The Elk and its surrounding waters have started off strong this year! The fish are feeding on everything we hope for, making it an ideal beginning to the season. We hope this trend continues throughout the summer. However, there are some concerns regarding water levels and temperatures. Currently, the water conditions are acceptable for mid-season, which has allowed for a more spread-out fishing experience. The fish are hiding in their usual cutthroat spots.

Bull trout fishing is expected to pick up towards the end of the month. Moving forward, it will be important to keep an eye on the weather forecast and water levels to ensure that the Kootenay Valley doesn’t experience any extreme fluctuations.

When it comes to bug hatches, having the right flies in your tackle box will significantly improve your chances of success. Currently, the following bug hatches are expected:

• Golden Stones: Sizes 6-10
• Green Drakes: Larger sizes this year, particularly sizes 10 and 12
• Pale Morning Duns (PMDs): Sizes 14 and 16
• Ants and Beetles: Flying ants in sizes 12-16, along with small beetle imitations around size 12
• Grey Drakes: Similar sizes to the green drakes, with a focus on size 12
• Hoppers: Though not yet out, they should be appearing soon if the weather continues to heat up.

With the right bugs, you should have a successful outing. Remember to cover a good amount of water, as the fish are dispersed across their usual hiding spots. Keep an eye on the surface; cutthroats will reveal themselves if they are feeding on top. Even if they are eating nymphs, there’s a good chance they won't be deep—look for them in the top third of the water column, as we would expect.

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