Elk River Guiding Company Trip Details

Included / Not Included:
Included: Accommodations and guiding as noted on your invoice
Not Included: HST, Fishing Equipment, Airfare, staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, licenses.

Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Fernie, BC you will need to fly into Cranbrook, BC (1 hour drive), Calgary, Alberta (3.5 hour drive), or Kalispell, Montana (2.5 hour drive).
Getting to the Lodge: Guests will need to rent a car in one of the above towns and drive to Fernie and to your selected accommodations. Anglers will need to drive each morning to the Elk River Fly Shop to meet your guides. If you do not have transportation, we can make arrangements.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will drive from the lodge after breakfast according to your travel itinerary.

Documentation Requirements:
You need a valid passport to enter Canada and it must be valid for six months after the last day of your trip.

Currency:
The official currency is the Canadian dollar. You will need to exchange money at your local bank or simply use your ATM card once in Canada. US dollars are also widely accepted.

Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travels with enough cash for guide gratuities.

Gratuities:
We recommend a guide gratuity of $50.00 - $100.00 per day. If you choose simple hotel arrangements no gratuity will be necessary for accommodations. If you choose an option for a full service lodge we recommend a gratuity of approximately 15% for the meals and 5-10% for the housekeeping staff.

Fishing Licenses:
Please plan to purchase your fishing licenses after you arrive in British Columbia. The staff at Elk River will help you with this process. You may pay with US dollars or credit card. If you purchase the licenses through the fly shop with a credit card there will be a 5% processing fee. If you purchase them online (which they can help you do), there will be no service charge using a credit card.

Approximate 2010 Rates: $21 CAD per day for classified waters per person, then an 8 day provincial license per person for $52.50 CAD or $85 CAD for an annual provincial license. (The Elk and tributaries are considered classified waters)

Climate:
Temperatures typically range from the mid 50’s to the mid 90’s. In the summer it is usually quite warm during the day and cool in the evening. However, it is important for guests to be prepared for cold rainy conditions throughout the season.

Medical Facilities:
Fernie has modern medical facilities and all Elk River Guiding Co. guides are trained in first aid. We always suggest that travelers bring medication for common ailments as well as any prescription medication needed.

Power and Communications:
Island Lake Lodge: There is cell phone coverage provided that your carrier allows coverage in S.E. BC. There are phones available for long distance calling using prepaid calling cards and these cards are available for purchase at the lodge. Wireless internet service is available in the main lodge for all guests who bring laptops, as long as the laptops have a WiFi card. The lodge has a computer terminal and phone which guests may use.

None of the Guest Suites are equipped with either phones or televisions.

Public Telephones There is 1 guest phone available, free for local calling. This is located in the Bear Lodge Conference Room, Lower Level. Phone cards are available for purchase in the Bear Retail Area or Tamarack Front Desk, should you wish to make a long-distance call.

Internet Service Wireless internet service is available in the Tamarack, Bear & Cedar Lodges. All suites in these lodges have wireless Internet for your laptops and there are also 2 high-speed hookups in the Cedar Common Areas (Main & Top Levels). Given our remoteness, please be patient, as Internet Service can be slow or intermittent due to our satellite link. We also have a computer with internet access in the Conference Room of the Bear Lodge, complimentary for in-house guests.

Park Place Lodge: There is cell phone coverage provided that your carrier allows coverage in S.E. BC. There are phones available for long distance calling using prepaid calling cards and these cards are available for purchase at the lodge. Wireless internet service is available in the main lodge for all guests who bring laptops, as long as the laptops have a WiFi card. The lodge has a computer terminal and phone which guests may use.

Water:
The water at Island Lake Lodge is potable. The on-site water filtration system is Spring Fed and this same spring is used in the Hydro-System that provides electricity. Bottled water is also available for purchase at both Dining Facilities.

Clothing:
In the Canadian Rockies it is always possible to encounter a wide variety of weather conditions. We recommend that you always come well prepared with different layers including, lightweight long sleeve and short sleeved shirts, fleece top and bottoms, synthetic log underwear, rain jacket, sun and rain hats, and fishing gloves. Evening attire should be casual.

Laundry:
Laundry service is not available at the lodge. Please pack accordingly.

Beverages/Alcohol:
Though none of the packages include alcoholic beverages they are readily available throughout Fernie.

Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: 8-9 ft. rods in line weights 4-6
Reels and Lines: Any solid single action reel with a weight forward floating line in the appropriate line weight. If you are interested in catching bull trout consider bringing along a 10 ft sink tip in type 4, a Rio Versi-Tip or a Teeny 200 nymph line.
Leaders: 9 foot 4x-5x leaders will be the norm for fishing dries. If you want to streamer fish for bull trout bring along short leaders (3-5ft) in the 8-10 pound test range.
Flies:
Dry Flies: A wide range of standard dries are effective in the area so be sure to bring all of your favorites. Some of the proven patterns include parachute Adams (12-16), Royal Wulffs (10-14), Stimulators (8-16), Chernobyl Ants orange/tan(6-10), Elk Hair Caddis (12-16), assorted hoppers (6-10), and humpies (12-16). Western Green Drakes # 10 or #12, Black Ant patterns in #14 and #16 with an indicator so you can see them easily,
Parachute hoppers in yellow #8, Fat Albert #8, Attractors like Chernobyl ants in orange and tan size #8, Grey Wulff #12 or H&L Variant # 12.
Nymphs: assorted bead heads in sizes 10-16 are all effective. Some proven patterns include the Prince, hares ear, PT’s, assorted caddis pupa, dirty birds, and copper Johns.
Streamers: if you are interested in tying for the bull trout bring a few of the following: Muddler minnows, sculpins in black and olive, large woolley buggers, and Clouser minnows. Best sizes are #2-4.
Wading Gear: We recommend bringing breathable waders with felt soled boots. Also consider neoprene socks and zip-off pants for wet wading on warm days.
Miscellaneous: Sunscreen, lip balm, bug dope, polarized glasses, brimmed hat, bandana, hemostats, tape measure, split shot and indicators, camera with spare batteries and film, floatant, and a waterproof bag for day gear.