Outlook:
As we are coming off the full moon the tides are starting to become balanced and less drastic in their highs and lows. The weather this weekend is calling for 40% chance of showers with sun and cloud so no excuses, its time to be on the water.
With cooler weather do not forget about checking out some different lakes and check out our report from last week that highlighted some recommended lakes to fish during the summer with bomber chironomids.
Beaches and rivers are fishing well from W. Vancouver up to Squamish. It’s all about taking the time to go explore and find some water that is fishy.
Join us this summer for Vancouver’s premier fishing derby!
The Labour Day Chinook Classic!
Saturday, August 31st & Sunday, September 1st.
With over $50,000 in cash and prizes, this is one event you don’t want to miss!
The fish are released, big cash, lots of prizes, moorage, amazing after party venue at Celebration on Water, great food, good times, all that is left to say is FISH ON!
We are proud to announce that net proceeds go right back to the fish via Pacific Salmon Foundation and the local community via Capilano Little Ones School
Your entry includes the following:
Your chance at over $50,000 in cash and prizes INCLUDING:
Islander Reels / Abel Reels / Simm’s Contender Rain Suit / Maui Jim Sunglasses / Scotty Downrigger & Line Puller’s / Gibbs Delta tackle / Trophy Fishing Tackle / Gift Cert to Restaurants; Flying Pig, Good Wolfe, Heirloom & MORE!!!
Moorage at Mosquito Creek Marina on Friday and Saturday night.
Fisherman’s Breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning.
Live entertainment and dinner Saturday night.
Live entertainment and dinner Sunday night by Hawksworth Restaurant (2013 Restaurant of the Year).
This derby is limited to a maximum of 65 boats so don’t delay and register today!
Fill out your Entry Form or call Jason Tonelli at Pacific Angler 604-872-2204 for more information.
Stillwater Report: Nothing new to report on interior but please check our Aug 16th, Fishing Report for some great stillwater details from John Kent.
Whistler: Ryan O’Connor
Alta Lake – Conditions can be challenging and as it is expected at this time of year, mornings are best. Fishing should start to pick up into the fall.
Green Lake, 19 mile creek and Fitzsimmons creek mouth are producing using purple, black leech patterns and griffith’s gnat size 16-18.
Alpha and Nita Lakes conditions are fair.
Lost Lake reporting good fishing with small terrestrial foam patterns or stimulator type flies size 10-12, black and green leech patterns size 8 10
River Reports:
Capilano: The Cap is still flowing low and the fishing is spotty. Unfortunately, the rain we had last week was not enough to bump the river up. The next high water period should bring in a wave of fresh fish. Float fishing is very effective on the cap. Presentations such as roe, krill, colorado blades and small spoons work well. Fly fishing with full type 6 lines and small olive buggers and muddler minnows is also effective. Please identify your catch properly and release all wild and hatchery marked steelhead.
Squamish: There are still plenty of pinks being caught. There are more coloured up fish about, but fresh fish should continue to push in for the next couple weeks. Fly fishing and float fishing are the most effective methods. Larger pink flies like #8-6 pink wooley buggers and cerise clouser minnows are good choices in the dirtier water. Gear anglers will find pink tinted spinners, marabou jigs, spin’n glos, and wool ties to be effective. You are required to release all trout and char. Get out there and be mindful of the fish and your fellow anglers.
Skagit: The rainbows seem to be a little tricky right now. Nymphs are the name of the game through the mid day. Although the rainbows can be tricky to fool, there are lots of aggressive bull trout milling about. Make sure to stock up on patterns like the Nearnuff Sculpin and Ricks Par.
Matt’s Thompson Report
Our trip on the famous Thompson river was, as always, an experience worth remembering. There is something about the Thompson that draws you in and keeps you wanting more. Maybe it is the dry heat or the warm water on your legs while wet wading – Whatever it is, I love the river and no matter the fishing conditions, stretching your cast and straining your eyes to see a dry fly bouncing down a riffle in the middle of a monster river is addictive.
This last weekend we fished hard on Saturday and caught quite a few fish. Sunday was slower because of heavy wind and a nasty weather change. We used dry flies exclusively and as always, the California blond was the most effective fly. Both days were quite windy and we were forced to use the largest flies (# 6 cali’s) in our arsenal to keep them floating and visible in the choppy water and difficult mending conditions.
