Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rodney on February 14, 2008, 03:20:05 PM
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Is there an interest on a group trip to St Mary's Lake on Salt Spring Island during the weekend of May 2nd - 4th for early spring smallmouth bass and cutthroat trout fishing? It's just an idea for now.
The cost would be ferry and accommodation at Lakeside Gardens (http://www.lakesidegardensresort.com/) (we get 10% off from the rates below).
Cottages (sleeps 4) - $125/night
Cabanas (sleeps 2 to 3) - $65.00/night
camping/RV sites - $25.00/night
Depending on the weather, the smallmouth bass fishing would be done on the surface and in the shallows, by either topwater lures, soft plastics and flies. Cutthroat trout fishing can be done by trolling metals or flyfishing. You would need your own boat/pontoon boat/float tube (very limited number of boats available for rent at resort)
Post a reply if interested so I have a list of interested participants who I can contact in a few weeks from now.
Confirmed participants
Rodney
Fishersak
Steelhead King
Gman + Gwoman
Roe Kid
MichaelT
Maybe's
Derp
Keith
Coreyandtrevor
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I'm interested. Bass are still catch and release only in May, right?
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Sounds good..I will be most likely in! :)
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me too!
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Hi Keith, yes it will be catch and release for bass during that time. I've actually been re-reading your May reports from a few years ago to get an idea on how the fishing might be. It looks like a good period where some good trout fishing can be had too. Last year Mark at Lakeside Gardens said the cutthroat trout fishing in May was the best he has ever seen, so perhaps there will be a repeat this year.
If we get enough confirmed interests, I will contact Mark around mid March and let him know so people can phone in to book their accommodation for the weekend. Anyone else?
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I am possibly down. I have to weasel around a bit as the wife will be due in a month from that date. I asked her to come along as well . I have been wanting to go to St.Marys for a while now so better then , cuz I see a decline in days fished after that time ! :'(
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This could be your last fishing trip for the next 18 years CAT. ;D
Anyway, here are some photos to give people an idea how the fishing is.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/saltspringisland/bass01.jpg)
They come in all sizes.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/saltspringisland/bass02.jpg)
Bigger fish seem to come from the floating dock at the resort all the time.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/saltspringisland/bass03.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/saltspringisland/bass04.jpg)
Cutthroat trout, between 1 and 4lb.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/saltspringisland/bass05.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/saltspringisland/bass06.jpg)
Don't forget about yellow perch too.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/saltspringisland/bass07.jpg)
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I was there last year on that exact weekend. Gwoman and I had great luck fishing for cutthroat and the odd bigger rainbow. The cutties were amazingly aggressive, just nailing any fly we used. Not much luck on bass, but it may have been our inexperience.
There's a good chance we will go this year again. We'll have to see if we can get a small boart to bring if we go to Lakeside. If not we may go to another nearby resort and just stop by and say hello to the FWR gang.
I'll let you know what we figure out.
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Last time while I was Lakeside Gardens (July 2007), there were two 12' aluminum boats with electric motors for rent, plus a few row boats. They should all still be there. :)
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The perch are newer additions to the lake and will probably cause problems in the future with both the bass and trout fisheries. Bass were introduced at the turn of the 20th century and are self-propogating. The trout get stocked each year but do well in the lake. There are some wild fish in the lake and word has it that there even may be some landlocked coho that residualize in the lake.
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The perch are newer additions to the lake and will probably cause problems in the future with both the bass and trout fisheries. Bass were introduced at the turn of the 20th century and are self-propogating. The trout get stocked each year but do well in the lake. There are some wild fish in the lake and word has it that there even may be some landlocked coho that residualize in the lake.
Maybe your work can fund our entire trip to do a yellow perch kill. Coming? ;)
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Two years ago in May the bass fishing was amazingly good. I caught a few trout in St Mary Lake, but did better in other nearby lakes. Last winter Mark had, I believe, two canoes, three row boats, and two plastic rafts you paddle with your feet. Very pleasant place with a congenial host and usually really good fishing, even along the shore and off the dock.
