Sport fishing column for Nov 16 to 23, 2009


It is time to start thinking about that special gift for the angler or anglers on your Christmas list. This year I am starting with the harder to find items. Every angler, if he or she stays in this game long enough comes to a place where they desire more than the flavor of the month. This requires in depth study, and research; reading. Eighty years ago you could earn a degree in piscatology (the science of sport fishing) in select American Universities. Unfortunately those days are long gone, the quality of literature however is not, thou much of it is out of print and hard to find.

While many would love to have the works of Halford, Kelson, Skues, Woods, or Gordon, in their personal library most would be happy with something more recent. For the angler interested in the influence of both the moon and barometer, either "Moon Up Moon Down" or the "Modern Angler," by John Alden knight is sure to please. "Presentation," by Gary Borger would please those looking for in-depth analysis rise patterns and fish feeding behavior. "Fly Fishing Flies And Tying," by fly tying icon of the last century, William F. Blades, is a good choice for those wishing to have a fly tying encyclopedia of classic fly patterns, with correct tying instructions. "In The Ring of The Rise," by Vincent C. Marinaro will please those wanting a solid introduction to stream fly fishing. Last on this hard to find list is "A Primer Of Fly Fishing," the only instructional book Roderick Haig-Brown wrote on fly fishing. All of these books will be hard to find, so I suggest you enlist the help of a used book seller. While finding these books may be challenging,I feel confident in stating they are sure to please any discerning and studious angler.

The Report

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is fair. Watch the barometer; with all the pacific storms we have been experiencing any upward movements in pressure will spark the bite. Try: Chironomid, Professor, Nations Black, Baggy Shrimp, Carey Special, Souboo, Zulu, Halfback, Big Black, Wooly Bugger, Doc Spratley, or Dragonfly Nymph.

The Fraser River is fair to good for spring, Coho, cutthroat, and chum. For Coho try: Coho Blue, Christmas Tree, green or black Wooly Bugger, Bite Me, Blue Christmas, or Rolled Muddler. For spring try: Big Black, Popsicle, Squamish Poacher, GP, Flat Black or Eggo. For cutthroat try: Stickleback, Rolled Muddler, Mickey Finn, Tied Down Minnow, Professor, Lioness, Coachman, Sixpack, Zulu, or Souboo. For chum try: Eggo, Holliman, Squamish Poacher, Mat green, Dec 25, Red Bull, Flat Black, or dark Popsicle.

The Stave River is fair to good for cutthroat, chum, rainbow, coho, and spring. For rainbow try: Eggo, red Spratley, red Carey, Mickey Finn, Kaufmann Stone, Chez Nymph, Royal Coachman, Zulu, or Black Gnat.

The Harrison River is fair to good for chum, coho, spring, and cutthroat.

The Chehalis River is blown out.

The Squamish River is blown out.

The Thompson River is good for rainbow and steelhead: Try: Steelhead Nightmare, Thor, Squamish Poacher, GP, Popsicle, Big Black, Flat Black, Polar Shrimp, Purple Peril, Eggo, Kaufmann Stone, or Steelhead Spratley.

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