Weekly Fraser Valley Sport Fishing Column and Report

[fishingnewsman]

Weekly Fraser Valley Sport fishing column; August 4 to 11, 2014


Last week?s column drew some criticism and rightly so. I was pleased to see the concern. While this is a great time of year to catch trophy trout it is also a time that can be the most lethal to these big fish. Oxygen is the issue. As water temperature rises, it holds less and less oxygen.

In last week?s column I recommended looking for lakes with numerous springs feeding them. These springs not only provide cooler water, they also add oxygen, in much the same way an aerator feeds oxygen into a fish tank. I also recommended pursuing fish in freestone streams. Water rushing over the stone sub straight, in these streams, provides the needed aeration.

Here is the dilemma before us. We have all the ducks in a row for great fishing, but we have one element that is highly lethal to fish. Putting fish at risk defeats our purpose as responsible anglers. So what do we do? The answer is quite simple. Be open minded and willing to pick another location. Often the difference between success and failure is location. If you are going to be bullheaded and refuse to move; prepare to fail. When choosing a location, before unloading your gear, test the water. Trout like water that ranges from 44 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Is that comfortable swimming water? I don?t think so. Finding the right water to fish during summer heat, is as simple as putting your hand in up to your wrist. If it is anything more than cold, find another spot. Better yet, put a bare foot into the water. If it makes you cringe, you have a winner.



The Report

Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is good. Try working the south west sections of your favorite during the evening through night fall for better success. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try: Wooly Bugger, Zulu, Baggy Shrimp, Dragonfly Nymph, Doc Spratley, or Halfback. For dry (floating) fly fishing try: Griffith Gnat, Royal Coachman, Black Gnat, Irresistible, Renegade, or Elk hair Caddis. For kokanee try: Bloodworm, San Juan Worm, Red Ibis, Red Spratley, or Kokanee killer.

The bass and pan fish, fishing is good. For bass try: Big Black, Clouser?s Deep Minnow, Lefty?s Deceiver, Dolly Whacker, Wooly Bugger, Pumpkinhead, Gomphus Bug, Popin Bug, Foam Frog, Chernobyl Ant, Adult Damsel, or Stimulator. For Pan fish try: Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach, Halfback, Pumpkinhead, Dolly Whacker, Tied Down Minnow, Popin Bug, or Chernobyl Ant.

Our interior lakes are slow to fair. Try: Pumpkinhead, Big Black, Micro Leach, 52 Buick, Sixpack, Butlers Bug, Dragon Nymph, Green Spratley, or Baggy Shrimp, for fishing wet. For dry fly action try: Lady McConnel, Big Ugly, Black Gnat, Tom Thumb, or Irresistible.

The Fraser River is good for spring and Sockeye. Tidal section are open now and Non-tidal open Wednesday August 6. For spring try: Big Black, GP, Squamish Poacher, Eggo, Flat Black, Mat Red, or Kaufmann Stone. For sockeye try: Lime green or chartreuse patterns.

The Thomson River is good for rainbow. Try: Kaufmann Golden stone, Joe?s Hopper, Tom Thumb, Irresistible, Elk Hair Caddis, or Rolled Muddler.