Sport fishing column for July 20 to 27, 2009

Last week I broached the subject of introducing your family to sport fishing by stating; "too many of us, have become too serious, and too technical, in our drive for perfection, leaving novice anglers no room for fun." Many of us Boomers, who are the majority in sport fishing, have forgotten our roots or dare I say, our first love. Having fun catching fish. Note I did not mention a specific species of fish. For many of us fishing was done with a spinning rod, well used monofilament line, a red and white plastic float, some sinkers, a precious few hooks and bait dug from our back yards. Our venues were often streams not much wider than a ditch and small ponds. Any fish we caught was valued as a mile marker on our road to high adventure and fishing with our Dads. Many have lost that wonder, but it's still out there if you know where to look. Over the coming weeks we will be sharing how you and your family can find it again.

The Report

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is fair to good. To achieve better success with our local trout and kokanee, concentrate on the south west regions of your favorite lake, during early mornings and evenings. For 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. For Kokanee: try Red Abbis, red Spratley, red Tom Thumb, red or pink Leach, or Double Trude.

Our local bass, and panfish fishing is fast moving into prime time. 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 fair. 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 fair for springs, while fair to good for 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. Try: Joe's Hopper, Kaufmann's Stone, Irresistible, Tom Thumb, or Stimulator.

At "Reel Life," we offer fishing classes. Call us at 604-820-4099.

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