Elk Lake Victoria, BC in Winter?

[andy.larkin]

Hey there,

New to this forum here. I live in Winnipeg, but the parents live in Victoria so I'm a farely avid visitor, but somehow have never brought the fly rod with me.

Regardless.. I'll be out there for a month mid-November and am wondering if people still get bass at elk lake or do they go into winter-patterns adn get deep.

Any reccomendations to any lakes / rivers in the surrounding area worth checking out would be great. All I know is Elk and the Cowichan River which I'd like to check out as well!

Thanks!

[w3stc0ast_0n7heFly]

I had some friends return from the cowichan. About three weeks ago, and reported the fish on. Good luck!

[whitewater_cowboy]

We get bass in Elk all winter long...but, they are pretty sluggish in the cold water. Trout fishing can be excellent. Prepare for coho on the Cowichan River at that time and browns should be doin' the deed mainly in the river above Skutz Falls. Rainbow and cutties can be excellent in the upper stretches feeding on salmon eggs though the numbers seem to be down somewhat the last few years. Best of luck!

[andy.larkin]

Thanks for the speedy replies!

Can't wait to get out there. Should be out for around a month or so, maybe see some of you out there!

How is the boat traffic on Elk? Safe to take a float tube out on?

[11th Warrior]

Traffic isn't usually too bad at that time of year. In the summer you really have to watch out for the rowing club, doing their thing. My Father in law lives right across from the lake. I'll give him a call next week and see what he has to say about the traffic.

[ThaSandman]

Elk Lake has been deadsville as of late (boat wise) - I went out a couple of weeks ago, and I was there alone until nearly 10. Most of the fish seem to be along the highway this year, which is great for tubing - BUT - if the wind on Elk picks up, it's a hell of a time getting in without too much pain. Couple of times this spring when I felt like I had two broken ankles from frantically flipping for an hour.

Just stay within 150 yards of the shore along the road, winddrift along if you can, then loop in (or out if you're brave) for the return trip.

And fishing has been good for the bows at least......

[andy.larkin]

Awesome. Can't wait to drop the tube in!

Most of the bows hitting on minnow/leech patterns and chironomids in the winter? I'm never sure since it's always beautiful in that city!..

[andy.larkin]

Just found out I don't get laid off till around december.

Does anywhere 'shut down' that i should be aware of after november?

[whitewater_cowboy]

Nothing we've seen spoken about here. Fishing should be fine if a little cold. I've grown partial to my boats due to the wind issues with tubes not to mention floating around in frigid water. Best of luck!

[andy.larkin]

does the water get that cold? i'm hoping it shouldn't be too bad.

planning on getting out one last time for some lake trout on the fly this weekend in the tube at a lake an hour and a bit from winnipeg.

this middle-canada place'll get'cha if you don't remember your long johns, haha..