Saltwater Update March 2010

Winter spring fishing has been decent as of recently. In the last couple of weeks four fish in the 20 pound class were caught. The fish don’t seem to be very concentrated, the mouth of the Cap, Tungstel Bay and Defence Island have been producing the majority of the fish being caught. Bait has been the go method since it has even out produced spoons and hoochies which are usually the best fall back options. Note, when fishing for these winter springs, it is key to fish just off the bottom. Anchovies and small Herring fished in teaser heads behind a flasher, hoochies, Coyote spoons, Gypsy spoons, Batrix and Apex lures in the common colours are all good bets!

Fraser River MARCH 2010

As with everything else picking up, Sturgeon fishing is picking up too, largely due to the start of the Eulachon run. Sturgeon numbers will likely be increasing in the Tidal (Saltwater) portion of the Fraser as they will be attempting to intercept the eulachons. Fishing will only get better throughout the river from now on.

While not everyone can fish Sturgeon, there is also the great Cutthroat fishing to be had in the Non-Tidal (Freshwater) portion of the river throughout the back channels, back eddies, slack water, and mouths of any tributary rivers. Try small silver spoons (silver or redhead Dick Nites) and as for flies try sculpin, fry, and woolly bugger patterns.

~Michael Thom

Local Rivers March 2010

Local Rivers are fishing quite decent this year for Steelhead, although some days can be really hit and miss. Early March is peak for winter run steelhead on many systems, so now is a great time to get out and by no means too late. Just be sure to have an idea of water conditions, as low and clear, or high and dirty will not play into your favour. Make sure to tie up some blades, pink worms, and jigs since we’ve heard guys having a lot of success on them. On a side note, lots of fry have hatched and Cutty (Cutthroat) fishing has picked up significantly. Fry will continue to hatch into April, so fishing for cutties and whitefish will only get better. Have your fry pattern box stocked! Enjoy the nice weather and our beautiful rivers!

~Michael Thom

Interior Lakes Update MARCH 2010

With this years mild winter expect a much earlier stillwater season with ice off up to a month earlier than normal! Although the winter was mild and shorter than past years, ice fishing was still great with many people having good success this year. Several reports have came from the Kamloops area saying that Six Mile, Canim, and Morgan all have ice off (and fishing) with the majority of the remaining lakes having “black ice”. The rest of ice off is expected by as early as the end of the month or early April. Chironomid hatches will likely be earlier than usual so start tying now! We’re expecting a great season this year and enjoy the early ice off!

Local Lakes Now Being Stocked MARCH 2010

It’s that time of year again, stillwater season has arrived. As of the beginning of this month, local stockings have begun with just a handful being stocked so far, however the stockings will continue all Spring and into the beginning of Summer. The mild winter this year has permitted an earlier starting stillwater season than usual so don’t hesitate to get out as soon as possible. Stockings have started out in Maple Ridge, Abbotsford (Mill Lake), and Coquitlam, however the official updated stocking report has not been released yet this month, which contains information such as size and number of fish released into the lakes. Although the exact size of the fish released aren’t known yet, you can be sure that all are “catchable”, meaning they are all in the 10 to 13 inch range with some being stocked much larger.
As you may know some lakes fish better than others at certain times of the year. Honourable mentions for good early spring fishing lakes go to Whonnock, Lafarge, and Mike as they are smaller and shallower than most meaning they warm up faster. Both gear fishing and fly fishing are very effective this time of year. My favourite flies for this time of year are Woolly Buggers (Olive is a favourite for many), micro leeches (dubbed), and #14/16 half backs. For gear fishers try power bait fished off the bottom and worms or krill mooched off the bottom or under a float. Regardless of your methods fishing is picking up quickly so get out there! For more info or questions, come into the shop, we’re happy to help you.

~Michael Thom

Cutthroat fishing the Fraser Feb 2010

The Fraser River is starting to pick up for cutthroat recently with more fish starting to turn up in the upper reaches.  Remember to focus on the back waters and slough areas as this is where the fry will stage when they emerge from the gravel.  For patterns try alevins, Joe’s minnow, rolled muddlers and mickey finns.  Sturgeon fishing is slow to fair with some good days being had by those still out there.  Look for the fishing to start picking up in mid-march when the water temp picks up and the eulachon  run begins.

 

Don’t forget about the BC Sportmen’s Show at Abbotsford Tradex March 5, 6 & 7th, we’ll see you there!

Ice Coming Off Early Feb 2010

With this warm weather all over the province you can bet the start of the lake fishing season will be earlier by almost a month this year, barring a real extended cold snap.  The last I heard Tunkwa Lake was fishing quite well for it’s first ice fishing season.  A lot of lakes have good ice coverage but it is about 6-8 inches thinner this year than last year, so I’m guessing the ice should come off around the first half  of May. 

 

Don’t forget about the BC Sportmen’s Show at the Abbotsford tradex March 5, 6 & 7th, we’ll see you there!

Trout fishing Feb 2010

The local lakes have been fishing fairly well with the nice mild winter  we’ve been experiencing.  The lakes have cooled off but not too much the trout are still pretty active.  Try the lakes a little  further out of the way, such as Weaver, Whonnock, Rolley Lake rather than Lafarge and Buntzen.  The lakes were all stocked at the end of last year and have hardly seen any pressure.  So on those nice warm winter days go try some trout fishing and I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

Don’t forget the BC Sportsmen’s Show is coming up on March 5, 6, and 7th at the Abbotsford Tradex.  See you there

Best winter feeder fishing Feb 2010

The winter spring fishing has picked up in the last couple of weeks. Bowen Island/Tungstel Bay and Vancouver Harbour seem to have been producing the bulk of the fish, lot’s of  legal fish are being caught and  it looks as though the average size is going up. Take note that when targeting winter feeder fish make sure to fish deep, just off the bottom. Anchovies and small Herring fished in teaser heads behind a flasher, hoochies, Coyote spoons, Gypsy spoons, Batrix and Apex lures in various colours are all productive. 

 Fishing will continue to improve and excellent numbers of fall jack Chinook returned to our local rivers this year which indicates a good survival rate of 2 year old fish. So good numbers of fish of the same year class will be found feeding locally.  With the warm days and stable weather we’ve been having this year may be one of the best for winter feeders so go and take part.

 

Don’t forget about the Sportmen’s Show at the Abbotsford Tradex March 5th, 6th & 7th.  See you there!

Interior Lakes Ice Fishing Jan 2010

The Ice fishing season is well upon us and there are some new lakes open to ice fishing.  Tunkwa Lake is proving to be a great destination this year.  This is the first year that Tunkwa has been open to ice fishing and the fishing is good.  A good proven technique at any lake is using white or yellow marabou jigs, or you can use some curly tail grubs in chartreuse, white, pearl, chartreuse glitter.  Later in the season when oxygen levels drop in the lake and the fish become more lethargic using extra attractants can aid in your catching.  Some things you can use are ruby eyed wiggler spoons or other silver spoons that you use as a flasher above your jig or bait set up to attract the fish.   You can also use baits where allowed.  There are a lot of different baits I use but the two most popular seem to be cooked shrimp and bacon.  Small pieces of either of these on your jig will help produce numbers.  Try fishing for Brook Trout for a change they are very tasty table fair.  Check your regulations for openings as a lot of new areas have opened this season.

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