Outlook
Another wet and wild weekend of fishing is upon us here in the Lower Mainland. Most of our rivers have been in and out of shape all week, and we are hoping for more stable conditions in the near future. Coho fishing in the Fraser Valley has been good when the conditions allow.
Although the fishing has been for the most part less than exciting, we have received some cool new products to keep us occupied in the meantime. We now have the full selection of OPST Dotted Intruder Drabs for all of your fall and winter steelhead patterns. We are also stocking OPST Pure Skagit Lazar Running Line in 30lb, 40lb, and 50lb.
We are in the grips of fall rain and winter is just around the corner, time to stock up on Simms Fishing soft goods! Come check out our selection of Simms waders, boots, jackets, hats, packs, bags, technical layering and fashion pieces.
Upcoming Events
This past year went by in a flash, and it is once again time for the British Columbia Federation of Drift Fishers Annual Banquet. We look forward to this evening of fun, food, prizes, draws, and auctions all year long! Net proceeds all go towards preservation of salmon and steelhead and retention of angler opportunity. You can find out more about the event here.
Upcoming Courses
Well another year of successful courses at Pacific Angler is coming to a close. Our 2014 courses to date have all sold out – we have one class left in November with a few spaces left. Join us on November 24 & 25 for our Tying Intruder Fly Patterns class. Let’s make this another year of 100% sell out on our courses. Call us at the shop to sign up today!
TYING INTRUDER FLY PATTERNS
Class Size: 7
This course is designed for those that are interested in tying steelhead flies in the “Intruder style”. This style of fly is extremely productive for steelhead and salmon due to its profile and movement in the water. During this two night (5hr total instruction) tying series, you will learn the very specific techniques and unique materials used to tie this fly. This course is suitable for intermediate to advanced tiers. 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: $45.00
Dates: Nov 24th & 25th
Time: 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Keep an eye on this section for our 2015 Course List – to be released soon!
Freshwater Reports
Local Rivers
Squamish River
The Squamish was reportedly fishable on Tuesday, but the clarity was short lived. The water level spiked again on Wednesday and we are back to brown water and trees floating down river. Unfortunately, the weather is still very warm which is not helping. The river is dropping slightly, but more rain is on the way. We can only hope that the cold weather comes sooner than forecasted.
This is an excellent river to target salmon with a fly rod. The coho can be more aggressive in the Squamish than other lower mainland rivers and will often take big marabou flies swung on a tight line. The chum like pink and purple flashy marabou flies which will also catch coho in the same run. Chartreuse patterns can also be a deadly choice.
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.
Matt Sharp
Chilliwack River
The Chilliwack was fishable as of Thursday morning. Thursday’s rain did bring the river up, but it should remain in shape until the heavy rains forcasted for Monday. Fish can still be caught at this height as long as the clarity allows. Fish will be on the move, so find a good section of water 3-6ft deep “walking speed” water, and keep casting. Don’t be afraid to fish larger presentations as visibility won’t be ideal. Larger loonie and toonie sized roe and wool combinations, Colorado Blades in size 3 and 4, and Blue Fox Spinners in size 4 and 5. You will also want to be using larger floats to accommodate more weight to get your presentation down and stay in the zone through the drift. If you are heading out with a fly rod, be sure to have a type 3 and type 6 sink tip in your wallet. Even the side channels will have current at this height, and a heavier sink tip will help to maintain a consistent presentation while stripping your fly.
High water salmon fishing supplies!
Float fishing is the primary technique used to catch fall salmon. The proper setup for float fishing is a 10-11′ medium power casting rod. Light action rods are excellent for coho, while those who are targeting chinook and chum will benefit from a medium-heavy action rod. Roe, wool combinations, and colorado blades are all great float fishing presentations. Spinners and spoons are also deadly effective, especially for coho. 8ft-11ft spinning or casting rods are ideal for retrieving lures. Gibbs Koho and Croc spoons are good choices, as well as Blue Fox spinners.
You can also use a fly rod to target coho salmon. An 8wt single hand fly rod lined with a versi-tip system is ideal for this fishery. The versi-tip line allows you to quickly change out different sink tips to cover different speeds of water more efficiently. Small flash flies, muddler minnows, and wooly buggers are all good choices in clear water. Coho will also take big flies if water clarity is an issue.
A chrome coho taken on the fly in high water conditions.
Please familiarize yourselves with species identification as you may encounter Cultus Lake sockeye which must be carefully released.
Sam Graham, Max Stickel, & Dimitri Roussanidis
Chehalis River
The Chehalis has been fishing well this past week. We have heard some good reports of coho moving through the lower river. The water level tends to fluctuate very quickly on this system, so it can be worth a look when the other rivers are still running high. Coho fishing typically lasts right to the end of November on the Chehalis.
This is an excellent river to float fish in, but carrying a second set up for the frog water is recommended. Fly fishing for coho with an intermediate sink tip line is effective in the slower water.
Capilano River
The Capilano has been blown out for quite some time. Rumor has it that there was a land slide in the watershed above the reservoir, which has caused the water to run muddy brown. It has dropped since Wednesday, but the clarity is still very poor. It will be interesting to see how long the muddy water sticks around.
Please note: ALL steelhead (adipose clipped and unclipped) must be released with the utmost care.
Bait ban August 1st – October 31st
Interior Lakes
It is almost the end of the fall lake season as the temperatures are dropping and lakes are starting to ice up. If you want to go for one more trip this weekend I would try to fish the lower elevation lakes that are around 3500 ft and down. We have heard that the higher elevation lakes have already started to ice up. Try fishing big dragon fly and leech patterns in the shallow areas.
As it is getting late in the season, this will likely be our last interior lake report until next spring.
Andre Stepanian
Local Lakes
A number of lakes have just received their fall stocking of catchable rainbow trout. Take a look at this website for up to date stocking reports in your area.
Fall can be an excellent time to fish the Whistler lakes. As the weather cools off, the trout seem to really turn on the feed and move into shallower areas. For cutthroat trout in Alta try olive Wooly Buggers, and Muddler Minnows in various colours and flash combinations. Don’t be afraid to crack out the big streamers for Green. Large flashy rabbit strip streamers work well for the bull trout on the drop offs.
Please remember that Alta and Green Lake are catch and release/bait ban fisheries.
Max Stickel
Local Saltwater
As with our report last Friday we have had very little reported from the local saltwater scene in the last week. While we are waiting for the winter fish to arrive, we’re busy working on the boats and getting the gear ready in anticipation of getting out on the water. Winter is soon to bring the bounty of crabs, prawns and chrome winter chinook!
Pass the butter, don’t be so shellfish!
Tight lines and full traps,
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