Chilko River Fly Fishing

We at Tsylos Lodge are determined to preserve the Chilko River and are proud to call it a true sustainable fishery. In keeping with the ethos of sustainability it needs all of us to contribute to its preservation in a shared goal for the future. The Rainbow and Bull Trout of this river system (and all rivers) must be handled minimally and with the respect they deserve in a bid to preserve them for future generations to come.

These beautiful fish are a finite resource. We ask all guests to participate in helping us maintain a population of strong and healthy native trout. We promote catch and release fishing of all species on the Chilko and release the fish with the least amount of handling possible. If you land a particularly memorable fish then, our guides will only be too happy to help with a quick and hassle free photo.

Our goal is to ensure the Chilko River and Chilko Lake species:

• Remain a native species. No stocking of the system here….
• Retain or increase their quantity, health, and quality as beautiful healthy trout.

Not Just a Policy; It's a Belief

We feel strongly about the Chilko water system and started practicing and promoting catch and release fishing in 1985.  At this time it was not a popular concept in the local area, but we did it anyway. We believe that it is important and established our own policy for our lodge. We sometimes cannot have any control over what other people do, but we definitely have control over what we do.  We changed from a kill fishery and established a catch and release policy only. The main reason, we never wanted to see “stocked trout” in the Chilko system.

Over the years we were finally able to get the government to designate it a “fly fishing only” river and establish catch and release regulations on the river with single barb-less hooks. The Chilko watershed is a very special spot in the world and it is up to all of us to keep it that way.  We are still trying to get Chilko Lake established as a “catch and release” fishery. Even though it is now designated as a Provincial Wilderness Park and the bull-trout are on the endangered species list, somehow the fish and wildlife will not change the regulations. Regardless, we still practice catch and release on Chilko Lake.