Weekly Fraser Valley Sport fishing column; Nov 18 to 25, 2013

Over the past months we have looked at all the fresh water sport fish available here in Cascadia. To be fair, we need to look at our other, even though they are less desired, fresh water fish.

Most of these other fish species: pea mouthed chub, sculpin, catfish, pike minnow, carp, stickleback, etc, are to put it politely unappreciated. While some prey on our prized game fish, and compete with our game fish for food; many are food fish for the large predator among our favored species.

In the company of these so called non-sport species, are three that have devoted fans: The catfish for its delicious table quality. The pike minnow; where bounties are paid for each dead pike minnow carcass and the carp for its wariness and fighting ability.

While not classified as a sport fish, carp are pursued the world over by elite anglers. This import to our waters is a fish that can match wits with the best of us. Scientific studies have found this fish to be the most intelligent of all the fish species. With three methods of hearing and the ability to communicated with others of it's species, this fish can be frustratingly hard to catch at times. Carp are also omnivorous which means they can do well on both carnivorous and vegetarian diets. They can also tolerate water temperatures and water quality that would be terminal to other species; making them true survivors.

Carp also have a connection with Christmas. That's right carp have a link to Christmas. While we in the west place birds and or hams at the center of our Christmas table, many homes in eastern Europe place a large carp in that prominent spot.

Speaking of Christmas, next week we begin our rundown of gift suggestion for those anglers on your list.

The Report

Our lower mainland lake fishing is fair to good. For better success try to focus your fishing on upward movements of the barometer, from late morning through mid afternoon. Try a slow troll or retrieve with: Nations Black, Zulu, Wooly Bugger, Wooly Worm, Pumpkin Head, Micro Leach, Doc Spratley, Halfback, Dragon Nymph, Sixpack, Backswimmer, or Baggy Shrimp.

The Fraser River is fishing fair for chum, coho, and dolly varden. For chum try: Eggo, Christmas Tree, Met Green, Holliman, Dec 25th, Big Black, or pink & purple Bunny Leach. For coho try: Eggo, Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Coho Blue, Bite Me, Christmas Tree, green Wooly Bugger, Egg Sucking Leach, or Big Black. For Dolly Varden try: Zonker, Flat Black, Big Black, Eggo, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Bucktail, and Lefty's Deceiver.

The Vedder River is fair for coho, chum, dolly varden, and rainbow. For rainbow try: Czech nymph, Kaufmann Stone, Hares Ear, Big Black, Wooly Bugger, Eggo, Zulu, Soubou, Irresistible, Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb, Black Gnat, or Renegade.

The Harrison River is good for coho, and cutthroat. For cutthroat try: Professor, Anderson Stone, American Coachman, Rolled Muddler, Black Gnat, Griffith Gnat, Zulu, Hares Ear, Renegade, or Irresistible.

The Thompson River is good for steelhead, and rainbow. For steelhead try: Steelhead Nightmare, Big Black, Flat Black, Kaufmann Stone, Rolled Muddler, Steelhead Bee, Irresistible, October Caddis, or Stimulator.