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Very interested, I'd love to catch some bass for the first time ;D
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If it wasnt in May I would have been all over this. I have Kamloops stillwater trips planned all May already. You guys should have fun.
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If it wasnt in May I would have been all over this. I have Kamloops stillwater trips planned all May already. You guys should have fun.
Once you move to Parksville, you will get many opportunities to go there, just a short ferry ride. ;) Late June/early july fishes well, and again in early fall. Some of the VI lakes also have larger smallmouths as well. :)
If anyone else is interested, please post a reply so I have an idea on the numberof interests. Thanks.
Also, the lake is electric motor only.
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I've been wondering: I know there are some native cut throat in St Mary Lake (Supposedly that is what was there originally before all kinds of things got planted there). But my experience is that they are relatively scarce. Does anyone know if they planted cut throat in that lake last year? Those of you who had good cut throat fishing last year there: could you tell if they were planted fish?
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Hi Keith, the trout that you catch at St Mary's Lake are stocked trout. They come from the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery, which is operated by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. Both rainbow trout and cutthroat trout are stocked. Unlike other put and take lakes on Vancouver Island, where fish at catchable size (12 to 14 inches long) are stocked, fish put in St Mary's Lake are yearlings (30 to 100 grams heavy). They are planted as yearlings so they are faster and bigger than fry, to avoid predation, yet will grow to become large trout at a natural growth rate due to the environment. It takes a couple of years before they become the large ones that you have encountered in the past. These fish are sterile/triploids so the objective of these plantings is to create angling opportunities. In 2007, 3,000 rainbow trout yearlings and 4,000 cutthroat trout yearlings were planted.
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Funny all the years I've fished that place I've never caught a Rainbow (that I could ID as such).
Must be the way I fish Cutts like a fast moving crankbait but Rainbows not so much.
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A couple of years ago we had big cutthroat trout chasing our tubebait when they were retrieved back speedily. A few of them caught it. :o I've never encountered a rainbow trout either at St Mary's, but I'm not much of a trout expert. ;D
Just in case anyone is wondering whether they can bring the entire family along for the trip. They can. Shore fishing from the resort is kid-friendly. A light spinning reel rigged up with a small float and baited with deli shrimp or dew worm will connect with all species.
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Im lookin forward to this trip rod!!!
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I got in touch with Marc the owner last night and he informed me that there are many cabanas available for the weekend of May 2-4, but only ONE cottage left. If you have a bigger group (ie. 3 to 4 people), then you may want to consider booking it now before it is taken.
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Hey Rod, do you know what the likely hood of the trip is at this point?... Just so I can start planning ahead and making arrangements. Thanks.
MT
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It's on for sure, May 2nd to 4th. I and a couple others are going for sure anyway whether other people come or not, so go ahead and put it on the calendar. :)
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Looks like me and MichaelT will be driving up!...Should have some fun on my 1-4lb Ultra light rod!
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You kids can drive...? :o ;)
Let me confirm with Mark one more time before people phoning in to book. I'll update.
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I booked mine this morning. You can now phone Mark at 250-537-5773.
Cottages (sleeps 4) - $125/night
Cabanas (sleeps 2 to 3) - $65.00/night
camping/RV sites - $25.00/night
Make sure you mention Fishing with Rod to get the 10% discount.
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You kids can drive...? :o ;)
Where have the years gone... :D
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You kids can drive...? :o ;)
Where have the years gone... :D
Lets just hope Danny passes...if not I've got his back ;D ;)
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Sounds like a cool trip.
I have been there MANY times during that time of year. I have managed to pull a couple lunkers from there, but 99% of the fish are 1-2 pounds. Never targetted the cutts there but had a few incidental catches on crankbaits in the dealer water.
Also one 3 lb cutty on a puple texas rigged worm in 20 feet of water on the rip rap.
Cool place to say to least.
Have fun.
