Parklands Outing – Twin and West Watjask Sept 20-22, 2024

Registration Deadline-August 20, 2024

Host

• Name: Michael Hutton
• Ph/text number: 204-750-8165
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Directions

• The base town for this outing is Roblin about 4.5 hours from Winnipeg.
• To get to Roblin you have two options.  Take Hwy 1 west to the Yellow Head Hwy 16. At Russell turn north on Hwy 83. The alternative is go via the Narrows, north on Hwy 6, west on Hwy 68, west on Hwy 5, taking the Dauphin bypass.  This route is slightly shorter and faster with less traffic.
• Cell phone coverage is good with some dead zones through the Narrows.  The cell signal is very weak north of Roblin with no service at Twin or Watjask.
• To get to Twin Lakes head north on Hwy 83 to Tees Lake Rd 42 kms north of Roblin.  It’s about 7 km past the east turnoff to Duck Mountains.  It’s at a bend in the road.  Watch for the trout triangle sign to the right.
• To get to Watjask keep going past Twin on the same road. The distance from trailhead to West Watjask Lake is ~8.5 km. A portion of the access road is Designated Route S and is often accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles as it can be muddy during wet periods. The road is a logging road but in reasonable shape.  In rainy weather use caution when travelling and be sure to contact the nearest government office for updated information before using this road.

Accommodation

• In Roblin there is the Stay Easy Inn and the Harvest Moon Inn.  Both are located just off Hwy east of downtown Roblin. Stay Easy (204-937-2411) is a little less expensive, and has become the main place MFFA members stay. Harvest Moon Inn (204-937-3700) has suites and a breakfast that is not set up early enough to take advantage of. It's a 30 min drive to Twin from here.  
• Hotel coffee provided in the rooms, microwaves and small fridges in rooms.
• BBQs are provided and are often the gathering spot for supper and chatter. 
• There are a few restaurants in town but check the hours of operation.  The local Coop store is large with takeout items.

What to bring

• Stuff for breakfast in the room and lunches (refrigerator in the room).
• Sun and rain gear, warm clothing – fall can be cold and windy.  Frost is in the air.  Better to bring too much than not enough.

Twin Lakes

• Boating Equipment needed
  • Electric motors only.
  • Float tubes work great but any small watercraft will work well.
  • Boat launch is very good with bathroom at the launch.
• Fishing Info
  • Twin Lakes is catch and release only with abundant large Tiger trout.
  • There are 2 lakes connected by a small, very shallow channel. This is a smaller lake with lots of shallow reedy shores.  The primary fishing areas are the bays and reed shorelines. High winds from the Northeast reduce the fishing area but generally you can still find areas to fish.  A very strong west wind may make launching challenging.
  •  Tigers can be caught trolling or casting in tight to the pencil reeds.  6 to 8 wt rods are perfect.  Both floating and sinking lines can be used effectively.  
  • Favourite flies are olive DDH leeches, mouse patterns, damsel and dragonfly patterns, rolled muddlers, beaver and tans, leech and minnow patterns.  If there is any sign of backswimmers, you're in for the time of your life so make sure to bring boatman and backswimmer patterns.  They're worth a try even when they are not active.
  • In the fall the bottom weed growth in parts of the lake and almost the entire northern lake can be dense.  Be sure to bring slow sink or floating lines to fish in water 2-3 ft or less.  There are still big fish to be had in these areas.
• Contest Rules
  • Must be MFFA member to participate in the contest
  • Time period: Noon Friday Sept 20 to noon Sunday Sept 22.
  • Prize: $50 gift card for Fishing Hole
  • Largest fish prize: Longest fish any trout species – ties broken by second longest fish.
  • Novice prize: Longest fish caught by a novice as defined by an MFFA member of 2 years or less who has not previously won an outing prize.  If no fish qualifies then all novices will be entered in a draw for the prize.
  • One prize per person. E.g. If novice has the largest fish, the next prize goes to next largest fish.
  • If no novice is present only one prize will be given for largest fish.
• Fishing Regulations
  • Practice good catch and release methods.
  • Possession limit is 0 trout. 

West Watjask Lake

• The Parklands area offers a vast number of opportunities for fantastic stillwater fly fishing.  Nearby to Twin is Watjask.  The following info is provided for those that want to explore this lake.  There will be a separate prize pool for those that fish Watjask.
• Watjask is relatively new Muskie lake; one of only a few accessible Muskie lakes in Manitoba.  This Muskie population has been developed by the Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement and supported by MFFA Conservation Funding. The fish are naturally reproducing and 40” Muskie are present.
• Boating Equipment needed
  • The launch is a challenge for boat trailers and users should be very cautious. The water is shallow with a soft mud bottom at the end of a slope.  Low-water years will make it even more challenging.  Boats need to slide into the water and then be loaded from the dock.  Be sure you have a plan to get the boat out.
  • Electric motors are sufficient but gas motors are allowed.
  • Float tubes and small solo watercraft are not recommended due the difficulty of controlling Muskie while attempting to net them.  Mike Corrigan says he would NEVER fish for Muskie from a float tube as he finds it challenging enough to fish them from a larger pontoon.  A large net is a must.  Muskie typically thrash violently when hooked and confined to a net; a fish may be much larger than the width of a float tube or apron.  Removing an embedded hook while the fish is in the water will be difficult if jaw spreaders and long pliers are required.  The health of these fish is paramount; Muskie do not recover as quickly as other species!
  • There are a couple of ways a float tuber can still fish for Muskie.
    • Fish in proximity to a buddy in a boat who can net, measure and release your fish.
    • Remove the “business end” of your fly so that the fish will self-release.  Muskie are the apex predator and will not let go even if a hook is not imbedded.  Their teeth will likely get caught up in the fly material so your odds of landing the fish are still high.
  • There is no washroom at the launch.
• Fishing Info
  • Watjask is catch and release only.
  • The lake is oriented NW/SE so be careful of winds from that direction.  Be sure you can get back to the launch at the south end.  
  • Muskie ambush their prey hiding in reed areas, in deadfall or under rock structure.  They are also territorial often staying in the same exact location.  Accurate casting to these spots will lead to success.  
  • Set your line up with a  7-8 ft leader of equal parts of 40lb fluorocarbon and 25lb fluorocarbon and wire tippet.  
  • Favorite flies are Mike's goldfish pattern, mouse patterns, big poppers and gurglers, wiggle tail patterns; use lots of flash.
• Contest Rules
  • Must be MFFA member to participate in the contest
  • Time period: Noon Friday Sept 20 to noon Sunday Sept 22.
  • Prize: $50 gift card for Fishing Hole
  • Largest fish prize: Longest fish any trout species – ties broken by second longest fish.
  • Novice prize: Longest fish caught by a novice as defined by an MFFA member of 2 years or less who has not previously won an outing prize.  If no fish qualifies then all novices will be entered in a draw for the prize.
  • One prize per person. E.g. If novice has the largest fish, the next prize goes to next largest fish.
  • If no novice is present only one prize will be given for largest fish.
• Fishing Regulations
  • Practice good catch and release methods.
  • Possession limit is 0.

To print this information press the gear icon at the top of the page.  

Register here.