OUTLOOK
We will be getting some cloud and possibly some rain in the forecast this weekend but temperatures should say within seasonal norms and it looks as though all next week we will see sun and warm temperatures.
Ocean fishing has slowed a little in the last couple days. We are still finding some nice fish out on our daily charters so it is worth getting out but there are noticeably less fish around. As every fisherman knows, things can change in a day and we’re hoping for that to happen. It is just a matter of another wave of fish coming down the Georgia Straight. That could happen tomorrow or next week – the only way to find out is to get out on the water! Check out Jason’s report for all the details on what we have been seeing.
Lake fishing is now in full swing and the reports keep coming in. We are hearing that a few of the higher elevation lakes might be worth looking at and Andre has more details in his Interior Lake fishing report.
The Capilano is starting to see some fish and they have been opening up the dam at intervals over the last couple days. This should be bringing more fish into the system. Check out Alex’s report for more details.
If yesterday’s rain wasn’t enough of a reminder to always be prepared with the right gear, we’re here to remind you! While many think June is not the time to think about raingear, any saltwater angler know you need to be prepared no matter the time of the year. It can be cold on the run out in the morning and the weather can change in a minute. As our Friday Feature Product we have the two best options for high-end rain gear offered by Simms – the Challenger and ProDry bibs and jackets. Jordan has a review of these great pieces and you can get into them this week at 10% off.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Vancouver Chinook Classic
Are you registered? We expect this derby will be a sell out this year so be sure to get your registration in ASAP!
The Vancouver Chinook Classic is a premier 2-day Catch and Release Salmon Fishing Event hosted annually at the new Pier 73 Marina at the Pacific Gateway Hotel. This is one of our FAVOURITE events of the summer angling season and something we look forward to each year.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the tournament and at $300 per angler (supply your own boat) you can’t beat that for an amazing weekend and a chance at the largest cash prize of any fishing derby in Vancouver!
Don’t have your own boat? Experience the Vancouver Chinook Classic on one of our Grady White boats outfitted with the best tackle and fully guided for $1,000 per day (non-inclusive of angler fee). To inquire contact us on our charter line at 778.788.8582.
More details on this not to be missed tournament weekend here!
CLASSES AND COURSES
Introduction To Fly Fishing
This course was specifically designed to give the new fly fisher the basic knowledge, casting skills and fly fishing strategies to effectively fish our local BC waters. This course is comprised of two sessions; 3hr evening seminar and a 3hr casting session.
Cost: $125.00
Dates: June 21 (seminar) and June 24 (casting)
Seminar Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Casting Time(s): 10am – 1pm or 2pm -5pm
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: $45.00
Date: June 20
Time:6:30pm – 9:30pm
Fly Fishing on Beaches
We’ve already had people asking about our Fly Fishing on Beaches course. While these courses are not until July, it’s never too early to start think about beach fishing. Book this course early as we sold out all 3 courses in 2016!!
This single evening 3hr seminar will cover the basic principles needed to be an effective beach fly fishermen in BC from Howe Sound to the east coast of Vancouver Island. Topics covered will include rods, reels, fly lines, flies, tides, and techniques. Andre Stepanian, the instructor for this course, has been chasing salmon on our local beaches for over two decades.
Cost: $45.00
Dates: July 5, July 10 or July 18
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
FRIDAY FEATURE PRODUCT
Simms ProDry and Challenger Jackets and Bibs
For this week’s feature product, we are highlighting the ProDry and Challenger series of jackets and bibs from Simms. I’m sure that over the past little while you’ve seen professional anglers from all fields including, but not limited to salmon guides, tournament bass fisherman, and biologists, all wearing these products. Designed to be used as a system, the jackets and bibs can also be used on their own when one or the other isn’t needed.
Cut longer than their wading jackets, the Challenger and ProDry jackets are designed to ride lower on the back while sitting, helping to reduce lower-back exposure. This simple feature helps reduce drafts and chills, while also reducing exposure to other elements such as salt spray or rain. The Challenger Jacket features 2-layer Toray® fabric with fully taped seams for 100-percent waterproof, breathable performance. With fleece-lined pockets, cold hands are quickly warmed up, and during those days of relentless hard rain, one can duck inside a 3-point adjustable storm hood that conveniently stows in the collar. External features include a YKK® VISLON® center front zipper with a storm flap for added protection, a dual draw-cord adjustable bottom hem to customize fit, as well as dual kill-switch anchor points which add on-the-water safety.
The newly redesigned ProDry Jacket from Simms is 25 percent lighter than its predecessor for enhanced stowability and packability. While proven waterproof, the new durable Pro Shell fabric sets a new standard for oceanic endeavors all the way to the pro bass level. Optimized features include high-capacity zippered chest pockets, secured with water repellent YKK® Aquaguard® Vislon® zippers. Fleece lined-pockets warm up hardworking hands while the Dry Cuff™ engineering blocks water at the sleeve. In addition, the Cohaesive™ cord lock system smartly manages internal adjustments, simplifying the act of customizing comfort and fit. Finally, one can hide away from our famous coastal weather inside the Tuck-away 3-point adjustable Storm Hood, which keeps water out and wears well with a hat.
