I’ve been fishing Shuswap Lake for over 20 years, using two 6-weight fly rods—one with a medium sink line, the other with a fast sink line. I troll bucktails on both sides at around 2.8 mph, though the ideal speed can vary slightly depending on the time of year and water temperature. In summer, trolling a bit faster tends to yield better results.
This method is by far the most effective way to catch rainbow trout. The prime times for this technique are in spring, right after the ice breaks up—from April through mid-May—and again in early October through November. During these periods, the water cools and rainbow trout return to the surface to feed. At slower speeds, green leeches with bead heads can also be very effective.
In the warm summer months, trout move deeper, making downriggers and traditional trolling gear with lures more successful.
Another fantastic early morning or evening approach is to scan the glassy lake surface for ripples or signs of salmon fry. If you spot feeding activity, approach slowly by boat and cast a small bucktail with a medium sink line—this can be very productive.
I’ve had great success with the “Shuswap Minnow” bucktail in various colors, though larger bucktails work well too. Be sure to use single, barbless hooks. Most bucktails come with barbs, so remember to pinch them down with pliers before fishing in Shuswap Lake.
Some of my favorite fishing spots include the Cinnemousun Narrows, Anstey Arm—especially the south side up to Anstey Beach—and the backside of Copper Island in the very early morning.
By KLAUS GRETZMACHER, Kingfisher Ambassador
KingFisher 2325 Offshore “Northern Lights”
Klaus, a passionate KingFisher Boats owner since 2003, began his journey collaborating with KingFisher’s marketing team to capture images of the newly designed 2350 Offshore Pilothouse. Captivated by the boat’s exceptional performance, seaworthiness, and economy, Klaus became the proud owner of the very first model. Naming it Northern Lights, he has spent countless hours fishing and exploring Northern Vancouver Island. With over 4,500 hours logged, Northern Lights is renowned as a true “fishing machine” and has been instrumental in documenting marine wildlife, including orcas and humpbacks.
