Roche Lake

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Roche Lake May Long: Fly Fishing, Good Friends, and Some Very Aggressive Loons

After returning from an incredible spring trip through England and Scotland, I wasn't quite ready to slow down. With the May long weekend arriving and the Interior lakes beginning to wake up after winter, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to hit the road again. This time the destination was Roche Lake, alongside a good friend who happens to own one of British Columbia's most respected fly shops, Michael & Young Fly Fishing.

Perched at roughly 1,250 metres (4,100 feet) in British Columbia's famous Nicola Valley region, Roche Lake has long been considered one of the province's premier stillwater fly-fishing destinations. Located about 35 kilometres south of Kamloops, the lake sits amid rolling grasslands, scattered Douglas fir forests, and classic Interior scenery that draws anglers from across North America.

Roche Lake is best known for its healthy population of wild and stocked Kamloops rainbow trout, fish renowned for their strength, deep bodies, and explosive fights. While trout in the 2 to 5-pound range are common, larger fish are caught every season by anglers willing to put in the time. The lake's rich aquatic food sources help produce some exceptionally strong, fast-growing rainbows.

The trip was made even more enjoyable by sharing it with a longtime friend who owns Michael & Young Fly Shop. Any time you get the opportunity to fish alongside one of the most knowledgeable fly anglers in the province, you're bound to learn something.

As expected, the fishing was excellent, but some of the most memorable moments had nothing to do with landing fish.

While filming content for the YouTube channel, we encountered an incredibly aggressive pair of loons that repeatedly chased trout as they were being brought to the boat. What started as a few unusual encounters quickly turned into several days of incredible wildlife footage. The loons were relentless, often pursuing hooked fish right to the surface and creating some exciting moments on camera.

In fact, we captured enough footage to turn the experience into a three-part YouTube series documenting the interactions between the loons, the trout, and a pair of surprised anglers who had never seen anything quite like it.

Between the fishing, the wildlife encounters, and spending time on the water with great company, the trip turned into much more than a typical fly-fishing getaway.

Sometimes the best trips aren't measured solely by the number of fish caught. They're measured by the stories, unexpected moments, and friendships that make you want to come back year after year.

Stay tuned for additional photos, fishing reports, and video highlights from our Roche Lake adventure.