Fishing at Tzahny Lake, Stikine Region, British Columbia

• Overview

  Tzahny Lake lies in Stikine Region, in British Columbia. It lies 988 metres above sea level. Roughly 88 hectares: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. There is roughly 8.3 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. The closest town, Smithers, is 248 km away. Telkwa lies 259 km off, Wrangell another 272 km. Others worth noting: Beaverlodge Lake (1.6 km), Kluayaz Lake at 13 km, Kistakok Lake (19 km), Hewett Lake at 25 km and Ella Lake (30 km). No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Tzahny Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public occurrence data for Stikine Region names Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon and mountain whitefish. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Read Tzahny Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 11°C, with January the cold end at about -14°C. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Break-up comes around early May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Open water usually runs from early May until about early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Time your trip to Tzahny Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Beaverlodge Lake is 1.6 km off. What applies at Tzahny Lake may have changed since it was mapped.