Patterns for lake char in Cariboo region?

**Kristopher** · February 14th, 2009, 07:46 PM

I will be spending a fair bit of time in the Cariboo region this year and I was thinking about trying to target lake char and maybe dollies on the fly.
Has anyone here ever done so? I'm guessing large baitfish patterns would work but any fly suggestions would be appreciated.

**knotnot** · February 14th, 2009, 08:44 PM

Dollies and Cutts are notorious piscavores (fish eaters.) This is especially true in the spring and early summer when the salmon fry are schooled in the stream mouths and off the beaches.
My grandpa always used baitfish patterns with lotsa Flash in the interior.

**Pat AV** · February 14th, 2009, 09:29 PM

He has had some luck catching lakers on the fly he will be able to help I think he is over here (on flyfishbc) now!

Alternatly Kingfisher from BCFR, our sister site had some good luck with stillwater lakers on the fly last year (if i remember correctly), maybe look him up.

Can't help more than that, but if I was to guess I would say a 4-6" fly that looks like a small kokanee, fished super deep and stripped up would be a decent place to start.

Have fun in the boo, if you have not fished up there alot you are in for a real treat, the lakes up there are too good to be true and there are lots of em'

**phearless** · February 14th, 2009, 09:32 PM

Dollies et al love rabbit flies!

Double bunnies
Zonkers
Big rabbit leeches
Articulated
M.O.A.L.

Don't forget you can use intruder stinger style and tubes as well.
Go crazy and show us a few pics

**Kristopher** · February 14th, 2009, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Pat AV

I would say a 4-6" fly that looks like a small kokanee, fished super deep and stripped up would be a decent place to start.

I have actually been working on a new articulated xmas tree type pattern that I really want to try.

Originally Posted by Pat AV

Have fun in the boo, if you have not fished up there alot you are in for a real treat, the lakes up there are too good to be true and there are lots of em'

I have definitely spent some time in the South Cariboo fishing rainbow trout and brook char and I love it. I am hoping to fish some of the lakes a bit further North this year and I might be moving near Sheridan lake if everything goes according to plan (which it rarely does so I'm not getting my hopes up.)

Thanks for all the quick replies, everyone.

**Pat AV** · February 15th, 2009, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Kristopher

I have actually been working on a new articulated xmas tree type pattern that I really want to try.

I have definitely spent some time in the South Cariboo fishing rainbow trout and brook char and I love it. I am hoping to fish some of the lakes a bit further North this year and I might be moving near Sheridan lake if everything goes according to plan (which it rarely does so I'm not getting my hopes up.)

Thanks for all the quick replies, everyone.

Sounds like a good plan! I will be up there starting in august and will shoot you a PM upon arrival to get out and do some fishin'

**Chilkootangler** · February 20th, 2009, 04:35 PM

Hey There,

I have been fishing for lakers for quite sometime now. I use Teeny 200-400 shooting heads to get down with the attached fly's.

Check em out. Contact me if you want strategies or tips on targeting these bruisers.

Chilkootangler

**BH_flyfisher** · February 21st, 2009, 04:44 PM

after ice out they're in shallow water getting ready to spawn. By shallow i mean 3-20' of water. Simplest fly we use in alberta that does the job is the clouser minnow in white and brown on a size 2 streamer hook. Also conehead buggers in different colours work well. red hackle/brown body/black and red tail are killers for lakers!

good luck post some pics when you catch em!

tight lines

bh

**BH_flyfisher** · February 21st, 2009, 04:45 PM

and by ice out i mean anywhere from april-june is prime for lakers in shallow waters

**Kristopher** · February 26th, 2009, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Chilkootangler

Hey There,

I have been fishing for lakers for quite sometime now. I use Teeny 200-400 shooting heads to get down with the attached fly's.

Check em out. Contact me if you want strategies or tips on targeting these bruisers.

Chilkootangler

Thank you for the info and photos. That sculpin looks killer and I love that articulated pattern in the first pic.

What type of stick are you using?