Fishing report for April 13 to 20, 2009

Two more books were released in 1993: "Trout Tales and Salmon Stories," by W A MacDonald and "Totem Topics," by Ron Grantham. The latter book was a limited edition collection of fly fishing stories written by members of the Totem Fly Fishers, in remembrance of their first twenty five years.

1994 saw eight books on our provincial sport fishery: "The Ardent Angler," by Rod Bell-Irving. "The Living Rivers of British Columbia," Gordon Davies. "Adam's River," by Mark Hume. "Island Angler's Guide," by Dave Wiwchar and Anderw Kolasinski. "Salmon of the Pacific," by Adam Lewis. "British Columbia Salmon," by Pamela McColl. "Kamloops," by Steve Raymond. This addition of Raymond's book is a full color revision of his prized 1980 work. "Thompson River Journal," by Arthur James Lingren. Lingren's book on the Thompson River is classic work on the history and beauty of this famous river.

In 1995 there were five books released: "Salmon To A Fly," Jim Crawford. "The Art & Science of Speyfishing," by Mike Maxwell. "Steelhead," by Barry Thornton. "Saltwater Fly Fishing for Pacific Salmon," by Barry Thornton. "The Last Cast," by radio and environmental personality Rafe Mair.

Also in 1995; the man I often refer to as the patriarch of our local youth based fly fishing clubs, Reg Cichos, began his youth fly fishing club at Arch Bishop High School in Port Coquitlam. Fourteen years later this soft spoken mentor is still introducing generations of kids to this great sport.

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is good. Continue concentrating on the warmer water in the north eastern sections of your favorite lake, during those warm sunny afternoons. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try: Chironomid, Bloodworm, Nations Black, Baggy Shrimp, Zulu, Black Gnat, Micro Leach, Halfback, Big Black, or Dragonfly Nymph. If dry (floating) fly, yes it's warm enough for surface action, try: Lady McConnel, Griffith Gnat, Black Gnat, Royal Coachman, Double Hackled Peacock, Adams, Tom Thumb, Elk Hair Caddis, or Irresistible. For kokanee try: Bloodworm, Chironomid, Red Spratley, Red Abbis, Black Gnat, Griffith Gnat, Royal Trude, or Royal Coachman.

The Fraser River backwaters and sloughs are fishing well for cutthroat and dolly varden. For cutthroat try: Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Bucktail, Alevin, Mickey Finn, black Stonefly Nymph, Egg & I, Coachman, American Coachman, Lioness, Zulu, Souboo, Big Black, Micro Leach, Czech Nymph, Strawman, or Sixpack. For dolly varden try: large (#4 to #1) Bucktail, Rolled Muddler, Zonker, Big Black, or Kaufmann's Black Stone.

The Vedder River is good for rainbow, dolly varden, and steelhead. For rainbow try: Eggo, Kaufmann's Black Stone, 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 whitefish try: small (size #16 to 12) Eggo, black Micro Leach, black Wooly Bugger, Stonefly, Adams, Lady McConnel, Griffith Gnat, Black Gnat, Elk Hair Caddis, or Flesh Fly.

The Chehalis River is fair for rainbow, and steelhead.

The Stave River is fair 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".