Wayne Pelley spends most of his free time fishing in the Cariboo.
He grew up in Kamloops and Ashcroft, but has been fishing and camping in the region for many years.
His parents bought property on Beaverdam Lake when he was a child and he has many fond memories.
“One of the first photographs of me with a fly rod in my hands is at that lake,” he says of Beaverdam Lake.
About 20 years ago he moved to Williams Lake to work at Gibraltar Mine and he says he goes fishing every chance he can.
“It’s a great way to just forget about the stresses of life and work,” he says, adding he does have a great shift at the mine that allows him a lot of free time for fishing, camping and adventures.
Fly fishing is his favourite.
“When you catch sight of a brook trout or rainbow in the clear, shallow waters and cast your fly presentation to them, it’s nice to watch the fish take it as you retrieve it. It’s awesome.”
There’s no better feeling than watching the fish’s behaviour and how it reacts or dismisses your fly, he adds.
“It’s intriguing.”
Rainbows are his favourite, especially the Horsefly strain because they can get very large and aggressive and are terrific fighters, he explains.
“Rainbows are very acrobatic and aerial when caught on the fly rod.”
Without hesitation, Pelley tells anyone he can that the Cariboo is a fishing paradise.
“We have it all. From big rainbows to brook trout, lake trout, burbot, whitefish and salmon that runs in the rivers. And, we’re the Kokanee capital of the west.”
Pelley says there are not many regions or areas that can boast that.
Anyone looking for great fishing that doesn’t have a boat should start at Dugan Lake or the Reservoir Lake just north of Williams Lake or Dragon Lake just south of Quesnel, he says.
All of these lakes have GoFishBC docks installed and nice rainbows can be caught regularly from those docks.
When asked for advice to newcomers Pelley points to having patience.
“It’s not necessarily about catching, it’s about fishing, learning, growing and the adventures that come along with it.”
Just being outside and on the water, seeing wildlife, hearing the birds and enjoying the Cariboo scenery is as much of a reward as catching a fish.
During the COVID-19 pandemic Pelley started a Facebook page called Cariboo Angling Adventures as a way to keep in touch and showcase his fishing experiences with family and friends. He has lots of family back east that he never gets to see.
“At the same time, I thought why not make it a learnable moment? I was noticing a serious increase in people fishing and asking questions, especially when it comes to Kokanee fishing.”
As he generally enjoys helping people and teaching others, he was eager to share his understanding of the fishery regulations and the area.
Looking back on his own fishing adventures, he recalls one of his favourite memories is a childhood one when he and his brothers were camping at Green Lake with their parents.
“My dad caught what we thought was a big fish while he and I were out in the canoe. My older brother Jeff was in the inflatable dinghy beside us and then my dad thought he’d give the fly rod to my older brother to fight the fish.”
Just after the rod was passed, the dinghy started zipping away from them and then the fish emerged.
“Well it wasn’t just a fish. It was also a loon that had taken the fish and now had my brother in tow. It was a moment to remember for sure.”
This article appears in the 2025 Cariboo Chilcotin Gateway to Fishing Adventures. Copies are available at the Williams Lake Tribune and various locations throughout the region.
