Outlook

It has been an interesting week here in the Lower Mainland, and all of southwest British Columbia. We were hit by several intense Pacific storms bringing unseasonably warm temperatures and extreme amounts of precipitation in a short period of time. Many parts of the province have seen flooding and landslides, resulting in home evacuation in some areas. Fortunately, the storms have passed, and the long term forecast looks relatively stable. Although the rain has let up, the temperature will remain well above freezing for at least the next week. This means that the rivers will take a long time to drop back down to a fishable level.

We advise everyone not to venture out on the rivers until things settle down. You won’t be missing anything, and it is just not worth the risk. It is time to get your Christmas shopping done, tie leaders and flies, and wait for the rivers to drop down to a fishable level.

 

Pacific Angler Holiday Hours

Speaking of Christmas shopping, we have extended holiday hours so there is plenty of time to get all your Christmas shopping done!

Monday, Dec. 15th – Tuesday, Dec. 23rd 10AM – 7PM
Wednesday, Dec. 24th 10AM – 4PM
Thursday, Dec. 25th CLOSED – Merry Christmas!
Friday, Dec. 26th 9AM – 7PM- Boxing Day Sale!
Saturday, Dec. 27th 9AM – 7PM – Boxing Day Sale Continues!

 

Courses

Don’t know what to ask for this Christmas? Not sure what to put under the tree for your favourite fisherman this year? A course with Pacific Angler makes the perfect gift! Choose from any of our great classes in January 2015! A full course listing for the year will be released soon.

 

Fly Tying Courses

INTRODUCTION TO FLY TYING

Class Size: 7

There is no greater satisfaction than catching a fish with a fly you tied yourself. This course was specifically designed to give you the fundamental skills needed to tie proven fly patterns used here in BC for trout, salmon, and steelhead. This course consists of 3 sessions; each session is 3hrs. Students are required to supply their own vise, tools and materials. A 10% discount is available on materials and tools purchased for the course.

Cost: $75.00 Dates: (Jan 19, 26 & Feb 2)
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

TYING JIGS FOR STEELHEAD & SALMON

Class Size: 7

The use of jigs for catching steelhead and salmon is not a new idea; however, in the last few years we have seen a revolution on our local rivers. Fisherman using hand tied jigs are accounting for record numbers of steelhead! Join us around the tying tables and learn how to tie jigs for steelhead and salmon! If you have never thought of making your own lures don’t feel intimidated, Pacific Angler will help you with each step. For those who have lots of experience we will hone your skills and show you the tricks that make jigs the choice of top rods across the Lower Mainland. Students are required to supply their own vise, tools and materials. A 10% discount is available on materials and tools purchased for the course.

Cost: $40.00
Date: Jan 12
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

 

River Courses

FLY FISHING EGG PATTERNS

Class Size: 8
This course is designed to teach you the secrets to one of the most productive presentations in the BC fly fishermen’s arsenal; nymphing egg patterns. This deadly method can be used for different species of trout, char, and salmon. During a 3 hour evening seminar we will teach you key concepts, strategies, and gear that will give you a well-rounded foundation during the seminar portion of the class. Then you will put those skills into practice during a fully guided day on the water.

Cost: $225.00
Dates: Seminar on Jan 14. Guided Jan 17 or 18
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm 

STEELHEAD FLOAT FISHING

Class Size: 20

In this fishery, 10% of the anglers catch 90% of the fish. This is your chance to learn from the 10%! Our 3hr evening seminar will educate you on the gear, water types, conditions and other key variables that put veteran steelhead anglers in that 10%. Mastering this fishery will make you the envy of your friends. Upgrade your seminar to include a fully guided day on the water, putting into practice your new knowledge with a Pacific Angler guide.

Seminar Only Cost: $45.00
Seminar & Guided Walk’n Wade Cost: $400 for one person or $500 for two people
Dates: Seminar on Jan 13. Guided Jan 17, 18, 24, or 25 (custom trip dates are available upon request)
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Christmas is right around the corner and while the staff here at Pacific Angler are busy getting the shop ready for Christmas, they have also been dreaming of what they would like to see under the tree this year! Check back here each week and on our Facebook page to see what each of the guys have their eyes on for Christmas. It may give you some inspiration for the fisherman on your list or that gift for yourself this Christmas!

Matt’s Christmas Wish List:

Do your fishing boots look like they have been through World War III? Have you noticed that a friend or loved one’s fishing boots look like a broken ankle waiting to happen?  My poor old Simms G4 boots are now over 7 years old and have seen hundreds of miles of great BC Rivers. The soles are literally falling off!

So I’ve been doing my research to decide what my next boot will be. The brand is an easy pick. My old boots were Simms and all you need to do is take one look at them to understand why I am going to stick with Simms – 7 years of abuse and they could still probably get me through another season. Needless to say they don’t owe me a penny.  In the world of fishing boots that will last me another 7 years there are three contenders.   The new Simms G4 Boa boot, the new Simms G3 Guide boot and one of the most faithful guide boots around, the Simms Rivershed boot.

All three of these boots offer different features and feel. The G4 is fishing meets the space age. I have used the boa system on other boots and absolutely loved the technology. Unfortunately the boots attached to the boa didn’t hold up. I am excited to see the boa on a high end fishing boot and with the new deep tread vibram soles. At 57.6 oz in a size 10 they follow the space age theme and are the lightest boot in the group. I would not be disappointed to see a pair of G4 boots under the tree this Christmas.

