Pass Lake Tragedy

by armaddeus
(the Shuswap)

During a recent visit to Kamloops to visit with my old friend ‘Big fish’ I got the opportunity to spend a weekend at Pass Lake – my all time favorite water. It was the first lake I ever fished back in 1980 and I’ll never forget the picture post card that greeted me the first time I discovered this gem. Over the years I have enjoyed many memorable times on this lake with its natural beauty and the silver bullets that roamed below. When the opportunity arose I just couldn’t resist seizing the chance to return to my old hunting grounds despite the rumours that it had suffered a winter kill – that couldn’t be true could it? I just had to find out for myself.

Arriving Saturday around mid day I began to set up camp eager to hit the water only to discover that my dear ‘Big Fish’ had neglected to leave me the tent – instead preferring I slept under the stars on a ground sheet. Ah well, the fishing would be worth sleeping with the Mosquito’s……..wouldn’t it? After spending a few minutes cursing my lack of accommodation I decided to venture out in my tube to see what monsters from the deep I could attract. Pass had long been known for its many double figure fish with some well into the teens and I was convinced one of them had my name on it. I set up my dry line with a weighted chironomid and anchored about 100-yards from shore to the right of the boat launch – a favorite shoal of many.

Three hours passed and the only thing moving was my fins as I began to move around trying to find fish but alas I never even saw a fish move – could the rumours be true? I returned to my home away from home and went for a stroll to meet my neighbours. We swapped stories for a while and then I asked the question I had been avoiding – is it true about the winter kill? One of my new friends advised me he was up in early May and saw for himself the dead fish all around the lake with some up to 15 lbs – I was devastated – no wonder I hadn’t seen a fish earlier – there wasn’t any.

I decided to venture out anyway that evening not wanting to believe what I had heard but again I was skunked – (at least I had a good excuse this time) so I reluctantly gave up and retired for a night under the stars. As I lay awake (fending off squadrons of Mosquitoes – thanks to ‘Big Fish’) my mind drifted back to the days when Pass was producing fabulous fishing. To the day I caught and released 40 fish between 3 and 7 lbs, to the time I hooked and lost a double figure fish on a blood worm. The time ‘Big Fish’ and I went sedge fishing one night in late June one year at the Research Station end and finished up watching our fly’s being confiscated in the air by voracious Bats who disappeared as quickly as they appeared.

The next thing I knew it was morning and I awoke with the realization that my favorite lake was no more – a tragedy had taken place and it was time to move on and find a new favorite piece of water. Fortunately in the Anglers paradise that is beautiful British Columbia, it won’t be difficult. Despite its demise, Pass will always have a special place in my heart.