By Rodney Hsu

Between September and April, avid anglers across BC head to coastal rivers where salmon and steelhead make their annual spawning returns, to search for the fish of a lifetime. Methods used to fish in streams vary greatly, they can be flyfishing, spinning with spinners or spoons, bait fishing in calm pools and bottom bouncing. One of the most effective ways that I have used over the years is driftfishing with a float. There are many advantages when driftfishing is used. By suspending your presentation just above the river bed and drifting it at the same speed as the river flow, driftfishing allows you to place your lures/bait/egg imitation at the right depth naturally yet reduce the chance of snagging on the river bed. On the other hand, anglers who bottom bounce tend to guess whether the "hit" they are getting is a bite, branch, rock, or other body parts of a fish. Unlike bottom bouncing, float fishing does not require as much fishing space, which makes it more angler-friendly. In this article, I will go through what are some of the crucial equipment that you will need when driftfishing. Preparation is key to a successful fishing day, so hopefully you will be able to use this as a checklist to catch the salmon and steelhead of your dream.

Rod & Reel

When it comes to driftfishing, a longer rod is ideal. Typically, between 8 to 10 foot is a safe length to start out with. A longer rod is required because you want to minimize the length of line that lies on the surface of the water when fishing. The line will flow faster than the float due to its lighter density, resulting in fish loss due to slack line when you hook a fish. For anglers who are just starting out, Daiwa, Shimano, Luhr Jensen are just some of the companies that make entry level drift rods at a relatively low price. Normally, you can get a good rod to start out between $60 to $90. It is also important to choose the right rod based on the fish species you are targeting. Always read the test line range recommended on the rod and test the flexibility of the rod before purchasing. For pink salmon, a rod between 8lb to 12lb is ideal. For coho and steelhead, you may want to move up to 12lb to 15lb. For larger species such as chums and springs, you definitely want to use a stiffer rod with a test range between 15lb to 20lb or even 25lb. The perfect reels used for driftfishing are baitcasting reels, also known as level-wind reels. These reels allow you to do precise casts and feed out line smoothly as the float drifts downstream. Price range for an entry level reel is slightly more expensive than the rod, between $90 to $150. Reliable brands to look for are Shimano, Daiwa and Abu Garcia. The rule for the size of the reel is similar to the rod. Depending on the species of the fish you are targeting, your reel size will vary. A larger reel will be needed to have a large enough line capacity to hold thicker line.

Line, Float and Weight

Unlike bottom bouncing, which requires thicker line since many times you will need to pull the rig out of a snag, driftfishing uses thinner line. Thinner line has many advantages. It allows you to cast better, in both accuracy and distance. It allows the float to drift more naturally with the river flow. It is more sensitive and has proven to have more hookups than anglers who use thicker line. Of course, one wouldn't use 6 to 8lb test to target springs and chums. Your line strength should also match the rod, reel and most importantly strength of the fish. For floats and weights, there are many to choose from in the tackle stores. For more information, read the introductory for float fishing from July, 2001.

What goes on the hook?

Well, this is the most important question, and it dictates your success on the fishing day. There are thousands of bait and artificial in many colours to choose from, just which ones are the most effective ones? Well, on the day of fishing, it comes down to one factor, experience. As an angler, you will need to try out many of these offerings. Most of the times you will fail, but when your set up is successful it will all be worth it. What works is dictated by the condition of the weather, river flow, water colour, and of course the fish themselves. If the fish do not bite, then try a new pattern. Many anglers make the mistake by using the same pattern that they have caught fish before over and over again even though they are not showing results. Although I will not recommend what baits and lures are effective, I will discuss the types of offerings that you might want to consider when driftfishing next time.

(1) Wool: Wool has to be the cheapest set up that one can purchase from the store. A package of wool allows you to set up 30 rigs with ease. Wool comes in many colours, but the ones that are most commonly used include peach, orange, green, pink, white and blue. When ties in small portion on the hook, it represents an egg drifting down the river.

(2) Spin n glow: These tiny, pricey apparatuses seem so simple in design, however do not overlook them. When drifting down the river, they spin at a high RPM, alerting fish their presence.

(3) Spinners: Although they are used mostly for spin casting, spinners can also be used for drifting. Their function is similar to a spin n glow when they are drifted.

(4) Pink worms, Jensen eggs: Artificial scented bait can just be as deadly as natural bait. Both items are proven to be deadly for steelhead.

(5) Roe: By far one of the most effective bait due to its naturalness. Roe from salmon, particularly chum roe, is the hottest bait around. Roe needs to be cured for preservation. Never freeze uncured roe. Roe can be used in chunks or in roe sacs.

(6) Dew worm: Before you burst into laughter, you need to know that across the Fraser Valley, dew worm has been used by anglers who target on cohos, cutthroats and steelhead. Although it seems "cheating", it works, and can be a blast for kids who don't have the patience to spend all day waiting for the fish.

Other Accessories

So you have a rod, a reel, line, weights , floats and some rigs, you are set to go right? Not quite. There are still some items that you may want to consider to bring. Extra weights, hooks, swivels, snaps are a must. You never know how many rigs you will lose due to snags or large fish. Extra fishing line to tie new rigs. Extra floats in case you lose a float or need them in different sizes. A hook sharpener is crucial, without it you might as well be staying home. A pair of scissors and pliers can also be handy. You also need a small box to organize all these little gadgets in. The last thing you want to do is losing them after spending all that cash. It is also a good idea to pre-tie some of your rigs and organize them on a card board or foam. Where do all these items go, in a backpack? Wrong! A fishing vest is the correct answer. A backpack on your shoulder can be annoying while fishing, and it can be insecure if left on bank, it can also get wet on rainy days. A fishing vest on the other hand, has many pockets that allow you to be organized. A pair of waders and rain gears are also needed. Fishing in wet clothes can be uncomfortable, but fishing in cold, wet clothes can be dangerous. Finally, don't forget your fishing license.

That's it, you are now definitely prepared to go! Is all the preparation worth the time and money? Of course! Being so prepared, you will not be spending time tying up rigs on the river banks, looking for a hook, freezing in cold clothes or complaining how wrong the set up is. Instead, you will be standing in the river, concentrating on the fishing as much as possible and hooking that pacific salmon of your dream.