Sport fishing column for July 6 to 13, 2009


As we continue on with our look at the BC sport fishing books for 2000, we have seven: Arthur James Lingren's "Dean River Journal." Phil Rowley's "Fly Patterns for Stillwaters." Barry Thornton's "Fly Fishing." Mark Pendlington's "West coast Steelheader." Mussio, Russell, and Wesley's "Fishing BC," series "Vancouver Island south," "Lower Mainland," and "Thompson Nicola."

We are ending this walk through our BC sport fishing history here. I speak for both my wife Kim and I when I say this study of our fishery from 1862 through 2000, was fascinating. A big thanks to all the authors who took the time to compile all the records for all of us to read: Art Lingren, Van Gorman Egan, Trey Combs, Douglas F W Pollard, Gibbs/Nortack, Steve Raymond, and James Houston.

Events

"Fishing For The Future," is Saturday 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 sliding toward the fair rating. Summer heat means concentrating on early mornings and evenings. 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, Doc Spratley, or 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.

Local kokanee, bass, and panfish fishing is good. 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 in the fair range now that the heat is on high. The summer heat will have fish looking for cooler more oxygenated water, which is found in and around springs and the southwest regions of your favorite lake. For wet fly fishing try: Chironomid (the big bombers), Nations Silver Tip, Sixpack, 52 Buick, Butlers Bug, 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 fishing well for springs, dolly varden, and cutthroat. For spring try: Big Black, Popsicle, black GP, Squamish Poacher, flat black, 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 to good 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 Vedder River is good for spring and rainbow.

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".