The Adventures of Bill and Joe

Stony Lake Lodge and Minnie Lake

It was 3 am in the morning when I woke up to set out on our trip to Merritt. We were setting up to head to the World Renown Lake in the semi-desert terrain of Merritt BC. Bill picks me up at 330 am. With wide eyes, I tell him that I am very happy and excited to be going fly fishing for the first time. The Lodge we were going to is known all over the world as one of the premier trout fly fishing only lakes. Countless numbers of fishing shows were filmed on the lakes. It is also frequented by many famous fly fishermen. The road trip was  filled with stories of our past fishing adventures. Comparing fishing stories of the past and the dreams of the adventures yet to come.

A week before, I was fishing for Spring Salmon in Ucluelet BC. With the heavy ocean gear I was using and the wide ocean lapping at the boat, not to mention the Halibut rigs, I did not know what to expect with light tackle and a fly rod. I have always wanted to learn how to catch fish on the fly. My dream is to catch Steel-head on a fly. This is a perfect opportunity to learn from a fellow angler that has fished with a fly setup for over 25 years.

Fly fishing, to some, is considered a gentleman's sport or a hobby. To others, it can be considered a passion or a way of life. Whatever you call it, fly fishing is a pleasurable pastime built on the camaraderie of anglers, the tranquil natural settings of rivers, lakes and oceans, and the beautiful fish they pursue. Fly fishing, to me is like a roller coaster. It's a wild ride of quiet deliberation, patience and the heart pumping adrenaline rush of a strike.

The drive was about 3.5 hours long but we get a little lost as the directions to the lake was not as clear as we liked. The weather was a typical early summer morning with the sun's rays beaming and a breeze that ever so lightly tickles your face. We turn into the road that takes us to the resort. Private Property. There was cattle everywhere. We go through rolling hills with endless acres of pastors where the cattle grazed. We finally arrive at the Resort. We were greeted by the manager of Stony Lake Lodge and were well on our way to a day of fly fishing on a lake where some of the greats have fished.

The lake wasn't too busy at this time. There were maybe 8 boats on the lake with 5 huddled around a little bay. We were told that a majority of the fish were accumulating in the bay at this point of the day. As we head out, the weather starts to become overcast and a small wind was building from the east. We were using a fish finder to find the depths of the lake and to see where the schools of fish were. We use the trolling motor to get us from the dock. Lesson time.

Fly fishing is relatively easy to learn but it takes a life time to master. I have only watched others cast so when I tried it for the first time, I find myself in a large tangle. Line was everywhere. I guess the statement of "try, try and try again" is an understatement. Somehow, casting a fly is harder than it looks. Luckily Bill is patient with me. That is all I can ask for in a teacher.

FISH ON! Bill yells as I look at him with line all over myself and the boat. Its a little guppy. Not the monsters that I hear that are swimming around. It's a beautiful little 7 inch Bow. He was using a tiny olive chironomid.

I think I got it. Nope. another tangle. As I struggle to get the line in order, Bill catches 3 more little bows. I'm so used to heavy tackle with large fish. Light tackle with small fish uses more fineness and a lot more skill.

The morning continues and the weather changes ever so often. We are roasting in the sun for about 10 minutes and then the wind picks up and blows us all over the lake. Then it starts down pouring. The weather in this high elevation location changes more frequently than a woman who changes her shoes before a first date.

As we tire of the bay, we decide to troll over to the west part of the lake where the manager was telling us that there were some large 4-5 lb rainbows there. Bam! Another strike and another fish landed by Bill. It was caught on a black leach on a sinking line set up. Trolling is much easier than casting. It seems a little more effective for a beginner like me.

We arrive at the western part of the lake. And we do some casting. I'm getting a little bit better. I only hooked into myself 3 times. To think I should of learned on shore rather than sitting down on an Aluminum row boat. We fish there for about 45 minutes and decide that the bay was more productive.

As we troll from the west to the bay, I was getting a little frustrated and a little anxious as I really wanted to see what it is like to catch a trout on a fly. Out of no where, Bill gets excited and screamed - you have a fish on your rod. With lightning fast reflexes, I grab my rod from the rod holder and set the hook. The rod tip was bending and the trout was doing the normal head shakes. It jumps in the air. Not once, not twice but three times. I try to use the reel  but the fish was taking line like there was no tomorrow. Finally after 5 minutes of fumbling around with the reel, and getting used to light tackle, I land a 2 lb Rainbow. Compared to some 30 lbs salmon I have caught and the few 50-80 lb Sturgeons, it was a tiny fish. With light tackle and a 2lb trout, the excitement was insurmountable. I am hooked on fly fishing.

The wind starts to pick up and we decide it was time to head back in. Sputter... Sputter.. bam... the trolling motor gives up. I guess we have to row back. With 1- 2 feet waves it took almost everything Bill had to get us back to the dock. It seemed like we were rowing for an eternity. Finally we make it and start our journey back to Vancouver. It was good day. Think Adventure!