OUTLOOK
June is off to a strong start with plenty of fishing opportunities across both fresh and saltwater fisheries. Interior lake anglers are seeing consistent action as mayflies, damsels, caddis, and dragonflies become increasingly important food sources. While chironomids are still producing on some lakes, success is often coming to anglers willing to stay flexible and adjust techniques as conditions vary from lake to lake. Locally, bass fishing remains productive as fish transition out of the spawn and now is a great time to experiment with finesse techniques like dropshotting.
Closer to home, the Capilano has seen a few fresh fish push through despite low water conditions, and anglers putting in their time during the morning periods are finding opportunities. With a little rain and cooler weather in the forecast, conditions could improve quickly. As always, careful presentations and a willingness to cover water are key on our local rivers this time of year.
Saltwater anglers are also looking ahead to the arrival of early season coho. These fish can be scattered at times, but when you find them, they are typically aggressive and eager to bite. Combined with improving weather, longer days, and BC Family Fishing Weekend just around the corner, June is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months of the season. Whether you're planning a trip to the Interior, exploring local rivers, or preparing the boat for salmon season, now is a great time to get out on the water.
If you're gearing up for summer fishing, be sure to check out a few of our featured products this week. The Limited Edition, Emerald Green Islander IR-III, has arrived and is already turning heads with its classic click pawl design and stunning finish. We've also been highlighting some of our favourite stillwater reel and spool systems, including the Lamson Liquid and Remix 3-Packs as well as the Orvis Clearwater 3-Pack. These are perfect options for anglers who like to carry multiple fly lines and stay prepared for changing lake conditions. More details on those below!
We also wanted to remind everyone that getting to the shop is easier than ever. Broadway is now fully open, the detour has been removed, and there is convenient short-term loading zone parking directly west of the store, along with metered and free street parking nearby. Check out the updated parking map below or visit our blog post for more details.
If construction has kept you away recently, now is a great time to stop in, stock up on gear, and chat fishing before your next adventure. We look forward to seeing you in the shop and on the water this June.
CLASSES AND COURSES
Introduction to Fly Fishing
Introduction to Fly Fishing Trout Streams
Stalking trout on mountain streams defines fly fishing. In this course we will teach you the fundamental techniques for fly fishing trout streams; dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing. This course will get you as close to being Brad Pitt (River Runs Through It) as you will ever be! This course is comprised of one 3hr evening seminar.
Cost: $85.00+GST
Date: June 16, 2026
Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
BC Family Fishing Weekend
June is almost here and that means that Family Fishing Weekend is coming up!
B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is an annual celebration of fishing that coincides with the Father’s Day weekend. In 2026, the three-day event takes place from June 19th to 21st. This is a great chance to get together with family and friends and try fishing!
From free licences for certain fisheries to events throughout the province this is a great weekend! Check out all the details here!
PRODUCT FEATURE
Islander IR-III Emerald Green – Limited Edition
💚 The Limited Edition Emerald Green IR-III Has Arrived 💚
Some reels just look right.
The Limited Edition, Emerald Green IR-III, pairs a timeless click pawl design with a finish that's sure to stand out on the water. Whether you're nymphing mountain streams, chironomid fishing on your favourite lake, or chasing rising trout, the IR delivers the simple performance and unmistakable sound that click pawl enthusiasts love.
Featuring an adjustable click pawl drag, interchangeable retrieve, and rapid-release spool system, it's built for anglers who appreciate classic design and practical functionality.
Shop Islander IR III on-line Here
We've seen every previous limited edition colour runs disappear quickly, and Emerald Green might be our favourite yet. If you've been waiting for one, don't wait too long!
Stillwater Fly Reels – Our Favourite 3-pack Fly Reel + Spare Spool Systems
How many fly lines do you carry for stillwater fishing?
If you're fishing lakes regularly, chances are you're switching between floating, intermediate, and sinking lines throughout the day. A quality reel with spare spools is one of the easiest ways to stay organized and adapt to changing conditions.
In our latest Stillwater video, we're taking a look at some of our go-to reel systems: the Lamson Liquid or Remix 3-Pack and the Orvis Clearwater 3-Pack.
These systems offer great value, sealed drags, large arbor designs, and the convenience of having multiple lines ready to fish whenever you need them.
Check out the full blog post for more details and the video and see why these reel systems have become favourites among our staff and customers!
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Capilano River Fishing Report
The Low and clear levels have slowed the fishing a bit. We did have a small bump earlier in the week that made the difference for a few anglers in the mornings. A few pods have pushed up, and you will see fish spiraling about the upper pools.
Current conditions are low but with some luck and a little precipitation we might see fishing improve.
The Capilano canyon makes for two distinct fishing opportunities. For new anglers we can look to target these fish two ways. Locate the fish in the pools and give them hell or go hunting in search of less pressured fish. If you decide to target fish in the upper pools, you will need to fish lighter gear with more delicate presentations. Fluorocarbon leaders are a must. Small flies can also be deadly, but the trick is getting them down in the deep water. Try full sink lines roll casted out with a good long sink time. Rio Fatham Sink Lines are a great option!
If you go hunting, I prefer float setups with beads or small chunks of roe. Fish small heads of runs and crunch points where fresh fish might be stuck. Waders or wet safe footwear is nice if you go out exploring. Simms Tributary Waders & Tributary Boots
As with any canyon, be safe and cautious in your fishing endeavors. The Capilano is an urban system, but the bottom of the canyon is still remote and hard to access. There are plenty of old ropes and dead-end trails that can make for some difficult scrambling. No fish is worth injury up there.
