OUTLOOK
Happy Long Weekend! It is looking like it will be a cool and damp weekend for us, perhaps not the weather that all would like to see for a long weekend but in our mind, it is perfect for fishing!
As we head into the back half of May we have reports on the Squamish and Capilano Rivers this week and an Interior lakes fishing report as well.
Don’t forget to check out our great line up of classes coming up next month including Matt’s Introduction to Fly Fishing course and an Introduction to Fly Fishing Trout Stream course. These courses sell out every year so be sure to grab your spot today. More details on that below.
For the saltwater anglers looking ahead to the June 1 coho opening (see DFO Fisheries Notice on that here) be sure to tune in to next week’s report where we will chat all things coho as we look ahead to June.
If you’re headed out for a long weekend fishing trip and need to swing by the shop before you go, we are here tonight until 7pm and it’s regular hours all weekend long. We are closed on Monday so the retail team can spend some time on the water.
Victoria Day Long Weekend Hours
Friday May 16 | 10am-7pm
Saturday May 17 | 10am-6pm
Sunday May 18 | 11am-5pm
Monday May 19 | Closed – see you on the water!
CLASSES AND COURSES
We have a great line up of courses. Check out all of our upcoming May and June courses below and our full course listing here and sign up today online or over the phone at the shop - 604.872.2204!
Pacific Angler Course: Introduction to Fly Fishing
Pacific Angler Course: 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
Class Size: 20
Date: Jun 18
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Sign up here
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND UPDATES
Steelhead Lager X Pacific Salmon Foundation Free Event
Our friends at Steelhead Lager are hosting an awesome event coming up later this month. Join them for a free event where folks can sample Steelhead Lager and learn about the amazing work the Pacific Salmon Foundation is doing. They’ll also have a live fly-tying demo, complimentary snacks, and a merch giveaway.
When: May 30th from 4–7 pm (the Friday before Wild Salmon Day on June 1st).
Where: Toby’s Liquor Store, 2733 Commercial Drive
More details and RSVP here!
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Squamish River Fishing Report
We’re now halfway through May, and while the Squamish systems are still hanging in there, it's tough to say for how much longer. The warm weather has brought consistently higher water levels, with some sharp spikes that have made fishing a bit more challenging. That said, despite the rapid rises, visibility and colour have remained relatively consistent. We haven’t seen the excessively dark, muddy water that often accompanies sudden level changes. While these aren’t ideal conditions, the system has remained fishable and reasonably productive.
With limited visibility and darker water, big flies with large profiles are a solid go-to. In faster water and reduced clarity, fish have less time to spot your fly—so give them something they can actually see. Bright colours, bulkier patterns, and solid presentation can go a long way in these conditions.
If you come across slower, walking-speed water, take your time and work it thoroughly. I’m usually a big advocate for covering water and keeping a steady pace, but when visibility drops, so does the chance of a fish seeing your fly. Slowing down a touch and putting a couple of extra swings through productive water can really pay off.
A nice bull from the past week
Looking ahead, the forecast is for warm and wet conditions that could make things tougher. Expect the water colour to shift from green to brown, and eventually to that dreaded grey that usually signals the end of the Spring season. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when that will happen, but historically, it’s around the end of May.
If you’re planning to get out there, keep a close eye on the river graphs and come prepared with a good assortment of gear to match whatever the system throws your way.
Tight lines,
Jake Comrie
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Capilano Update
The Cap is showing some signs of life this week. Good tides and wetter weather have improved fishing. Anglers getting up early and making the trek down the canyon have been rewarded with a few early fish squeaking up the river.
Early season fishing can be spotty but more successful reports are coming, with multiple techniques for taking fish. Fishing small clumps of roe under a lightweight float has been good with small spinners and spoons taking their share as well. Beads, deli shrimp and flies will also take fish. Keep the gear light and the presentations small as these fish can be spooky in the clear canyon water.
Fly anglers should also be looking hard at the water levels this time of year. Low levels on a rainy day is my favorite time to target spooky coho. Set yourself up with a 6-8 wt rod with a clear intermediate sinking line. This is best for targeting spooky fish in clear water. Cast and strip one of Andres famous Capilano coho buggers and you should find fish.
The next few days will show light rain for the North Shore. If we get the precipitation forecasted, the fishing should only get better. I don’t think this will be enough water to open the dam but keep an eye on the water levels before you head out. Looking ahead we should see more fish push up with the rain and start to stack in the upper pools.
If you are new to this fishery, remember the Capilano is a canyon system. Steep cliff walls and deep pools make for limited wading access. A good pair of hiking boots can be more important than a pair of waders. Don’t be overconfident in the old ropes you find along the trails and make safe decisions when navigating the river. As always, be courteous to your fellow anglers and leave your fishing location cleaner than when you found it.
Eric Peake
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
BC Interior Lakes Fishing Report
The lake fishing reports continue to roll in from friends and customers and for the most part the fishing has been good to excellent. There are a lot of lakes experiencing great chironomid hatches right now and the lower elevation lakes are also starting to see consistent mayfly hatches.
Taking a look at the weather for Kamloops and Williams Lake, you can see things are remaining fairly cool in general.
The Kamloops forecast shows highs of 20 but no blistering 30 plus days.
Sometimes in years past by now we would have had some high 20’s and low 30’s days for the Kamloops area. The fact things are remaining relatively cool, and overcast is a good thing. This will keep the chironomid hatches consistent and the mayfly love hatching on overcast days. The alternative is a lot of heat too quickly and all the bugs come off at once and the lakes heat up quickly. So, although many non-fishers might complain about the weather, from a lake fishing perspective I would say it’s perfect.
Things are quite cool up country, prolonging the season for now.
Further up-country things are still very cool, and we aren’t even seeing any days into the 20’s and some low single digit numbers at night. The fishing has been a bit spottier up there on some lakes, but for the most part the chironomid hatches are good, and the fishing has been as well. There are a few mays starting to show so be ready for that, but for the most part it is peak season chironomid fishing right now in the Boo.
Getting back to the Mays… if you haven’t fished them much here is some great information, including a video on some fishing strategies.
It pays to have a good selection of mays on hand this time of year because if the fish go on them and you don’t put the chironomid rods away and change up, you are in for a slow day. It also pays to have a good selection of damsels as those will be right around the corner when the heat gets going later this month and into June. We have lots at the shop for you to choose from.
Make sure you have a good selection mayflies and damsels if you are heading to the lakes later this month and into June.
As you can see from the weather, don’t forget your cold weather gear, but I’ll take these cooler temps and a longer lake season over a heat wave any day. I’m heading up for a week myself, so maybe I will see you up there and I will be checking in and doing some Instagram posts and some for next week’s report. My IG account is @jasonrtonelli
See you in the shop or on the water,
Jason Tonelli
