Fishing report for May 19 to 26, 2008

More BC sport fisheries were immortalized in F G Aflato's book "Sunset Playgrounds" released in 1909. Aflato supplies testimonials of: spectacular trout fishing in at Trout Lake (Lac Le Jeune), abundant and willing cutthroat in the Stave, Harrison, Nicomekl, and Fraser River, good coho fishing around Vancouver, and unparallel sea-run cutthroat fishing around Victoria and in both the Cowichan and Oyster Rivers. Of our sea-run cutthroat fishery Aflato wrote these words, "a chance surely all but unique in all the eleven and a half million square miles of the British Empire".

In 1912, our famous river the Vedder, was brought to the world's attention in Joseph Adams book "Ten Thousand Miles Through Canada". In this book Adams provides one of the earliest records of this fishery with his account of fly fishing its waters for dolly varden.

During this same year Sir John Rogers put Campbell River on the map by writing enthusiastically about its Tyee fishery, in his book "Sport in Vancouver and Newfoundland".

A year later in 1913 Sir Herbert Maxwell also brought attention of the Tyee fishing in Campbell River with the release of his book "Fishing at Home and Abroad".

Later in this same year 1913, Brigadier General Nole Money made his first trip to Campbell River. Was Money's interest in Campbell River due to the writings of Rodgers and Maxwell? We will never know, but the thought is intriguing.

The weather and fishing we have waited so long for is finally here. Its green lights all the way now for first class fishing here on our lower mainland lakes. Warming waters and insect hatches along with hungry fish, all factor into an AAA formula for success. Mornings and evenings are prime time now. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try chironomid, Bloodworm, Micro Leach, Wooly worm, Pheasant Tail nymph, Doc Spratley, Green Spratley, Dragonfly Nymph, Coachman, Cased Caddis, Carey Special, Zulu, or Baggy Shrimp. If dry (floating) fly is your fancy try: Tom Thumb, Renegade, Lady McConnel, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffith Gnat, Royal Coachman, or Brayshaw's Fancy.

The fishing on our interior lakes is on the fast track too. For wet fly fishing try: Chironomid, Bloodworm, Big Black, Wooly Bugger. Halfback, Souboo, Sixpack, Butlers Bug, 52 Buick, olive Matuka, or Baggy Shrimp. For dry fly Lady McConnel, Irresistible, Double Hackled Peacock, Goddard Sedge, Tom Thumb, Royal Wulff, or Black Gnat.

The Fraser River is up, for better success concentrate on the clearer water from its tributary streams. For cutthroat try: Tied Down Minnow, Rolled Muddler, Clouser's Minnow, Bucktail, Stonefly Nymph, Cased Caddis, Coachman, American Coachman, Zulu, Black Gnat, Souboo, or Six Pack. For dooly varden try: large (#4 to #1) Zonker, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Dolly whacker, Big Black, Bucktail, or Rolled Muddler.

The Harrison River is high but still good for cutthroat and dolly varden.

The Stave River is fair to good for rainbow, and cutthroat.

Until the next time, "Keep your fly in the water".