Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: Rodney on March 13, 2006, 12:25:49 AM
-
Each March, John Bigbooty (aka Swamp Donkey from FishBC) comes down to the Lower Rainland from Vernon so we usually do a few fishing outings together. Swamp Bigbooty... Um... John Donkey... No, John Bigbooty and I have known each other before we started fishing together as we used to work together in cycling. Today we decided to venture up to the Squamish River, and let Floon and Deb from FishBC to tag along as well. :)
Last year, our March outings were blanketed by heavy rainfall, but we did quite well during each trip. Today's sunny morning was a pleasant contrast, but was the fishing going to be good?
The day started out with the usual meeting at Tim Horton's. As Chrome Mykiss, Itosh and I arrived in the parking lot at 10am, I saw Clint from Valley Fishing Guide making his way through the drive-through, getting a head start. ;D After We collected our grub, the FishBC trio soon arrived and off to the Upper Squamish we went.
The gravel road ride was something. Floon can tell you about this part.
As generous hosts, we showed the FishBCers where Chrome Mykiss and Itosh put on a show a few weeks ago (by the way, second part of the Bull Trout Madness will be on the website on Wednesday ;D ). The run was slightly shallower but still very good. Meanwhile, Chrome Mykiss and Itosh headed upstream to find some new waters, I followed soon after.
While CM and Itosh were fildding around with their fly rods further up from me, I flicked my gooey bob that was dressed with a bit of yellow and chartreuse yarn into a tight slot between two log jams. Seconds after the goody landed in the water, the Drennan Zeppler bounced a couple of times before being pulled down. Skeptical (me, catching fish? Come on...), I gently tugged the line and the rod tip began to bend furiously. :o The excitement didn't last long, as the fish wasn't on properly and came free easily. ::) Frustrated, I made another dozen casts into the same slot with no success.
After the brief action, I walked up to where Itosh was scouting. The far steep bank of the next run was perfect. The edge of the water was covered with exposed roots. The water depth was great. The overhanging trees created a patch of shade. It had fish written all over this section of the run.
I stood back, making sure my feet were no where near the water as the fish could easily be spooked with this low water condition. The cast sent the Drennan all the way across to the other side of the river. It drifted along the edge of the shade at walking pace. When it came out from the shade, the Drennan was buried completely! I set the hook, and saw flashes under the float while the rod kicked away. This fight was not meant to last, the fish came off even before I had a chance to reel. ::)
I screamed at Itosh to let him know what had happened. He didn't seem surprised. :-\ I made more casts into the same area as Itosh made his way down to me. A dozen or so casts later, the float was once again buried at the exact same spot! This time I had the timing dialed perfectly. The hook set was good, and I actually had a chance to reel. :D Meanwhile, Itosh came down and we started discussing whose camera we should use as I fought the fish. Sure enough, the fish decided to be camera shy, and a pop meant the fish swam away freely again. ::)
Zero for three, well... That's better than hooking nothing like my other five companions. ;D
The other highlight today was when CM and I reached a large run and saw a good size fish rising at a tailout. We rushed up there and found the fish was rising in only two to three feet of water. Standing back, we carefully drifted our presentations through the section where the rises were seen. Unfortunately it was not interested.
Slow fishing, but the scenary did not disappoint us once again. The food at the pub tonight was excellent (Shady Tree was the name?). I saw two other fishermen today other than our group today. ;D
If you are interested in heading up, it's a catch and release fishery. The fish have a tendency to move around quite a bit, so don't spend too much time at one run. Good luck. :)
Caption of attached photos
1. While we were sitting and waiting for CM and Itosh to cross a side channel, CM went for a swim. ;D We didn't even hear it, otherwise the cameras would be out on full force during the swim. ;D This is the result of the swim.
2 & 3. CM working through a run.
4. Deb and Bigbooty fishing a beautiful run. I like the snowy mountain on the far background, and the moss-covered trees on the other side of the river.
5. Itosh working his way through a pool. Look at it, tell me there are no fish in that water. ;D
-
At least you had 3 hits. I had nothing to show for the time I was at my local flow.
-
Nice of you to take the less fortunate out with you. ;) tell Swampy I said Howdy... Sounds like you all had a pretty desent day, even tho nuttin was landed.
-
T'was indeed a wonderful day to be on the river. Big thanks to Rodney and all the other members for a great day of camaraderie on the flow. ;D I'm just sorry I missed watching the swim.
I managed 2 half hearted tugs all day and lost about 20 flies to the river structure. If anybodyfinds any flies in lower water they are all mine! >:(
Gotta head up to the rivers there more often. The scenery is so spectacular you can almost feel it weighing down on you from above when you aren't looking at it. :o
Some real sweet water too, just no fish wanted to play with me. :'(
The weather was great though, we all looked like this. 8)
-
glad I'm not the only one to take a dunk recently :-[ nice looking water, got to get back up there soon too...disappointed you weren't using the fly though rod :'( lol..of course maybe thats why you are the only one who got three hits...or maybe that's the fishgods punishing you for not having your flyrod??? ;D
-
Yup, definitely the fishing gods punishing Rodney for fishing a gear flinger. While the rest of us got to enjoy an incredible day of sun, scenery and the joy of practicing the fine art of fly fishing without the taint of bothering any innocent fishies, Rodney had not only to worry all day that someone he knew might see him on the river with a winch on a stick, but he was forced to punish the tender mouths of some (probably underage) (minding their own business) pretty little Dollies. ::) BTW - I'm not sure what he kept "cleaning" his frankenlure with but Willy Wonka never smelt that much like licorice. ;)
Just kidding Rod, thanks as always for a great day on the water, couldn't ask for better weather, scenery or company. Try to order us up a few fish for next time eh? 8)
-
BTW - I'm not sure what he kept "cleaning" his frankenlure with but Willy Wonka never smelt that much like licorice.
