Fishing report for April 20 to 27, 2009

By 1996 Norman McLean's classic tale "A River Runs Through It" had run the theaters and was out in VHS. Fly fishing was in vogue. Women all over North America were heading for the streams looking for their own Brad Pitt and men were out stocking that trophy trout. Fly fishing was going through a metamorphous; records show during this period more people were introduced to fly fishing than ever before in North American history. Here in BC it was no different; salmon fly fishing was moving into a mainstream activity and no longer an eccentric pursuit.

This was the year that Arthur James Lingren released his chronicles of BC fly fishing with his book "Fly Patterns of British Columbia."

Also in 1996 well know sport fishing personality Ted Peck along with is college Ed Rychkum released their book "The 12 Basic Skills of Fly Fishing."

Haig-Brown was in print again with "To Know a River" thanks to the efforts of his daughter Valerie Haig-Brown.

Recognized sport fishing authorities Gordon Davies and Van Gorman Egan were also in print with "The Living Waters of British Columbia" and "Waterside Reflections."

Other authors to produce BC sport fishing books in 1996 were: Rod Brown with his "Steelhead River Journal," Jim Fisher with "Tying Flies for BC" and James Sirois with "Kimaquit Chronicles."

1996 was also the year that Ken Miscisco, Scott Parker, and I founded the Terry Fox Fly Fishing Club at Terry Fox Secondary in Port Coquitlam. In future years this club would change the direction of many young lives.

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is finally in full out spring mode. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try: Chironomid, Bloodworm, Nations Black, Baggy Shrimp, Zulu, Halfback, Big Black, Micro Leach, 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.

Good news from the interior. Our lower elevation Interior lakes are ice free and early season fishing has begun.

The Fraser River in freshet; which means it is time to start working the color change around this river's confluence streams. For cutthroat try: Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Bucktail, Mickey Finn, Kaufmann's Stone, 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 Stone.

The Vedder River is fair for steelhead and rainbow, but is starting to color up. For rainbow try: Kaufmann's Stone, Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb, Zulu, Irresistible, Adams, Renegade, or Stimulator. For Steelhead try: Big Black, Flat Black, Squamish Poacher, Thor, Polar Shrimp, Popsicle, Happy Hooker, or Kaufmann's Stone.

The Harrison River is good for rainbow and cutthroat, but again the water level is going up.

The Chehalis River is fair for rainbow, and steelhead.

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

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

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