Horsefly River BC

"David Snedeker" wrote in message
...
Spent last week up on the Horsefly River in BritColumbia...

nice TR snipped

Sounds like an excellent trip to an area I know absolutely nothing about.
Thanks for the post, and I'm going to get a map out right now...you just
never know!

Cheers,
Bill

When you go back to the Caribou country, suggest you try the big trout on
Dragon and Marmot lakes. Those nearby Blackwater trout are fun but not good
eating IMHO
Good luck and thanks for the TR.
John
--
Remove FLY to reply
"David Snedeker" wrote in message
...
Spent last week up on the Horsefly River in BritColumbia. Mostly. Drove up
about 450 miles once I get to Seattle. Cross the border at Sumas, then
Trans
Canada 1 to Hope, then 1 and 97 on up Fraser River Canyon. Got to Lyton
first nite - Totem Motel run by a very nice Ex East German couple- great
town for RR buffs as both line visible and lots of work crews etc.. Town
on
the mend - still some rough edges and First Nations walking wounded. Good
bakery and Interior Health mini hospital. This is dry, hot and rugged
country. At about 70 mile house the country changes with greener
grasslands, richer bottoms, fatter cattle etc.. Went on up to 150 mile
house
and hung a right for about 30 miles to "town" of Horsefly. Last stores and
gas, then another 24 kilometers on gravel to Black Creek Ranch. All
along
the river are beautiful pastures and ranchers cutting what I guessed to be
their second cut. Most of the cattle are grazing into the trees at this
time
of year.

Black Creek Ranch is a very casual place. It hosts fishers as well as well
as a changing cast of loggers and a cowboy who leases the place for
cattle.
The place is basically former residence, with about 4-5 bedrooms, 3 baths
and a 2 table dining room. Not huge or fancy but comfortable. There are no
phones, and cells don't work. If you are halfway friendly and remember to
contain our easily misunderstood American pushiness, the loggers (fallers
mostly) can tell you a lot about the river and their business. Brian runs
the cattle here and on his family's two other ranches. The three ranches
are
each in different climates and its very interesting how he manages the
different zones for max benefit in this country, and how he is shifting
the
whole operation from cow/calf to a primo direct sale meat operation.
Anyway
for me the people you meet and learn from are a major part of the fun, and
this place has some neat folks. Just don't expect everything to be slick,
or
anyone to kiss your ass.

The Land Conservancy of BC has purchased a huge stretch of the land
adjoining the river and re-configured the fences and scratched some
patterns
in the land to dissipate any cow**** load runoff into the river. Access
is
open to the public here, and up stream over Weldwood and BC forestry
land.
There are miles of access.

The river is C&R and known for very large trout. Not a lot of trout until
the Sockeye runs in September, but big ones. This time of year you have
to
work for them but they are there. First day on the river my wife landed 2
rainbow which I guess went 24 inches. I hooked and broke a 1X tippet on
one
as big. Second day Bonnie landed another a bit smaller. I landed a thinner
20 incher. Third day, and last day on the river I was doing my usual: lots
of smallers and at one point, ****ed off, I targeted a half dozen
Squawfish.
We fished morning till afternoon, rested a bit then fished till dinner,
then
went back till dark. I had rolled and missed one very large fish along a
deep run next to a mud and log infested bank on three different occasions.
Consequently I returned to this place for one more go that last nite.

Its one thing to wade deep and wet when you are young and crazy. Its
another
to do it for a fish when you are older and making sure the nitro is in
your
vest: this is when you have to concede that you are not normal. Anyway
this
damn fish is working his same run in the same slick way: sipping some damn
thing I cannot see just under the surface, not a foot out from the bank,
the
only telltale sign of his size being the wave that passes over his huge
sub
of a body. Otherwise his gulp might be that of a 6 incher. Its getting
dark, the Sandhill Cranes have just flown over, and Im up to my chest in
dark moving water, trying to hold my position and at the limit of my
casting
distance. I know I can easily put him down and **** away my last chance.
And
6 passes later with my #10 orange Stimulator w/wiggly legs I am sure I
have
blown it. I do one more cast and drift and he slurps it, sounds, makes me
think Ive lost him and proceeds teach me all about rainbows. Along the way
he spooks 2 other monsters I had no idea were anywhere near. I land him,
he's 22 inches and fat. My friend Jeri landed another big one out of a
shallow riffle 10 minutes later on a big stonefly beadhead nymph.

Two older members of our group did a guided day on Quesnel Lake and caught
enough Trout to feed 6 other hungry fishers, one logger and one cowboy
dinner.

Next day we pack up, say goodbye and make for home. Along the way we tried
the Bonapart and Loon Lake. No dice. River too warm, lake too big. Slept
in
Cache Creek.

Second day on the road we stopped at Spences Bridge, and fished the
Thompson
from a First Nations park below where the Nicola joins the Thompson.
Caught
a half dozen smaller rainbows, but rolled 2 monsters who were porposing
where the first riffle turnes into the main current in the first big
riffle
on the park side. Next time

All the fish were mostly caught on my crude #6 and #8 stimulators, one on
a
muddler with some yellow marabou, one on a muddler.

