When I came to teach in Princeton in the fall of 1969, I drove along Highway 3. Passing through Keremeos, I came upon the Similkameen River.
What a beautiful sight to me – all that trout water – and me an avid fisherman.
It wasn’t long before I got to know the river, and its rainbow trout, and rocky mountain whitefish. And I hardly ever saw anyone fishing it.
The same is true today!
Many fish – while often small sized – will eagerly chase your Tom Thumb fly or which ever you use.
Some big whitefish, up to two pounds, 18-inches long, will sometimes surprise you and bite your fly.
These by the way are tasty eating – especially smoked!
When someone asks me if there are any fish in the Similkameen, I reply “yes, but it is best fished in the evening – the last hour before sunset”.
That fact, and it is indeed a fact, took a while for me to discover, and is most expected!
Check the fish and game regulations concerning fishing the Similkameen River. Two important regulations are barbless fly hooks and catch and release for trout in some parts of the river.
The old saying, “The grass is always greener at the other end of the lake or woods” does not apply here when it comes to fishing.
We have it in our backyard, the Similkameen River runs right through town, and provides good fly fishing!
