In and around Merrit in Late May

[stapler]

Hey:

I am fairly new on this site, however, have picked up a lot of good info! I am planning a merrit trip over the long may weekend 2009. I am from victoria and the others are from the lower mainland. I have been researching lakes in the area(Corbet, Tunkwa, Harmon, to name a few) and would appreciate some advice on:
- will the lakes be thawed off by late May?
-what lake would you recommend hitting?
- any reasonable accomodation in the area(rustic cabins, lodges) i also have the option of towing up the tent trailer...

thanks your your input. I can't wait to get up there...

Todd

[tuurminator]

Penask lake is the best.

[professori]

Late May means the lower lakes should be ice off for sure. Marquart and Lundbom are very near Merrit and will be clear by then. Corbett should also be ice off and has cabins available. Courtney is only 10 minutes from Corbett.
There is a lodge at Tunkwa as well, and it will likely be clear. Get a Backroads Mapbook and check out the lakes n the area. It lists all the accomodations as well.

[phearless]

Don't forget to check the " Iced Off Lakes " thread that will pop up in april!

[stapler]

Thanks Guys. The weekend would by the 14th-18th of May? unfortunately with work i will need to book the time off ahead of time...

Maybe it would be better to wait til the july long weekend? regardless i appreciate the replies and look forward to reading more suggestions!

T

[chauchey]

The lakes usually start coming off(depending on elevation) the second week of April from what I'm told. But as with anything in fishing, the rules change every time you go out, and every year.

By the May Long weekend, you will find some lakes, somewhere that will be ice free. If you're willing to pull a tent trailer, then you have the mobility to move onto a contingency plan, if your first choice still has ice on it. Just look at the elevation of the lake when you plan your trip, and pick a few that are comparitavly low lakes for the Merrit area. Theres a reason why the 'Ice Off Thread' pops up in April.

[stapler]

Thanks Chauchey

i'm gonna book that weekend and leave the options open on where to fish. i will pull a tent trailer so i will be mobile...i will be packing my cartopper however, will i freeze in a float tube? i guess i'll be watching the ice off in april and hitting you boyz up for some last minute advice! right know i am looking at tunkwa, Corbett(is it worth the $100?), harmon, courtney, lundbom, Marquart...

[behemoth]

If your number one priority is fishing, May long will be much better than July.
All of the lakes you have mentioned *should* be fantastic. May long weekend is a mixed bag when it comes to weather. Be prepared for snow. (its happened to me many times)

If I was you, I would take the tent trailer to Harmon and then fish the different Kane Lakes over the weekend.

[johnk]

According to my journal the average ice-off date at Tunkwa is April 20th with last spring being the exception to the rule with May 7th being the latest ice off in recent history. Tunkwa doesn't suffer from the ill effects of turnover like other lakes due to it's shallow mean depth. I would think that by May 1st there will be chironomids hatching. Look for some new provincial regulations changes affecting Tunkwa and Leighton for 2009-10 impacting these two lakes negatively if you ask me.

Have fished Corbett in May a couple times in the last five years and it can be dynamite on small chironomids. Black with black rib and black beadhead in size 14-16 are usually the ticket as well as micro leeches and black Pumpkinheads.

When I lived in Merritt Marquart was the first lake I fished and usually off the lone tree on the north side with size 6 '52 Buicks to emulate the migrating dragon nymphs.

Upper and Lower Second in the Kane Valley are usually good as well for brookies but my preference is Chickenranch.

Wherever you decide May is a great time for lakes in the Merritt area. Best of luck.

John