Madden Lake

Madden Lake

         I had been asked to test some SHOOT N C Targets, and thought I might as well make a quick trip into Madden Lake as well to check things out, before sighting in my twenty -two rifle.

 While it is possible to get to Madden Lake by the Sawmill Lake road off the Fairview-White Lake Road, the easiest way is to continue from this junction 6.9 kilometres up the Fairview Road. Turn left at the sign-post for Ripley and Madden Lakes. At the 7.3 kilometre mark the Ripley Road takes off to the left, soon passing under the power line. At 7.8 kilometres, keep to the left then stay on the main road and ignore all the side roads.

 From here to Madden Lake the terrain is fairly open, largely due to the huge fire that swept through here in 1971. There is an abundance of balsam root and saskatoon bushes all along this route. The balsam root is a good wild edible and at times a favourite for the blue grouse as they go for the seeds in the fall. Bears perhaps covet the saskatoon berries even more than we do, for you often see plenty of evidence of this in bear scat.

 Arriving at the lake, the odometer showed just under 9.4 kilometres. I found the recreation site full to bursting even this early on a Friday afternoon, and new arrivals were turning away to search for other option. There seems to be eight official sites, but several more makeshift ones were also in use. Unfortunately I was told about one of the tables being destroyed and burned the previous week. Subtle use of a cell phone camera would be great if turned in to the police to capture such selfish culprits.

There is a trail around the lake that does access some spots to fish from shore, but a lot of the shoreline is full of bull rushes and  reeds. The most popular method of fishing is by boat and with a fly rod. Chromids appear to be working very well this May long weekend, and I had several reports of fish caught between one and two pounds. Several years ago, I passed this way during hunting season and saw a fellow with six nice fish that appeared to be about four pounds each.

 This whole area between Sawmill Lake and Ripley Lake is criss-crossed with roads and trails that are popular with ATV users and trail bikes. The dryness of the country leaves it very susceptible to damage and I would encourage users to remain on established trails. There seems to be some improvement in the amount of garbage left out in the country, but there is still some evidence of abuse. This is also rangeland, so remember to leave gates as you find them to keep the cattle where they belong.

 My prime purpose today was to test a special target and I did not want to disturb the campers and fishermen. Slipping further uphill I located a quiet spot with a good backstop where I could set the target up in the shade. One shot was all it took to impress me. A brilliant yellow circle appeared just off to the right and below the  florescent bulls eye. Upon impact, part of the black coating around the shot flakes off showing the yellow under undercoating on the target. Even though the target was placed in the shade, this shot showed up on the black three-inch circle very clearly. Three more shots and I already felt I was ready for bird season in the fall. Ask your local sporting goods dealer if they have the Shoot N C target. They are available from Birchwood Laboratories Inc.

Rubber Rafting

Rubber Rafting

Belly boating might be fine when I’m alone, but what if I hike into a lake with a buddy? Maybe a four man rubber raft would be the answer. Fortunately one was on sale, so off I headed to Ripley Lake for an afternoon trial run.

Set up went smoothly and in fifteen minutes the raft was inflated and on the water. I don’t know how big the four men were, but if they were all my size, we’d have to squeeze in and only take small breaths. Will definitely have to take the minimum tackle next time too, it was hard to swing around to search in my normal tackle box.

Rowing went OK with just me in the boat, slow, but OK. I spent the better part of two hours, slowly moving about the lake, trying to get the feel of fly fishing from sitting so low to the water. I wasn’t fabulous, but it would do if the fish were into feeding, which unfortunately they were not.

This did have some advantages over the belly boat, no chest waders required being the first one and I did not lose and fins or oars. The most advantage would be only carting one craft into one of the small lake on my to do list. Still, I do miss a canoe.

Belly Boating Disasters

Belly Boating Disaster

            What else can I say to describe my first two belly boating outings. Both were at Chute Lake north east of Naramata. My first trip out was a short one. Lesson number one: when trying on foot wear and the chest waders, use the same footwear you will be using while out on the water. My footwear would not go over the waders, so I’ve already a small hole in one of the soles.

            Well, into the water just the same. Only this time I get about 15 meters out and a fin flips off of one foot. Try as I might I could not locate the fin and my first outing was cut short.

            Now with a new pair of fins, I try everything on at home. Everything checks out, so off to Chute Lake I head again. This will surely be better than last week.

            Everything seems to be working fine, I’ve been out on the lake for a couple of hours, but the fishing is slow. Suddenly, I give another kick and groan as another fins slips off my foot and into the depths. Looking down the lake it is time to start limping back to the launching site. I am in no hurry, but after another half hour passes, the second fin comes off and sinks into the lake.

            Slowly now I scull towards the landing site using my hands stopping occasionally to cast. Score now two outings, two fish to the belly boat, one keeper not landed as I did not have a net, three fins at the bottom of the lake.

            Next time I am out belly boating I will have a cord attaching the fins to my ankle. I would also recommend a careful selection of your belly boat. On this particular belly boat one of the air chambers is very difficult to inflate and deflate. It is best if you can see a model displayed so you can check out rod holder and tackle compartments.

            Staggering out of the water with partially filled chest waders also brings home the importance of using a personal floatation device.

            I do miss my canoe

Trout Creek Canyon Trail

Trout Creek Canyon Trail

            The middle of July was hot, so a friend and I made a date to walk this trail early on a week day morning. Gone was the trail I remembered for the early 50’s. (kind of dates me doesn’t it.

            We drove out towards Trout Creek and turned up the hill towards the Summerland Research Station. Almost immediately a small road takes off to the right and into a small parking lot. Here a narrow zigzag opening in the fence led us to the trails. I was so narrow that I was glad I did not have my big pack.

            The first thing I noted was an elderberry bush near the parking lot. Striking out, we followed an old road on top of the creek bank. Every so often a small path would break off and head toward the hill side, which I kept scanning for the trail I remembered. Eventually the trail petered out as the canyon wall closed in. It had been an easy walk through fields of baby’s breath plants and by nearly barren Saskatoon bushes and Oregon grape.

            Heading back we took an old road up to the Research Station fence, stopped for a bite to eat where I took these pictures.  We also noted some signs of an industrial operation from many years ago, which appeared to possibly be a cement plant of some sort. There was also a wooden bench sitting amongst the babys breath. This was crafted together with wooden dowels instead of nail.

            Walking at a leisurely pace and talking we spent an enjoyable hour and a half, but a fast walk could possibly cover this in a half hour.