Due to the drought and intense heat, local reservoirs have dropped significantly. Agricultural irrigation (the aqueduct system) is the priority not main stem stream flows. Low reservoirs mean whatever is released to the rivers now often contains silt which of course affects sight fishing and fishing in general. Two of the three tailwater rivers I fish have been affected.
The good news is we just had a solid 24 hours of rain and lower temperatures. There is even some snow in the high peaks.The intense smoke is gone at least for now.
I’ve been walking a variety of rivers (contrasting water and terrain) and spotting some rising trout….they have been selective, especially on tailwaters…
trout on dries 
I’m a long-time subscriber and enjoy your posts/photos and have been living vicariously through them for some time. Now, I’m planning my first-ever trip to SE BC for this August (16th-23rd, 2025) with a fellow fly fishing buddy. As such, I just re-read this posting. We’ll have 6 days to explore and fish – we’re always willing to hike the countryside to see what’s around the bend.
If appropriate to ask, we’re looking for suggestions on waters to visit. Staying in Fernie. We’ve started planning this trip a bit too late to hire guide(s) as they fill nearly a year in advance and there’s no openings for our week with those we called. We’re still looking and plan to DIY otherwise. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/insight. Randy. DM if possible.
Randy: I live in sw Alberta and fish mainly the rivers here. I do venture into BC, south east area, to fish a number of rivers late summer but mainly angle in Alberta. The fish you see in the blog post that you commented on are mainly Alberta trout. You can email me at : sippingtrout@gmail.com and I’ll try to answer some of your questions.
Bob