Cheers,
Eric Peake
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
BC Interior Lake Fishing Report
As we enter the second week of June, temperatures are looking cool at the start of the week in Merrit, Kamloops and Williams Lake. Things are starting off with a low-pressure system and temps in the mid to high teens and then things warm up later in the week with temps into the mid-twenties. No doubt, there will be some good fishing as the barometer rises next week and we get back to some summer vibes.
Anglers are having success on mayflies, damsels, sedge (caddis) and the occasional chironomid hatch. When no hatches are happening leeches and blobs have been producing under an indicator or retrieved. It’s also getting into dragonfly season, so anglers will start to do well trolling a dragonfly near the bottom on medium to fast sinking line, or casting and slowly retrieving it.
I ran into some sedge (aka caddis) on my last trip. A sure sign summer is on the way.
What to expect on the lakes will vary dramatically based on elevation, so as mentioned in the past few reports, you really do need to have a wide variety of flies and be open to trying different techniques. With weather patterns varying from temps of 15C to 30C and elevations varying from 1,500 feet to 4,500 feet, things are very dynamic. Having a wide range of flies and knowing how to present those flies is critical to success in June and July.
This thick Pennask was suspended just off the shoreline drop and took a leech 6 feet under the indicator. Not what I was expecting to see for early June at this lake, it’s usually chrons in 25 feet.. It pays to be flexible this time of year as you just never know what to expect.
If you are looking to learn, come by the shop and we will be happy to pick out some summer season trout flies for you and teach you how to present them so you can have a productive day. Another great place to learn is by watching our YouTube channel called Pacific Angler TV where there are lots of great videos on lake fishing techniques. Stay tuned for more videos, including some more lake fishing videos and saltwater salmon videos as the season progresses.
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
Post-Spawn Bass Tactics: Dropshotting
As spawning season draws to a close, many bass anglers, like me, are forced to face the music and accept that maybe, just maybe, those fish from the last month were just spawned up and they’re not quite the nail gun bass master they thought they were. After enjoying an explosive spawning season, this is a great time to talk about some slightly more advanced, finesse-based techniques that can help elicit strikes from picky bass. This week I’m going to talk about drop shotting!
Most lure anglers are familiar with adding weight to their line for sink rate and distance, but most of the time we’re adding it between the reel and the lure on the end of the line. Dropshotting is rigging the lead on the bottom of the line and positioning the hook a fixed distance above it to be paired with a soft plastic. There are different technique-specific weights available for dropshotting, but for those new to the technique there’s nothing better than the cheap and cheerful bell sinker and a pack of Gamakatsu Octopus Hooks. Start with a length of leader material about 3’ long of 6-10lb fluorocarbon like the Seaguar STS Fluorocarbon and a size 2 Gamakatsu Octopus Hook. Fold your leader material in half and using a palomar knot, tie the hook approximately halfway up the leader material so you have equal length tag ends coming from both sides of the knot. Remembering that we want to fish with the hook point facing up, tie a swivel to the “top” tag end and then slide the “bottom” tag end back through the eye of the hook. This will help position the hook at the right angle for solid hooksets, and it’s to this tag end we will be adding our bell sinker.
To fish a dropshot rig, it’s as easy as nose hooking a soft plastic on the hook, casting towards our target area and slowly retrieving. You can let the bell sinker drag along bottom, but with a little practice hopping the bell sinker across bottom can yield some really explosive strikes, and those who are willing to spend a bit more time practicing their shaky head techniques will find that they can really milk their time in the strike zone. For first timers, a swimbait like a Crushcity The Mayor in Green Pumpkin is a great choice with either octopus or EWG hook, but I also like to fish the smaller Berkley Gulp Alive 1” Minnows with a size 4 hook for bass and trout simultaneously when the opportunity presents itself!
Jay Awrey
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Salmon Fishing Coho Report
It is early June which means we will start to see coho salmon showing up around the local waters. Last season was great and I would expect this year to be the same if not better. It can be tough to find fish early season, however they are extremely aggressive, so once you drive over a school of them you can expect a rod or two to go off.
A nice hatchery coho on a windy afternoon
Fishing will be good around all the sub-areas of area 29 that are open to coho. Fishing off south Bowen, up towards Gibsons and over in area 17 at Thrasher and Entrance will all produce fish. Look for active fish, bait, birds and tidelines. Coho feed quite shallow in the water collum and will get pushed around by the current and, as a result of that, making tidelines an ideal place to fish for them.
Coho can be caught on a variety of different methods out in the ocean. Trolling UV flashers such as one of my favorites the Gibbs Twisted Sista with a White UV Hootchy on a 28 inch leader is usually very effective.m Smaller spoons like the Gibbs Wee G with a 3-5 foot leader to your flasher is also deadly.
Some of my favorite flasher, hoochie and spoon combos
For those of you without downriggers, don’t worry you can still get into a lot of fish! Coho are shallow, often feeding on the surface down to about 65 feet, so running a spoon off a Deep Six or a Rapala Deep Tail Dancer on its own can yield great success.
Some of my favorite trolling lures and setups when fishing without downriggers.
One tip is to troll fast. Coho love a faster troll; I find between 4.5 – 6 kmh is the sweet spot. However, your SOG (speed over ground) is relative to the current, I find the best way to gauge your speed is off the cable angle of your downrigger. A nice 45-degree angle is what you want for coho if you are using a 15 pound cannonball while trolling 25-65 feet on the downrigger, which is where these early season fish are at.
A nice pair of early season hatchery coho
Don’t be surprised if you hook up with some chinook salmon, as there are a lot around. Chinook are closed (no fishing for chinook salmon) at the moment and should not be targeted. If you do hook one, simply release it at the side of the boat. The gaff release is by far the best method for this, keeping the fish in the water and popping the hook out quickly. If you must net the fish, keep the net in the water, carefully remove the hook and let the fish swim out of the net.
Jacob Leboe