What a blast.

Dave

When you go back to the Caribou country, suggest you try the big trout on
Dragon and Marmot lakes. Those nearby Blackwater trout are fun but not good
eating IMHO
Good luck and thanks for the TR.
John
--
Remove FLY to reply
"David Snedeker" wrote in message
...
Spent last week up on the Horsefly River in BritColumbia. Mostly. Drove up
about 450 miles once I get to Seattle. Cross the border at Sumas, then
Trans
Canada 1 to Hope, then 1 and 97 on up Fraser River Canyon. Got to Lyton
first nite - Totem Motel run by a very nice Ex East German couple- great
town for RR buffs as both line visible and lots of work crews etc.. Town
on
the mend - still some rough edges and First Nations walking wounded. Good
bakery and Interior Health mini hospital. This is dry, hot and rugged
country. At about 70 mile house the country changes with greener
grasslands, richer bottoms, fatter cattle etc.. Went on up to 150 mile
house
and hung a right for about 30 miles to "town" of Horsefly. Last stores and
gas, then another 24 kilometers on gravel to Black Creek Ranch. All
along
the river are beautiful pastures and ranchers cutting what I guessed to be
their second cut. Most of the cattle are grazing into the trees at this
time
of year.

Black Creek Ranch is a very casual place. It hosts fishers as well as well
as a changing cast of loggers and a cowboy who leases the place for
cattle.
The place is basically former residence, with about 4-5 bedrooms, 3 baths
and a 2 table dining room. Not huge or fancy but comfortable. There are no
phones, and cells don't work. If you are halfway friendly and remember to
contain our easily misunderstood American pushiness, the loggers (fallers
mostly) can tell you a lot about the river and their business. Brian runs
the cattle here and on his family's two other ranches. The three ranches
are
each in different climates and its very interesting how he manages the
different zones for max benefit in this country, and how he is shifting
the
whole operation from cow/calf to a primo direct sale meat operation.
Anyway
for me the people you meet and learn from are a major part of the fun, and
this place has some neat folks. Just don't expect everything to be slick,
or
anyone to kiss your ass.

The Land Conservancy of BC has purchased a huge stretch of the land
adjoining the river and re-configured the fences and scratched some
patterns
in the land to dissipate any cow**** load runoff into the river. Access
is
open to the public here, and up stream over Weldwood and BC forestry
land.
There are miles of access.

The river is C&R and known for very large trout. Not a lot of trout until
the Sockeye runs in September, but big ones. This time of year you have
to
work for them but they are there. First day on the river my wife landed 2
rainbow which I guess went 24 inches. I hooked and broke a 1X tippet on
one
as big. Second day Bonnie landed another a bit smaller. I landed a thinner
20 incher. Third day, and last day on the river I was doing my usual: lots
of smallers and at one point, ****ed off, I targeted a half dozen
Squawfish.
We fished morning till afternoon, rested a bit then fished till dinner,
then
went back till dark. I had rolled and missed one very large fish along a
deep run next to a mud and log infested bank on three different occasions.
Consequently I returned to this place for one more go that last nite.

Its one thing to wade deep and wet when you are young and crazy. Its
another
to do it for a fish when you are older and making sure the nitro is in
your
vest: this is when you have to concede that you are not normal. Anyway
this
damn fish is working his same run in the same slick way: sipping some damn
thing I cannot see just under the surface, not a foot out from the bank,
the
only telltale sign of his size being the wave that passes over his huge
sub
of a body. Otherwise his gulp might be that of a 6 incher. Its getting
dark, the Sandhill Cranes have just flown over, and Im up to my chest in
dark moving water, trying to hold my position and at the limit of my
casting
distance. I know I can easily put him down and **** away my last chance.
And
6 passes later with my #10 orange Stimulator w/wiggly legs I am sure I
have
blown it. I do one more cast and drift and he slurps it, sounds, makes me
think Ive lost him and proceeds teach me all about rainbows. Along the way
he spooks 2 other monsters I had no idea were anywhere near. I land him,
he's 22 inches and fat. My friend Jeri landed another big one out of a
shallow riffle 10 minutes later on a big stonefly beadhead nymph.

Two older members of our group did a guided day on Quesnel Lake and caught
enough Trout to feed 6 other hungry fishers, one logger and one cowboy
dinner.

Next day we pack up, say goodbye and make for home. Along the way we tried
the Bonapart and Loon Lake. No dice. River too warm, lake too big. Slept
in
Cache Creek.

Second day on the road we stopped at Spences Bridge, and fished the
Thompson
from a First Nations park below where the Nicola joins the Thompson.
Caught
a half dozen smaller rainbows, but rolled 2 monsters who were porposing
where the first riffle turnes into the main current in the first big
riffle
on the park side. Next time

All the fish were mostly caught on my crude #6 and #8 stimulators, one on
a
muddler with some yellow marabou, one on a muddler.

