Seeking a challenge that offers inspiration and a tangible return for our efforts can be often harder than we imagine. Naturally, for many of us, we gain satisfaction by simply getting out and doing what we love most or surrounding ourselves with an environment that fulfills a passion. Sometimes though, we all need that extra bit of “wow” factor to break our norms and obvious expectations. Wouldn’t you agree?
The first time I ever cast my fly rod on a Parkland stillwater was a moment that I will never forget. The anticipation of the trip weighed heavily on my mind and it was a crushing blow to any hope of productivity within my everyday life leading up to my maiden voyage. The allure of huge Rainbow trout taking me to my backing had taken my needs to a different level. I had to meet this experience head on and achieve success at any cost. Well, the cost of gas, food accommodations and time anyway!
So there I was, sitting in my belly boat, in the famous Parkland casting my arm off for those legendary monster Rainbows. And then…nothing! I never caught a darn thing, ten hours of nothing to be exact. There I was, on the brink of a mental letdown and ready to call it quits when a solution was offered before me. My lack of knowledge of the area and naivety to the opportunities just down the road were in many ways my saviour that day. A friendly man that was casting off a dock just in front of me said, “It’s been pretty slow here but up the road about forty five minutes there’s a bunch of lakes that have been good.”
That moment, later introduced me to the “wow” factor that I had so eagerly searched for. The next day brought an experience that I couldn’t have imagined and gave meaning to the Parkland trout slam. With the Duck Mountain Provincial Park sign in my view I was soon to enter into trout Valhalla. I landed Splake, Rainbow and Brook trout all in one day, all over the mark of twenty inches and fished four different lakes with every one offering a new and real experience. This changed my world of fly fishing in Manitoba forever. Times have evolved since way back when and at present, the entire Parkland Region has erupted into an unparalleled force of multi-trout specie opportunities with staggering experiences on dozens of readily accessible lakes. From its northern boundary at the Porcupine Forest, through the Duck Mountains and its surrounding landscape to the southern boundary below Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba’s Parkland trout resource has become as vast as it is remarkable.
For the fly fisher and equally for the traditional angler, all trout dreams can and will come true here. Whether you are looking to check off your Master Angler bucket list or engage in self fulfillment, the “wow” factor is offered in many colors, sizes and locations. Rainbow, Brown, Brook, Splake and Tiger trout are all consistent species that make the “slam” reality and achievable. Rainbow Trout Riding Mountain/South
Patterson/Tokaryk Lake: With only a couple of miles separating these lakes, it’s only fitting to join them as one. These twin titans are trout factories that produce giant Rainbows that have exceeded the twenty eight inch mark. Productive fishing times are ice out to late June and late September to late October.
Duck Mountain/Surrounding Area
West Goose Lake: This little gem sits on the southern edge of the town of Roblin. Small in stature, this lake makes up for its size in a big way. Big Rainbows live here and a consistent catch rate of bows in the twenty four to twenty five inch range may have become its flagship. Productive fishing times are ice out to late June and late September to late October. Brown Trout Riding Mountain/South
Patterson/Tokaryk Lake: Same goes for the Brown trout scene. These lakes produce unprecedented Brown trout numbers with sizes and colors that will blow your mind. Their willingness to take a fly is amazing and the chance of catching one over the twenty five inch mark is real. Productive fishing times are ice out to late June and late September to late October.
Persse Lake: The up and comer on the Brown trout circuit, Persse is starting to catch the attention of the selective Brown trout angler. Like the twin titans to the south, the numbers are impressive and the size just keeps getting consistently bigger. Real opportunities for browns in the 23 to 26 inch mark are readily offered. Productive fishing times are ice out to late June and late September to late October.
Laurie Lake: Home of the Manitoba record Brown trout at just under thirty one inches. This gorgeous, aqua green lake just keeps producing. Browns in the twenty five inch range are common but require a solid strategy to fool due to the gin clear water. Find the right weather pattern and you will cash in huge! Productive fishing times are ice out to mid-July and late September to late October. Brook Trout Duck Mountain/Surrounding Area
West Blue Lake: The Duck Mountains have long been the example for drive to Brook trout opportunities and West Blue has become one of those examples. This lake has taken off in the recent years and is now producing some beauties in the twenty one to twenty two inch range. Access can be tough due to spring flooding and has been limited to walk in only. Efforts are supposed to have been implemented to re-establish boat access for the near future. Productive fishing times are ice out to late June and late September to late October.
Persse Lake: This is another lake to watch closely, Brookies are rampant here but are reserved to specific water columns. Present year classes are well over the twenty one inch mark with a few specimens reaching twenty three inches. This lake has nothing but potential to produce some giants, much like its West Blue counterpart. Productive fishing times are ice out to late June and late September to late October. Tiger Trout Duck Mountain
Twin Lakes: Good ole Twin stands alone on the Tiger trout option but continues to impress. There are some true hawgs in this two piece water body, with recent catches up to twenty six inches huge and new recruits stocked in 2014. It will only get better from here on out. All I can say is look out! Productive fishing times are ice out to late June and late September to late October. Splake
Duck Mountain Laurie Lake: I can’t think of better way to complete a trout slam then with a line stripping Splake. This fish just doesn’t get enough credit and Laurie Lake offers them in spades. With recent catches recorded at just over twenty eight inches and fall colors that can rival the Northern Lights, I mean why wouldn’t you? This lake is a Manitoba gem in many ways. Productive fishing times are ice out to late May and early to late October.
East Blue Lake: This lake gets another thumbs up on Splake production and has traditionally produced twenty six plus inches slobs over numerous seasons. Like Laurie, its gin clear and you have to pick your days but recent fall catches have produced big fish up to twenty three inches. Productive fishing times are ice out to late May and early to late October.