Fishing report for June 30 to July 7, 2008


Trout fishing on our lower mainland lakes has slowed down due the heat. Now that the heat is on full, it's time to shift to the summer strategy of fishing early mornings and evenings. Working the evening shadows as they form in the south west and move eastward across a lake is a good strategy too. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try Micro Leach, Wooly Worm, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Doc Spratley, Green Spratley, Dragonfly Nymph, Coachman, Cased Caddis, Carey Special, Zulu, or Baggy Shrimp. For dry (floating) fly fishing try Tom Thumb, Renegade, Lady McConnel, Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, Griffith Gnat, Royal Coachman, or Brayshaw's Fancy.

While the trout action in our province slows down during the heat of summer, the bass and panfish action takes off. Many lakes across the southern portion of BC hold these warm water sports fish and most tackle shops can steer you to a good number of producing lakes. For bass and panfish try Clouser's Deep Minnow, Whitlock's Crayfish, Wooly Bugger, Popping Bugs, Big Black, Tom Thumb, Stimulator, or Bucktail.

Our interior lakes are suffering from the heat too. Mornings, evenings, and shadows as mentioned above are the keys to success. It's also a good idea to get out that thermometer, the fish will be looking for their comfort zone; find it and you will find them. For wet fly fishing try: 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, Adams, Royal Wulff, or Black Gnat. For kokanee, try: Bloodworm, Red Spratley, Red Abbis, Royal Coachman, Royal Wulff, or Royal Trude.

The Fraser River remains fair for spring. Try large (#1 or #2) Eggo, Popsicle, GP, Flat Black, Big Black, or Kaufman Stone.

The Vedder River is now open to fishing for both spring and trout.

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, Lioness, Zulu, Black Gnat, Souboo, or Sixpack.

The Chehalis River is fair to good for rainbow. I also have it on good authority that a large number of summer steelhead are now making their way into this system. For rainbow try Stonefly Nymph, Cased Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb, Zulu, Black Gant, Sixpack, Souboo, Irresistible, Adams, or Stimulator. For steelhead try Kaufman Stone, Joe's Hopper, Big Black, Irresistible, Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb or Stimulator.

Next week is Canada's National Fishing Week and in recognition of that, Rodney Hsu of www.fishingwithrod.com is hosting his annual "Fish For The Future" event on Saturday July 12, at the #2 Road Pier (London's Landing) in Steveston. This annual free event offers a wealth of fun, prizes, and fishing how to info for the whole family. Further information on this event and presenters can be found on the events calendar at www.fishingwithrod.com.

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