The Fish and Lake Improvement Program for the Parkland Region

Mike Andreasen's Parkland Experience

12 Years in a fly fisher's paradise ...

The first time I fished the Parkland region was in August of 1996.  I was there for 10 days and became so enamored with the area that I have since returned and fished a total of 358 days.  This year I will add four more weeks to that total and expect to keep doing so each year for as long as I am physically able.

          I have been responsible for influencing over 125 other anglers to fish this area, most of who have returned over and over again just as I have.         

 By my latest estimates we have brought into Manitoba during that period over $1,450,000 dollars (US).  This money has been spent on fuel, food, lodging, vehicle repairs, and other assorted things that have surely added to the area economy.       

   During this time period no one in our associated groups have ever intentionally killed a fish.  We are all fly fishermen believing in catch and release for the perpetuation of the fishery.       

   Most of us live in places where we can catch reasonably sized fish of 18 to 20 inches in length without having to travel far or spend large sums of money.  The reason we come to Manitoba is for the chance for the big fish of 22 to 30 inches coupled with larger girths than we are used to seeing.  Our homes are over 1250 miles away yet we are more than willing to drive the distance for the opportunity of catching a real “hog”.  Yet…not one of us would be willing to drive a mile to catch a perch or a walleye.         

 Since 1996 we have seen Spear, East Goose and Tokaryk, formerly great lakes made unattractive to us by the planting or presence either legally or illegally of undesirable species.  We haven’t fished these lakes for four to five years.         

 We have continued to return to the area because of the remarkable work done by FLIPPR in the creation of Patterson Lake and Twin Lakes and now by the newest additions of Corstorphine and Pybus lakes.  The debut of new any lakes this year can only add to making the parkland area in to possibly the greatest spot in North America for the potential to catch large trout.

          I have personally fished many of the waters in the U.S. that are famous for large trout.  I drive right past them on my way to Manitoba.  Places like Henry’s lake, Hebgens , Quake lake, Clark Canyon, Blackfeet reservation, and Yellowstone. It is my feeling that with the proper publicity, the FLIPPR lakes will become as well known as these and yet my personal opinion is that the FLIPPR  lakes are already better fishing. The regulations in place on the FLIPPR  lakes should guarantee that they remain better fishing on into the future.

          It’s a simple fact that to support the growth of the fishery, there has to be effective advertising done to let people know that the fishery exists.  I’ve been trying to do my part by showing pictures and slide shows at fly fishing seminars and fly tying expos around the Western United States.  I think however, that the best thing going now is an article being written by Larry Tullis on the Parkland region.  He is the author of several fly fishing books including part of a series for Lefty Kreh.  He sent pictures to a national U.S. fly fishing magazine after a trip made with me to the Parklands.  The publisher has requested a full article on the region and it’s opportunities that will be read by more than 100,000 fly fishers from all over the U.S.

          The future for the Parkland area is going to be nothing short of amazing. That is if the local municipalities make all the tourists who come in aware of the places to eat, lodge, camp, buy groceries, sight see, and so forth.  The local residents have to know about the FLIPPR lakes as well as the places where all services can be obtained.

          I live in the Salt Lake City area where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held.  It is a skiers and snowboarders paradise. I , however, have never personally skied a day in my life, but if you were to fly in to Salt Lake and asked where to go and where to rent or buy equipment, I and any other resident of the area would be able to direct you to all the resorts and rental places necessary to make your trip a success.         

If the locals in the Parkland area were to become this knowledgeable about the resource it would make it so much easier for the new tourist to have a meaningful experience on the lakes of the area.  Every local citizen should learn everything possible about the resource.  The best way to do so is to start with the FLIPPR website and become familiar with all it has to offer.

I firmly believe that the Parkland region in the next 10 years is going to become a major destination for the fly fisherman looking for a major fly fishing experience.  I think the Parkland will be mentioned at the same time fly fishermen are discussing New Zealand, Patagonia, Alaska, or Kamloops.  

It’s a place for a world class experience.