Name: Sandman
Email:
Location: Allouette
Date Posted: 30-Dec-99
Comments:
Spent the morning on the river, fishing from Davidson Pool to Neaves Road. River is VERY low and clear and not much action at all. 216th looked busy so I didn't try there.

Name: Salmonslayer
Email: djacklin@netcom.ca
Location: Chuck
Date Posted: 30-Dec-99
Comments:
Fished west van today and did pretty good with 5 hits and 2 in the box ,one @ 9 the other @ 11.We lost a relaese clip so I put out a chovey on a 8oz wieght and 53 pulls and got the 9 on that .The other was on glow Hotch 72' in 85 Pink apts.Thanks to Geoff for the info on the Seymore,I have caught lots of Dollies in the elaho, so i am quite familar with them.The fish we got at the Seymore were NOT Dollies ,the head was not at all like them and they had yellow spots with white halos.

Name: Sandman
Email:
Location:
Date Posted: 29-Dec-99
Comments:
Thanks for the feedback Cody. You're quite right, it is always best to use the heaviest line possible. However, if the fish are not biting, it doesn't hurt to try a lighter tippet. The worse that can happen is you break your fly off. At least you got a bite!

Name: Greg Leche
Email: steelheader@angelfire.com
Location: Vedder River
Date Posted: 29-Dec-99
Comments:
Fished the Vedder today. Fished a few spots on the mid to upper river and got nothing. Then went about 1/2 km above the train bridge and hooked into my first steelie. Lost the fish right at shore. It was a bright silver hatchery of about 7 0r 8 pounds. The fish was taken on a #4 hook, orange jenson egg with a tiny amount of pink and peach wool. It was the only fish I saw while I was there. Lower river conditions are really good and the upper river is probably to clear for good fishing.

Name: Cody
Email:
Location: Allouette
Date Posted: 29-Dec-99
Comments:
Sandman, I fished the Allouette for many years (I used to live across the street from Glazier run) and have never needed to go down to 3 or 4 lb test, and yes, i've pulled steelies out from under peoples noses at hotrock and davidson! All that's going to happen with light leaders is tiring the fish out, probably past recovery, or break them off (which I think is better). I've heard of people fishing at 216 pool/run, using 2 lb test and many of the steelies released took aloooonnggg time to recover, some didn't. I think it's more sportsman like to use the 6-8 lb test and be able to bring the fish to beach and release quickly, rather than tiring them out past recovery just to say "i got a stellie today". Hell, I've even caught them in gin-clear water using 10 lb leader, 1/0 hook and a big gooey bob...although most were caught on 8 lb, #1 hook and single egg! Just some food for thought! Tight lines all.

Name: Scott H
Email:
Location: Fraser R.
Date Posted: 28-Dec-99
Comments:
I'm a very beginner flyfisher, my partner not so much, and today he took me to school. Our last stop of the day was at Gill Road. After 15-20 minutes my partner had 3 fish hooked and 2 to the beach-one a 17" bright wild the other a 15" hatch in its spawning dress. Today was intneded to be more exploratory for us, so to land these fish towards sunset as the sky pinkened and the moutains reflected off the still waters of the Fraser was fine ending to the day.

Name: Sandman
Email:
Location: Allouette
Date Posted: 28-Dec-99
Comments:
One thing that seems to work well on Allouette steelies is a small garden worm. Not the large dew wroms, mind you, like the ones you buy at the gas stations, but the small red ones you find in your compost or under rocks in the garden. Try drifting these in the pocket pools at Hot Rocks and Davidson Pool. You need to use very thin leader, however, as Allouette steelies seem to very leader shy. I watched an old fella walk up and hook a nice one in Davidson Pool, while two others who had been fishing for an hour looked on. The other two asked what the old guy was using and it was the same as them. The difference was that the young guys were using eight pound leader and the old guy had on 3 pound. Of course the steelie never made it into shore as it broke off when they tried to land it.

