Thompson River
Rafting
on the Thompson River |
The Thompson
River, the largest tributary of the Fraser, drains an area of 56,000
square kilometres. It carries runoff from the Columbia and Monashee
mountains, through Kamloops to the Fraser and Lytton. The North
Thompson rises in the same general area as the Fraser, but runs
south between the mountains.
From its junction with the Clearwater River immediately south of
Wells Gray Provincial Park, the North Thompson runs almost
due south until it joins its other main branch, the South Thompson,
at Kamloops. Kamloops derives its name from the Indian word Cumcloops
meaning "where the rivers meet".
The Thompson
is clear and cold all year, close to 50 percent of the province's
total freshwater sport fishing occurs in the Thompson-Nicola region.
Relative to its size, this region is unsurpassed in British Columbia
for its sports fishery.
The Thompson and Nicola Rivers are historic salmon-spawning tributaries
of the Fraser River, and the small tributary streams where rainbow
trout, dolly Varden, and Kokanee lay their eggs.
If there's a
dilemma for river rafters in British Columbia, it's too many
choices. There are more than 800 rivers and 10,00 creeks, with options
ranging from hohum idyllic to crazy and death defying. The Nahatlatch,
Fraser, and Thompson Rivers are all justifiably well
known for their river-rafting experiences. Of the three, the Fraser
and Thompson are more prominent, though not necessarily more challenging
than the Nahatlatch. In fact, the Nahatlatch provides more excitement
in its varied run than either of the others. Both the Thompson and
the Nahatlatch flow into the Fraser within a short distance of each
other.
Solo
on the Thompson River |
The Thompson
is known for its high water, the mighty Fraser for its spectacular
canyon and scary rapids from Boston Bar to Yale. Among the most
tempting white-water runs is the lower Thompson, downstream from
Spences Bridge. Through 25 sets of rapids - the Devil's Cutting
Board, Jaws of Death, the Cauldron, and more - rafters face submerged
boulders, heavy turbulence, whirlpools, and non-stop saturation.
The season begins in May, once water levels become manageable. Although
it's entirely possible to run these rivers unaccompanied, the majority
of paddlers opt for the services of a certified guide, at least
the first time.
There are few
fishing runs as legendary - or as threatened - as the steelhead run
on the Thompson River and one of its main tributaries, the Nicola.
Steelhead are an ocean-going species of trout (or salmon, depending
on whom you consult) famous for their size, speed, stamina, and tremendous
strength. In order to surmount obstacles in the Fraser Canyon before
entering the Thompson near Lytton, steelhead must possess all these
characteristics. In fall, anglers head for two places in particular:
Goldpan Provincial Park, located on the Thompson River, and
Spences Bridge, located on Hwy 8, about 1 km west of Hwy 1,
37 km north of Lytton. Anglers can readily access both the Thompson
and the Nicola Rivers from Spences Bridge.
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Anglers and
swimmers alike gravitate to Juniper Beach Provincial Park .
Juniper Beach is one of the few access points to the Thompson
River between Savona and Spences Bridge. One of the newest parks
in British Columbia, it was created to help protect a desert landscape.
Some of the world's best steelhead fishing is found here. In July,
you'll be able to watch sockeye salmon as they travel upstream to
spawn in the Adams River.
Nearest Town: Valemount,
Blue River, Clearwater,
Little Fort, Barriere,
Kamloops, Ashcroft,
Spences Bridge, Lytton
Nearest
Park: Wells
Gray Provincial Park, North
Thompson Islands Provincial Park, North
Thompson Oxbows Jensen Island, North
Thompson Oxbows Manteau Park, North
Thompson River Provincial Park, Finn
Creek Provincial Park
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