Fly Fishing on the Chilko River and Lake

Words are inadequate when describing the uncontested beauty of the Chilko River trout fishery. There is little doubt that Tsylos Park Lodge offers, quite simply, the finest dry fly trout fishing in British Columbia, in a pristine, genuine wilderness environment that has to be seen to be believed.

Here at Tsylos Lodge you will have the opportunity to fish for 100% wild, resident Rainbow Trout renowned for their coloration, size and fighting prowess and their willingness to rise for large, visible dry flies. If diversity is what you’re after then you may also target the massive Bull Trout that reside both in the river and in the emerald waters of Chilko Lake. As a result of careful management we are proud to have helped preserve a truly "cult fishery" and we, at Tsylos Park Lodge, invite you to come and share in the good times.

With our  seven night packages for fly in fishing, BC’s Tsylos Lodge gives you six and half days of fly fishing on the Chilko River.

The Chilko River

Imagine your perfect big, western trout stream and you’re imagining the Chilko River. The river flows, crystal clear out of the turquoise depths of Chilko Lake which acts as a natural filtration system, ensuring consistent water flow and its legendary clarity. Like tail-waters of the mid-west the constant flow and temperature of the river maximize insect hatches and the growth of the resident fish.

Unlike tail-water fisheries, the Chilko has 100% wild fish that have grown up big, strong and full of color in a natural environment. The river then continues on through wild country and meets the Chilcotin River which, in turn, pours into the mighty Frazer River. The water is, for want of a better expression crystal clear and it’s common to see large trout slowly rising from the river bed to take your fly (see our fly list / hatch guide). This can often lead to hysteria!

The character of the river is punctuated with long, deep pools, riffles, boulder gardens, shelves, structure, white water and braided channels all of which offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities. If you can stand to take your eyes off your fly for a moment you may spot bear, moose, mule deer, eagles, osprey or even the elusive wolverine.

Chilko Lake

Chilko Lake is rightly considered to be, by many, the most pristine and beautiful lake on the planet. The lake is the largest, high elevation lake in North America and in places reaches depths of over 1600 feet. It supports the 3rd largest run of Sockeye in British Columbia and is home to a healthy population of indigenous Bull Trout, Rainbows and the mythical White Sturgeon.

The lake is surrounded by the ragged beauty of BC’s coastal range with towering peaks over 10,000 feet. Glaciers and snow fields hang from the mountain sides and the untouched, genuine old growth forests are dense and home to Grizzlies, Black Bears, Moose, Mountain Goats, Cougar, Deer and Wolf packs The lake is fed by countless glacial streams, heavy with minerals that lend the lake its unrivaled turquoise color.

Needless to say the fishing for Bull Trout is "out of hand" with multiple fish days common. The average size of these predators is between 5-8lbs with much larger fish caught on a regular basis. You will fish off the banks of Chilko Lake using large streamers on sink-tip and full sinking lines on 6-7 weight rods. A day on the lake comes highly recommended and depending on weather conditions we will get you up there to experience a little bit of paradise.

Check out our Fly Fishing Packages and Rates.