Shuswap Lake -Rainbows and Sockeye
In 2010, the Sockeye Salmon return was one of the largest on record.By Rod Hennig
It was early spring 2012. The mountains still had the tell-tale signs of winter, and the lake was swarming with Sockeye smolts eager to make their crusade through the lake en route to the ocean. Conditions were spectacular for the days’ charter I had planned for 4 guests aboard my red Thunder Jet, ‘Slay Ride’. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and I was pumped because it was possible my clients would reap the benefits of this rare, mass exodus of fish, an event that had its beginning nearly two years ago.
In 2010, the Sockeye Salmon return was one of the largest on record. The Adams River was bursting with fish, as were many of the tributaries that feed Shuswap Lake. At Mabel Lake, another feeder of the Shuswap, Sockeye carcasses were scattered along the shoreline from the countless number of spawning fish - a scene scarcely seen. Amazingly, it was this event, this over-abundance of fins and gills returning home to spawn in the fall of 2010 that made my current guiding excursion in 2012 so full of possibilities.
Sockeye are the only Pacific species where their fry will rear in the lake for one year and then migrate the following spring back to the ocean. When the timing is right, Sockeye smolts will start to move out of Mabel and Mara Lake and, along with the Shuswap smolts, begin their migration to sea. After a year of feeding on plankton they will reach an average size of around 3 inches...perfect dinner size for Rainbows, Lakers and Bull Trout that live in the depths of Shuswap Lake...
We left the dock at Sicamous and were soon underway as we had a 40 minute boat ride. The lake was calm as calm gets. Not a single ripple marred the perfect, glass-like surface until an Osprey dove into the lake and emerged with a beauty of a fish clutched in its claws. Moments later we witnessed a large school of Sockeye smolts burst from the surface of the water, a telltale sign that an apex predator was in the area feeding. Eagles soared looking for breakfast and Mergansers dotted the shoreline like rocks, waiting for their next meal of smolts. It looked like we weren’t going to be the only anglers out on the lake that day.
We soon reached our destination. I eased back on the throttle and Slay Ride settled into the calm water. As I worked to set up the lines one of my clients asked, “How can you tell the size of the fish from the hit?” I told him that smaller fish tend to grab and run in a somewhat jerky motion while the larger fish will slowly bend the rod, almost to its breaking point, and then the reel will start to scream for mercy as line begins to peel out. I glanced at my guests as I set up the 3rd line, and from the looks on their faces, everyone was eager and stoked to get started. I handed the last rod to Phil and he began to strip out the fly line to its backing. He had only half the line out when he felt a sharp pull and then line began to peel from the reel. Phil was experienced, having fished here before with me and he knew what to do. “Fish on,” he yelled, grinning...it was going to be a good day! Just then the other rod bent hard and it, too, starting screaming. Double Header! Fifteen minutes later we had 2 stunner Rainbow at the boat. One was kept for dinner and the other gently released to be caught again another day.
It was hard to keep a smile away that day as we caught many more fish. Mostly Rainbow, but some large Lake Trout and even a Bull Trout. As I watched my guests’ battle fish throughout the day I could only imagine what it must have been like years ago, before commercial fishing on the ocean took its toll on our Salmon. Shuswap Lake is a unique natural fishery, with its many tributaries supporting most Salmon species. From the decaying spawning fish that spill nutrients into the lake, to the abundant fry and smolts living there, the Trout and Char benefit greatly, which, in turn, provide amazing fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages. So if you ever get the chance to fish the Shuswap, don’t pass it up. You won’t be disappointed!
Rodney Hennig owns and operates Rodney’s REEL Outdoors Sport Fishing Guide Service in the Kelowna area. Check him out today at www.kelownafishing.com