Prudhomme Lake

Although closed at this time of the year, Prudhomme Lake in Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park in British Columbia, offers respite from the cities in the summer. Located 16km east of Prince Rupert, this park covers 7 hectares with ample campground sites to enjoy fishing of five species of Pacific Salmon. Salmon spawning occurs in August and September.


Photo Credit: DreamEchos CC=nc-flickr. CLICK TO ENLARGE

One last fishing day at an Ontario lake before the season is over.

Photo Credit: Dentax CC=nc-flickr. Click to enlarge.

Gone Fishin'

This is Mt. Michael and Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, British Columbia.

I will be absent from frequent posting or blog visiting for awhile as my writing will be taking precedence. There will still be the odd weekly post and, of course, book reviews, as there is a growing stack.


Photo Credit: listentoreason CC=nc-sa-flickr. CLICK TO ENLARGE

Fishing - Canyon Lake

CLICK TO ENLARGE



Canyon Lake is located near Kenora, Ontario in the northwestern portion of the province near Manitoba. This morning photo promises a perfect day of fishing for muskie, walleye and small mouth bass. Muskie monsters have been caught ranging in size from 25 to 50 pounds.


Photo Credit: SensorPhoto CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Fishing - Lorette Pond

This is Mount Lorette Pond in Kananaskis Provincial Park, Alberta, which is stocked seasonally with rainbow trout. It's a good idea to pick up a fishing license before putting a line out, as the fish police tend to lurk.


Photo Credit: appaloosa CC=nc-nd-flickr. Click to enlarge.

Fishing - Kathlyn Lake

Kathlyn Lake is 4 km north of Smithers, British Columbia on Highway 16 not far from Prince Rupert on the coast. Here the fisherman can find Cutthroat trout.


Photo Credit: Ian BC North CC=nc-nd-flickr. Click to enlarge.

Fishing - Rouge Mataouin Wildlife Preserve

[1-click to enlarge all photos]







[2]








[3]




In the Rouge-Matawin Wildlife Preserve within the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, fishing is available through various lodges and outfitters.



Source: Fishing in the Quebec Wildlife Preserves

Photo Credit: [1][2][3]-crazykinux CC=nc-sa-flickr.

Tuesday for Travis - Fishing in the Alberta Foothills

Video taped in Shhh Creek west of Calgary.




For those unable to watch embedded videos go here.

Tuesdays for Travis - Herbert Lake

Herbert Lake is just off the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) north of Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta.

There is a daily catch and possession limit in the park of two fish for any of the following: arctic grayling, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, brook trout, northern pike, mountain whitefish, and lake whitefish.

For permits and other information check the listings with ParksCanada as noted below.


Source: ParksCanada-Banff = http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/visit14b_E.asp#catch

Photo Credit: Appaloosa CC=nc=nd-flickr.

Tuesdays for Travis - Patricia Lake

Patricia Lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, is smaller than its neighbour, Pyramid Lake, but is twice as deep at 40m (131 feet). There is a 4.8 km (3 mile) trail around the lake. Boat, bicycle and fishing rentals are available at Patricia Lake Bungalows.

Numerous lakes and streams teem with fish. Rocky Mountain whitefish and seven species of trout, including brook, brown, bull, cutthroat, lake and rainbow can be found here.

Source: Canadian Rockies Adventure Guide by Brenda Koller, pp.98.

Photo Credit: cblee-CC=nc-sa-flickr.

Tuesdays for Travis - Fortress Lake

[1-Sadlier Mountain and Fortress Lake]

Fortress Lake is located in Hamber Provincial Park in British Columbia, and is accessible only by fly-in, and hiking or skiing over a 24 km (15 miles) route from Sunwapta Falls in Jasper National Park. Hamber Provincial Park has 24,000 hectares.

Trophy brook trout catch and release fly fishing in a remote and private wilderness area. Photos of the sizes of the fish caught in this lake can be seen here.

From British Columbia Parks:

“At high elevation, and with pristine wilderness, this park has excellent angling opportunities, and is prime grizzly and black bear country. A rustic campground is located at the east end of Fortress Lake and several traditional campsites are identifiable along the north shore of the lake. Each campsite has a pit toilet and bear pole for storing food. Because Hamber Provincial Park is an undeveloped wilderness area with no facilities, visitors should be self-sufficient and properly equipped.”

As an added bonus the following are photos of braver and tougher hikers than I who walked to Fortress Lake.