Name: peter
Email: BCflyfish@aol.com
Location: cowichan
Date Posted: 28-Dec-99
Comments:
river is in good condition.. lost one steelhead...lots of little trout

Name: Manoj Sood
Email: manoj@sood.net
Location: Vedder
Date Posted: 27-Dec-99
Comments:
I entered the derby as one of the few fly fishing participants I think. I didnt catch any steelhead but I did catch and release a nice 5 lb Dolly on a egg imitation.

Name: Don
Email:
Location: Vedder
Date Posted: 26-Dec-99
Comments:
There were 299 entrants in the Boxing Day derby and a total of 12 fish were caught. Water was clear and a little higher than normal.

Name: Yannmam
Email: yannick_therien@telus.net
Location: South Island
Date Posted: 26-Dec-99
Comments:
Caughht a 17"" Bow in Durrance Lake last week on a black chronie w/ white bead head form canoe.

Name: Terry
Email:
Location: Chehalis
Date Posted: 25-Dec-99
Comments:
Went out for Christmas afternoon. I didnt hook any fish with my 6# leader and #4 hooks but I did see a couple of sportsmen bonk really black coho. Hope the flesh didnt fall off before they got back to their car.

Name: T.K.
Email:
Location: Stave
Date Posted: 25-Dec-99
Comments:
Fished the Stave yesterday and only got 1 old red and black Coho to take. I was surprised by the energy it had. Enough to come out of the water 3 or 4 times and snap off my tippet. Cutties were illusive today.

Name: stele
Email:
Location: alouette
Date Posted: 24-Dec-99
Comments:
caught 2 nice steles on a lure at davids pool at maple ridge park. it was a small lure that I found on shore it was called a banjoe lure the hook was at it's head and it had a little rubber band covering the dip it was real good this lure is great it's a good presant. and the alouette is on fire.

Name: Sandman
Email:
Location:
Date Posted: 24-Dec-99
Comments:
No Dan, coho are every bit as receptive to the fly as chum, if not more so. But any fish in the later stages of their cycle, as these dark coho must be, are nearly dead and would not be as receptive.

Name: dan
Email: danthetutor@hotmail.com
Location: Chehalis
Date Posted: 23-Dec-99
Comments:
Went to the Chehalis yesterday. There are many dark Coho to be found but they were completely disinterested in my flies. I did see a couple landed on peach wool by one of the handful of fishermen there. I did not see any Steelhead. It wouls seem that Coho are harder to entice on the fly than the Dogs... am I correct?

Name: scott
Email:
Location: Vedder
Date Posted: 22-Dec-99
Comments:
I caught one real nice Steelie on a #12 corkie with a read Gamie just below Lickman in a fast run of water

Name: Dale
Email: zuk99@yahoo.com
Location: Vedder
Date Posted: 22-Dec-99
Comments:
I went with a buddy today and we fished the lower river for a couple of hours this morning with two different kinds of roe and two sizes of pale pink worms - no luck. We actually didn't see any fish on, or talk to anybody that had. There is still a lot of water in this river and, although it was not dark brown, it's a long way from being emerald green. I have heard of fish being taken in the past couple of weeks but we certainly didn't have any luck. We're going to try again on Friday.

