ROD CREEL 



135 



CHAPTER XXIV 



ALONG THE CROW'S NEST LINE 



GOAT RIVER 



THIS river flows into the Kootenay, a short distance from 

 Creston, which is on the Crow's Nest Line. The lower 

 reaches of this stream are more famous for the beauty 

 of its magnificent canyon, of which a good view can be had 

 from the railway, than for fishing, as apart from a few Dolly 

 Vardens, which may be caught by spinning or bait, there are 

 few other fish. "When, however, you get above the canyon, it 

 is quite a splendid stream for fly fishing. The fish, mostly rain- 

 bows, go up to two pounds in weight and are great fighters. 

 The fishing is generally at its best in August. Queen of the 

 Waters is a favourite fly on this and all other East Kootenay 

 streams. 



Kitchener, on the Crow's Nest Line, is the best place to 

 stop at. 



ST. MARY'S RIVER 



This is a good big stream with splendid fly fishing. The 

 fish go anywhere from half a pound up to three pounds. The 

 river runs through St. Mary's Lake into the Kootenay. There 

 is a small fishing lodge on the lake where accommodation can 

 be had. 



To get there, you can take the Columbia "Western from 

 Cranbrook, from which town it is about thirty miles, or you 

 can go right through the Columbia Valley from Golden on the 

 main line of the C. P. R. 



August is the best month, September also good. 



PREMIER LAKE 



This is a comparatively small lake which a few years ago 

 had no fish in it at all. It has, however, been well stocked with 

 steelheads and some very large fish can now be caught by troll- 

 ing. There is hotel accommodation at Wasa on the Columbia 

 Valley Line. The hotel is within a short distance of the lake. 

 The water in this lake is always clear, and fish can be caught all 

 season. 



