Fishing report for June 23 to 30, 2008


Another of the departed great interior lodges was Danielson's Little River Camp erected in the 1920's. Danielson's Camp was strategically situated across from the confluence of the Adams River, at the head of Little River on Shuswap Lake. This was a true fisherman's camp, where during the annual fry hatch anglers of any level could enjoy fellowship and trade stories with likes of Bill Nations, Bryan Williams, Haig-Brown, Lee Richards, or Tommy Brayshaw. Aside from the legendary clientele, it was the fish that brought anglers to Danielson's Camp. Regular catches of rainbow trout from 12 to 19 pounds were the draw and inspired Bill Nations to write of them as "the most interesting fly fishing in the world".

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is good. Our current weather pattern is as good as it gets for those high catch ratios. Mornings and evenings are the ticket until the master turns the heat on high. 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.

Our interior lakes are fishing first rate now! That fabulous spring fishing window we have all been waiting for is happening now! The calendar may say June but the fish are thinking spring feast. This week's rating is AAA with high catch numbers and weighins to 15lb. For wet fly fishing try: Chironomid, Bloodworm, Big Black, Wooly Bugger, Nations Silver Tip Sedge, Halfback, Souboo, Sixpack, Butlers Bug, 52 Buick, olive Matuka, or Baggy Shrimp. For dry fly, try: Lady McConnel, Irresistible, Double Hackled Peacock, Goddard Sedge, Tom Thumb, Royal Wulff, or Black Gnat. For kokanee, try: Bloodworm, Red Spratley, Red Abbis, Royal Coachman, Royal Wulff, or Royal Trude.

There has been allot of dome and gloom pitched around lately concerning the state of our fisheries, in particular our sockeye fishery. Don't let the nay sayers get you down because there is still a bright sport on the horizon; this year the Harrison River will see a record return of spring (Chinook) salmon, 200,000 to be exact. Look for them in September.

The Fraser River is fair for springs. For better success concentrate on the color changes around its many feeder streams. Try large (#1 or #2) Eggo, Popsicle, GP, Flat Black, Big Black, or Kaufman Stone.

The Harrison is fair to good for cutthroat. Try Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Bucktail, Stonefly Nymph, Cased caddis, Coachman, American Coachman, Zulu, Black Gnat, Souboo, or Sixpack.

The Chehalis River is fair to good for rainbow. Try Stonefly Nymph, Cased Caddis, Royal Coachman, Zulu, Black Gant, Sixpack, Souboo, Irresistible, or Stimulator.

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