Fishing The Sunshine Coast Of BC Canada
By Scott Elliott
I am constantly reminded that we live in the most
wonderful place in Canada for angling. All I have
to do is look out the window at the ocean, or drive
past a lake that is not frozen over in the middle
of December to reaffirm this thought. There are
not many places in this wonderful country that you
can have a few casts in mid winter for trout that
inhabit both the freshwater and ocean. I am also
aware that there are very few places that you can
catch Salmon off the beach well into November.
Of course the fishing is not optimum this time of
year, that goes without saying. One must understand
that the fish are still in the lakes, the rivers and
the ocean and we do have the opportunity to try for
them though. It certainly is more productive to be
fishing for the Cutthroat Trout in May when there
is a very prolific midge hatch taking place. We also
know that it can be gangbusters in September and
October when the salmon are coming to your fly more
often than not. The opportunity is what I am talking
about!
It's a crisp January morning and the sun is just about
to peak over the hill side behind you. Sipping your
coffee from your battered thermos you relish the
thought that it won't be long till you are bathed
in that warming glow. Scanning the water you see
the reflection of the distant shore miles away,
wondering if there may be fish rising in that
location. It is at that time that the perfect mirror
image that has you transfixed, is blurred. Looking
at your footing on the frost covered sand you move
slightly closer to the waters edge, thinking foolishly
in your anglers heart that six inches closer to the
waters edge will help you see the slight disturbance
fifty feet away. There it is again! That was no bird,
that was a sea-run cuttroat trout sipping what appeared
to be a small insect off the waters surface.
Stay in control. You know what happens when you get
too excited in these situations. That's when you
quickly flash through the agony of rushing to cast
to the elusive cuttie, only to find that you haven't
taken the time to look behind you at the menacing
trees. Fly caught in a tree, cuttie gone!
What is needed is a small dry fly on your floating
line. Oh! there he is again. Slowly moving down the
beach sipping away at insects. You stare and wonder
for a second how there could be insects on the tidal
waters in January, but only for a second. The fingers
have been busy the whole time tying on a favourite
dry fly. One more sip from the trout and you're ready.
Be careful not to wade out too deep into the water,
don't spook it. Look behind you, no trees. A false
cast or two and the fly is dropping right on the
spot where the ripples from his last meal are
spreading. Wait for it, wait, give the fly one
little twitch with your hand to let the fish know
there is a live morsel that he left behind. Wow!
To see that fish jump into the air and come down
on his unsuspecting victim is extremely exciting!
Yeah, this is the Sunshine Coast of BC! Tomorrow I
think I'll fish a lake. It's mid December. I love it!
~ Scott Elliott
About Scott:
Scott is the owner of Trout Tales Flyfishing Adventures on
the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. You can reach him
at www.trouttales.ca, fishon@trouttales.ca or 604-885-0773.
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