Name: Sandman
Email:
Location: Vancouver Island Rivers
Date Posted: 21-Dec-99
Comments:
Well, I made it over to the island this weekend. My research in the Archives was very productive, but I wish I could say the same for the fishing. Had to wait until Monday for the Archives to open so I headed out on Sunday, looking for some early run steelhead. I heard the Cowichan was still blown out and I didn't want to drive up island to the Stamp just to fight the Sunday crowds. So I headed over to Port Renfrew and had my first look at the San Jaun. What a pretty stream. The conditions were, dispite all the rain we have been having, exceptional. The river was clear with good flow and I would say at least 80-90% visibility. I drove up the Red Creek Main, and hiked down the River Bank trail. There was no one else around, alough a freshly killed fish indicated that I might not have been entirely alone. I might have just frightened off one of those four legged furry fisherman. The run at the end of this trail is terrific fly fishing water. I worked a number of different flies through the run, from GP's in black and red, Squamish Poachers, Egg Sucking Leeches, and even Stone Flies. All to no avail. Unfortunately, the magnificent solitude, however enjoyable, turned out to be a suttle sign that the locals know something that I don't. That is, I fear there were not many steelies in the system just yet. Least not from where I was standing. I realise the San Juan run does not officially start until January, but I figured there would be a few early comers. Anyway, not to be discouraged I worked my way back to Victoria and stopped at the Sooke, apparently another late run river. Same deal there I am afraid, although I was not alone in my optimism. Fishing around the gate on the Sooke River Road I saw one other fisherman (and this was on a Sunday!), but no fish. Well, after a productive day of research on Monday, I decided to head up to the Stamp, whose winter-run Steelhead are supposed to start showing in November and are usually hopping by Christmas. I hiked down to the first canyon pool at day break, feeling my way along mossy trees and mud puddles. Reaching the bottom without breaking my neck, I waited eagerly for the light. As the other side of the river slowly came into view I realised I was not alone. Three other fisherman had beat me to the pool on the other side. Still this left me alone on my side and I worked my flies over the run just below the canyon pool. The Stamp is in excellent shape right now I can tell you. Good volume but great visibility. Unfortunately I was not rewarded with my diligence again. I worked the flies over the water within the range of my roll casts. I felt a couple of touches but it is impossible to know if they were fish or rocks as I hooked neither. One other fellow came down my side and began working a roe sack in the canyon pool. This pool being very deep and so not ideal fly water, I had avoided it. Turns out this was where the fish were. He hooked into two fish in this pool above me. Both strikes coming out in the middle of the river in about 12 feet of water. I worked my way up to where I could attempt to cast into the pool and let the fly drift into the tail out where I am sure there were fish holding, but the fly would not sink fast enough, and when I added a split shot or two to aide it, I only shortened my roll cast distance. Frustrated I headed off down river to the rifle range. Here again I met with beautiful conditions, but no fish to show for it. I fished at the first creek where the trail crosses over a log and cable bridge. There were excellent steelhead haunts here within range of my roll casts, and I worked my Egg Sucking Leech over them. Still no fish. Not even a sign of one. A couple of Drifters in a boat appeared to have the same luck as me as they worked the run across from me with what looked like roe sacks and spoons. I worked a couple of more runs up river before heading back to catch the ferry home. I had spoken to the local in the canyon pool who had caught the two fish earlier and he informed me that the fishing had been generally slow over the last couple of weeks. Nothing like I remembered it from last Boxing Day, for sure. Anyway, if conditions remain as they are now, and by that I mean optimal, you should be into some prime stealheading in the next week or two.

Name: den
Email: dentran@yahoo.com
Location: chehalis
Date Posted: 21-Dec-99
Comments:
fished the chehalis river on the 18th, hooked many dark cohos and got a super fresh steelhead thats worth the trip.Kept a bright hatchery doe.

Name: Ken
Email:
Location:
Date Posted: 18-Dec-99
Comments:
fished the Vedder below Slese Cr. nothing happening. Lower section still blown right out so save your gas.

Name: Chris S.
Email: fish_on4@hotmail.com
Location: Elaho
Date Posted: 18-Dec-99
Comments:
Fished the Elaho today, Dollies were sparse (a weak showing of 2 fish) compared to 4 weeks ago. Beautiful scenery and a river almost to yourself if anyone wants a change from the Vedder.

Name: Rick
Email:
Location: Chehalis
Date Posted: 18-Dec-99
Comments:
Fished the Cheh today,lot's of dark Coho. A few cutties and no steelies to be seen.

