As the years go by and middle age advances, time sees to accelerate. High school may feel like it was only five years ago (a serious under statement!), but all that is left of it – and life’s other milestones – are memories. Throughout the course of our journey we may reach many destinations, all of which enrich our lives in some way or another. By writing things down we can increase our ability to treasure these fleeting moments forever.
For myself, writing journals is something I’ve been doing for more than 20 years – specifically,journals about my fishing escapades. My first journal was a Christmas gift that I received from my father and I’ve received the same special gift every year since. I start and finish my journal entries each time precisely the same way, always ending in a short story highlighting a moment from my day and bringing a certain light to everyone. By establishing a fishing journal as a part of your routine you can not only achieve some enjoyment in writing, but also become a better angler. Each year looking back you can establish when nature starts to unfold her cards. Your journal will show you patterns of when runs of fish will move in or when specific hatches will occur, gibing you an edge for the following year. I break my journal into sections, each one beginning with what i am fishing for. i then break the section down to specifically where i am fishing whether it be a different country, certain river or a carp flat. i also write down the time at my location, because while i may have only fished for an hour on a specific day it may have been a magical hour that i will want to remember.
The weather and temperature are also mentioned as they play an important role in the behavior of the fish. Whether it be a gorgeous autumn day or a torrential downpour, it gets mentioned in my journal. The people in my life also get a mention in my journal entries. All of my fishing partner know they can go back and see what we were fishing form where we were, what the weather was doing that day, what we were using and how much success we were having. I also write down all the details from the first fish caught, the biggest and our combined total if I’m fishing with others. I comment on everything from how I or others produce fish, to special tackle and area fishing reports so that I can go back and look outside my box.
I can see where others were successful when fishing for Cutties on one river or steelheading on another. I’ll write down which sections of runs will fish better certain years or what freshwater bones are feeding on at different times. I even incorporate my gardening background, noting which plants are flowering or which berries are ripe – all observations to inform me on what nature is up to at a particular time.
Every day consists of highs and lows, and all of these get cemented into history in my journal (although highlights of the day are favorite to write about). This part usually brings me to the end of my entry. I relive the day and write a short story about all the happenings that occurred: from losing the flies i spent all winter tying ( along with my belly boat, new flippers and lucky fishing hat), to steelheading up north with my two favorite partners, Ralphy and Gus, while fa four-point buck hangs nearby. this last story is from my latest entry an, as usual I have taken down every detail. We arrived to blown-out rivers, unsettled weather and slow fishing, but its still been an adventure I’ll never want to forget. Try to write in as much detail as possible and take down everything you think of. Its all helpful! these entries are keys to increasing you fishing success, but they also highlight what you still have left to learn. Which is a good thing, because if we knew everything what fun would fishing really be?!
This special place is the birth of my existence. Like thousands before me, I’ve chosen this river as my home water, me lifeblood. I have walked this beat 100 times before, and every time it feels brand new. Taking time to observe and watch my surroundings, nature once again opens it window of opportunity. Life, as well as fishing, is all about timing and today I’m blessed with being in the right place at the right time. Amongst the polished cobbles and fist-sized boulders, I see the flash of fish. Not just any fish, but my beloved bull trout.
When fishing for most game fish that BC has to offer, the swing is the thing. When swinging a fly, spoon or spinner through a run while effectively covering all the water in front of you, fish have a natural tendency to crush your presentation. I’d like to tell you that this is complicated, but really, it’s the easiest and most effective style of fishing you could choose. The procedure is simple; always start at the head of the run, casting your presentation directly across from you. Avoid obstacles such as sunken logs, root balls and hidden obstructions that can grab the fly or lure. Simply, these structures are excellent for hiding fish. Textbook procedure states that you need to mend your fly-line upstream, which slows your presentation and sends it deeper into the depths. Once the line becomes taut your fly is now doing the dance, swinging and captivating its audience. Everybody wants to have her or his name on that dance card. The swing of your presentation mimics the prey fleeing the predator. Any opportunistic fish will grab it, sometimes plucking the whole way through its swing. Beginners may have a tendency to set the hook, which in turn will pull your presentation away from your quarry. Instead, let the fish take the fly. Sensing the struggle, slowly lift the rod as you feel the weight of the fish. When your presentation is finished the swing then your fly, spoon or spinner will be at your feet, effectively covering all the water in front and below. Now to fish the whole run correctly, take your steps downstream accordingly. I usually take five steps as my dance move. If I’m constanty hooking up, I will take baby steps covering all the water below until the tail out. Once completed, go back to the head of the run to fish through or walk down to the next run to swing again.
