Tuzo Lake

Tuzo Lake

Tuzo Lake is not far from Solco Lake so I like to check it out every so often when I’m camped at Solco Lake. This is one lake that is easily missed as you can not see it until you are right at the shore. Once a one fish per day lake, the limit has been raised to six per day since the access road was blocked off. (note this has since been opened up..A move with which I agree. However not sure it if is legal or not.)

From Solco head back out to the Tuzo forestry road and turn right. Soon the main road forks take the left fork and ignore all the smaller side roads. Eventually this road loops back across Tuzo Creek before heading back east. At this point keep straight ahead for about half a kilometre where the road is blocked off with cement blocks and a deep ditch. Last fall the road was in excellent condition up to this point, still always be prepared for the unexpected when travelling the back country.

Find a good parking spot and start hiking. It’s a good kilometre so you can either carry in a belly boat or canoe, however this lake can be quite handily fished from shore. Keep to the left where the road splits and soon you come to an old log landing. Off to the right of the clearing there is a short tail into the lake, without really knowing where the lake was we were very lucky to spot it. The trees are fairly thick and you nearly have to be at the lake before you can see it. The last time in there was a light plastic boat left there, however, you should take a life jacket if you are planning on using it.

The lake itself is mainly fairly shallow with some good weed cover and not very much in the way of draw down over the summer. Early in the season when the lake is at its highest level there is a shallow bay at the far end. Several areas of the shoreline have good areas of water lilies. The bottom seems to be good for wading to get a little closer to the action and give you room to use a fly rod. Of course the spinning outfit with float and fly is always a good bet.

Good fly choices are, mosquitoes, shrimp and Tom thumbs, however it never hurts to experiment with different choices. I have used tiny clips for changing flies. They work not too badly and if you are having trouble with tying flies on you might want to give them a try. I’m digging mine out of my tackle box next time out.

This is good whitetail country so I usually do my fishing here late in the fall. One fall day I was casting from shore while ice crystals formed in the guides, while a fire crackled behind me for warming my hands. A cold proposition, but every few casts were rewarded with a nice sized trout. It was either catch fish or freeze on a stand waiting for white tail deer.

The entrance to the trail at the landing is an ideal spot for a tree stand overlooking some old logging cuts. The young growth of these logging cuts are quite thick and it is hard to see anything in the brush. A well place stand well up in the trees gives you a much more commanding view of the area. Hunting with a partner you could take turns on the stand and at the lake. This would allow for stretching and warming up of hands and toes.