Jeff?s Monthly Fraser Valley Sport Fishing Column and Report for June and July 2016

Spinning fishing took center stage from the end of the Second World War until the mid 1950?s, thanks to the adaption of fiberglass in rod making. As I stated in an earlier column, dedicated innovators used this period to challenge the boundaries of what had been the norm of North American fly fishing for four centuries. In 1955, a twenty two years old Ernest Schwiebert, set the stage for much of what is common belief in fly fishing today. Schwiebert?s revelations on the dietary preferences of trout, sparked a renewed interest in the science and lore of fly fishing. This renewed interest, coupled with the lower cost of fiberglass rods and annual improvements in lines and leaders, brought to the fore a whole new generation of well studied fly anglers.

While interest in the trophy trout waters of the British Columbia interior, and the salmon and steelhead streams of the Pacific North West remained, the classic streams of Pennsylvania, now took center stage. Here in Pennsylvania, a new genius of writers: Vincent Marinaro, Charles Wetzel, Alvin Grove, Charles Fox, George Harvey, and the like; who were highly skilled in the use of both rod and quill, laid the ground work for the caliber of writers and teachers, we have in fly fishing today.


The Report


Fishing on our lower mainland lakes is good. Summer is final here, with both stable weather patterns and heat. Stable weather is what we have been waiting for, to see those consistent feeding patterns. However with the temperature climbing for the next month, you will need to adjust your fishing times progressively earlier in the morning and later into the evening. My personal preference is the evening, well past sunset into moon rise. Be advised that bats like the evening too, so take along a working flashlight and a good pair of leather gloves, to release unharmed, these ravenous little mosquito eaters. For wet (sinking) fly fishing try: Chironomid, Bloodworm, black or green Wooly Bugger, Red Spratley, Doc Spratley, Sixpack, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Micro Leach, Pumpkinhead, or Baggy Shrimp. For dry (floating) fly fishing try: Lady McConnel, Tom Thumb, Elk Hair Caddis, Double Hackled Peacock, Black Gnat, Griffith Gnat, or Irresistible. For Kokanee try: Red Ibis, San Juan Worm, Red Spratley, or red Zonker.


Our lower mainland bass and panfish waters are in prime shape too. Waters are up and the weeds are growing, so don?t leave this one too long, or the weeds might just shut you out. For bass try: Popping Bug, Chernobyl Ant, adult Dragon and Damsel, Joe?s hopper, Stimulator, Foam Frog, Tom thumb, Big Black, black or green Wooly bugger, Dolly Whacker, Lefty?s Deceiver, Clouser?s Deep Minnow, or Pumpkinhead. For panfish try: Popping Bug, Damsel Nymph, Dragon Nymph, Souboo, Micro Leach, Wooly Bugger, Tied Down Minnow, Dolly Whacker, Pumpkinhead, Black Gnat, Adams, Tom Thumb, Trico, Griffith Gnat.


Our interior lakes are in prime time. Again, early morning and evening are the key. For wet fly fishing try: Chironomid, Bloodworm, Red Spratley, Halfback, Big Black, black or green Wooly Bugger, Dragon Nymph, Butler?s Bug, Damsel Nymph, Pumpkinhead, or Baggy shrimp. For dry fly fishing try: Tom Thumb, Renegade, Lady McConnel, Goddard Sedge, Elk Hair Caddis, Black Gnat, Double Trued, Adams, or Irresistible.


The word I received from my sources on this summer?s non tidal salmon fishery is not good. While that may discourage some, the under used trout fishery in many of our provincial steams is as strong as ever. For cutthroat and rainbow try: Rolled Muddler, Czech nymph, Hairs Ear Nymph, Professor, Silver Doctor, Cased Caddis, Tied Down Minnow, standard Coachman, Zulu, Micro Leach, Kauffman Stone, Joe?s Hopper, Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb, Irresistible, Goddard Caddis, or Stimulator.