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Went there last year with my gf and was a blast. She's not really into fishing and she still had fun since the bass were quite active.
Already have plans to go in June!
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Has anyone booked a cabana yet? I would like to know, email info@fishingwithrod.com if you wish. I think there are very few left for that weekend from what Mark was saying...
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I think I am going to attend but i will be arriving on two wheels and sleeping under the stars ! ;D ;D
Sounds like a good time !
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I think I am going to attend but i will be arriving on two wheels and sleeping under the stars ! ;D ;D
Sounds like a good time !
That'll still be $25/night-ain't nothin' cheap on Saltspring. :o
Also-check your change next time you spend money there-a lot of businesses don't give pennies back at all they just round it up to the nearest nickel.
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Then I will sleep on the lake in my FishCat ;)
I was planning on paying the pad fee as I am not a squatter :P Its just that theres no reason to be sleeping indoors in May !
Ive got Scotch blood so go figure. ;D
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I just got in touch with Mark. Fishersak, Steelhead King and I have booked a cabana each. There are still seven cabanas available for booking for those who are interested in coming during the weekend of May 2nd-4th.
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I was there last year, June 14th to 16th, had a blast and the cleanest washrooms I've ever seen at a campground.
Also nice and quiet if you hit a week day.
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I am in. Just booked a cottage for Gwoman and I. Kids will be home with the grandparents.
Looking forward to it. ;D
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Good to hear. :) Now, I didn't promise any fish so no one shall throw me in the water if we don't get any bass. ;D :-\
Has anyone else booked a place?
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Me and mike just booked. Were going up thursday ;D
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Why are you going over one day earlier? :o The bassmasters don't arrive until Friday afternoon. ;D
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Why are you going over one day earlier? :o The bassmasters don't arrive until Friday afternoon. ;D
gotta scout out the lake ;) then you will see who the real bassmasters are! ;D
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hey rod we should have a competition on who catches the biggest bass like snap a photo since we cant keepem
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The guy with the smallest bass cooks dinner for all on Saturday night.
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Shouldn't the person who gets skunked be doing the cooking ? ;D
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Given the cold weather we're having I'd say you guys are going to be a month early.
Might be good for Cutts though.
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Still another month to warm up. ;D If bass is slow, then trout will have to do. ;) If topwater wasn't happening for bass, would fishing for them on the bottom with soft plastics do the job?
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How has the top water action been in the previous years Rodney?
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....If topwater wasn't happening for bass, would fishing for them on the bottom with soft plastics do the job?....
First fish I ever caught in that lake was taken that way and it was a .....................Cuttie!
So you never know that place is crawling with fish.
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Being paranoid, I just booked the ferry both ways. Ferries to Saltspring can be 100% reserved, so if its full and you have no reservation, you are out of luck. You have to pay in full to reserve, but there is no extra reservation fee. You can cancel with a full refund up to 1 week ahead. After that there are change fees etc. So I figured there was no harm in booking now.
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Is that the gulf island ferry from Tsawwassen you are taking? I usually do Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay - Fulford Harbour. Usually I take the 10am from Tsawwassen, arrive at Swartz Bay at 12:30pm, then take the 1pm to Fulford Harbour and I will arrive at the resort just before 2pm.
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Is that the gulf island ferry from Tsawwassen you are taking? I usually do Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay - Fulford Harbour. Usually I take the 10am from Tsawwassen, arrive at Swartz Bay at 12:30pm, then take the 1pm to Fulford Harbour and I will arrive at the resort just before 2pm.
Rod, take a look at the ferries to Long Harbour on Saltspring.
My itinerary:
Friday leave Tsawassen at 10:25 and get to Long Harbour at 11:50. (direct I think)
Monday Leave Long Harbour at 3:30 and get to Tsawassen at 6:00 (couple of stops I think)
I may extend the trip by one day if my schedule allows it. ;)
Long Harbour is on the NorthEast side of the Island, not far from Ganges and St Marys Lake.