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Name: Bobber
Email: angler@canoemail.com
Location: Cowichan
Date Posted: 18-Dec-99
Comments:
I was there on Dec.4 and it was hopeless around Skutz. Didn't try the fly-only section upstream, so that may be the best place to start. Talked to a few folks in Youbou and they said the lake has been producing well, around the various creek mouths. One in particular was mentioned as being very productive - can't remember the name - but just carry on through town, past the mill, onto the gravel road, as far as the single-lane bridge (not far - 2kms or so ?). Immediately to the right of the bridge is a gate (closed). Park there, and I'm told it's about a 1km hike down that logging road to a creek that empties into the lake. The locals are high on it. But who knows. Just an alternative if you get there and the river is a mess.

Name: peter
Email: BCflyfish@aol.com
Location: cowichan
Date Posted: 16-Dec-99
Comments:
got an atlantic salmon...river is high and dirty

Name: Dave
Email: wdesjarlais@telus.net
Location: Stave River
Date Posted: 15-Dec-99
Comments:
The Cutthroat fishing on the mid-lower Stave has cooled off somewhat in the past few days. The fish move in and out of the system at will feeding on available feed, exausting that supply then moving on, so searching for them is a must. They are also preparing for their spawning time (Jan-Feb) so the males are starting to color and develope quite a kipe(and attitude!). A couple of days ago I went out for a little Cuttie search along the banks of the Stave and didn't see too much, I was just about to give up when I saw a fish rise not much more than 2 feet off shore in maybe 6-8in of water.so Iwent after him, then another on rises in the same area, 2 fish, anyways I make my way down to their position and lay out a cast, 2 strips and he is on! A nice 20in Cuttie(male) and did it put up a good scrap which tangled my sinking line hopelessly. So i sat for 20 minutes untangling a major mess while 2 or 3 more nice size Cutthroat made fun of me rolling and feeding just 10ft in front of me!

Name: Bear
Email:
Location: Stave river
Date Posted: 15-Dec-99
Comments:
Tried the Stave this past Sunday from 7 am till 1 pm-don't even waiste your time! All I saw was a couple of spooked trout and dying salmon!

Name: COHO
Email:
Location: CHEILAS
Date Posted: 14-Dec-99
Comments:
CAUGHT ONE STEELIE ON THE FLY IN THE CANYON AND MY SON CAUGHT ABOUT SEVEN CUTTIE WITH A FLOAT AND TWO SPLIT SHOT WITH A FAT DEW WORM.

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Name: UVicPacific
Email: blakem@uvic.ca
Location: san juan
Date Posted: 14-Dec-99
Comments:
went up the san jean last week..........alot of dark coho's, very few silver ones!

Name: T.K.
Email:
Location: Vedder
Date Posted: 13-Dec-99
Comments:
Fished the Vedder on Sat. Saw two rotted Chum still swimming and I couldn't get the Steelhead to bite. 1-2' visibility and surprisingly not too high. Snow level creeping down finally.

Name: ian
Email: ian_steelheader1@hotmail.com
Location:
Date Posted: 10-Dec-99
Comments:
went fishing yesterday afternoon at hole in the wall.trolled with tom macks and army trucks.got teo undersize and one about 12 lbs.in two hours of fishing boated 3 fish and had numerouse more hits.troll along bottom and look for bait and you will find the fish.also make your leaders 45 inches

Name: Rick
Email:
Location: Chehalis
Date Posted: 9-Dec-99
Comments:
The river is in perfect condition, lots of dark coho, heard of steelhead taken in the last couple days but have't seen or caught any yet. I think I'll hit the Vedder this weekend.

Name: (Stave)Dave
Email: wdesjarlais@telus.net
Location: Stave River
Date Posted: 7-Dec-99
Comments:
Well it looks like the Cutthroat are starting to show in pretty good numbers now. Since Sunday I've gotten out on the river every day for at least a few hours and in 3 days have totalled another 20 beautiful sea bright Cutties. Many of these were wild fish and the largest one was eighteen and a half inches! They get bigger though.I've gotten them upwards of 4lbs., Flyfishing is the way to go, you will ouyfish any other method...anyways enough beaking off good luck!