Garry Elgear
September 29, 2011 by rsfat (Edit)
It’s that time of year again for Riverside’s Annual Sturgeon Derby. This year’s derby will be taking place on Sunday October 30th 2011. We will be meeting once again at Two Bit bar (Duncan Bar) on the Fraser, which is located above the top end of Crescent Island just upstream from the mouth of the Stave River on the Langley side, at 9am. The entry fee this year is still $30.00 per rod. We will be offering 50/50 tickets for sale from now until the day of the derby in hopes of getting a really good pot once again this year. Last year we handed out $4700.00 in prize money and over $1000.00 worth of gear. First place (Largest Fish) will once again take 2/3rds of the money. Second place (2nd largest fish) will get 1st choice at the prizes. Third place (most fish in inches) will receive 1/3rd of the prize money. All derby entry fees must be paid in cash as well as for the 50/50 draw as the prizes are in cash. Come on in and register now and don’t forget to get your 50/50 tickets. 50/50 tickets will be 1 for $3, 3 for $5 and 10 for $10.
Going over my list of supplies for an upcoming charter, I find myself looking over the plethora of rods in my fishing room. How many rods does one person need? Has my affliction for rods become this bad, and are all the rumours true? Yes my name is Garry and I am a gear hoarder.
As an angler my tool of trade is the rod. Rods come in many different lengths, actions, constructions and configurations. Not one rod can be used for all species. As golfers have different clubs for different situations so should anglers. I consider myself not just a guide but more like a caddy, and this charter is exciting for the fact of the different styles of fishing we’ll be doing. I’ve got three guests – a newbie, a veteran fly-fisher, and my favorite, the guy that has the same problem as me. He loves to fish and he doesn’t care how.
The newbie will be casting spinning configurations, which is the easiest to accomplish. We’ll be outfitting him with three different rods. A seven foot fast action for the smaller side channels, 10 foot for the larger main stem where a longer cast is required, and a 11’3″ to float through heavy log infested structure which makes swinging a fly difficult. Remember, the rod is an extension of your arm no matter which way you fish, either casting or fly fishing, the longer the rod the longer the cast. Now a five foot six angler can be six foot six with a longer rod and we can extend our drift by keeping the rod high otherwise known as high-sticking and keeping the line off the water.
As a tackle shop owner, I need to know how rods perform and one of the most important principals of the rod is its action from slow to fast. Every rod works its own angle and there is a rod for every piece of water. As a consumer, you need to have a game plan of what you’re looking for. Number one is the species you’re targeting. Is your casting stroke fast or slow when fly-casting? Choose the appropriate rating for the fish you’re targeting. For fly-fishers, two to nine weight rods are key in BC. A two weight for smaller pan fish and trout, a five weight for your staple rod and a seven weight is versatile to perform more tasks, such as casting in wind, bigger quarry such as small coho, pinks, and summer steelhead. And your eight to nine weight rods for larger salmon and steelhead.
Every rod has distinct actions; just like people, they are all different. To find the action of the rod grab the cork which is your fulcrum and place the tip to the floor. This will give you an idea of the rods natural curvature. It will show you the backbone of the rod and how much of the tip bends if it is stiff or soft. Softness slows the rod and crisp speeds it up. This will give you an idea of how the rod will cast and set the hook. No matter which style you choose, some rods perform faster and are lighter as soon as you go up on the modulus of graphite, but they tend to be more brittle and break more often, so choose a lower graphite such as an IM-6 for more durable use. When looking at rods also consider your guides, they need to be high quality to run braids or cast your line effectively. The more guides usually the better the rod this eliminates line slap to increase your casting performance.
Hopefully you don’t suffer the same affliction I do and have the need to own every rod out there. These key factors can help you in your decision on what rod to use with the different opportunities we have as British Columbians.
For most people, the start of the new year begins on January 1st. For myself, and fellow trout chasers, the beginning of a new year starts with ice off and trout fishing. Folks from all walks of life await this time anxiously as the warmer water temperatures kick-starts a new cycle of bug life. We hit a window of opportunity as fish become more active, which trout bums dream of. Trout have a variety of insects to feed on all year as staples, such as shrimp and leeches, with many other bugs coming in and out of hibernation like dragons and damsels. Early season brings with it the first chironomid hatches. Think of your favourite food and imagine only being able to eat it twice a year – a small meal in the fall, and an all you can eat buffet in the spring. You are going to gorge yourself come spring and that is exactly what the trout do, stuffing their stomachs on a variety of all you can eat chironomids.
