Tranquille River, Chase and Jameson Creeks, BC

article and pictures by Jules Jelev

Tranquille river is a small tributary of the Thompson flowing into Kamloops lake in the community of Tranquille a few kilometers west of Kamloops.   Its lower valley is a popular destination with hikers throughout the year and its flow is very weak in the summer. Open to fishing year round, the stream provides opportunities for tiny rainbows with some bigger fish mixed in. The trail starting near the bridge on Red Lake road goes north for about 3-5 kilometers before entering a steep impassable canyon. This section of the river has few trees and a desert feel to it.  Red lake road climbs up the west banks before crossing Tranquille river (or rather creek) much further upstream.  The area is well forested and there are still lots of small rainbows that will take surface flies. Red Lake road continues to climb up the mountain providing access to Red and Tranquille lakes.  The first one is popular with ice fishermen who usually catch their limit of brook trout in it, and the second one is also good for smaller rainbows and kokanee.

Jameson creek is a clear tributary of North Thompson joining the river some 20km north of Kamloops. It flows through a forested valley that does not see too many visitors. The creek has many small rainbows in its middle and upper sections that can be caught in a few spots fly fishing. Walking along the creek is difficult because of bushes and big rocks. The upper part of the watershed also contains a couple of rainbow trout lakes .

Chase creek flows into South Thompson in the community of Chase at the lower end of Little Shuswap Lake. This is another creek open to fishing year round, although both Tranquille and Chase creeks have tiny flows and freeze over in winter. This renders them impossible to fish till the snow starts to melt. Chase creek forms a nice waterfall accessed by the Chase resting area on the trans-Canada highway. The upper parts of the creek can be reached through by a road that climbs up above the lower canyon. The road veers off HWY 1 well before Chase.

Small creeks provide excellent opportunities for sport in the hot summer months. Their narrow valleys are usually cool with a lot of wildlife and plenty of small fish eager to take the fly.

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