Fishing report for Jan 26 to Feb 2, 2009
BC Sport fishing during the 1970’s would usher in a renewed interest in fly fishing. The purists like to think it was the lure of the Zen like “being one with the fish” ideology while others claim it was the advancements in gear. Whatever the cause; it was a time of renewed exploration into the watery world of fish and what makes them tick.
First our list of flies created in the 70’s are two by the famous Jack Shaw; “Stump Lake Damsel” and “Red-shouldered Dragon,” created for the Kamloops region lakes.
Next on our list of 1970’s creations, with non specific date records are two by Tom Murray; “Tunkwanamid” and “Rolled Muddler.”
The arctic air is back, so don?t expect our local lakes to open any time soon. We are pushing six weeks of ice over here on our lower elevation, lower mainland lakes and I am beginning to wonder how the fish are faring. In higher elevations, lengthy ice overs are annual things but for our near sea-level lakes it is very rare phenomenon. Are our plant poor, acidic lakes able to sustain enough oxygen to get our local fish through until the ice breaks, or will we have a winter kill? Only time will tell. Whatever happens, the potential for some first class fishing (when the ice breaks) for some very hungry fish, gets better by the day. In the mean time a workable alternative is the many beach fisheries found around the estuaries of our many lower mainland streams. Sea-run cutthroat trout can be found in abundances in these areas at this time while they await natures call to return to their natal streams. Flies to try include: American Coachman, Lioness, Clouser’s Deep Minnow, Mickey Finn, Rolled Muddler, Peter Ross, Coachman, Professor, or Werner Shrimp.
The Fraser River backwaters and sloughs are fishing well for cutthroat and dolly varden. For cutthroat try: Eggo, Flesh Fly, Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Clouser’s Deep Minnow, Bucktail, Mickey Finn, Winter Stone, Coachman, American Coachman, Lioness, Zulu, Souboo, Big Black, Micro Leach, or Sixpack. For dolly varden try: large (#4 to #1) Flesh Fly, Eggo, Bucktail, Rolled Muddler, Zonker, Big Black, or Kaufmann’s Black Stone.
The Vedder River is reported to be as good as it gets for rainbow, dolly varden, and Steelhead, with catches being reported throughout the system. For rainbow try: Eggo, Stonefly Nymph, Elk Hair Caddis, Tom Thumb, Zulu, Fire Ball, Irresistible, Adams, Renegade, Grasshopper, or Stimulator. For Steelhead try: Big Black, Flat Black, Squamish Poacher, Thor, Polar Shrimp, Popsicle, pink Eggo, Happy Hooker, or Kaufmann’s Black Stone
The Harrison is good for cutthroat, rainbow, and whitefish. For cutthroat try: Eggo, Rolled Muddler, Tied Down Minnow, Clouser’s Deep Minnow, Bucktail, Stonefly Nymph, Coachman, American Coachman, Fire Ball, Lioness, Zulu, Black Gnat, Souboo, or Sixpack. For whitefish try: small (size #16 to 12) Eggo, black Micro Leach, black Wooly Bugger, black Stonefly Nymph, or Flesh Fly.
The Chehalis River is fair to good for rainbow, and steelhead.
The Stave River is fair to slow for cutthroat, rainbow, and whitefish.
The Squamish River is fair for rainbow, cutthroat, and dolly varden.
Until the next time, “Keep your fly in the water”.