you will not see another angler during your float. The lack of angling pressure is due to the absence of roads along the length of the River. Fortunately, we have secured a number of private launching sites that you will be using.

The St.Mary becomes fishable in mid June with good hatches of stoneflies, caddis and PMDs. By July and all the way through August most Attractor patterns work well. Terrestrials are the flies of choice from September to late October, with Blue Wing Olives, mid day, all through October.

ELK RIVER

The Elk River begins its journey in the MacDonald Range of the Rocky Mountains. It flows some 80 miles south and drains into the Kootenay River. With west slope cutthroats from 14 to 22 inches and Bull Trout from 18 to 30, the Elk is our regions' best-known river. It has quickly gained a reputation as a must fish river when you come to this region of British Columbia. During the fishing season you can expect catch rates from 10 to 50 cutthroats and bulls per day.

The season on the Elk River usually begins in late June with good hatches of Stoneflies and some Mayflies. Nymphing with a Prince Nymph, Bead Head Stoneflies and Hares Ears will work well all summer long. Any good attractor or terrestrial will work great all of August and September. October is a great time to fish Blue Wing Olives

BULL RIVER

Emerging from the Macdonald Range of the Rockies, the Bull River flows about 50 miles southwest until it joins the Kootenay River. It is an intimate stream with an extraordinarily robust population of west slope cutthroats. While most of the cuts are from 10-12 inches - with some to 14 - catch rates are from 20-100 per day.

The Bull River has a lot of structure to it with many large rocks and boulders and is narrower than the St. Mary or Elk rivers. In addition, there is a lot of Class 2 and 3 water which our skilled guides will maneuver you through. A float on the Bull is a particularly beautiful trip as the River flows along the back side of the  "Steeples"  which are part of the Hughes Range of the Rockies making the views spectacular.

The season on the Bull River is from late July through August. The River is blessed with robust hatches of caddis and mayflies. Any good attractor pattern works well - i.e. Royal Wulff, Royal Coachman, Parachute Adams, etc. Since the fishing pressure on the Bull is very low and the number of cuts is quite high, you are in for some fun days on the scenic little gem.

SKOOKUMCHUCK RIVER

This small free stone tributary of the Kootenay River has some of the largest wild West Slope Cutthroat in the region. An average fish will go 16 inches with some big guys over 20. The Skookumchuck is our primary walk and wade stream. It offers the beginner or advanced angler the opportunity to fish a truly pristine piece of water with a good chance of catching Cutthroats that are measured in pounds not inches. Because of a long spring run off, the Skookumchuck does not start fishing well until mid July. At this time attractor patterns work great. Hoppers and other terrestrials are best through August and September. October is usually cooler which bring good hatches of Blue Wing Olives and Green Drakes.

St. Mary Angler is proud to offer guided trips on the Kootenay and the Upper Columbia rivers. The portion of the Kootenay River you will float is from Canal Flats to the community of Skookumchuck. In terms of the Mighty Columbia, we guide on the stretch of the River from Castlegar B.C. to just north of the Canada-U.S. Border. Both of these great rivers offer exciting rainbow and bull trout fishing opportunities on robust stretches of water. Whether you wish to stalk trout with dry flies, or like to 'streamer up' the biggest fish in the water, these beautiful rivers have it all. Both the Kootenay and Columbia rivers offer the angler some of the finest springtime fishing found anywhere. A guided trip on the Kootenay or Columbia is a great 'add-on' to your fly-fishing trip to Southeastern British Columbia.

SECRET STREAMS

For the more adventurous angler we have several ‘secret’ streams in our area which see less than 10 anglers a year. The excitable cutthroats caught in these out of the way places range from 14 to 20 inches. An angler with average skills can do very well in these pristine venues catching and releasing as many as 50 to 100 trout a day! However, there is a catch. These streams are not easily accessible and only anglers in very good physical condition are eligible as the hiking can be a real challenge. If you are agile and in good physical condition then a day trip to one of these spectacular little hideaways is for you. Give us a call and we will make one of these side trips to fishing ‘Shangri-La’ happen.