We also used double humpies and a number of hoppers with success.
12ft tapered leaders were ideal and we went heavy (8lb 3X) to turn over large flies in the wind. When it calmed down (which didn’t happen much) we used 6lb 4X tippet for a more stealthy presentation. Also, if you plan to head to the Thompson you will want to focus most of your fishing on bubble lines coming of rip-rap or heavy head-end riffles on larger runs. Because of this, keeping the fly floating is critical. We use an aggressive combination of gink and dry shake floatant. Using both right off the hop in the morning and then alternating through the day is more effective that using just one floatant method and will keep the flies up in the heaviest water.
Some years, large sockeye numbers can slow the trout fishing but with low sockeye numbers we expect the fishing to stay strong till closing day (Sept 30th). Also use single barbless hooks and we always encourage catch and release.
*All salmon fishing on the Thompson is closed*
Saltwater Report:
The chinook fishing continues to be good to outstanding at the Bell Buoy, North Arm, T-10 and South Arm. If you have some time to get out fishing or book a charter with us, I suggest you do it now. The big chinook are here with more on the way in the next two weeks.
I was out on a charter the other day, one of my favourites, the father and son charter! I love watching kids get so excited about fishing. Dad, Ben, and Tyler, had a great trip with us. It is fun as a guide when the kids keep asking Dad how much time they have left on the charter because they don’t want it to end. Even better when they start making Dad promise to take them out one more time before the summer is over!
- Ben & Tyler with an 18lb, 20lb, 22lb chinook salmon caught on the Salty Dawg
We have been getting these fish from 35 to 75 on the downriggers with 63 being the hot depth most days. The water has been fairly clear, so we have been running non glow flashers on the shallow rods and glow flashers on the bottom rods. In particular, these Gibbs Flashers have been very productive for us.
- These Gibbs flashers have been great. The one on the left has glow tape and is working well on the deeper rods, model #GRGLRS. The one on the right has “moon jelly tape” on it and has been working well on the shallower rods, model #UVGRMJRS. We have these flashers in stock at Pacific Angler.
We have been using glow green/chartreuse teaser heads with anchovies or herring and a 6 foot leader to the above mentioned flashers.
There have been days when the dog fish are impossibly thick. When this happens a good trick is to troll faster and/or switch to hootchies. We have been doing well on these Yamashita hootchies when the dog fish are too thick to run bait.
- These glow hootchies, with a 32 inch leader, and a fast troll will get you big chinook and keep the dog fish away. On the left is a Double Skirt model #DG5355. On the right is a Octopus model #OGL55R.
There have been some red springs around but we are also starting to see lots of big white springs around. Just as I am writing this report I received a text about a fish north of 30lbs caught off the Bell Buoy. Some of the biggest fish of the season are going to get caught in the next two weeks as the big Harrison River white springs show up.
To book a charter please call Bryce at 778-788-8582 or stop by Pacific Angler for the latest gear and reports.
Jason Tonelli
UPCOMING PACIFIC ANGLER COURSES:
MASTERING LOCAL SALTWATER SALMON FISHING (Cost: $225+tax):
Date & Times:
Sept 4th *NEW TIME* (4spot available)
Theory: Wed Sept 4th / 630pm – 930pm at Pacific Angler store
On-the-water: Saturday/Sunday Sept 7th or 8th (4 per day for maximum learning)
Sept 25th – (5spot available)
Theory: Wed Sept 25th / 630pm – 930pm at Pacific Angler store
On-the-water: Saturday/Sunday Sept 28th or 29th (4 per day for maximum learning)
Over 50 million salmon migrate past Vancouver annually. Learn how to catch these fish with Pacific Angler. This course offers an in-depth look at the local saltwater scene. We cover the local saltwater salmon fishing for the entire year, showing you the how, when, and where. The course includes a 3hr evening seminar and a fully guided day on the water in our 27ft Grady White.
Pacific Angler is proud to be your source for fishing education. Call Pacific Angler today, 604-872-2204, to book your spot. All classes have limited availability.
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, Dimitri, Andre, Max, Eddie and Bryce