July/August Osoyoos

For those guys who are up on the big "O" in July/August and early Sept. Here's a spot to try for a break from the heat of Osoyoos, take a drive over to the Kettle river just east of Osoyoos and break out your fly rod and wet wade (old runners and shorts), from Rock creek north, take a close look at the west fork and the road to Conkle lake, excellent wet wading for good size rainbows. Even Rock creek has good op's at the mouth of the little creek in "town" for bows and whitefish.

You are on the mark there Quin. When the lakes go sluggish from the heat the rivers turn on. That is my favorite time to fish the Big Thom ( 20 to 26 inch fish), but every good flow in the lower half of the province is the same Stones & Hoppers #4 2x long. You got love pitching flies with the sun going down in 40% heat.

--expect lower than usual water levels on the kettle. Very low snow pack on this river which is on the endangered rivers list.
--upper areas of the river may not be fishable later in the season as low water and higher water temps raise catch and release kill rate.
--we drift the river in pontoon boats but may be going early or not at all this season.

I used to try and fish it every August, on the way to Alberta, and it was a bit of a hunt to find fish holding water, except for the rare deep pool around Rock Creek and the deeper water farther east, downstream. The West Kettle had spots but it was easier to drive between them and hike in than to walk between them on the river.(never a good sign).That been said, the water was cool, and it was on the way. Shame about the low levels.

Quin