Name: Ryan Stanley
Email: rcstanley@telus.net
Location: Stamp
Date Posted: 7-Dec-99
Comments:
Mark, Try fishing around the rifle range. work up and down the bank you will get em. Let me know how you did.K!K? ryan

Name: Greg
Email:
Location: Vedder
Date Posted: 6-Dec-99
Comments:
Fished the Vedder this morning. (GREAT DAY) Managed to hook and land 2 steelhead on the lower river as well as 1 coho and a whitefish. I was suprised to see steelies already in the river. Planning on heading out again REAL soon.

Name: Greg
Email: gnoske@home.com
Location: everywhere
Date Posted: 5-Dec-99
Comments:
Went to the Stave first thing in the morn. Fished east side first and nothing, then went to the other side to take a look and saw about 20 guys fly fishing the dark coho. Left there and went up too Norish. My bud landed 3 jacks and I caught crome 5lb. Had it in my hands long enough to take a picture and flip flop out of my hands and swam away (hehe). Oh well I have had a great season anyways. Left there and fished the chehalis. Water was low and very clear. Saw lots of dark coho and very few chum. My bud hooked 2 cromers, but lost them both. All i all a great day...I wasnt even going to go out again untill stealhead season, but I couldnt resist the offer. Tightlines and good luck to anyone else.......

Name: Scott
Email: Scott_Kirkpatrick@bc.sympatico.ca
Location: Chehalis/Coho/Steelhead
Date Posted: 5-Dec-99
Comments:
Odie, Sea lice can live on migrating fish for up to a week, although I'd guess 4 days would be the maximum we've probably seen. Good to see theres still some coho there, although I was there a week and a day ago, and all the coho I saw were fairly coloured and hiding amongst the chums moving up river. Very small fish, and you can tell they weren't interested in biting much. Norrish was looking pretty shaky too, with lots of chums spawning and all pretty stale and the odd coloured up coho, of which everything there gets super spooked super easily, because the creek is quite shallow and quite clear a lot of the time. Maybe we might get a late run of fish, but I really think from now on I'm gonna concentrate my efforts in particular on steelhead. Coho will generally bite what you throw at steelhead anyways, which makes things easy. As for Roe, I can tell you this. Roe has times when its very deadly and worth using. I like Roe for Coho, and I think thats just about it. You won't find me using too much roe for steelies, just because of the whole fact that Steelies are "suckers" for roe, and it doesn't make it very fun to fish for them with roe. Roe often times is best used early in the morning. If you can get a recipe off of a particular individual with the nickname of Die Hard Angler on another discussion board pertaining to fishing, that if you email me, I can mention, then use that. Its awesome, and I've used it before. Good luck y'all, and I'm looking forward to winter steelhead this year big time! Scott

Name: Bobber
Email:
Location: Cowichan River
Date Posted: 5-Dec-99
Comments:
Best advice right now is "don't". High, wide and the colour of milk on St.Paddy's Day. Pretty to look at, but ... Odie - On the question of roe, try going here (Ken Kristian's home page): http://www.anglingbc.com/kkristian/baits.htm

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Name: odie
Email:
Location: Chehalis
Date Posted: 5-Dec-99
Comments:
Fished above the hatchery today ... what a great day to be on the river! Landed 6 coho and hooked into a few more. Coho are getting dark but some still have sea lice on them (those little worm things). Does the presence of sea lice on a fish mean anything in particular, this is the first time I have seen fish with lice? All coho caught using white/shrimp wool combo on a #2. On another note, what is the simplest way to cure roe? I've never cured or fished with roe before but would like to try it. od

Name: (Stave) Dave
Email: wdesjarlais@telus.net
Location: Stave River
Date Posted: 4-Dec-99
Comments:
The Stave River,"The river o' Dogs"... right? WRONG! This years Coho return was nothing short of excellant! But, even the best rods will complain,"All I caught were Dogs!"Well, the problem is location, you are fishing the wrong area of the river, the main channels hold, for the most part, Chum.If you do some hard searching you will find the places that the Coho hold. Timing is key to success as well, basically October is Coho season, with good pushes into mid November. The Stave system has many types of water conditions, fast water(drift float fishing) to calm lke like condtions(Flyfishing/spoon tossing). For my money Flyfishing is King. This year I don't have any idea how many Coho I landed on the fly but it was over 20 and that speaks for itself. I know I'm not getting too specific with my information as many of my flyfishing friends would Kill me if I indulge too much!In closing I'd like to mention that Coho season is coming to an end and Cutthroat fishing is starting to pick up.In the past few days I have beached over 20 Cutties ranging in size from 14-18inches, all fly caught. Good Luck!

