Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fishing Reports => Members' Fishing Reports => Topic started by: bbronswyk2000 on February 07, 2009, 05:22:46 PM

Title: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on February 07, 2009, 05:22:46 PM
I wasnt about to get up early this morning as the past 4 weeks Monday to Friday I have to get up at 4:30am to go to work. I needed to sleep in and sleep in I did. Got up at 9am. I grabbed some breakfast, played with the kids a bit and started to put my fishing gear together. I knew that firstlight would not be the best anyways as the water would just be colder. Even a couple degrees warmer can make the difference.

So after loading the boat and truck I made some lunch to bring with me. Of course its a healthy one. Two egg salad sandwiches on 12 grain bread, some rice crisps, a protein bar and two Coke Zero's

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/bbronswyk2000/Island%20Life/Fishing/014-2.jpg)

So the truck is now all packed up and ready to go

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/bbronswyk2000/Island%20Life/Fishing/016-1.jpg)

I am heading up to Shawnigan and along the way I see they have much more snow left than we do. Its also a couple degree colder than at home. As I get closer I pass the West Arm Grill and see that the back end of the West Arm is frozen. The West Arm is my favorite place to fish on the lake. Hopefully its only frozen at the end of it. So now I arrive at the launch and get the boat off the trailer

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/bbronswyk2000/Island%20Life/Fishing/017-1.jpg)

So I am making my way over to the West Arm trolling along the way. I get about 1/4 of the way through and this is what I run into to.

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/bbronswyk2000/Island%20Life/Fishing/031-1.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/bbronswyk2000/Island%20Life/Fishing/029-1.jpg)

Guess I wont be fishing the Arm after all :( So I work the drop off from the shore line. I pass by my dream house

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/bbronswyk2000/Island%20Life/Fishing/027-1.jpg)

I am trolling around and not getting anything. I go to another part of the lake and see a couple guys anchored fishing. They start up a conversation with me asking me if I have had any luck. I said hopefully your doing better than me as I have not even had a bite. They have had the same luck as myself. They were anchored fishing single eggs just off the bottom.

So I troll around for a couple more hours with nothing to show for it. It was a wonderful day with only a slight breeze all afternoon. Here was the water temperature

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/bbronswyk2000/Island%20Life/Fishing/028-1.jpg)

I make my way to the boat launch to call it a day. I park the boat and walk up to get my truck

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/bbronswyk2000/Island%20Life/Fishing/034.jpg)

It was a great day out on the only almost ice free lake in the Cowichan Valley. All other lakes are still frozen.
Title: Re: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: yakideath12 on February 07, 2009, 08:36:10 PM
i wish i have a boat  :'(
Title: Re: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: coho_killer on February 08, 2009, 12:29:12 AM
dude that dream house i think is now everyones dream house! look at there boat dock unreal! I have never seen pic's of that lake till now i'm putting that one on my to fish list for sure i'll be in duncan in over a month might be worth a shot! Very cool report even tho your lack of fish! Thanks for the pic's very cool!

                                                                                                           CK
Title: Re: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on February 08, 2009, 09:33:35 AM
dude that dream house i think is now everyones dream house! look at there boat dock unreal! I have never seen pic's of that lake till now i'm putting that one on my to fish list for sure i'll be in duncan in over a month might be worth a shot! Very cool report even tho your lack of fish! Thanks for the pic's very cool!

                                                                                                           CK

The fishing in the lake will be much better in a month. Give me an email when you coming over and I may be able to join you and show you some hot spots on the lake.
Title: Re: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: coho_killer on February 08, 2009, 09:50:08 AM
dude that dream house i think is now everyones dream house! look at there boat dock unreal! I have never seen pic's of that lake till now i'm putting that one on my to fish list for sure i'll be in duncan in over a month might be worth a shot! Very cool report even tho your lack of fish! Thanks for the pic's very cool!

                                                                                                           CK

The fishing in the lake will be much better in a month. Give me an email when you coming over and I may be able to join you and show you some hot spots on the lake.

I just might have to take you up on that offer i'm comming over for a buddys bday in just over a month and he's gettin a nice lil fly combo from his wife and i'd like to get him into atleast 1 trout we will both beIN float tubes i'll let u know for sure! maybe i should get him signed up to your boot camt too!:) I never thought shawnigan was such i large lake or maybe from the pics it just looks that way!

                                                                                                                             CK

                                                                                                     
Title: Re: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: jeff on February 08, 2009, 10:16:15 AM
I agree with coho killer I think that house would alto of peoples dream house, can you imagine, wake up walk down to your own private boat launch sweet......
Title: Re: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: bbronswyk2000 on February 08, 2009, 12:54:52 PM
The lake is quite a large lake but dont worry about that. We will fish a certain area that the float tubes will be perfect. As long as work or meetings are not conflicting I dont see a problem meeting up.
Title: Re: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: mykisscrazy on February 11, 2009, 09:40:10 PM
Brings back a lot of memories. Went to boarding school there years back. Used to sneak out and "borrow" a row boat in the fall and troll up and down the West Arm. There were no houses like that then! Used to catch Kokanee (May June was the best months), Rainbows, and Cutties. The creek up at the top end entering the lake used to be out of this world for cutties (in the spring) some were pushing 5 pounds. Then there is the Shawnigan creek or Mason's creek (outlet). When I was gated (grounded) used to sneak there - kept my smokes hidden under the train trestle. Fished that creek as well, used to have good cuttie fishing in the spring and fall. As well used to hike it down to where it was swampy and good cuttie fishing year round. Lots of good memories! Too bad Smallmouth Bass were introduced - not a province approved introduction.
Title: Re: Shawnigan Lake, February 7th 2009
Post by: bluenoser on February 12, 2009, 07:11:52 AM
Do you prefer Jonboats?

Nice pics btw.