Suggestions, southern Alberta fishing lakes

Okotokian · #1 08-26-2016, 09:55 AM

Buddy and I are taking the boat out tomorrow and hitting a lake. I've only fished a few (Chain, Pine Coulee, McGregor) since getting this beast and would like some suggestions as to other lakes/reservoirs to try. Requirements:

We want to be able to keep a few fish. I'm OK with pike, but would really prefer a decent shot at something different.
Would like to keep it within 2 hours of Okotoks, would prefer to go south. I suppose I could be persuaded to go in a different direction if not too far.
Obviously a lake where a power boat is legal. I'm OK with speed restrictions.

Buddy mentioned Beauvais. I've never fished it. I see it's stocked with rainbows and browns and has a 12km boat speed restriction. Anyone fished it lately, and if so, how is it? Also open to other bodies of water. Thanks.

Okotokian · #2 08-26-2016, 01:14 PM

Geeze, tough audience LOL. Hey, send me to a lake you AREN'T going to be fishing!

hacman · #3 08-26-2016, 01:48 PM

Never see many big trout coming out of Beauvais, maybe the odd brood stock brown. If you're considering that area, go to Beaver Mines instead, only a few more miles down the road, better quality fish IMO. Wooly buggers and prince nymphs are my go-to flies there.

Okotokian · #4 08-26-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hacman

Never see many big trout coming out of Beauvais, maybe the odd brood stock brown. If you're considering that area, go to Beaver Mines instead, only a few more miles down the road, better quality fish IMO. Wooly buggers and prince nymphs are my go-to flies there.

Thanks!

RMauthe · #5 08-26-2016, 08:37 PM

Milk River Ridge Resevoir or St. Marys...

wildbill · #6 08-27-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hacman

Never see many big trout coming out of Beauvais, maybe the odd brood stock brown. If you're considering that area, go to Beaver Mines instead, only a few more miles down the road, better quality fish IMO. Wooly buggers and prince nymphs are my go-to flies there.

Lots of hog browns in there! Just gotta think like a brown!

omega50 · #7 08-27-2016, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Geeze, tough audience LOL. Hey, send me to a lake you AREN'T going to be fishing!

I think everyone was momentarily shocked that you actually asked a question.

Generally you only dispense judgement.

Joe Quiroga · #8 08-27-2016, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Geeze, tough audience LOL. Hey, send me to a lake you AREN'T going to be fishing!

Tough set of parameters to work with. Most southern reservoirs I can think of that you can retain are probably over two hours and you can't launch a boat in them.

Okotokian · #9 09-06-2016, 11:57 AM

Well, we got less ambitious and ended up at Chain lakes, putting along below the 12 km/h speed limit.

Didn't catch anything worth keeping, but did catch a bunch of little to mid-sized rainbows. Enjoyable day.

Discovered something I had never tried before... trolling with sinking tip 6 wt fly line and streamer. A touch under 3km an hour and the trout were just hitting it! I have never trolled my fly line before but I'll always have it with me in the boat from now on. Worked great.