[2-Trail to Fortress Lake from Sunwapta Falls]












[3-Trail to Fortress Lake beside Athabasca River]















[4-Crossing the Athabasca River]



[5-Crossing the Athbasca River]













[6-Trail to Fortress Lake - click to enlarge]




[7-click to enlarge]





[8-click to enlarge]




[9-Crossing the Chaba River as there is no bridge]

These hikers sent the tallest of their group first into the icy water to see how deep it was. However, the reward of reaching Fortress Lake would be waiting.




Sources:

Fly Fish Alberta
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/parks/?id=176

Photo Credits: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]-Mr. Hermit CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Tuesdays for Travis - Barachois Brook

Barachois Brook is three miles south of Stephenville Crossing, Newfoundland. Click photo to enlarge.

Photo Credit: appaloosa CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Tuesdays for Travis - Lily Lake

[1]





[2]






[3- Sunset at Lily Lake]














Lily Lake is near Middleton, Nova Scotia.



Photo Credits: [1][2][3]-Grant MacDonald CC-nc-flickr.

Tuesdays for Travis - Pyramid Lake

[Early morning fishing on Pyramid Lake with Pyramid Mountain in the background]


Pyramid Lake is 8km (4.8 miles) from the townsite of Jasper in Jasper National Park, Alberta. Nearby is Patricia Lake, and both lakes are open year round for activities such as fishing, picnicking, boating and hiking. There are rental facilities available for horse-back riding, boating, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. In the winter cross-country skiing is available as is ice-skating on Pyramid Lake. Seasonal and year-round accommodation and dining facilities are also available.

The principal game fish in the Rockies are trout, with cutthroat and rainbow the most common varieties. Bull trout are catch and release only.

ParksCanada for fishing regulations link is here.

Fishing Regulation Summary for April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 here .

How to Identify Your Catch here .


Photo Credit: Strange Ones CC=flickr.

Tuesdays for Travis - Ice Fishing on Spray Lakes

[Ice Fishing on Spray Lakes, Kananaskis - click for larger photo]



A hut or wind tents are necessary to keep out of the wind which gusts through the valley. A power auger is recommended to drill through ice.

I would recommend beginning ice fishing enthusiasts use a guide to learn the basics. An outfitter from the Canmore area, Keith Rae, mentioned in the last source, has important tips like checking the ice thickness before venturing out.


Sources:
http://www.canmorealberta.com/directory/activities/fish_identification_guide.html
http://www1.travelalberta.com/en-us/content.cfm?ContentID=166&ContentTypeID=3

Photo Credit: Sherlock77 (James) CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Tuesday for Travis - Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is located in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta close to the United States border.

[1- Cypress Hills, Bald Butte]


The Cypress Hills are the highest point of land between Labrador and the Canadian Rockies (160 miles to the west), rising 600 metres (1,950 feet) above the surrounding ranch land. A unique aspect of this area is 10,000 years ago when the land was covered by a sheet of continental glacial ice this plateau was untouched. They have a rich history from Canada’s “wild west” with whiskey traders, outlaws and Indians.

[2-click for larger view]


The park is divided into two sections: the Centre Block where the amenities and most of the campgrounds are located and the West Block, an undeveloped wilderness area adjacent to the Fort Walsh Historic Site which reaches into the province of Alberta.

[3-Camp breakfast}




The Centre Block contains 15 campgrounds with full service hookups including hot showers and modern facilities; while the West Block wilderness area has two rustic campgrounds and an equestrian campground.


[4- Ressor Lake]

[5-Wildflower]

There are four distinct habitats and a climate more moderate than the surrounding prairies. Eighteen species of orchids are among the 700 varieties of plant life found in the park.

[6-Moose]



The majestic lodgepole pines crowning the hills and the lower-lying aspen stands are home to elk, pronghorn antelope, white-tailed deer, fox, coyote and bobcat.


[7-Battle Creek - lower right corner shows trout]

For fishing enthusiasts the Cypress Hills offers some of the best trout fishing in Saskatchewan. The Battle Creek in the West Block wilderness area has Rainbow, Brown and the occasional Brook Trout. This creek is perfect for fly fishers and ultra light spin fishers. Another area is Boiler Creek, in the Centre Block, that has a series of beaver ponds containing Brookies.


[8- Loch Leven]

Loch Leven, in the Centre Block, is surrounded by lodgepole pines and offers angling for Brook and Cutthroat Trout. An effective method for fishing is fly fishing.

[9-another view of Loch Leven]




There are over 17km of groomed trails in Cypress Hills Park for cross-country skiing in the winter.