When it comes to the bibs, both the ProDry and Challenger offer full body protection from the elements. With various pocket options and kill-cord attachment points, customizing options on how you wear and use it are numerous. Light enough to wear on its own when it’s warm out, one can also layer comfortably underneath it without feeling constricted. I’ve used both the ProDry Jacket and Bibs, and can say that the ability to layer under both has provided me an insane amount of waterproof comfort during those long days of guiding up in the Haida Gwaii.
Similar to the jacket, the Simms Challenger Bib features the same 2-layer Toray® fabric with fully taped seams for 100-percent waterproof, breathable performance. External features similarly includes a YKK® Vislon® center front zipper enclosed inside a storm flap, while an adjustable hem and adjustable suspenders ensure great fit and absolute comfort. Warm up those cold hands in fleece-lined pockets all while keeping loose gear and pliers contained thanks to a single thigh pocket with that features a reinforced tool sheath.
When our coastal weather calls for stay-dry solutions, the Simms ProDry Bib steps up to the plate. Alongside the advanced GORE-TEX® Pro Shell, large top-load thigh pockets include plier sleeves, and a zippered chest storage pocket safe keeping for everything from smartphones and car keys to line spools and nippers. An adjustable lower leg hem-lifter allows customization of the pant length to prevent cuff/heel drag on boat decks. Add in full length, 2-way leg zippers for ventilation, this feature delivers ease for putting on and taking off.
Both the ProDry and Challenger jackets and bibs are featured at 10% off today through Thursday June 22. So now is a great time to come into the shop and get into these pieces. You won’t be disappointed.
Jordan Simpson
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
Capilano River Fishing Report
The morning of our last weekly check-in we heard of the first few decent reports coming out of the Capilano, and it is not surprising given the torrential downpour we experienced the day before. This was the perfect window for the first good push of coho to come in. While the river did blow out it came back into shape quickly and has since gone back to a moderate to low flow at this time. There is still enough current for gear guys to drift pro-cured roe, colorado blades, and jensen eggs with wool. On the flip side, there is little rain in the forecast so we will very soon see low water conditions, which will favour lure fishing and fly fishing. In fact, fishing small olive patterns on a type 6 or type 7 full sinking line or a precisely placed spoon can be deadly.
Alex Au-Yeung
STILLWATER FISHING REPORTS
Interior Lakes Report
The unsettled weather pushed through and the heat came on for a few days and now it looks like a few day of stable weather with the temps in the mid 20’s. The water temperature rose from 55-57 to 63-65 degrees on lakes in the 3600 to 4000 foot range.
This turns off the chironomid fishing and makes things a little spotty on some lakes as other different hatches like dragon, damsels, mayflies and caddis took the interest of the trout. This is a good time to fish searching patterns like “Booby fly” for a change including other nymph patterns As the wind dies down you can have a lot of fun fishing dry flies and see the trout take your damsel or mayfly on the surface. Caddis will likely be hatching soon so make sure you have a few nymphs in your box and a couple of dries just in case. Good reports are coming from Douglas Lake Ranch, Peter Hope, Roche, Lunbom, Lac le Jeune, Harmon, Chicken Ranch, and also lakes in the Cariboo.
Andre
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
Vancouver Saltwater Fishing Report
This past week things were definitely a little slower than the action we had become accustomed to in May and the first few days of June. There are still some good numbers of chinook around, and some big ones too, but the overall number has dropped and you need a good solid day out on the water to get on top of them. If you are willing to put your time in you should be rewarded with some fish in the boat.
Jason’s guests from Sunday with a couple of nice ones from S. Bowen.
The most productive area still seems to be from Cowan up to Gower Point. That is a huge area and it is tough to know where to start each morning as the fish move around a lot. A good strategy is to put in a Cowan and start trolling up to Roger Curtis, or perhaps the other way around depending on what direction the wind is coming from. The water is fairly dirty from Fraser River run off and the fish have been getting caught from 60-120 on the downriggers for the most part. Productive flashers have been the Salty Dawg, Lemon Lime, Green Onion Glow, and Chartreuse Glow. Bait and spoons have been working well. Chrome spoons on the top rods have been working well, like the Killy Mcgee and Bob Marley. A little deeper down the Irish Cream, Cookies n’ Cream, Herring Aid, and Homeland Security have been working well. For anchovy teaser head colours the same theme applies. Chrome ones up top and glow ones on your bottom rods.
We hit Thrasher a few times this week and we did get a few nice chinook but overall the fishing was pretty tough. Long grind for a fish or two. There are some coho starting to show up offshore out in 500-1000 feet of water, so we will see how that fishery progresses.
Captain Eddie’s guests with their catch from earlier this week.
Crabbing is getting pretty good but the commercial fleet will be open soon, so if you haven’t got your fill yet, you want to head out now.