Most of us targeting this special time in life are usually fly-fishermen from all parts, converging into a mecca of trout madness, many with fly boxes stuffed in excess. Too many choices in flies can make one lose confidence. My suggestion is to minimize your selection of flies to four essential patterns that bring you confidence. Now, you don’t have to be a fly-fishermen to fish flies. Some purists may think that this could be sacrilegious , but, when it comes down to it, we’re all just fishermen with the same pursuit of happiness. To accomplish this one task,, all one needs is a rod with a nice casting line. Make sure that you change your casting line every year to get rid of memory. This is a perfect time to change those old fly-lines as well. Remember, 50 percent of your cast depends on your choice of line, be it fly or spin. To suspend your fly, I would recommend an adjust-a-bubble float, and to set your depth properly use a float stop. You can now target a depth of 20 feet if needed. To get down to your desired depth, split shot is required, first to cast and second to load your float correctly. Just like most of the successful fly fishers, we’ll taper our leader down with fluorocarbon. This can be attached by a two way swivel to join your spin line to your final leader.
Opening my fly box to examine its contents you’ll see four key patterns. These four patterns are my ‘confidence patterns’ during ice off. You’ll notice that these patterns are tied in a variety of colours and sizes to match the hatch for different lakes. During ice off chironomids are essential. My favourite chironomid pattern is one that I tie using a double tungsten bead pattern called the Double Shamus, originated by Dan the Irishman’s son, a school teacher from Kamloops named Shamus Connely. This chironomid pattern is tied with basic colours. Red for the bloodworm, natures first item up in the trout’s menu. Other popular colours of ribbing to imitate the segmentation of the chironomid. These flies can be fished under a float (strike indicator), floating line or fished vertically with the use of a sinking line. Most often, these flies are fished with little or no retrieve as the action to the fly can be imparted by the wind.
My second fly is my favorite fly to fish with – the leech. Leeches can be tied in a variety of ways with marabouand rabbit in various colours and sizes being the mainstay. For a smaller leech, I fish a Kaufmann mini – leech, usually with a bead on the head to get down and impart an action that resembles a leech swimming through the water. The second leech of choice is the Pumpkin Head, tied in a Wooly Bugger style that imparts lots of action with its hackle pulsating in the water and its vibrant colours that drive the fish nuts. This pattern has been my go to pattern, whether I’m fishing locally or halfway across the continent for trout. My favourite way to fish these patterns is by using a type – 6 sinking line, and varying the retrieve to impart an irresistible action that the fish can’t resist. This pattern can also be suspend under a float.
My final pattern is the shrimp. Shrimp are one of trout’s staple foods, lasting year round. My favourite shrimp pattern is a Jennings Shrimp. It has an indestructible epoxy back which will allow you to catch fifty fish on one pattern. To fish these crustaceans, my best results have been to use a clear intermediate sinking line and to target your quarry in the shallows.
Remember, the key to success is to fish with confidence. I hope these patterns help your catch rate and remember that we are all out there together enjoying one common goal.
by
Garry Elgear
Riverside Fly and Tackle is now doing reel repair and servicing of all major brands and models of reels. We have hired George Sakamoto to do all repairs. George has been fixing reels for many years for both Shimano and Daiwa and knows the reels inside and out. We guarantee to replace any parts needed with genuine replacement parts, to avoid future reel breakdowns due to improper parts. Come give us a try and see what we have to offer. For more info please call Christian at 604-944-2479.
Currently, researchers from Simon Fraser University, with support of the Freshwater Fisheries Society, are conducting a study of recreational anglers in the Okanagan (region 8).
The study will help us to understand the regional distribution of anglers, and provide insights into the factors influencing anglers’ decisions. As an added incentive, your name will be entered in a prize draw once we have received your completed survey.
To participate please visit: http://www.okfishingstudy.rem.sfu.ca/
It’s that time of year again to renew your licences. I will give out the basic information for you.
Fishing Licences can be obtained on-line @ www.fishing.gov.bc.ca it is very simple to do.
Basic licence = $37.80
Steelhead Tag= $26.25 – you need this to fish in any river containing steelhead, even if you are not targeting them or planning to retain them
Salmon Tag= $15.75 – you need this only to retain salmon.
Saltwater Licence/Tidal Waters Licence= this includes everything from shellfish to salmon. We no longer sell the paper version of this licence. You can obtain one by going to this website and paying by credit card and printing it off. www.pac-dfo.mpo.gc.ca/recfish/LicensingHunting Licence: $33.60
LEH Tags: $6.30
LEH Synopsis is now online for viewing @ http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/resident/leh.html . Paper LEH Synopsis should be out by the end of the month. Whitetail deer have been removed from LEH and put under a general open season, we don’t know what the regs will be yet and the new hunting regs probably won’t be out till May. We already have LEH Tags for those of you who would like them, and as soon as the LEH Synopsis comes out we’ll post it here.
For those of you out there needing a new licence, some small bits and pieces, or just some info. We are open on Easter Friday 9-5, and the rest of the weekend are our normal hours – 9-5 sat & sun and 9-7am on Easter monday.
