[Jucket]

Hi Everyone-
I was doing some research on fishing in the Vancouver area and I found this great site! Figured you folks might be the best source of advice. Here is my situation:
I am planning a trip from Boston, Massachusetts to Vancouver to visit a lady-friend in early November. While in town (and she’s at work) , I am hoping to head out and explore some of the great fly fishing opportunities you guys have in your area making daytrips from the city. I’ll have a 5wt and an 8wt and would love to get out and explore the area in search of a few fish, be it trout or salmon. While I’d love to get into some fish, I fully understand that the volumes of information that can be learned about a fishery will not be built in a few day trips. Trying to find fish has always been my preferred way to see a new area and landscape and I’d love to be able to walk/wade some rivers or streams and experience that part of the world. So here is my question: If you were in my shoes and had a 5wt, 8wt, a pair of waders and a few midweek days, what would your plan be to hike some pretty water and get a good intro to that landscape. Hooking a trout or salmon would be a wonderful added bonus.

Thanks folks, for any advice. Have a great fall season.

Brendan in Boston

 

[Rib]

Whereabouts in Vancouver will you be staying Jucket?

 

[Jucket]

Hey Ribwart-
I'm going to be right on the northern side of the city, I guess just south across the inlet from West Vancouver.
I have read some about the Fraser valley and some of the areas up near Squamish...Some of the tidal rivers out there seem HUGE! and slightly intimidating. I done most of my trout fishing on the rivers and creeks in Colorado when I was in school. Are there smaller wadeable tributaries to some of these bigger rivers that you think might be worth exploring?

 

[young gun]

chilliwack, chehalis, capilano, seymour, squamish, harrison. Are all fly fishable, they all have salmon in them. chinook, coho, chum, pinks will be in there. Squamish and the harrison are good for chums who love the fly. Chilliwack river has all 4 species running. Seymour has chums pinks coho's and springs. Good luck hope the rest of the forum can help u out.

 

[Furious_George]

For early November I'd suggest you bring your 8wt and try the Squamish, it will be about an hour's drive.

Talk to the folks at Highwater Tackle on Lonsdale, in North Vancouver, before you drive out - they can help you with which flies to use.

 

[Jucket]

Thanks guys, for the info.
I'll do some research on those rivers and check in with the guys at Highwater Tackle once I get there.
Thanks for the recomendations. I'm excited to get out there and check it all out.

Brendan

 

[capman]

Jucket, at that time of the year I recommend Squamish. You will have a blast with Chum and your 8 Wt setup will be used to its max. Plus, it is a beautiful river with lots of scenery. As was mentioned, Dave at Highwater Tackle can give you alot more information.

 

[xgolfman]

ditto the squamish, it will blow your baked beans brains out!!! Country like you've never seen and some of the best fighting fish...god I love those squamish dogs...
While your here get someone to let you use their spey rod...hee hee, might just lead you to the dark side...

 

[hotrod]

Highwater Tackle

(604) 986-3239

You'll either talk to Dave or Alex. Dave is the owner.They should be able to direct to exactly where some good fishing is to be had. They are up to date on the latest fising reports. I would say Squamish dogs or Thompson Steel. Both are world class fisheries and you'll never,ever forget it if you hook into either of these big fish


Hotrod

 

[Jucket]

Man,..all your enthusiastic suggestions have me all fired up! Maybe I should extend my trip. (not sure what the lady-friend will think when I fly 3000 miles to visit and then disappear up the river vally for days...we'll see bit I figure it can't hurt to set a precedent)
GreyGhost, you suggest a spey. I have never fished one. Is that because you want a heavier rod? or are you throwing a different type of line. Speaking of lines, What do you guys suggest if I am infact targeting these dogs. I also have a 9 wt with a 350 gr. fast sink Rio and an intermediate sinking that I use for stripers out here in NE. I have fished for steelhead in some of the Lake Ontario tributaries where we used just a running line with a decent amount of split shot to "dredge" the bottom of deeper holes where fish stage. Sort of the whole chuck and duck thing. Not to gracious but gets down with little drag.
Is there a specific depth in the water column that you guys are trying to stay in?
Thanks for all your suggestions.

If you're up there on the river in mid Nov and see a guy wearing a sweatshirt with a big-ass lobster on it, a Red Sox hat and a can of baked beans warming over some hot coals on the river bank, hootin' and hollaring with a fish on.....that'll be me. ;D

 

[Junebug]

Let us know when you're in our city, perhaps one of our fine members can meet up and show you the river.

