The luxury of BC’s two-rod regulation

There is a generous little regulation in the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations (page 9 – 2013 edition) that states…

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO…
use more than one line, EXCEPT a person who is alone on a boat in a lake may angle with two lines.”

Putting it in layman’s terms, if one is in a boat alone, with a valid fishing license, one may use 2 rods. What a bonus! For the flyfisher, this option allows one to try two separate strategies at the same time while seeking fish. Flyfishing with two rods while in a boat alone is popular in the Kamloops area lakes... think of the combination possibilities.

It takes a little skill and attentiveness to operate two rods at the same time but some combinations are easier than others when anchored and casting a fly. One thing that makes it easier, no matter what combination you throw at them is to de-barb the hook.

Here are some of the more popular strategies fly fishing with two lines in BC.

1. Two dry lines with strike indicators. This strategy is by far the easiest to manage. It allows the flyfisher to fish shallow to medium depth water.
2. One dry line with strike indicator and one dry line with a long leader without an indicator. This is a favorite among seasoned chironomid flyfishers in the Kamloops area lakes.
3. One dry line with a strike indicator and a wet line for some bottom dragging with a leech or dragon fly nymph. Good alongside a shoal and a steep dropoff.
4. Two dry lines with long leaders (20 ft +). This is popular during mayfly season but it can be troublesome when a breeze comes up.
5. Two wet lines. One is cast and retrieved and the other hangs straight up and down, about a foot above the bottom. This can be deadly, especially in the heat of the summer when the big fish are cruising in 20-30 feet of water…but be cautioned…many fish are lost when the fish wrap the line around the anchor rope.

There are a few other possibilities, then mix up flies and there are a million combinations. Trolling two lines can also be productive and challenging.

However, of most concern for the single fisherman, beware of the double-header. For some, it never happens but for many, it causes singing reels followed by instant stress, foul language, fumbled gear, crossed lines, broken lines, anchor wraps and even snapped rods… Every once in a while, it all pays off when one can land and release both fish and come away with a sense of excitement, superior accomplishment and invincibility.

Fishing in BC’s freshwater lakes is a privilege. Always consult the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations before fishing any lake that is unfamiliar.