Fishing report for Jan 19 to 26, 2009



Last week we began looking at the BC sport fishing literature of the 1960's; moving on in that genre we open with 1967 and another newspaper writer who made the jump to books.

Alec Merriman, outdoor columnist for the Victoria Times Colonist, released his book "Outdoors with Alex Merriman" in 1967.

There were four books released on our province's sport fishery: "Fishing in BC," which was a second book for Province sport fishing columnist, Mike Cramond. "The Western Angler," by Roderick Haig-Brown, which was a reprinted addition of his 1947 work. "BC Fresh Water Fishing Guide," which was a where to go work by the Northwest Sporstman's Club. "Fresh Water," by Edward Weeks, which profiles Roderick Haig-Brown.

"Thirty-four Ways to Cast a Fly," by John G Lynde, a fly casting manual featuring an introduction by Roderick Haig-Brown.

As we close out our look at the 60's, there is one more item completely our own to mention from this era; the Tomic Plug. Created in our coastal waters it has been a proven performer since the early 60's.

Next week the 70's.

Our lower mainland lakes are still covered with a soft coating of ice; hopefully they will be fishable by the weekend. As I mentioned before, a workable alternative is the many beach fisheries found around the estuaries of our many lower mainland streams. Sea-run cutthroat trout can be found in abundances in these areas at this time while they await natures call to return to their natal streams. Flies to try include: American Coachman, Lioness, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Mickey Finn, Rolled Muddler, Peter Ross, Coachman, Professor, or Werner Shrimp.

The Fraser River backwaters and sloughs are fishing well for cutthroat and dolly varden. For cutthroat try: Eggo, Flesh Fly, Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Bucktail, Mickey Finn, Winter Stone, Coachman, American Coachman, Lioness, Zulu, Souboo, Big Black, Micro Leach, or Sixpack. For dolly varden try: large (#4 to #1) Flesh Fly, Eggo, Bucktail, Rolled Muddler, Zonker, Big Black, or Kaufmann's Black Stone.

The Vedder River is good for rainbow, dolly varden, and Steelhead, with catches being reported throughout the system. For rainbow try: Eggo, Stonefly Nymph, Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb, Zulu, Fire Ball, Irresistible, Adams, Renegade, Grasshopper, or Stimulator. For Steelhead try: Big Black, Flat Black, Squamish Poacher, Thor, Polar Shrimp, Popsicle, pink Eggo, Happy Hooker, or Kaufmann's Black Stone

The Harrison is good for cutthroat, rainbow, and whitefish. 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. For whitefish try: small (size #16 to 12) Eggo, black Micro Leach, black Wooly Bugger, black Stonefly Nymph, or Flesh Fly.

The Chehalis River is fair to good for rainbow, and steelhead.

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

The Squamish River is fair for rainbow, cutthroat, and dolly varden.

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