Name: al pippus
Email: alp@islandnet.com
Location: Chemainus
Date Posted: 4-Dec-99
Comments:
Chum Frustration! Early October Chum showed up in numbers in Stuart Channel just south of Boulder Point. Took my twelve footer & OB out to harass'em - but they weren't being harassed! For days threw flies and bucktails at them by the score, not to mention spoons, spinners, hootchies and plugs - from white to black. Only thing I didn't try was bait. NEVER EVEN FOULHOOKED ONE! Decided I'd gett'em in the Chemainus estuary when it opened, but for anyone familiar with the Chemainus estuary, there's no real concentration point til you get to fresh water. Hiked down both sides (tough going in places) but got nothing. BTW, some well fed bear in the area. Soon as I saw'em in Stuart Channel (fore the tidal openning) fished the fresh part of the river (above the tidal sign). One day, with a flyrod, even got myself a sore arm for my troubles. Spinning gear: hands down it was jigheads dressed in red & pink marabou! Problem was the poor quality of the jighead hooks. This year never saw a cutthroat or coho in the lower part, which is not to say they weren't there. Having said all this, I understand there are people out there that regularly catch chum in the chuck. So, okay guys fess up, tell us how do you do it? alp

Name: Sandman
Email:
Location: Stave River
Date Posted: 3-Dec-99
Comments:
Still alot of live chum in the Stave system which made getting any coho or cutthroat a difficult task. Most of the coho are quite black now so hopefully more trout will move in soon. As it was I saw no trout today, but did hook into a really sweet fresh run coho. It wasn't a chormer mind you, but was only just turning a little dark and with lots of spunk. This buck took my orange and pearl streamer with a vengence and turned to run immediately upon feeling the hook in it jaw. I was into fifty yeards of backing before I could turn it. I managed to fight this ten pound salmon in with my six weight trout rod in about ten minutes. and once I unhooked the fly, spent a few minutes with my hands in the chilling water while the fish revived enought to swim away. I unfortunately snagged two other fish but managed to unhook both, the first by bring my rod tip down to the fly in its back and pushing down on it to release it without touching it, the other by snapping the fly off. Hopefully all three were able to complete their life-cycle.

Name: Ryan
Email:
Location: Suicide
Date Posted: 2-Dec-99
Comments:
Ian, Fished suicide yesterday am no action went to chehalis Got at least a half dozen chromers and at least 20 blackies Id say chehalis for sure. Ryan Stanley

Name: ian
Email: ian_steelheader1@hotmail.com
Location:
Date Posted: 2-Dec-99
Comments:
salmonslayer.... was it a white spring?could be a small early birkenhead fish.a lot of guys are using half brass half silver tom macks and having non-stop action.wonder why these last two winter spring years have been so good?Wonder also when tese fish mature they will return?

Name: Salmonslayer
Email: djacklin@netcom.ca
Location: Chuck
Date Posted: 2-Dec-99
Comments:
I was in the bay between Pt,Grey\Atkinson.

Name: Salmonslayer
Email: djacklin@netcom.ca
Location: Chuck
Date Posted: 2-Dec-99
Comments:
When the weather is conducive to fishing and you are patient,you will get some action.Keep your gear close to th bottom,look for bait on your sounder.I got the biggest Winter of my life last weekend @ 18 Poundes!!!!I dont think i have ever seen a nicer fish.Army truck Glow @166 in 175.