What People Are Saying
A True Wilderness Experience!
A Hidden Gem with a Boatload of History
Truth be told you’ve always kind of needed to “know someone” to get an invite to Camp. Fishermen often like to keep their favorite hidden honey holes a secret and the Moose Camp guests are no different. That being said, both our lakes are mentioned in Steve Raymond’s Kamloops book. A common recommended read for those wanting to explore BC’s fishing meccas.
North or Little Fort, Highway 5 continues about 34 kilometers (21 miles) to the town of Clearwater, where a logging road extends northwest another 34 kilometers (21miles) to Rioux, Dubee and Coldscaur and other lakes. Moose Camp, a fishing resort on Rioux Lake, provides facilities. The road is good except the last mile to camp, which requires a 4×4.
Rioux and adjacent Dubee are at an elevation of 1425 meters, (4,675 feet) with a combined surface area of 30 hectares (74 acres). Coldscaur covers 35 hectares (86 acres). These lakes are part of the Canimred Creek drainage, a tributary of giant Canim Lake. They owe their trout populations to one Herbie McNeil, a Michigan native who worked as a Cariboo freight hauler before he homesteaded at the east end of Canim Lake and ran a trap line along Canimred Creek. In 1935 McNeil and his brother caught some trout in the lower creek, kept them alive in buckets of water and hauled them above a waterfall that historically had kept trout from gaining access to the upper reaches of the creek. The trout were released, and from that initial stocking they spread throughout the drainage and into several lakes, including Rioux.
Ralph Bell, a judge in Everett, Washington, was from the same town in Michigan that had been McNeil’s home. In 1946 Bell and his son, Lew, along with George Duwe and his son, Sam, traveled to the area and found wonderful fishing in Rioux and Coldscaur Lakes. But the small unnamed lake just north of Rioux still was barren of fish, so they caught some trout and released them into the lake. They named the lake Dube, a contraction of the names Duwe and Bell. Over the years common usage has added a second “e,” accounting for the present name of Dubee.
The late Lew Bell recalled that they returned each year for the next decade, restocking Dubee Lake each year (there are no tributary streams suitable for spawning). Other trout caught in Rioux Lake were placed in cans full of water and carried on horseback to other barren lakes in the area, where they were released. Some of these plantings were successful and others were not, but in this way fish were introduced to the lakes now served by Moose Camp. These waters provide fishing for trout up to 4 ½ pounds, though most are smaller.
Steve Raymond – “Kamloops: An Angler’s Study of the Kamloops Trout”
For an even better idea of what Camp is all about take a look at our growing list of happy testimonials.
From Our Guest Book
The best place on earth to unplug. Nothing better than sitting in a float tube catching fish and viewing abundant wildlife in the middle of nowhere. Great food and even better hosts. Brian and Julie provide an awesome experience I look forward to every year.
Paul Brown
Fisherman are typically reluctant to share their secret spots... However, Moose Camp Fishing Resort deserves special public recognition for its beautiful scenery, comfortable lodging, superb hospitality, excellent cooking, and ridiculously great fishing! Brian, Julie, and staff go out of their way to ensure that your experience is not only enjoyable, but you have genuine inclusion in their wonderful family. If you are looking for a place to rejuvenate individually or as a group to renew camaraderie, this is your place. Shh, just do not tell anyone as none of us want it to change!
Ron Lockhart
I can't say enough about MCFR. Bryan and Julie are the best. Watching the girls grow up has become a great part of the experience too. We love the laid back atmosphere. The food is always the best and Bryan's desserts were killer this year. We're all looking forward to next year.
Paul Roberts
Best fishing ever in our 14 years at Camp. Julie and Brian are great hosts - so accommodating to our every need. Brian has turned into a skilled cook - tasty meals and plentiful. Already looking forward to next year.
Jim David
The place where you can go and tune out!. No issues other than what lake you are going to walk to and fish. ( easy walk for most people and ample directions to each lake ). Brian, Julie and Laurent take great care of you. Great fishing and some lakes are more of a challenge and some are easier. Great to be a Moose camper!
Dan Lacroix
MCFR is a magical still water fly fishing retreat. The two lakes on site are beautiful and Rioux in the evening is pure topwater audacity. With many other amazing lakes within easy driving distance, you can have a different fishing adventure every day. FYI, this is not a place for anyone expecting a hotel suite and room service. It's rustic and off the grid with hearty food and great service. Thanks Bryan and Julie!
