Fortress Lake Retreat

“The truth about fishing trips is that they are often more about where you go and how you get there than about what you catch.’”

                                                                                                            – John Gierach

 
This past weekend I had the good fortune of knocking Fortress Lake located in British Columbia off of my bucket list as my ever understanding wife had bought the trip for me as a thirtieth birthday present. Sometimes I wonder if she gets just how passionate I am about fly-fishing; but when she goes and does something like this I really do feel like I am starting to break her resolve (rewarding and kinda sad at the same time). If you are curious where and what Fortress Lake is then I suggest you crawl out from under your rock you have been living under and check out the website Fortress Lake Retreat. Simply put it offers some of the best brook trout fishing you will find anywhere. My fishing partner this time around was my prodigy and casting hotshot Justin Mecklar.

Two conquering anglers ready to tackle leviathan Brook Trout.

     Our hosts for the trip were Dave and Amelia Jenson who, if you are wondering, are the Canadian equivalent of Joan and Lee Wulff (Much younger though). Through out are stay they were extremely helpful and along with the other staff, Kevin (part owner) and Andrew (ace fire builder and guide), made our time with them as comfortable as can be expected when you are in the middle of nowhere. Actually, to be honest, the amenities offered far exceeded anything I expected. I was full on preparing to go four days without showering (which I did anyway) and was surprised by the hot water on demand system in place and the flush toilets. Needless to say by day four I was the only one in camp smelling like a sea side shit-house after boxing day (flies are lucky!).

Justin definitely improved his casting with some good advice...not from me of course.

       The food and accommodations were top notch. I know I am not easy to please but really the food was, in my opinion, exceptional. I think the best part about it was our first night having Kevin bring our supper out to us while we cast streamers along the shore. Definitely better than PB&J I am used too! Honestly though, I fealt spoiled.
      The flight in was absolutely breathtaking. Yeah, I said it, breathtaking. Words can't describe it and I am not going to try to attempt but I hope that when (if) I am on my way through the pearly gates of heaven they look something like the view of our final approach into Fortress.

 

Brookie Heaven!

One hell of a nice trout!

      Towering peaks loom over head as you cast your flies into turquoise waters and if that isn't enough the rumbling of an avalanche echoing through the valley is more than enough to remind you just how insignificant you are. This is big powerful country that, if you pull yourself away from the fishing or conversation for a moment overwhelms you and leaves you with goosebumps.
       During our stay the fishing was a little off although still good by my standards. The inconsistency in the weather pushing through did create some challenges during our stay and despite what you can be lead to believe brook trout are brook trout and when they are not feeding they are not feeding. Sure, we didn't catch the numbers of brook trout I was probably hoping to spoil myself with, but the average size is better than anything I have experienced anywhere else.

Myself proving once again you don't always have to look good to catch fish!

    



     
      We did get a taste of the exceptional fishing that can be had at Fortress one afternoon. The sun was out, the wind was calm and the brook trout were more than willing to eat our flies and trust me, when big brook trout are eating your flies all is right in the universe. That was of course until another storm front moved through and shut the fishing down. Still, it was just enough to whet our appetites and remind us of what a truly exceptional place Fortress Lake is.
       In the end I can truthfully say that I have never experienced a place (or some of the other guests...sheesh!) like Fortress. I will return, if anything for the people and the scenery as much as the fishing. And if you know me that speaks volumes (as do the following pictures). If you like big brook trout you owe it to yourself to go because Fortress Lake truly is the trip of a lifetime.

The entire lake to ourselves.

A time for Change

     This weekend I spent a couple of days on a local "run of the mill" put-and-take Alberta stocked trout lake (Little Bear Lake). Fishing was, in my opinion, very good considering the lake has been stocked with 25,000-28,000 trout for as long as the SRD stocking reports tell me. My fishing partner and I landed several trout in the 5-6 lb range. Some were freshly released brood stock from the local fish hatchery and some that had overwintered the last couple of years (very noticeable difference in fighting quality). The catch rate was high and we never went more than five minutes before one of our strike indicators dipped below the surface. All and all I was satisfied with my experience on the water.

Justin Mecklar with a "brooder"

        Part of me has to wonder how much this lake could benefit from a little regulation and some help from an aeration system. What would some of those trout be like in say their third and fourth seasons? Most of the anglers that were fishing on the lake had no idea what the limit was and or if there were size restrictions. In my opinion SRD's move to implement quality trout lakes throughout Alberta is a good one that all anglers can benefit from. Of the 300 stocked lakes in Alberta only a handful are managed as quality lakes with reduced limits and seasonal closures. The current census is that a majority of anglers would rather catch a few larger trout rather than lots of little ones. I am sure it will be a slow one but my hopes are that through the bureaucratic process this lake will be given the opportunity to meet its full potential.

My "wet sock"

To be honest though I haven't given this lake much thought until this season. The idea that it is managed as a put-and-take fishery coupled with frequent winter-kill has always encouraged me to seek big trout elsewhere. This springs revelation that trout have overwintered along with a good average size have peeked my interest in its potential as a candidate for lake aeration and quality regulations. The more time I spend on it the more it reminds me of big fish "haunts" elsewhere.

A healthy trout that will probably be lost to winter-kill without lake aeration.

     I have already been in communication with the local area biologist, the local Fish and Game Assoc. and a few other like minded anglers who I am hoping will get behind the idea. As far as I am concerned the proof of the lakes potential are evident in the quality of the fish that it is producing despite heavy angler use and in my mind, a crap creel limit that reflects a dated mindset.

     Hopefully the general angling populous of this area will feel the same. Like anything entailing change there is usually resistance and opposition from people set in their ways, and I can sympathize with that if only to a limited degree. I strongly feel that if angling opportunities in this province are to be maintained and or enhanced than the notion that a management plan on a lake or stream to reduce government costs and promote conservation has to become accepted....by everyone.

Justin getting the hang of indicator fishing.

      Still, I can accept this past weekend for what it was. Simply put, some fine trout fishing and laughs with a friend getting into the sport.

      Small micro leeches with some chironomids splashed in the mix produced well anywhere from 7 to 18 feet of water. I even lost a "mystery" fish at one point that definitely peeked my interest as it never showed itself and left me guessing at how big it may have been. The last time I checked we had estimated its weight around 9 lb's based on the "feel" (give or take a couple of pounds).

A good trout on any water-body.