When I moved to Kamloops, British Columbia, in 1982, I was a freshman in fly fishing, but had heard it was the mecca of fly fishing for trout BC rainbow. I talked to my chief of the lakes in the area and has a couple of incredible stories of huge fish breaking his staff, theft of their line and causing him pain. I thought, "I would like that kind of pain." He was referring to Paso de los Lagos. At that time was considered a trophy lake of considerable dimensions. The 4×4 access road was very poor, there were 2 boats – none of which were very good.

Some things have changed over the years. You do not need a 4×4 to get to the step more. Since registration opened to the north, the road has been improved and is somewhat maintained. Only one boat launch area, but is better than that ever was. There is a substantial forestry camp fires and latrines. The regulations have changed slightly to accommodate the increased pressure due to improved access. And there triploids. Oh baby!

This treasure of a lake is located about 25 kilometers north of Kamloops on the Lac du Bois road. The unit step and the lake itself is majestic same as you migrate and transition through about 4 geo-climatic zones. First, wind your way through rugged hills of sagebrush desert Tumbleweed and Lac du Bois Provincial Park. Below are the productive bunchgrass grasslands, juniper and home to grazing cattle and deer. Approaching Lac du Bois yes, the land becomes more green, Rolling pastures points with shallow duck ponds, deciduous trees and dry Douglas fir. Finally comes at a deep forest of firs, pines, firs and poplars. I must say that the view offered during the scenic drive home is a fine consolation prize in the days or even less productive fisheries.

Pass the lake has always been a lake in a bad mood. Rarely does a day when fish zero in on your fly as it will be his last food. I've been skunked many times. For the persistent fisherman, does not produce attractive rewards. It is one of the lakes which has two types of fish. Most small and large. The smaller tease you, but are under 12 ". Then they get hungry and are rarely seen until they are 20" or larger. Whenever there is an expectation reasonable to catch a trophy size fish and that's what brings me back.

I found that in late May, early June and September / October are the best times to hit Pass. You can be productive during the summer months, but may have to face the dark at night and lift the rear of bed very early in the morning.

The lake is surrounded by banks of marl and productive dropoffs. The hatches in late May chironomids can turn the fish into voracious hunters between an aluminum can hatch of small vessels. I've seen at times in 5 or 6 anglers had fish in all at once in a 250 meter long stretch of bank on the side north of the lake.

Perhaps the most prolific hatch at Pass Lake is the mayfly, from late May and ended in mid-June. The key is fishing with a floating line as they migrate to the surface to emerge as adults. Another food that produces large fish is the leech. The lake has a population healthy leeches and fishing this pattern throughout the season can be very productive.

As I said before, this lake is in a bad mood. It is one of the lakes you can not get a bite all day, but you still feel that the next time will be your day. It is part of the lure mystque and Pass Lake.

Pass Lake was the first lake fishing in the Kamloops area that I knew one day I would catch a big fish. It took 3 visits before I caught a I've been big and always in love. The lure of trophy fish captures my soul and pass the lake of my destination of choice for many occasions each season.

Dave Ouellette was an engineering tech with Ducks Unlimited Canada for close to 11 years, throughout the 1980′s and early ’90′s. While constructing wetlands for waterfowl he managed to fish many of the lakes in the south/central Interior of British Columbia. Fly fishing is his passion and he now spends at least 50 days a year on his favorite lakes or finding new ones.

You can learn more about the fine rainbow trout lakes in the Kamloops Area including stories and pictures of fellow BC Fishermen by visiting us at: Big Fish Small Hook’s Freshwater Fishing Journal

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