What a blast.

Dave

When you go back to the Caribou country, suggest you try the big trout on
Dragon and Marmot lakes. Those nearby Blackwater trout are fun but not good
eating IMHO
Good luck and thanks for the TR.
John
--
Remove FLY to reply
"David Snedeker" wrote in message
...
Spent last week up on the Horsefly River in BritColumbia. Mostly. Drove up
about 450 miles once I get to Seattle. Cross the border at Sumas, then
Trans
Canada 1 to Hope, then 1 and 97 on up Fraser River Canyon. Got to Lyton
first nite - Totem Motel run by a very nice Ex East German couple- great
town for RR buffs as both line visible and lots of work crews etc.. Town
on
the mend - still some rough edges and First Nations walking wounded. Good
bakery and Interior Health mini hospital. This is dry, hot and rugged
country. At about 70 mile house the country changes with greener
grasslands, richer bottoms, fatter cattle etc.. Went on up to 150 mile
house
and hung a right for about 30 miles to "town" of Horsefly. Last stores and
gas, then another 24 kilometers on gravel to Black Creek Ranch. All
along
the river are beautiful pastures and ranchers cutting what I guessed to be
their second cut. Most of the cattle are grazing into the trees at this
time
of year.

Black Creek Ranch is a very casual place. It hosts fishers as well as well
as a changing cast of loggers and a cowboy who leases the place for
cattle.
The place is basically former residence, with about 4-5 bedrooms, 3 baths
and a 2 table dining room. Not huge or fancy but comfortable. There are no
phones, and cells don't work. If you are halfway friendly and remember to
contain our easily misunderstood American pushiness, the loggers (fallers
mostly) can tell you a lot about the river and their business. Brian runs
the cattle here and on his family's two other ranches. The three ranches
are
each in different climates and its very interesting how he manages the
different zones for max benefit in this country, and how he is shifting
the
whole operation from cow/calf to a primo direct sale meat operation.
Anyway
for me the people you meet and learn from are a major part of the fun, and
this place has some neat folks. Just don't expect everything to be slick,
or
anyone to kiss your ass.

The Land Conservancy of BC has purchased a huge stretch of the land
adjoining the river and re-configured the fences and scratched some
patterns
in the land to dissipate any cow**** load runoff into the river. Access
is
open to the public here, and up stream over Weldwood and BC forestry
land.
There are miles of access.

The river is C&R and known for very large trout. Not a lot of trout until
the Sockeye runs in September, but big ones. This time of year you have
to
work for them but they are there. First day on the river my wife landed 2
rainbow which I guess went 24 inches. I hooked and broke a 1X tippet on
one
as big. Second day Bonnie landed another a bit smaller. I landed a thinner
20 incher. Third day, and last day on the river I was doing my usual: lots
of smallers and at one point, ****ed off, I targeted a half dozen
Squawfish.
We fished morning till afternoon, rested a bit then fished till dinner,
then
went back till dark. I had rolled and missed one very large fish along a
deep run next to a mud and log infested bank on three different occasions.
Consequently I returned to this place for one more go that last nite.

Its one thing to wade deep and wet when you are young and crazy. Its
another
to do it for a fish when you are older and making sure the nitro is in
your
vest: this is when you have to concede that you are not normal. Anyway
this
damn fish is working his same run in the same slick way: sipping some damn
thing I cannot see just under the surface, not a foot out from the bank,
the
only telltale sign of his size being the wave that passes over his huge
sub
of a body. Otherwise his gulp might be that of a 6 incher. Its getting
dark, the Sandhill Cranes have just flown over, and Im up to my chest in
dark moving water, trying to hold my position and at the limit of my
casting
distance. I know I can easily put him down and **** away my last chance.
And
6 passes later with my #10 orange Stimulator w/wiggly legs I am sure I
have
blown it. I do one more cast and drift and he slurps it, sounds, makes me
think Ive lost him and proceeds teach me all about rainbows. Along the way
he spooks 2 other monsters I had no idea were anywhere near. I land him,
he's 22 inches and fat. My friend Jeri landed another big one out of a
shallow riffle 10 minutes later on a big stonefly beadhead nymph.

Two older members of our group did a guided day on Quesnel Lake and caught
enough Trout to feed 6 other hungry fishers, one logger and one cowboy
dinner.

Next day we pack up, say goodbye and make for home. Along the way we tried
the Bonapart and Loon Lake. No dice. River too warm, lake too big. Slept
in
Cache Creek.

Second day on the road we stopped at Spences Bridge, and fished the
Thompson
from a First Nations park below where the Nicola joins the Thompson.
Caught
a half dozen smaller rainbows, but rolled 2 monsters who were porposing
where the first riffle turnes into the main current in the first big
riffle
on the park side. Next time

All the fish were mostly caught on my crude #6 and #8 stimulators, one on
a
muddler with some yellow marabou, one on a muddler.

What a blast.

Dave