Fishing report for Nov 3 to 10, 2008

The 1950's were a banner era for BC sport fishing literature with a total of twenty three books referencing our province between 1952 and 1959.

In 1950 alone there were five books:

"The Enterprising Angler", by W. A. Adamson. In this work Adamson refers much to fly fishing our interior lakes and more specifically Hihium Lake.

"Northwest Angling", by Enos Bradner. In this book many of our steelhead waters are described.

"The Fraser", by Bruce Hutchinson. While this book is primarily on the history of our great river, it does devote one chapter specifically to fishing it.

"Flies", by Edson J. Leonard. This book references flies the day from around the world, including BC favorites. Significant to us in this work, is the inclusion of letters from sport fishing legends of the day, Roderick Haig-Brown, Sandi Sandiford, and Joe Kendall, listing their favorite flies and waters.

"Fishing Adventures in Canada and USA", by G. D. Luard. In this book Luard tells the tails of fishing the Cowichan and Campbell River. Included in this book is a rare photo of Sir Richard Musgrave with his 70 lb Campbell River Tyee taken in 1896.

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is slow. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try Chironomid, Bloodworm, Micro Leach, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Doc Spratley, Green Spratley, Dragonfly Nymph, Coachman, Carey Special, Zulu, or Baggy Shrimp. Dry (floating) fly season will soon come to an end, but still do-able at present on warm sunny afternoons with Tom Thumb, Renegade, Lady McConnel, Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, Griffith Gnat, Royal Coachman, or Brayshaw's Fancy.

Our interior lakes are still fishing very well. For wet fly fishing try: Big Black, Wooly Bugger, chironomid, Bloodworm, Nations Silver Tip Sedge, Halfback, Souboo, Sixpack, Butlers Bug, Micro Leech, Dragonfly Nymph, 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.

The Fraser River is slowing down but still producing spring, coho, and chum. For coho try Christmas Tree, Coho Blue, Blue Christmas, olive Wooly Bugger, Egg Sucking Leech, Bite Me, or Rolled Muddler. For spring try large (#1 or #2) Eggo, Popsicle, GP, Flat Black, Big Black, or Kaufman Stone. For chum try Christmas Tree, Happy Hooker, Flat Black, Dec 25, Fire Ball, kelly green Wooly Bugger, or Mat Green.

The Vedder River is fair to good for rainbow, coho, and chum. For rainbow try Eggo, Stonefly Nymph, Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb, Zulu, Fire Ball, Irresistible, Adams, Renegade, Grasshopper, or Stimulator.

The Harrison is good for cutthroat, chum, coho, and spring. For cutthroat try Eggo, Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Bucktail, Stonefly Nymph, Coachman, American Coachman, Fire Ball, Lioness, Zulu, Black Gnat, Souboo, or Sixpack.

The Chehalis River is slow to fair for rainbow, spring, chum, and coho.

The Stave River is good for chum, coho, and spring.

The Squamish River is closed for chum retention.

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