Resolute Lake - Strike Two!

Last summer you may recall that I did an overnight back packing trip into a remote mountain lake. It was a great trip, and I did see the odd small fish rising, but in the end I came out without having even hooked a fish. Part of the problem was accessing the shoreline to find places to cast – the banks were either too steep or there was trees/shrubbery growing right down to the water’s edge. The best I could manage was roll casting from a few locations, and the fish seemed to always be just out of reach. I decided that the lake could be more effectively covered if I had waders; this would allow me to wade out on the shallow shelf that extends around most of the lake, and get closer to the dark blue depths of the drop-off. A return trip was definitely in order.

So this past weekend saw me making my way back into this tiny enigmatic lake. Being short on time I decided that it would be fun to mountain bike to the lake and come back out that same day. And with waders in my pack I was confident that I would finally get a close-up look at some of the fishy inhabitants of the lake.

It was a great ride in. The Glacier Trail is by no means a difficult mountain bike route; mostly double track, the hills are gradual, and the base is relatively smooth. There are a few chilly stream crossings along the way but they are certainly far from being any serious impediment. The only difficult part is the final one kilometer bushwhack from the Glacier Trail down into the lake – if you stray from the faint remnants of a path you’ll hit some serious deadfall. The scenery at the lake (and in the Kootenay Plains) is spectacular – jagged mountain peaks, glaciers, and mats of pine forest surround the lake. The sense of solitude is what drew me back to this spot; that and the adventure of just getting there.

A rest stop at one of the stream crossings

As to the fishing – well, I think the post title says it all. I worked half of the lake perimeter with various nymphs on a sink tip line, both up on the shallow margin and down into the depths of the drop-off. Nothing; didn't even see any fish rising on this trip (granted the wind was constantly blowing making spotting risers and cruisers more difficult). It was one of those experiences that make you wonder if there really are any fish in the lake at all.

One of many rain squalls that rolled off the mountains

Will I ever go back to Resolute Lake? Absolutely – at least one more time. The adventure alone is worth the trip. But If I get skunked a third time, I think it may be time to move on.