:D :D Man that's great
-
Sure hope you were joking about adding scent to the gooey bob, Swamp Donkey.
Bait ban is in effect in this area,and as per definition ,page 9 (I think) of the fresh water regulations, added scent is considered bait (gooey bob good, jensen egg bad) Not trying to razz you Rod as I'm sure you know this but for the benefit of others...
Quoted from the Fresh Water Regulations:
“Bait” is any foodstuff or natural substance
used to attract fish, other than wood,
cotton, wool, hair, fur or feathers. It
does not include finfish, other than roe.
It includes roe, worms and other edible
substances, as well as scents and
flavourings containing natural
substances or nutrients.
-
So artificial anise oil would be okay? ???
-
That's a good question.
There is artificial anise oil sold in scent shops. Which clearly labeled 'Not for consumption'.
-
No anise oil on my bobs. ;) They were dry, Bigbooty was just trying to get me in trouble with the CO so I would be away from the river and leave the fish to him. ;D
Ralfish provides a good reminder of course, bait ban and total catch and release on the Squamish, gotta give those fly people a chance sometimes. ;)
-
Yup, the "just kidding Rod" was supposed to be a clue ;D Rod's the most ethical guy I've ever met, even if he does fish wrong ;)
-
Ethical yes, but he sure is kinda funny looking though. :-*
-
that is a great point that was brought up, (on the scent that is) and one i never thought of...thanks for the reminder, i think i took some on my last fly trip there as i keep it in my pack for my hopeless (so far) pursuit of steelhead on the Vedder...that would not have been something i would have liked to try and explain to a CO... :-[
-
Ethical yes, but he sure is kinda funny looking though. :-*
Is it the giant tripod that's attached to my back when I fish? :o
-
Ethical yes, but he sure is kinda funny looking though. :-*
Is it the giant tripod that's attached to my back when I fish? :o
Rod you need a head cam. Get the picture from a first hand view :)
(http://www.creobic.com/foto/dvpaul.jpg)
or
(http://www.ritzcamera.com/graphics/ritzcamera/products/546970039.jpg)
-
Rodney, Chrome MyKiss and Itosh THANK YOU so much for allowing us the pleasure of tagging along to that beautiful river. It didn't matter that I didn't see a fish all day (according to Rodney there were lots ;D), the scenery and walk itself was enough to make for a wonderful outing. Next time us fly guys ( and gals) will show Rodney how it's done ;).
Good food too. Next time don't cramp me in the back of the car John Bigbooty ::) ;D
Nice to meet you Itosh. I felt so bad for CM when he went for a dip though, that water was dang cold :o
Cheers
Deb
-
You're welcome Deb. you only got to see a small portion of the river the other day, there are many other locations where the scenary is even more spectacular. We should do another trip up there when we get some rain (even though days like today are too good to give up ;D ). This year has been unusually slow. Last year we were able to connect with over 100 dollies between January and April and a few steelhead as well. Minnow patterns should start working soon, as they did around late March last year when fry started to come out. :)
(http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/Fish-Pics-and-more/P1010580.thumb.jpg) (http://www.fishingwithrod.com/albums/Fish-Pics-and-more/P1010580.jpg)
Don't feel bad about CM taking a dip, I had to listen to the two of them discussing whether he should try on Itosh's spare clothes for 20 minutes. ;D ::)
-
Yup, nice to officially meet you two, Deb and Floon. As was posted by others, the overall scenery was spectacular and doesn't make the skunking feel as bad. ;) ;)
There are fish in that river, just need to find them first. Once the water levels go up, fry patterns as seen in Rod's photo will start to produce some fish.
Feel free to keep in touch, and we will have to set up another trip (or three) up there before freshet sets in.
And don't worry, Rod has been outfished by the flyguys up there enought times to know that he should bring out the fly rod, but I think there is something about that red topped Drennan that he just can't resist... lol ::) ::)
Shane
-
You know, I think Deb and I might take you up on that offer Itosh, it was beautiful. Some of those runs had "fish" written all over them. From the treed bank run to the lo-o-o-o-ong sloping dark patch Deb and I found across the island from you you never saw, freestone stream fishing locations extrordinaire. Heck I even SAW a fish or 2 but they wanted nothing to do with this dude. Must be my cologne. :P The turns in the river we saw will really help fishing it in higher water since we know how it looks. See all was not in vain. ;)
This river system is one that I have put off and put off again exploring. The beauty and solitude is something everybody needs to experience to understand.
Now, if I ever got a picture of me with one of those high pristine mountains in the back ground like we saw with the rod a folded, I would O.D. Hopefully I will be in shadow so I don't spoil it too much. ::)
I wonder if there is rain in the forecast this week.... ;D
Edit: Res. Dog your avatar is killing me. LMAO! :D :D :D
-
Some of those runs had "fish" written all over them.
That was their excuse yesterday too. ;D
Heck I even SAW a fish or 2 but they wanted nothing to do with this dude. Must be my cologne. :P
So that was the scent Bigbooty was talking about. :o
After this forecasted rain later this week, it should bring some colour to the water. :)
-
Yup, very scenic 8)
(http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Sechelt/Squamish_1.sized.jpg)
(http://gallery.fishbc.com/albums/Sechelt/Squamish_2.sized.jpg)