From: 07/22/2019
To: 07/26/2019
Type of Water: Freshwater
Species: Lake trout, Grayling
HI Kevin ….Testimonial text will be below.
Chris and I both work at Bow River Troutfitters in Calgary. We fly fish. That’s all we do. When Kevin asked us to join him at Aylmer Lake, we jumped at the opportunity. We arrived in mid-July, brought a full quiver of fly rods and lines with us. Now we understand that these waters are typically fished with spin gear, and spoons, however we had a blast using our fly rods, and never felt under gunned. Aylmer lake provides the fly angler with a unique experience you won’t find elsewhere.
We knew we’d be able to easily target grayling in the rivers with our light tackle, but what we both really wanted to do was catch Lake Trout on fly rods in the open water. What I personally wanted to do, was catch Lake Trout on the surface with dry flie View more...HI Kevin ….Testimonial text will be below.
Chris and I both work at Bow River Troutfitters in Calgary. We fly fish. That’s all we do. When Kevin asked us to join him at Aylmer Lake, we jumped at the opportunity. We arrived in mid-July, brought a full quiver of fly rods and lines with us. Now we understand that these waters are typically fished with spin gear, and spoons, however we had a blast using our fly rods, and never felt under gunned. Aylmer lake provides the fly angler with a unique experience you won’t find elsewhere.
We knew we’d be able to easily target grayling in the rivers with our light tackle, but what we both really wanted to do was catch Lake Trout on fly rods in the open water. What I personally wanted to do, was catch Lake Trout on the surface with dry flies.
Aylmer just doesn’t disappoint. The lodge is spartan but comfortable. The hosts are warm and accommodating, the scenery defies description and the fishing quality is everything we hoped it would be.
The far northern latitude means that ice-off is very late and the lake is large enough (enormous is the proper word) that the water never really warms enough to cause the fish to seek deep water refuge. As a result, we never really fished deeper than about 10 feet and were consistently able to catch fish with casts both from the boat and from shore. The water is so clear, you can see the lake bottom at least 20 feet down and watch fish follow and eat your fly. Could it get any better?
Of course it does! Because Lake Trout eat dry flies. We found schools of smaller (small in this case, being fish up to 25 inches or so) Lake Trout and grayling sipping chironomids on the surface, readily eating our offerings of caddis and mayflies. We found larger fish in deeper water that would rise to the surface and eat actively stripped top-water flies like poppers, gurglers and mice. We found the key to eliciting takes was the movement of the fly and the wake it generates. The surface eats were very aggressive and more fun than a boxful of kittens.
It wasn’t just the non stop dry fly action that had us going though. We threw our large streamers on full sinking lines and took some truly large fish. 9 and 10 weight rods were the required weapon here, and even then the lakers had our rods bent, almost to the breaking point. You can’t help but struggle to sleep in the evenings, knowing there are 60+ pound fish cruising around for an easy meal. The best part is you don’t need to dredge the fathoms with heavy spoons. All the large fish are within striking distance of the fly rod, and some even hit dries on the surface.
The area available exclusively to this lodge to explore exceeds the imagination of us southerners, and I thought I could imagine a lot before I got here. And getting here is only the beginning of your experience. Remember there is a rich history in this area to explore. Amazing photographic opportunities await you, including the Northern Lights later in the season. You will also find a unique and very rare state of being in this stark land, a complete sense of calm solitude as you cast tiny dry flies on mirror still waters to rising Lakers, all under a never-ending sunset of pink and purple. If you have need any further convincing feel free to email Rick or Chris at
Staff @
Bow River Troutfitters
Suite 120 400 5th Avenue sw
Calgary AB, Canada
T2P 0L6
Phone: (403) 282-8868
http://shop.bowrivertroutfitters.ca/
