Pass Lake – Closer to Kamloops, closer to my heart

When I moved to Kamloops, British Columbia in 1982, I was just a newbie to fly fishing, but had heard that this was the mecca for rainbow trout fly fishing in BC. I talked to my boss about the lakes in the area and he has a couple of amazing stories of huge fish breaking his rod, stealing his line and causing him distress. I thought, “I’d like that kind of angst.” He meant Pass Lake. At that time it was considered a trophy lake of considerable stature. Access was a very poor 4×4 road, there were 2 pitches, neither of which was very good.

Some things have changed over the years. You no longer need a 4×4 to get to Pass. Since logging opened further north the trail has been improved and is somewhat maintained. There’s only one boat launch area, but it’s better than ever. There is a substantial forest camp with campfires and outhouses. Regulations have changed slightly to accommodate the increased pressure due to improved access. And there are triploids. Oh baby!

This treasure of a lake is located about 25 km north of Kamloops on the Lac du Bois road. The drive to and from Pass Lake is majestic in itself as you migrate and transition through approximately 4 geoclimatic zones. First, you wind your way through the rugged sagebrush and tumbleweed desert foothills of Lac du Bois Provincial Park. Below are productive pastures of clustergrass, juniper, and home to cattle and deer. As you get closer to Lac du Bois itself, the terrain becomes more of a park, rolling pastures dotted with shallow duck ponds, deciduous trees, and dryland Douglas-fir. Finally you reach an interior forest of fir, pine, spruce and poplar. I must say that the view offered during the scenic drive home is a nice reward or comfort, even on the least productive days of fishing.

Pass Lake has always been a moody lake. He rarely gives up on a day when the fish are zeroing in on his fly all day as if it were their last meal. I have been a skunk many times. For the persistent angler, it yields handsome rewards. It is one of those lakes that has two types of fish. Small and big. The little ones will tease you while they are under 12″. Then they are hungry and are rarely seen until they are 20″ or more. There is always a reasonable expectation of catching a trophy sized fish and that is what keeps me coming back.

I found that late May, early June, and September/October are the best times to drop by. It can be productive during the summer months, but you may have to brave the darkness at the end of the night or get out of bed very early in the morning.

The lake is surrounded by productive loam shoals and drop-offs. Chironomid hatches in late May can turn fish into voracious hunters among an aluminum hatch of small boats. I have seen times where 5 or 6 anglers all fished at the same time on a 250 meter long stretch of shoal on the north side of the lake.

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

Like I said before, this lake is in a bad mood. It’s one of those lakes where you might not eat a bite all day, but still feel like next time will be your day. It’s part of the mystique and allure of Pass Lake.

Pass Lake was the first lake I fished in the Kamloops area and I knew I was going to catch a big fish one day. It took me 3 visits before I snagged a big one and now I’m in love forever. The allure of trophy fish captures my soul and I make Pass Lake my destination of choice many times each season.