Fly Fishing the Backcountry in Banff National Park

Pat Jakubiec photo

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Steve Luethi and Pat Jakubiec had their eye on a real barn burner of a backcountry trip in Banff National Park. I had the good fortune of being invited on the 4 day trip that included several mountain passes and almost 50 km of hiking. The reward, some amazing cutthroat trout fly fishing! Now Steve and Pat are 30 years old and we hit the trailhead on my 63rd birthday! Both Steve and Pat love the benefits of fly fishing in the back country. Extended backcountry hikes are less crowded and often you have lakes or rivers/creeks to yourself. It had been a few years since I had done an extended backcountry hike. The guys brought lots of camera gear and their packs were heavier than mine. The guys also hauled up some beer. Now they were a great reward from a day on the hiking trail with a full pack. We headed up a trail that crossed over a high pass and then down to a valley where we set up camp. It took us about 4 hours to get to our camp some 13 kms away. After setting up camp, we went to a lake to fly fish for smaller cutthroat trout and brook trout! It was easy fly fishing. Foam chernobyls and small micro leeches were the ticket. The lake seemed over populated with brookies but it was a great way to get our trip started. We also spent the evening fly fishing a nearby creek that again had brook trout and cutthroat trout! A small caddis imitation or parachute adams pretty much got takes on every cast.

The next two days were spent hiking up to a lake in the alpine. The hiking was steep and rocky but the reward was incredible cutthroat trout fly fishing. The cutts were beautifully coloured and amazing sizes considering we were over 7000 feet.  Our day hikes from base camp included going by several lakes and had meadows that exploded with wild flowers of many colours. Our two, day hikes were done with light packs so the steep trails were not so bad.

Imagine clamouring over a bolder field and finally standing 200 feet above a lake you have never seen. Sweat is pouring off of your your face and you are breathing hard. You quickly scan a nearby shoal and can see 6 large cutts cruising around. The guys scrambled down the rocks. Pat made the first cast and it took just a few moments to watch a sizeable cutthroat trout turn and slam his foam chernobyl. Yes there was a yell of happiness. Steve netted Pat's fish and then caught a beautifully coloured high country cutthroats on his first cast. Then the guys doubled up. Wow, double wow! 

I sat up above the guys on the rocks and enjoyed the moment! I caught several cutts on my first few cast too. 

Pat Jakubiec photo

As you can imagine, the fly fishing was incredible. The guys put all the camera gear that they hauled up to the lake to good use. The cutthroat were so colourful. The cutthroat were definitely a  photographers dream.

We explored a good part of the lake. We mostly just used foam chernobyls, Glen's Leech and some black streamers. 

We clambered back to our camp late in the day. You know where we were heading the next day, right back to where were today. The fly fishing was indeed amazing. The hike also seemed a bit shorter. Obviously we knew what to expect and we were ready!

The enormous amphitheater that surrounded the lake made for an incredible backdrop for our fly fishing. The only downside was the forest fire smoke blowing in from British Columbia that hovered in the area.

The hike out included a grunt back up and over a high pass. We were back to Steve's truck in about 3 hours. We rewarded our efforts with ice cream in Canmore and poutine. Yes poutine, I ate a burger that was delicious!

This was one fabulous trip. There were 6 lakes in the area and lots of creeks that all had trout in them. This was a very special trip. I know Pat had talked with Steve about going for several years. It was so worth it! I appreciated the opportunity to be included in such a trip. Thanks guys!

The photos are from Steve Luethi, Pat Jakubiec and me! Enjoy!

Heading toward our first pass!

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

We have arrived at our day one destination where we set up base camp!

Pat Jakubiec photo

Steve Luethi photo

Steve caught several amazing pictures of brookies rising to flies we tossed into a creek!

Steve Luethi photo

Steve Luethi photo

Another amazing shot Steve!

Sweat time!

Pat Jakubiec photo

Stunning wild flowers greeted us on every turn!

Can you see them Steve? Yes Pat was excited, so was Steve and I!

First cast, fish on!

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Steve Luethi photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Steve Luethi photo

Steve and Pat having a great time!

All the sweat equity to haul the camera gear up to the alpine lake was so worth it!

Steve Luethi photo

The largest cutthroat we caught was in the 18 to 19 inch mark.

Steve Luethi photo

Steve Luethi photo

Incredible colours! Great shot Steve! Love the camera angle!

Steve Luethi photo

Photographers dream!

Whistling Marmot!

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

This area was a bit of a grunt but the reward was amazing!

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Steve Luethi photo

Steve enjoying a quick cat nap!

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Pat Jakubiec photo

Steve Luethi photo

Streamer fly fishing was excellent!

Heading back to the trail head! The tamarack in the sub alpine was beautiful!