The second boot that I am considering is the Simms G3 Guide boot. In concept and look the G3 is exactly opposite the G4. Simms has stuck with the most tried and true material for making fishing boots – leather. If we could fast forward through another 7 years of hard use I would guess that the new Simms G3 with its leather construction will probably win the longest life contest. This boot comes in both felt and the new vibram deep tread soles.   There is just something about a leather boot that is classic and instills confidence. Tipping the scales at 59.2 oz in a size 10 puts this boot in middle of the field in the weight category.

The last boot on my list has 5 years of performance to back it up.  The Simms Rivershed boot has dominated the mid to high-end boot market and I know more guides rock this boot than any other. Both Dimitri and Jason have fished this boot for years and though Dimitri has worn through a few pairs we all know the abuse that guy puts on gear. The testament is he keeps buying the same boots so they have to be good! Tipping the scales at 62.4 ounces (in size 10) it is heavy but in many ways durability comes with weight and this boot is durable. It is also a more cost effective option than the G4 and G3.

Only Santa will know what boots I will get so I guess I have to wait until Christmas morning!

If you or a loved one is looking for new fishing boot in Vancouver come down to the shop a 78 east Broadway or give us a call at 604-872-2204. We have all three of the above boots in stock in a great range of sizes.

Freshwater Reports

Local Rivers

Squamish River

The Squamish and its tributaries are completely blown out. We highly suggest staying away from the rivers until the water recedes.

Usually this time of year we would be battling low water conditions and hoping for warmer, wet weather. The major food source for trout this time of year is salmon eggs. After every warm rain event eggs get washed of the spawning gravel and winter is trout fishing is on fire. With the repeated extreme storms this fall and early winter, it is hard to say how the fish are fairing.

One positive note is, because it has been blown out so much, the fish have been unpressured and hungry. When it comes into shape it should be awesome fishing. Let’s hope this happens late next week!

While you are on the Squamish, please give the eagles as much room as possible as many of them are now feeding on the dead chum salmon along the gravel bars. It has been noted that angler activity can push the eagles off of these gravel bars and it can affect their feeding habits. Pets should be controlled and kept on leash so as not to disturb the eagles as well.

The Squamish System is 100% catch and release for all wild species. Retention of one hatchery coho (adipose fin clipped) is permitted. Be careful when identifying your catch, hatchery coho are rare on this system.

If you see any people fishing illegally make sure you call the ORR (observe, record, report) line 1-800-465-4336.

Matt Sharp

Chilliwack River

The Chilliwack system is blown out along with every other river in the Lower Mainland. Hopefully the water drops soon enough, and we can have a crack at some early winter steelhead. Perhaps things will drop into shape by mid to late next week as the forecast looks much drier ahead. In the meantime, stock up on steelhead gear at Pacific Angler in anticipation of some fresh fish coming with this high water.

We usually see a push of fish around Christmas, so this high water event should bring those fish in and we should see them once things drop. Big presentations will be they key, like 6″ hot pink rubber worms and big pink intruders.

Sam Graham, Max Stickel, & Dimitri Roussanidis

Chehalis River

The Chehalis is a raging torrent, and should not be approached until the water recedes. It usually drops a little faster than the Chilliwack, so keep that in mind.

Capilano River

The Capilano is extremely high and can be dangerous at these heights. Maybe by late next week it will be a decent height. The slide in the upper portion of the reservoir is still adding a lot of colour to the water, even at low flow. Between now and March, you may encounter the odd winter run steelhead.

Please note: ALL steelhead (adipose clipped and unclipped) must be released with the utmost care.

 

Local Lakes

As long as there is no ice, you may encounter trout in the local lakes, but fishing will be slow between now and next spring.

Max Stickel

 

Local Saltwater

The wet and windy weather has not been very conducive to heading out and searching for winter chinook, crabs and prawns this past week. It is right about now that we usually see a few fish starting to show up off West Vancouver and around the freighters, so once the rain and the wind let off, we will be out there looking for the first winter chinook of the year. The winds don’t look too bad for this weekend and for early next week, there is even a few days of sun in the forecast! So this might well be the time to get out and see if there are any fish around. There won’t be too much going on for river fishing (see the pictures on our Friday Fishing Report), so that leaves some early winter chinook fishing and some Christmas shopping on the to do list for the weekend. This weeks tip for winter chinook is not to wait for the report that it is good. These fish move around a lot, here one day and gone the next. They are not like the fish we chase in the summer that are stacking up along the shore of W. Van waiting for some rain so they can go up the Capilano or Seymour rivers. These winter chinook are nomadic feeders, constantly searching for bait. They will come in on a tide and be gone the next tide. Many times we have had great fishing one day, called more clients, and headed out the next day and had tough fishing. Or we have had tough fishing the day before, and expected it to be tough the next day, only to have awesome fishing! So this time of year you make your own report and your own luck by getting out there and finding fish.

Hope to see you there, dress warm, and bring the hot coffee!

Jason Tonelli

The P.A. Saltwater Guide Team: Jason, Eddie, Dimitri

 

Give us a call on our charter phone at 778-788-8582 to book a charter or come by the shop for all the right gear and some friendly advice. The shop number is 604-872-2204.

 

On behalf of the Pacific Angler staff we wish you the best in your fishing endeavors and we hope to see you either at the shop or on the water. To check out the latest Pacific Angler news view the Pacific Angler Facebook page.

 

Jason, Matt, Max, Andre, Sam, Eddie, Dimitri, Kathryn