Mike Goforth
For sure, remote is the location and we caught every bit of fifty Kamloops trout everyday in the lake. I suggest a 4 wt. fly rod, a dozen #10 Tom Thumb flies and a can of Off and you're good to go. The hospitality was great and the food top notch!
Ray Spencer
The camp staff made the great fishing a wonderful experience for our group. My first time at Moose Camp is the first of many to come.
C.P. Grosenick
Fishing great as always. So relaxing with good food and conversations.
Clint Anderson
Great Lakes, great people, great food!
Sean Tse
Our second great visit. Thanks for a comfy cabin, excellent meals & warm hospitality!
Tim & Christine Lopez Osland, WA
This is the greatest place on earth!! Love it
Bill Parker, Tacoma, WA
A great time had by all. Thanks for everything you do to make our stay special!
Ed Easter & party, Bellevue, WA
Brian & Julie Thank you very much for your hospitality & knowledge of the history of Moose Camp. My Dad, Allen Miller, enjoyed the memories that this Camp provided him. He & his father came here quite often when he was a young boy. The joy this stay brought him cannot be expressed by paper & pen. His longing for his daughter, myself (her husband), and our youngest son to experience what he did as a youngster has completed a 3 generational circle.
Thank you both for this awesome memory to take with us back to Kingston, WA.
Eugene Raymond
My first time and I had a great experience!
Kenn Prosser, Tacoma, WA
The Brown party’s 57th consecutive year! The fishing and experience was great as always!
Tom Brown, Tacoma, WA
My first trip here. Amazing experience, love every moment! Brian and Julie are amazing hosts. A big thank you!
Anne, Malaysia
Wonderful trip, great memories and amazing hosts! Thank you Brian & Julie. Best Wishes for a great future.
Daniel, Singapore
I saw a moose. I caught lots of fish and had some for lunch, yummy!
Monica, Korea Seoul
This is about my 16th trip to Moose Camp and I have yet to be disappointed. The fishing has been great, the cabins are great, the food is great, and the hosts & company have been exceptional! The scenery & lake God created are THE BEST! Love this place (and my bed here)!
William Parker, Tacoma, WA
This was my first trip with the famous Brown Group. Everything was beyond my expectations. I have been on many fly fishing trips but nothing compares with this. Today I caught the biggest trout I have ever caught (22” - no, really!). Can’t wait to come back next year!
Steve Marinkovich, Lakewood, WA
Been looking forward to this annual trip for the past 20 years! Was able to have both my teenage boys with me this year, and it was the best trip ever! So thankful for all of the memories….the laughs, fishing, good, friends, cabins and the smell of the forest. Hope to be coming back for many years to come to continue the 40+ year tradition started by my uncle.
David Powell, North Ogden, UT
This was my first year and I’m looking forward to making this a new tradition with my son. I had a wonderful time and experience, my first year of REAL fishing and learned a lot. Loved cabin 3 and ALL the food, including Bryan’s lasagna!
Jason Schermerhorn, Cannon Beach, OR
It was great being able to return to Moose Camp after a four year absence. The fishing was great as always and the food and accommodations were good as always. Thanks for taking such good care of us. I enjoy being able to share this experience with my brother, 2 sons and one grandson.
Ron Lowder, Camas, WA
This was a great trip! This is a great place and I loved the food here as well and also caught a lot of fish here as well. I caught 3 when my Dad was putting a single fly on!
Sam Lowder, Vancouver, WA
Thanks for another great week at Moose Camp. The fishing was excellent as usual but having time to exchange stories and memories with friends and the Moose Camp staff around the dinner table is special. Bryan, Hilda and Lawrence thanks for everything! The food was great and you made us all feel at home! p.s. Thanks for part of your fish recipe. I’ll experiment to get the remaining components 😉
Tom Terry, Olympia, WA
Check us out on Google and Trip Advisor to see more reviews and pictures shared by our happy guests.
In the Media
Given our close proximity to the well known, interior BC’s “Fishing Highway” (Highway 24) we are also located within the Land of Hidden Waters region and therefore have been mentioned in their article titled “11 Fishing Camps to Experience Reel Adventure This Year”
We also had the pleasure of hosting an adventurous photographer by the name of Carsten Arnold who included Camp as one of his numerous stops along his 10 week journey to the Canadian Arctic and Alaska.
Here’s a look at Camp form Carstens perspective.
Here’s the fantastic promo video he created!