After two hours of fishing the tally wasn’t good. Thanks to my suspect fly-fishing skills, I snagged a boulder, my backpack, and a few bullrushes.

But no bull trout. Enter Gandalf…the fly. And when it comes to enticing the big, bad, burly bull trout of the Columbia River, Gandalf – due to his flowing white beard, strong and steadfast demeanor, and rugged good looks, I suppose – wielded plenty of wizard-like power.

As it turns out, fishing in and around Golden isn’t just about the elusive, fierce-fighting “bullies,” which are one of the largest inland wild species in British Columbia and a late-season favourite for fly-fishermen. Thanks to numerous bodies of water – including stunning alpine lakes, freestone rivers, spirited streams, and more – Golden is one of the most exciting and diverse fishing “holes” in Western Canada.

Enter fishing guide, Dave Burns, a.k.a. The Golden Gillie.

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