[Mad_Genie]

Hello All,

We are moving over to Nanaimo at the end of the month and rather than worry about unpacking and all that hassle I'm more concerned about finding some fishing holes (checks over shoulder for wife). Any members on here that could make any suggestions or show a newcomer around? I mainly fly fish and have licenses for fresh and salt water. Just happens that Brennan Lake is a stones throw from our new house so I'm hoping that has something in there. Also not sure if you can salt water fish from the shoreline around there (no boat).

Grant

 

[vanislealoha]

Hey Mad_Genie. I grew up in Nanaimo (now in Victoria) and fished all the local lakes and rivers with my friends. Used to fish in Brennan Lake from the shore next to a creek just past the juvenile detention centre. Mainly fished Long Lake as thats where I lived. Caught trout on the fly but there are also some really big small mouth bass in there. Best spot for Bass was a lake south of Nanaimo in Cedar (cant remeber name) but it was a blast catching them on poppers.

Caught steelhead in the Nanaimo River but that was awhile back. Also fished the little qualicum (Steelhead, Sea-run Cutties) and Stamp which aren't too far away.

Did really well catching salmon from shore at a place called Rocky Point off of Hammond Bay Road (I think?). Your casting from small cliffs so fly fishing would be out. Use buzzbombs and jigs. Watch out for the seals. I remember a guy caught a 40lb but most were around 10-15lb. These fish are fresh though!!!

Hope this helps.

 

[Fish Finder]

Hey Mad_Genie. I grew up in Nanaimo (now in Victoria) and fished all the local lakes and rivers with my friends. Used to fish in Brennan Lake from the shore next to a creek just past the juvenile detention centre. Mainly fished Long Lake as thats where I lived. Caught trout on the fly but there are also some really big small mouth bass in there. Best spot for Bass was a lake south of Nanaimo in Cedar (cant remeber name) but it was a blast catching them on poppers.

Caught steelhead in the Nanaimo River but that was awhile back. Also fished the little qualicum (Steelhead, Sea-run Cutties) and Stamp which aren't too far away.

Did really well catching salmon from shore at a place called Rocky Point off of Hammond Bay Road (I think?). Your casting from small cliffs so fly fishing would be out. Use buzzbombs and jigs. Watch out for the seals. I remember a guy caught a 40lb but most were around 10-15lb. These fish are fresh though!!!

Hope this helps.

I have some great memories fishing in and around Naniamo in years past. Still have lots of family there. In fact I'm the only mainlander of the bunch. The bass lake in Cedar is Quesnel. Not to be confused with Quesnel lake in the Cariboo. :cheers: It houses some very big bucket mouths that love flys... There's also Diver's Lake, and my personal favorite WestWood lake up on Jingle Pot Road. It can hold some nice size bows. Well it did at one time, it's been a few years since I've wet a fly there. However if things are still the same you'll have to get through all the smallies to get the bows. They love those minnow patterns. : Hope this helps. We could use some good stories from the area.

Finder

 

[Mad_Genie]

Hey thanks guys....I think I know my unpacking strategy now. Toss everything in the garage and head out fishing wife ---> :naughty: I'll be sure to post some reports as soon as we are settled in and I've hit a couple of the fishing holes. Looking forward to having stuff so close to home, work doesn't afford me a lot of travel time with on call support and all that nonsense.