Sport fishing column for Dec 14 to 21, 2009


With only two weeks left to shop for the anglers on your Christmas list; we have short listed our gift suggestions to items found at most angling and outdoor sports retailers.

Neoprene fishing gloves, a hand warmer, fly tying or lure making kit, table mounting magnifying glass and light for fly tying or lure making, polarized sunglasses, clip on magnifying lenses that can clip on to either eyeglasses or a hat, compact binoculars, a water proof disposable camera (no one gets upset if these ones do get damaged), long underwear, wool socks, high quality rain gear in a drab color, a good thermos, fishing vest, line clippers, needle nosed fishing pliers, rust resistant tape measure, head lamp, Knot tier, knot book, anglers log, magnetic net holder, or a copy of popular Mechanics "How To Temp a fish" available through chapters books.

Next week will share our last minute suggestion.

The Report

The ice should be off our lower mainland lakes by the end of the week, but don't expect the fishing to improve until the rain stops. At this point it looks like there will be a short window opportunity, for reasonably good fishing between when the rain ends on the weekend and the return of cold weather next week. Concentrate the areas of your favorite lake that receive the most sunlight with: Chironomid, Professor, Nations Black, Baggy Shrimp, Souboo, Zulu, Halfback, Big Black, Wooly Bugger, Doc Spratley, or Dragonfly Nymph.

The Fraser River back waters and sloughs are fair for cutthroat and rainbow. For cutthroat try: Flesh Fly, Eggo, Rolled Muddler, Mickey Finn, Tied Down Minnow, Professor, Lioness, Winter Stone, Coachman, Zulu, Chez Nymph, or Souboo. For rainbow try the above along with red Spratley, red Carey, Kaufmann Stone, Royal Coachman or Black Gnat.

The Stave River is fair for cutthroat, rainbow, and coho. For coho try: Coho Blue, Christmas Tree, green or black Wooly Bugger, Bite Me, Blue Christmas, or Rolled Muddler.

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

The Chehalis River is fair for cutthroat and rainbow.

The Vedder River is fair for cutthroat, and rainbow.

The Squamish River is slow for cutthroat, and dolly varden. For dolly varden try: large #4 to #2, Zonker, Eggo, Bucktail, Big Black, or Clouser's Deep Minnow.

The Thompson River is fair to 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.

Last but not least, on Boxing Day, December 26, the Sport Angler Network will be hosting a first of its kind in Canada, outdoor and angling related online auction. All details are available at www.auctionsh.ca

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