Let me know if you find a better way to do it. Maybe the Fulford/Swartz Bay route would allow a later return on Sunday?
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You're not arriving until 11:50pm on Friday? :o The Tsawwassen - long Harbour sailing has limited direct trips and mostly at night. The morning sailing take three hours (10:10am - 1:10pm) because there are two other stops I think.
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:o :o
I thought that ferry was am, not pm. Glad we discussed it. ::)
I have now changed Friday to the morning Tsawassen Long Harbour ferry.
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I fished it first week of May about 3 years ago? and did well for Bass on the Fly.Black body bugger with a red tail and a bit of crystal flash(Recommended to me from Kathy Ruddick)
Fished Stowel? lake for the Cutthroat and hammered them.
Camping was cold and wet in a tent.
I will be missing this outing as it will be my first weekend opener at my trailer on the Thompson.
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:o :o
I thought that ferry was am, not pm. Glad we discussed it. ::)
I have now changed Friday to the morning Tsawassen Long Harbour ferry.
So now you are taking the 10:10am ferry to Long Harbour?
I fished it first week of May about 3 years ago? and did well for Bass on the Fly.Black body bugger with a red tail and a bit of crystal flash(Recommended to me from Kathy Ruddick)
Fished Stowel? lake for the Cutthroat and hammered them.
That is what we were getting them on a few years ago but ideally we are hoping to see some bass snapping on surface poppers, but can't be too picky if the weather does not co-operate. ;D
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[So now you are taking the 10:10am ferry to Long Harbour?
Yes, that seemed to work best for us.
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Sounds good. We may also do the same then. I was just looking at the fares briefly and it seems that the Tsawwassen - Long Harbour sailing would work out to be cheaper than Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay - Fulford Harbour sailing... :)
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I have been there many times. We always went the week before May long weekend. Got the offseason rates at that time.
Topwater action was had every year. It won't be a problem.
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Hey rod you can retain cutties right? Also I take it your allowed camp fires?.
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Four per day, only one maybe over 50cm.
Campfire allowed unless it has changed. Each cabana has its own fire pit, but bring your own wood.
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Who is headed out there on friday, would love to follow you since we don't really know how to get there.. Maybe we can meet before we leave? please pm me. thanks!
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Who are you coming with Derp? Roe Kid and MichaelT canceled as none of them got their driver license in time. Maybe you can take one or both of them if you have room.
I haven't booked my ferry yet, but I intend to take the 10:10am sailing from Tsawwassen to Salt Spring (the one with the multi Gulf Island stops).
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Well its me, my gf and my other friend derek. I think I might be able to take them in our ridgeline, but I have to doublecheck.. I will let you know by monday
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Don't forget that it's electric motor only on St Mary's Lake.
Bring rain gear, it's gonna be a wet weekend, unless Wayne Cox is wrong, again.
Bring trout gear too, the cutthroat trout fishing is apparently good lately.
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I thought i could bring roekid and michaelT but i'm afraid it won't be possible sorry. Can anyone Pm me on how to get there? thanks!
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Getting there is easy.
(http://www.lakesidegardensresort.com/images/map_cmp.jpg)
From Long Harbour to the resort, it is only about 10 minutes. From Fulford Harbour (if you are coming from Swartz Bay) to the resort, it's about 25 to 30 minutes, depending how busy it is when you pass Ganges.
The address is:
1450 North End Road
When you get on the ferry, pick up a Salt Spring Island map which has all the major roads on it.
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thanks
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have fun on the trip Rod! hopefully the weather cooperates. :)
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Danny and Mike, look what you're missing out on. ;)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2008/080503-01.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2008/080503-02.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2008/080503-03.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2008/080503-04.jpg)
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc90/fishingwithrod/2008/080502-1.jpg)
Wireless internet in a lakeside cabana. Luxury... :) Back tomorrow.
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Nice pictures, looks like you are having a good time and the fish are co - operating too. ;D ;D
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Smallmouth ?
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Great Pics Rodney,a good mixed bag.