June 26, 2008 - Kluane Lake Report (from Kluane Wilderness Lodge)

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the summer. It’s great to be back at the lodge and start a new season.  We arrived on May 31st and everything survived the winter without similar problems like last year with the bear doing a break and enter and the ice wrecking the dock.

Weather wise it has been a little unsettled as it has been almost every were else from the people I have been talking with.  However, along with Dawson City, we have been having the best weather in the Yukon. Our garden is already planted with everything growing. Will send pictures as things get more developed.

Now for the good stuff; the first week was a little slow as the lake was still turning over. But everyone still caught lots of fish using both flies and gear. At this time of the year there are incredible hatches of chironomid and now the mayflies and caddis flies are starting to show up making for great dry fly fishing. The popular flies so far have been egg sucking leaches both in black and purple, Woolly Buggers and white streamers for the trout. For the pike yellows and reds have been working well along with poppers.

Not too many fishermen have been targeting the whitefish. I’m not sure why as they are a great fighting fish and a lot of fun to fly fish for as it is mostly sight fishing. I have had the best luck using prince nymphs and shrimp patterns.

The biggest trout to date is right around 40 lbs along with a number of pike at the 40” mark.

For the gear fishermen the old standbys are working well, 5 of diamonds, half wave, Kitamats and swim baits of various colors, fishing in 20-30 feet of water.

The bald eagles nest in front of the lodge has one resident chick and it is a great attraction for the guests using the spotting scope. There are also more trumpeter swans on the lake than we have ever seen at this time of the year. The other day, two guests got to witness a stand off between a cow moose and a bear in the water. Two days before, this same cow had a calf with her and I would think that the bear got the calf.

Last evening the guests that didn’t go out fishing were treated to a cow and calf moose swimming the lake in front of the lodge. The rabbit cycle must be at its peak as there are more rabbits running around the lodge than we have ever seen.

This year we have already had guests from England, Scotland, United States and Canada with one guest from England staying for 3 weeks. Lots of new friendships have been made from the mixed groups.

For those of you, who are coming this year, see you soon and for those of you who are thinking of coming there are some openings left in July and August – give us a call.

Until next time enjoy the summer and take a kid fishing.

Brian
Kluane Wilderness Lodge

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