Sport fishing column for June 22 to 29, 2009


1999 saw another five books released on the topic of our BC sport fishery: "Fly Fishing British Columbia," by Van Karl Bruhn. "Flyfishing Small Lakes for Trout," by Gordon Honey and Kenneth Strand. "Backcasts and Forecasts" by the Osprey Flyfishers of BC. "Hideaway," by James Houston. "Flying Over Rainbows," by Dwayne Parsons and Buzz Fiorini.

1999 was also the year of first ever Fraser Valley High School Fly Fishing Championship, hosted by the Terry Fox Fly Fishing Club.

The works of Roderick Haig-Brown were resurrected again in 2000; with "The Seasons of a Fisherman," by Valerie Haig-Brown and "Roderick Haig-Brown," by Robert Bruce Cave.

Another BC fly fishing legend, Bill Nations, was remembered 2000, by Arthur James Lingen in his collectors book "Bill Nations."

Events

The "Outdoor Lifestyles Show" is this weekend at the Golden Ears Winter Club in Maple Ridge. Drop by and say hello at our Reel Life booth.

"Fishing For The Future," will be on Saturday July 11, at London's Landing in Richmond. The Reel Life teem along with RP3 Fly Fishing team will be there giving fly casting demonstrations.

The Report

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is good. Concentrate on the early mornings and evenings for better success. For our local trout on a wet (sinking) fly fishing try: Chironomid, Professor, Nations Black, Baggy Shrimp, Carey Special, Souboo, Zulu, Halfback, Caddis Nymph, Big Black, Wooly Bugger, or Doc Spratley, Dragonfly Nymph. For dry (floating) try: Lady McConnel, Griffith Gnat, Black Gnat, Black Ant, Royal Coachman, Double Hackled Peacock, Adams, Tom Thumb, Big Ugly, Elk Hair Caddis, or Irresistible.

The kokanee fishing is good, as are our local bass and panfish. For kokanee: Red Abbis, Red Spratley, red Tom Thumb, red Leach, pink Leach, Happy Hooker, Cathy's Coat, or Pink Eve. For bass and panfish try: Clouser's Deep Minnow, Crayfish, Poppers, Big Black, Stimulator, Bucktail, Rolled Muddler, Dolly Whacker, Tied down Minnow, or Tom Thumb.

The fishing on all of our interior lakes is good. For wet fly fishing try: Chironomid (the big bombers), Nations Silver Tip, Sixpack, 52 Buick, Dragon Nymph, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Big Black, Green Spratley, Caddis Nymph, or Baggy Shrimp. If dry fly is your fancy try: Tom Thumb, Adams, Royal Wulff, Lady McConnel, Black Gnat, Elk Hair Caddis, Griffith Gnat, Renegade, or Irresistible.

The Fraser River is fishable again. Although still high it is open for spring and a strong return is expected. For spring (chinook salmon) try: Big Black, Popsicle, black GP, Squamish Poacher, or Kaufmann's Stone. For cutthroat try: Professor, Rolled Muddler, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Zulu, Lioness, Big Black, Coachman, Cezch Nymph, Sixpack or Mickey Finn. For dolly varden try: Large (#4 to #2) Eggo, Bucktail, Rolled Muddler, Dolly Whacker, Zonker, Big Black or Kaufmann's Stone.

The Stave River is fair for rainbow and cutthroat. For rainbow try: Big Black, Zulu, Souboo, Royal Coachman, Elk Hair Caddis, Kaufmann's Stone, Adams, Irresistible, Stimulator, or Renegade.

The Harrison is good for rainbow and cutthroat.

The Thompson River is good for rainbow.
At "Reel Life," we offer fly fishing classes for the budget minded angler. Call us at 604-820-4099.

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