Sport fishing column for June 28 to July 5, 2010

"The wind blows where it pleases. You hear the sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going."

Over the past few years we have noticed changes in our weather patterns. Some say it global warming others say it's a cycle. Whatever it is that is causing these changes, wind is an agent in it. As an observer of weather and its effect on fish activity; I was fascinated to recently hear that the majority of our incoming winds, have changed direction, from west to south. These warmer south winds are more turbulent, causing frequent storms and seasonal weather. I learned many years ago that timeless things cannot be restricted to the time frames of men. Weather patterns of the last decade are witness to that truth. Our roman calendar tells us its summer, but the seasonal weather we have been experiencing is that of late May early June. The ant hatch that occurred over this past weekend tells me that our lower mainland insects are more aware of the true season than we are. So what does all this mean to you as anglers? In short; spring tactics are my suggestion for BC Day and the unofficial long weekend. Have fun out there.

The report

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is at its best. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try: Big Black, Nation's Black, Red Spratley, Baggy Shrimp, Coachman, Cased Caddis, Halfback, Dragon Nymph, Carey Special, Zulu, or Doc Spratley. For dry (floating) fly fishing try: Tom Thumb, Renegade, Black Gnat, Foam Ant, Griffith Gnat, Royal Coachman, or Elk Hair Caddis. For kokanee try: Red Abbis, Red Spratley, Bloodworm, Royal Coachman, San Juan Worm, or red Micro Leach.

Local bass and crappie fishing is AAA too. Try: Wooly Bugger, Big Black, Blood Leach, Matuka, Popin Bugs, Chernobyl Ants, Crayfish, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Epoxy Minnow, Deceiver, Dolly Whacker, Bucktail, Hair Frog, Irresistible, or Tom Thumb.

Fishing on our interior lakes is coming on strong. For wet fly fishing try: Chironomid, Pumpkinhead, 52 Buick, Bloodworm, Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach, olive Matuka, Butler's Bug, Halfback, Baggy Shrimp, Sooboo, Sixpack, or Green Spratley, For dry fly fishing try: Lady McConnel, Irresistible, Big Ugly, Double Hackled Peacock, Tom Thumb, Royal Wulff, or Elk Hair Caddis.

The Fraser River is in freshet. For better success, focus on the cleaner water in and around its feeder streams. For cutthroat and rainbow try: Rolled Muddler, Mickey Finn, Tied Down Minnow, Professor, Lioness, Kaufmann Stone, Coachman, Zulu, Chez Nymph, Black Gnat, Sooboo, Irresistible, Elk Hair Caddis, or Stimulator. For dolly varden try: large (#4 to #2) Rolled Muddler, Zonker, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Dolly Whacker, black Popsicle, or Big Black.

The Stave River is good for cutthroat and rainbow.

Wild pacific salmon are part of our heritage; say no to the foreign national
companies and their farmed fish.