[10- Trail]
















Sources: http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/lodgepole_legacy.html
http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/CypressHills
http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/TTDCypress

Photo Credits: [1][3]-jenjie CC=nc-nd-flickr, [2]-Travis King CC=nc-flickr, [4]-pansapien CC=nc-sa-flickr, [5][10]-Dave.Kuehn CC=nc-flickr, [6]-Space Ritual CC=nd-flickr, [7]-dinwelch CC=nc-flickr, [8]-jaysspace.com CC=flickr, [9]-calupso_orchid CC=nc-nd-flickr.

Fishing Tuesday - Rushing River Provincial Park

[1]


Rushing River Provincial Park is 340 hectares in size, near Kenora, Ontario.

The forest is dominated by jack pines of a uniform height, due to a forest fire in 1910 which opened all the pinecones at once. Balsam, spruce, aspen, alder, and maple have intermingled with the pines. This dense forest canopy shades a community of other plant life, including many edibles such as blueberries, cherries, hazelnuts, raspberries, and strawberries.

[2]

Rushing River cascades over rock gouged by glaciers in a series of rapids but elsewhere is passable by canoe. Canoe routes ranging in lengths from 32 to 103 km are easily accessible from the park.

[3]




During early spring and late fall is when the visitor is most likely to see black bears, moose and deer and the smaller red foxes, weasels, mink and otters. Sixty species of birds also live here, including great blue herons, loons, night hawks, belted kingfishers, Canada jays and various waterfowl.

For the fishing enthusiast there are walleye, pike, smallmouth bass and lake trout.

For hikers:

[4]

Beaver Pond Trail 1.5 km loop (45 minutes) easy
Follow this trail to a quiet beaver pond full of fragrant water lilies. Listen for songbirds in the forest and watch for mallard ducks. If you look carefully, you might see orchids or other unusual plants.

[5- Dogtooth Lake]


Granite Knoll Trail 5 km (1.5 hours) moderate
This trail meanders along the shoreline of Dogtooth Lake and then swings back through open jack pine forest and over gnarly granite hummocks.


[6- Morning on Dogtooth Lake]





Lower Rapids Trail 2 km (1 hour) easy
This trail follows what may be a native portage around the rapids and waterfalls on Rushing River.

[7-Sunset over Andy Lake]


Rushing River has 217 campsites, 75 of which have electrical service. Washroom and shower facilities are conveniently located in the campgrounds and there is a park store for supplies.





Sources:
http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/rush.html
http://www.ontariocampgrounds.net/regional.cfm/code/229/tbid/7

Photo Credits: [1][2][3][4][7]-Jezz CC=nd-flickr, [5][6]-Marg S CC=flickr.

Tuesdays For Travis - Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario

[1-Playter Harbour on Lake Superior]






[2-Bay on Lake Superior]






[3-Lake Superior shoreline]






This park encompasses 1,878 square miles along the eastern shoreline of Lake Superior.

There are many spellings to the word “Pukaskwa” which provide different meanings: cleaning of fish, eaters of fish, something evil or safe harbour.

Of primary concern in Pukaskwa National Park is the survival of the small herd of woodland caribou resident there. Rare arctic plants grow here due to Lake Superior’s Arctic influence, as do coastal heron rookeries, forest mammals, birds, and inland water quality.




[4-This rabbit walked up to the photographer on the beach without any concern]






Ontario Fishing Regulations apply in the Park. The use of lead sinkers and weighted lures are prohibited in national parks and national wildlife areas in Canada.

Pukaskwa is a remote area with no refueling opportunities.

Cyclists can travel on Highway 627 and campground roads. Bicycles are not permitted on any of the trails in Pukaskwa National Park.


[5-Moose]





Parks Canada provides the following information about backpacking into the wilderness of the Park:

“Pukaskwa National Park protects a nationally significant area of Lake Superior shoreline and boreal forest. With no road access, the Lake Superior shoreline between Hattie Cove to Michipicoten is the least developed shoreline anywhere on the Great Lakes. As interest in exploring this coastline continues to increase, we ask that you take steps to minimize your impacts on the ecosystem as you travel through the park. Wild spaces can survive as long as we strive to be stewards, not consumers, of wilderness areas.”




[6-White River crossing on a wire and slat bridge on one of the many trails in the Park]







On the link below are guidelines to follow when visiting the Park.


[7-Sunset over Lake Superior]






Source: http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pukaskwa/natcul/natcul1c_e.asp

Photo Credits: [1][5][6]-Geoffrey Rockwell CC=nc-nd-flickr, [2]-Troy B Thompson CC=nc-nd-flickr, [3][4][7]-begemot CC=nc-nd-flickr,