Peckhams Lake, together with its neighbour to the south, are formally known as Norbury Lakes. Peckhams Lake is a great little spot just east of Cranbrook. It is home to a thriving trout fishery. This popular lake is one of two in Norbury Lake Provincial Park. While many lakes in the Cranbrook area are not known for their chironomid fishing, Peckhams Lake is an exception, with good chironomid fishing starting in April and continuing into June. Lure fishers can try a variety of gear from spinners to small spoons. As various types of rainbow trout have been stocked here, trout may be found at varying water depths at various times in the season. Peckhams Lake suffers through the summer doldrums. As well, the fishing pressure increases as the season progresses. At these times, it is important to get down deep. Fast-sinking lines and weighted gear will help. When possible, fish in the early mornings and later in the evenings for best success. As the fall moves in and the water cools, chironomid fishing is once again a good method. Shrimp and leeches are also popular fall patterns here. Just to the south of Peckhams, Norbury Lake also supports a good rainbow fishery, as well as a thriving cutthroat fishery. The best times for Norbury Lake are also in the spring and fall. This lake is stocked with rainbow trout from both the Gerrard and Fraser Valley strains, including catchable - sized. Did you know? The Angler’s Atlas has a brand new website! We’ve included more of what you love! Fish species info, new search tools, and better ways to keep or share your trip and catch information! See anglersatlas.com for info. LAKE ACCESS Peckhams Lake is just east of Cranbrook. Follow Hwy 3/93 to Fort Steele and turn east onto the Wardner-Fort Steele Road. Follow this for about 16 km. Just past the junction with Fenwick Road is Peckhams Lake. The park has a large campsite with 46 sites located at Norbury Lake to the south of Peckhams. Both lakes have water, pit toilets, and small boat launches. Motorized boats are not allowed.

Fly Fishing in the East Kootenays What do you look for when selecting a new fly-fishing destination? Great scenery? Accessibility? Productive water? Sometimes we have to sacrifice one for the other, but there are places where that trifecta truly exists … and they don’t all require a plane ticket or long days of bushwhacking to get there. Tucked between impressive, jagged mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes trickle into tea-stained creeks and gin-clear freestone rivers boiling with aggressive, surface-feeding trout. No more than a day’s drive east of the Lower Mainland, the East Kootenays often enchant anglers fortunate enough to experience these exceptional fisheries. The East Kootenays is home to a variety of species that fly anglers covet, including rainbow trout, bull trout, eastern brook char, kokanee, Rocky Mountain whitefish, and bass. Perhaps most notably, it’s home to the westslope cutthroat trout. Every summer, fly-fishers from around the globe travel to the town of Fernie to drift the renowned Elk River stalking these big topwater “cutties.” Targeting rising trout with dry flies categorizes the epitome of mindfulness and, like all fisheries, poses some challenges. Many factors can influence a good day of dry fly-fishing: time of year, temperature, weather, location, and insect hatches. As spring turns to summer, and summer to fall, all of these variables are constantly changing. However, with time, experience, and consideration of all the factors, anglers can look into their fly box with almost mathematical precision, and select the correct flies to meet the conditions. The southeastern corner of B.C. is also a major destination for lake fishing. The Rocky Mountain landscape creates a diversity of stillwater fishing that ranges from long, deep lakes (like Whiteswan and Alces) to small pocket lakes (like Norbury, or Campbell Meyer), each with unique species and strains of fish. These lakes are notoriously productive, offering many fun opportunities for dragging leeches or setting chironomids on trout, or even stripping poppers across warm, shallow ponds for aggressive bass. The Freshwater Fisheries Society’s stocking program creates great fishing throughout B.C. In the Kootenays alone, the Society stocks approximately 110 lakes with rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, eastern brook char, and kokanee. Whether you like to spend your afternoons bobbing in a float tube, cruising in a tinny, or straining to watch your tiny Callibaetis imitation as it drifts along a frothy seam in the current, chances are there is a lake or stream that will meet your needs (and it probably has a boat launch, too). And let’s face it; we’re not always out there for the fish. Catching them is a much-welcomed bonus. The allure of fishing often comes from the environment, the scenery, the challenge, and the charm of a life-long journey of infinite learning. Every day on the water with a fly rod in hand is another chance to learn something new, and connect with your surroundings. The East Kootenays is where all of those dynamics work together to create incredible fishing experiences for every angler. Author: Jen Dunphy Original Post: https://www.gofishbc.com/Blog/Where-to-Fish/Fly-Fishing-in-the-East-Kootenays.aspx

Good access to lauch at Norbury (Garbutt's) Lake