Weekly Fraser Valley Sport Fishing Column

[fishingnewsman]

Sport fishing column for August 10 to 20, 2011

My last column sparked some great feedback, which has inspired me to change the direction of this series of columns. In the original request I was asked to share some of my secrets (tips is a word I would prefer); in particular how does one decide on color when fishing chironomid pupa.

This past week, while on vacation I had the time to go over some of the research done by, Roderick Haig-brown, Tommy Brayshaw, Brian Chan and Jack Shaw, on that subject. Their observations inspired me to read some of the works of other western North American sport fishing authors, as well writers from the eastern end of our continent. This brought me to the Montana based fly innovator of the 1920's, George Croonenbergh, who was known to lie under a fish tank full of water in his back yard, observing the actions of refracted light on specimen insects. Croonenbergh brought me back to the subject of my last column; what do fish really see? All answers came from interesting observations that provided fascinating reading, which I will begin sharing in my next series of columns.

The report

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is fair to good. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try: Chironomid, Bloodworm, Coachman, American Coachman, Professor, Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach, Sixpack, Dragonfly Nymph, Halfback, Doc Spratley, Baggy Shrimp, or Zulu. For dry (floating) fly action try: Tom Thumb, Irresistible, Black Gnat, Griffith Gnat, Royal Coachman, or Renegade. For Kokanee try: Red Abbis, Bloodworm, Red Spratley, San Juan Worm, Red Quill, or Double Trude.

Our lower mainland bass and panfish fishing is good, with evenings proving best. For bass try: Wooly bugger, Big Black, Lizard, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Zonker, Bingo Bug, Tied Down Minnow, Bucktail, Dolly Whacker, Frogs, Poppers, Chernobyl Ant, Stimulator, or Crayfish, in sizes 8 to 4. For Crappie or Pumpkinseed try: Wooly Bugger, Big Black, Micro Leach, Bucktail, Tied Down Minnow, Dolly Whacker, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Poppers, Joe's Hopper, Chernobyl Ant, Royal Wulff, or Stimulator, in sizes 12 to 8.

Fishing on our interior lakes is good. For better success try early mornings and evenings. Try: Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach, Egg Sucking Leach, Chironomid, Bloodworm, Pumpkinhead, Dragonfly Nymph, Halfback Nymph, 52 Buick, Doc Spratley, Green Spratley, or Baggy Shrimp for wet fly fishing. For dry fly try: Irresistible, Black Gnat, Griffith Gnat, Tom Thumb, Renegade, Double Hackled Peacock, Goddard Caddis, or Elk Hair Caddis.

Although river levels in our regions two and three have been dropping for weeks, they are still not what I would call fishable for many shore anglers. None the less, spring and pink fisheries are open along with a sockeye opening on the Fraser for the 13, 14 and 15th of this month. More detailed reporting on local rivers will resume when angling access is reasonable for everyone.