Elk River Fishing?

MtnGiant · #1 03-26-2013, 09:21 PM

Does anyone do a trip to the Elk River for fishing?

How was your experience?

fishmonger · #2 03-26-2013, 09:30 PM

Used to, prior to it being designated as classified. Refuse to buy a licence AND pay daily to fish. But that's just me.

Fishing was outstanding. Upper reaches are great for walking/wading. Lots of bears though...lots. Float the bottom end.

You wouldn't be disappointed.
fm.

flyguyd · #3 03-26-2013, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishmonger

Used to, prior to it being designated as classified. Refuse to buy a licence AND pay daily to fish. But that's just me.

Fishing was outstanding. Upper reaches are great for walking/wading. Lots of bears though...lots. Float the bottom end.

You wouldn't be disappointed.
fm.

X2

lannie · #4 03-26-2013, 10:14 PM

Last Summer it was very high and dirty until much later than normal but when it started to clear up it was very very busy. While it was dirty it did cause the SW alta drainages to be full of all the people and guides who were booked for the Elk. If you do want to try the Elk out I suggest waiting until the water is at its lower levels if you don't plan to go more than a couple times a year. If you are using a raft/drift boat make sure you pre plan where you are going to put in and take.
Hosmer take out "changed" last year. If you are driving down from CYG and area you can buy licenses online or stop and Visit Vic at the Crowsnest Angler and get your BC license there.

Wes_G · #5 03-27-2013, 09:03 PM

x3 about the classified thing. I used to fish it a lot but think I have only fished it 3 times now since they brought those regs in what... 6 years ago now?.

If you're going to go then do yourself a favour and go in September. Best fishing of the season, water is low and wadeable and the fish are looking up, although may be a bit more weary then they are earlier on. Also not quite as busy.

MtnGiant · #6 03-27-2013, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes_G

x3 about the classified thing. I used to fish it a lot but think I have only fished it 3 times now since they brought those regs in what... 6 years ago now?.

If you're going to go then do yourself a favour and go in September. Best fishing of the season, water is low and wadeable and the fish are looking up, although may be a bit more weary then they are earlier on. Also not quite as busy.

What does "classified" mean in referance to the Elk R???

Guitarplayingfish · #7 03-27-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes_G

x3 about the classified thing. I used to fish it a lot but think I have only fished it 3 times now since they brought those regs in what... 6 years ago now?.

If you're going to go then do yourself a favour and go in September. Best fishing of the season, water is low and wadeable and the fish are looking up, although may be a bit more weary then they are earlier on. Also not quite as busy.

Thanks for the advice. I am hoping to get out to fish the Elk for the first time ever this year... Looking forward to it.

flyguyd · #8 03-27-2013, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtngiant

What does "classified" mean in referance to the Elk R???

That you have to pay a daily fee to fish it and all streams in the area. Its my understanding if you want to fish 2 streams in a day you pay twice

huntin'fool · #9 03-27-2013, 09:29 PM

Timely -
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle10046883/

fishmonger · #10 03-27-2013, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyguyd

That you have to pay a daily fee to fish it and all streams in the area. Its my understanding if you want to fish 2 streams in a day you pay twice

I have issues with the ay BC manages "their" waterways. Last time I checked my passport, it said "Canadian". Not sure why I would be classified differently than a resident of BC. If the waterway is in need of protection, apply it to all Canadians...otherwise it's a money grab, plain and simple.

IMO only. Rant concluded. Sorry to hijack.

Pincherguy · #11 03-27-2013, 10:11 PM

Haven't fished BC for years and there is a reason. Money hungry buggers.

BeeGuy · #12 03-27-2013, 11:23 PM

There are tons of great rivers in SE BC, not all of which are classified.

I like the late summer, lower water levels and lots of terrestrials.

I don't float them however.

lannie · #13 03-27-2013, 11:34 PM

I don't mind paying the 20.00 to fish the Elk, its the 26.00 they pay to fish the whole season here in AB that burns me. I really do wish we mirrored their prices. Fair is fair. The Elk is a nice river and if you like to target Cutts its a nice river with average fish being larger than the average Cutt on the Ab side.

Wes_G · #14 03-29-2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyguyd

That you have to pay a daily fee to fish it and all streams in the area. Its my understanding if you want to fish 2 streams in a day you pay twice

Depends on the watershed. The elk and tribs are all included in one daily license. But say you were going to fish the Elk in the morning and then moving on to another place later in the day, say around Kimberley. In order to fish the St. Mary's that night.. you would need another classified waters license for that system.

Wes_G · #15 03-29-2013, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarplayingfish

Thanks for the advice. I am hoping to get out to fish the Elk for the first time ever this year... Looking forward to it.

If it was me as well, I would not fish the elk and fish the tribs instead. Again not as busy, they dont get pounded nearly as hard and fishing is just as good, if not better.

Wes_G · #16 03-29-2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntin'fool

Timely -
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle10046883/

Quite... but yet we need to charge the big bad non resident anglers for the excess pressure and damage they do the resource.