.. get the latest fishing intel on our 2024 Ice Off & Fishing Reports page!

.. MOBYNets, custom flies, vises, e-courses, swag & more ... visit the store!

.. for a solid, stable, made in BC fly fishing punt; check out Journey Boats!

The One That “NEVER” Got Away!

... BIG brookie!

My One Island Lake Brook Trout!

Summer, yes it’s finally here! You know what that means for a fly fisher, right? Well I’ll explain it, the spot that you want to catch fish in, is always gunna be over fished, especially if its one island lake! Nothing bugs me more than going out onto a lake, and it being full of spinning fisherman! That ounce of hope you had, before coming off of shore, that today maybe I’m actually going to catch the big one. Ya that feeling, and train of thought went out the window about a minute ago. Spoons, giant red devils, ripping, and slicing through the water in any place you thought would be acceptable to fish. Yes and now to boot, you start noticing these bobbing things on the water, which start coming to life, and an engine roar. Now there is more boats coming onto the lake, you soon have your soul diminish. Then, when you are least expecting it, your rod slowly begins to slip out of your hand, and your line goes tight! Fish on!

While fishing one island lake, I have learned three things. One; “Never lose your train of thought.” Secondly : “Don’t give up, these fish are everywhere in the lake.” Last but not least Third ; “Whatever you must do, make sure you use the washroom before coming onto the lake.”

One island is home to some large rainbows, and some big brooke trout. This early Wednesday morning on June 26th, happened like each other, I was woken up by my father saying ; “Son, your step mom is asleep, let’s get out of here while we still have the chance.” Some how I scrambled out of bed, grabbed my fishing gear and hopped into the truck. Now just leaving the house I realize something, I forgot a pair of pants. So my dad slams on the brakes, and we double back to the house, I grab a pair of pants, some socks, a t-shirt, and a long sleeve sweat shirt and we were on our way. Once we were on the water I got a phone call, it was my step mom, asking very Godzilla like : ” WHERE IN THE HELL ARE YOU AND YOUR FATHER!” My dad was probably 50 feet away from me, and he heard it, gave me the look of terror, and kicked over in his pontoon boat beside me. He then whispered ; ” Tell her, were on a mission, to find something.” So I responded back to my step mom., ” Uuuh… We.. Were… I’m losing service I’ll call you around …. .”

I kicked over to the weed bed just one kilometer across the lake, setting up my fly rod, putting on a strike indicator with a 6 foot leader to my, Brian Chan series “Ruby eyed Leech”, and hauling out about 60 feet of line, casting and letting it splash silently on the water. I now realized as my Fly rod was slipping out of my hand, that a fish had taken the bobber under the water, and I immediately set my hook. I swear to this day that all hell broke loose. My reel started screaming, as if it had been hit with a hammer, my backing was already out, by at least 30 yards. I tightened my drag, and held on for dear life. I was not gunna loose to this fish! ... nice brook trout!I spun up fast on this fish, but I could tell that this was not going to be an easily won battle, at least 15 minutes went by, when I could feel my muscles cramping, and the fish easing out.So I did the possible, I lifted my fly rod up high above my head and reeled as fast as I could, I put my net between my legs, than I heard a splash! I looked down and this is what I saw…..!

by … Dakota Mercer


Like our stuff? Subscribe by subscribe via RSS Feed or subscribe via email Email   fly fishing British Columbia

Avatar photo

About Dakota Mercer

I fish well over, 200 days of the year. I work at Backcountry in Fort St John, in beautiful British Columbia, and fishing is my passion! I couldn't live without it!
This entry was posted in Fishing Reports and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

6 Responses to The One That “NEVER” Got Away!

  1. Gord FGND says:

    I know what you mean Dakota, once summer vacation starts and the campers decend on this lake it’s a tough sell. Not only do you have the hoards of flyfishers and hardware fisherman, you have to watch out for skiers, boarders, tubers and jet skis. For a lake that’s not that big things get complicated in a hurry. Nice Brooky though and I bet it tasted awesome.

  2. Rob says:

    Nice report Dakota, thanks! “Godzilla like” … lol! 😆

  3. nick s says:

    just a question but i thought island lakes were catch and release only…? single barbless fly only…?

  4. Gord Eby says:

    Nick this is One Island lake up here in the Peace country by the B.C. Albernia border.

  5. Ya, the lake requires a single barbless hook, but you are able to keep some fish, cant remember exactly the lengths and what not, but we did end up keeping that and a rainbow that was about 17 lbs. It was a very productive day out on that lake! i was so imnpressed!!!

Leave a Reply