Opening Weekend

Boats on the water at twighlight, this last weekend at Chaunigan Lake.

This past weekend we opened Chaunigan Lake Lodge for the season. After alot of hard work, we got to wet some lines for a few hours on the last evening. A fly fishing lesson was soon underway, as well as some spin casting. Fish were on the line immediately, and by nightfall we had caught at least a dozen wild rainbow trout between us. We kept a couple and enjoyed the first fresh fish of the season.


An eagle in the treetops by Chaunigan Lake.

Fish weren't the only wildlife around this weekend. We saw numerous wild horses, eagles, and black bears - even a grizzly sow and her cubs. During the evenings, the sun set across the lake, and the wild sounds of the loons reminded us of Canada's natural beauty all around us. At breakfast, from the dining table, we saw eagles perched up in the tops of trees - and watched one fly suddenly down onto the water and soar back up into the air, fish in it's claws. Later, we were putting in the docks, when we noticed a couple of common goldeneye ducks bathing on a rock. We watched as the drake kept watch on us, one golden eye fixed upon us as the hen cleaned herself with her beak on the rock. While driving out the next day to Highway 20, we had some final encounters with the animals of the Cariboo-Chilcotin. We came across a black bear on the side of the remote gravel road. We watched him as he stood up on his hind legs - his true size now apparent - and he stared at us curiously. A short while later, we saw some wild horses beside a pond - a mare and her foal - and they stood for a picture and then meandered off. Clearly, the Lodge is at the heart of Canadian wildlife viewing.

Your log cabin is waiting.



Our time at the lodge is over for now, and yours is now ready to begin. Nick will be at the lodge to welcome you this summer, and you can taste some of his hearty cooking. Chaunigan Lake Lodge is now open for some cold water fishing, some good food, and some relaxation around the water - or in it (in our wood-stove-heated hot tub). We hope to see you this summer at Chaunigan Lake.

__________________________________

Chaunigan Lake Lodge Website

Like us on Facebook!

An Ode to the Fish

This June the Chaunigan Lake Lodge opens for it's 77th year. A long history, both of the Lodge and the guiding area itself, is testament to the timeless beauty and draw of the area.

The success of the lake and the Lodge is due especially to the rainbow trout that inhabit it's waters. Before the beginning of this season, let's be naturalists and honour the fish that has provided the opportunities for a remote, natural vacation lodge and world class angling.

THE CHAUNIGAN LAKE RAINBOW TROUT

The rainbow trout of Chaunigan Lake average at around 2 1/2 lbs - but have been known to vary in weight up to 6 lbs. Silvery in colour, perhaps with a red or pink band along the lateral line, their backs, sides, and fins are covered in black spots.

As for their diet, rainbow trout mainly eat leeches, crustaceans, molluscs, and insects such as caddis flies and black flies; they also eat salmon eggs when available. Much of this feeding is done in the shallows (20-30 ft depth) around the edges of Chaunigan Lake. Of note from past fly-fishing trips was Ed's Point, in the northwest corner of the lake, by the rustic cabins. Here, an experienced angler could catch up to 50 trout a day!

More generally speaking, the Rainbow trout is an international fish, being found across Canada and around the world - as it adapts well to a variety of ecosystems. Besides lakes like Chaunigan, rainbow trout are versatile enough to inhabit water systems at various elevations, including apline elevation lakes and streams (usually those with pebble bottoms).

As such, there is more available at Chaunigan Lake than even just the lake itself! Fly-in fishing (by float plane) is available to any of the 6 lakes within the 70 mile radius of Chaunigan Lake. There is also the opportunity to hike or ride a horse in to local streams. With this season just begining, there's much to explore and many fish yet to be caught at the Chaunigan Lake Lodge.

We hope to see you once the lodge is opened, sometime in the middle of June, for some world class fishing.

- Adam Leson

CHAUNIGAN LAKE LODGE -- 1.888.879.8885 (toll free)