Sport fishing column for Aug 24 to 31, 2009

I have decided to step aside from our current series to address the annual Sockeye strife. Four years ago Kim and I decided to stop writing about this political football in this column because of the stonewalling being exercised by the different user groups. It is time to stop the infighting amongst the fishermen, sport, commercial, and native; and find a common ground where we can stand united against the mismanagement of our pacific salmon by our two levels of government. Our pacific salmon constitute a large part of the culture and heritage of British Columbia. History records that these fish were a determining factor in the placement of our border with the US. Yet our governing bodies have allowed foreign national to set up an industry that is decimating our wild salmon, while we point fingers at each other. "A house divided cannot stand," and the annual standoffs on our Fraser River are testament of that. Don't rely on media hype, government propaganda, or friend passed here-say; do your own homework and get the true story. After you get the truth write your governing bodies and tell them to fix it or loose your vote. They are your fish and they are our fish, and if we don't do what we can to protect them; we will loose them.

The Report

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes looks good; stick early mornings and evenings are the ticket. 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.

Bass, and panfish fishing is good. 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.

All our interior lakes are fishing very well. For wet fly fishing try: Chironomid, 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 Stave River is 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. For cutthroat try the above along with Roller Muddler, Clouser's Deep Minnow, lioness, Coachman, Cezch Nymph, Sixpack, or Mickey Finn.

The Vedder River is good for 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, Rolled Muddler, or Stimulator.

Beach fishing for pinks is reported to be good where you can access it, from Horseshoe Bay to Squamish. For Pink Eve, Cathy's Coat, Happy Hooker, or pink Bunny Leach.

Need some fly fishing lessons? Call us "Reel Life Ministries" at 1-604-820-4099.

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