Okangagan Brtitish Columbia

[Skaha]

-I just finished reading a report on tourism in the Thompson Okanagan region.

-One of the questions asked the reason for visiting the area and a significant % or respondents were from Washington. What was surprising was the reasons for visiting. People from Eastern Washington indicated fishing as the least motivating factor whereas those from western washington.. about 9% indicated fishing as a reason for the visit.

-I'm guessing the eastern washington fishers have similar areas to okanagan such as Chelan thus don't look north for fish.
-For sure... maybe to many for your liking... lots of Okanagan residents fish, especially in the Okanogan and Columbia river portions of washington.

--Do yo think the survey is wrong? ... Just wondering how many of you actually venture across the boarder to fish here and if you don't what are the main reasons for not fishing here.

--In some ways thanks for not over crowding my favourite lakes.

--IN any case just another study but the results may affect the amount of money the BC Provincial government spends on fish and fishing enhancement in the region... as fishing is almost at the bottom of the list for reasons to visit the Thompson Okanagan tourist region.

--We're looking for a possible month long opening of Sockeye on Osoyoos lake which we share with Washington... not sure what the reg will be on your side of the boarder. We will likely have a 2 fish day catch limit.

[Anglinarcher]

I saw your post and thought I would at least comment from my side of the border. This is from my perspective only.

I live in Spokane Valley, WA, and until the borders got difficult to cross I would come into Canada fairly frequently. Mostly it was for 3D archery shoots, but still, I would cross. Now, when I cross, it seems like it had better be for a pretty good reason to go through all of the hassles.

Is fishing your side of the border worth the hassle? As you mentioned, we have similar water to yours, similar species to yours, and I have not seen credible advertising or fishing reports suggesting that the fishing is substantially better on your side of the border. In this case, the grass may not be greener on the other side of the fence. LOL

Perhaps in the future, when economic conditions improve again for me, I would consider a fishing trip "up north", but it would need to be a trip for a specific species, or for specific quality, that I cannot get somewhat locally.

So, here is your chance to advertise to me, and to the rest of us. What have you got that is worthy of us spending our hard earned money to obtain a passport, or enhanced drivers license, and travel into Canada? What would be the specific species, or the quality of the trip, worth of our adventure? I early look forward to your response.

[Skaha]

--Thanks for the reply... Similar for me fishing in Washington... the boarder seems to be an increasing hassle. I have lots of gear that is manufactured or distributed in USA so I'm always nervous that our Canadian Customs are going to claim that I just purchased it and ask for reciepts so they can tax me or even claim I'm trying to sneak the gear in.
--For fresh water rainbow trout fishing it is Kamloops, Cariboo and Chilcotin country that I usually go for quality fish especially on the fly.
--I'm heading over to the Kettle River this week for dry fly fishing...but you can fish it on your side as well without the crossing hassle.
--If you check out a site like BCfishn or some search for Okanagan guides you will see some pictures and pictures of local fish.
--I agree that you have some special fisheries like Chelan kokanee. We're working on rebuilding Okanagan lake kokanee which once produced quality 3-5 lb kokanee on a regular basis. One of the projects our fishing club is working on to restore some of the spawning streams. Kokanee have been ignored for several years by government fisheries managers but they have more recently discovered the we like to catch them and that it has a significant following of dedicated fishers.

--As a fisherman I'd prefer to have the water here to myself but we do need support of fishers to get the money required spent on rebuilding and maintaining our fishery.

--You might also be interested in looking up BCFROA which is an association of freshwater resorts and guides.

--Full disclosure here... I do distribute for fishwithgary kokanee lures here... so I am somewhat involved in the industry.
--As a member of a local fishing club we do have a kokanee hatchery and do habitat enhancement work on a volunteer basis...in the Penticton area. Quite a few of our club members fish your Methow river and if we stay a few days we can bring back duty free booze.

[Anglinarcher]

Thanks for the sites, I will check them out.

I sure understand the border crossing issue with gear made or distributed in the US. On my LAST attempt to shoot at an archery shoot in BC, I was stopped at the border and they wanted to COUNT MY ARROWS. They said that I could only take a half dozen arrows into Canada so I did not sell them to the locals without paying duty or taxes. I tried to explain that I could easily lose that many arrows on a tough 3D course and their response was to buy some more in Canada.

Sorry, I custom fletch my own arrows, to my standards. I was with three other guys and we told the crossing Nazis to turn us around and we would go home. Have not been to Canada after that.

IF I went to Canada on a fishing trip, it would need to be a guided trip, all equipment provided, and I am so picky on what I use that I just don't see that happening any time soon.