 

[Fish Finder]

From where you may be staying in North Van, the Thompson will be at least a day trip for sure. Expect three hours driving each way. For our South Coast/Fraser Valley salmon, a multi tip system on your 8 weight will work best for our fall fishery. A type 3, 6, 8, and a slime tip would suit most water you'll encounter while out here. You may find the type 3 and slime (clear) tips will be best suited for most water. Muddlers, Flash Flys such as Christmas Trees, Wooley B's, Glo Bugs, various sparse buck tail patterns, and any spin off colors and variations of these patterns in sizes #6-10 and sometimes smaller should be stocked in your fly box. Make sure you bring a good rain jacket. If you heard anything about our beautiful B.C. fall weather, you'll need it! :thumbup:

Finder

 

[lowater]

rain and more rain junket but enjoy your stay and tight lines

 

[xgolfman]

Man,..all your enthusiastic suggestions have me all fired up! Maybe I should extend my trip. (not sure what the lady-friend will think when I fly 3000 miles to visit and then disappear up the river vally for days...we'll see bit I figure it can't hurt to set a precedent)
GreyGhost, you suggest a spey. I have never fished one. Is that because you want a heavier rod? or are you throwing a different type of line. Speaking of lines, What do you guys suggest if I am infact targeting these dogs. I also have a 9 wt with a 350 gr. fast sink Rio and an intermediate sinking that I use for stripers out here in NE. I have fished for steelhead in some of the Lake Ontario tributaries where we used just a running line with a decent amount of split shot to "dredge" the bottom of deeper holes where fish stage. Sort of the whole chuck and duck thing. Not to gracious but gets down with little drag.
Is there a specific depth in the water column that you guys are trying to stay in?
Thanks for all your suggestions.

If you're up there on the river in mid Nov and see a guy wearing a sweatshirt with a big-ass lobster on it, a Red Sox hat and a can of baked beans warming over some hot coals on the river bank, hootin' and hollaring with a fish on.....that'll be me. ;D

I use/like the spey as it keeps your fly in the water allot longer, reaches out allot further and I don't have to worry about back casting room...On big rivers like the T. you'll at times want to be out further, on the squamish it's not as much of a concern for chums...I've seen chums break 8wt's though, matter of fact, saw three blown up last year on them...The steelies on the T. are nothing like the the lake ontario tribs one...these are big wild fish..If you got a chance at them I think you'd forget your lady friend and move up there...I'll look fo you when your out!!! You'll have a blast!!

 

[Pat AV]

I would say forget the Thompson and hit the Squamish, bring the lady friend along, show her this picture of KIM and tell her that big grin could be on HER face in a couple months. The Squamish is a good place to get beginners into salmon fishing.

a 8wt is a bit small but I use it to good effect (and it has a good warrenty).

Concentrate on the tail outs of the big pools where the current is uniform speed I had lots of luck with my fly rod there.

The fish will be jumping so where to fish is no secret, I ushually swing my flies in the Squamish but the strip works ok as well.

As for "small wadeable tribs" maybe have a look at Norrish Creek it is usually good during high water events (wich are common in early nov). It has goog coho fishing at times and good days can be had there on the fly if you hit it right

I agree that stopping by Highwater Tackle is a good idea, try reaction fly and tackle in abbotsford for faser valley info as welll

 

[Jucket]

Hey Guys-

Thanks for all the advice! This is great. I think I'll bring the 9wt and see what I can do up on the Squamish. I figure I'll try to get some flies tied in the next several weeks. Is there a few patterns that you think are real standard/ must haves for the squamish in mid Nov.
Are there a few simple patterns that you would suggest I have a bunch of? I figure I could bump up the fly box with some of the more simple patterns and then pick up any thing more specific or overly tricky from the shops you guys have suggested.

 

[Junebug]

Popsicles

 

[Jucket]

Popsicles....
Hmm. Have never tied one but just googled some pictures. Doesn't look too trickey. What size would you say I tie them on? Any particular colors? I'm seeing a bunch that are purple/red, purple/pink, black....

 

[xgolfman]

I found Roe candy to work best for me...tried lime green all day with no success, (though pinks love that color)..Anyways, stupid simple to tie, just orange wool with a rib of silver, and a different color orange, roe, pink wool as the wing...You'll see a bunch of guys way out, I fished in behind them, swung the fly and "lifted" it about every 20* on the swing....All you'll see is a swirl downstream of your floating line, (use a sink tip)...then you'll notice your line start to rip...(like 15mph) up and out into the flow...before you can say, "Damn Yankees won it all again" you'll be into your backing....Absolute freaking blast...Gotta love them dime bright dogs!!