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)
