For fly fishers, shallow water is a relative term. For most of us it means water less than three feet deep. Many of the best places on streams and along salt-water beaches, where fly fishing is often most effective, are only this deep. Some anglers find it surprising, but good-sized fish can and do utilize these shallow areas for feeding...
Here on Vancouver Island we have ample opportunity to fish low-lying lakes and even the ocean estuaries and beaches in winter or early spring. Many of these lakes have natural or stocked populations of cutthroat trout.
In my opinion, winter-run steelhead are simply the toughest fly-fishing challenge on coastal streams—period. If there is any form of fly fishing that requires anglers to pay their dues by putting in countless long hours and many days before being graced with a hook-up from their quarry, winter-run steelhead fly-fishing is it.
The Palmered Brown Bug presents a good silhouette on the surface. And when slightly drowned, the wings give the fly a jittery, fish-enticing action when bucking the flow.
Every fly fisher needs a plan for when and how to do winter gear maintenance. A systematic approach for organizing and cleaning your gear is all you need. Follow...
All fly fishers have to use a leader. It’s just a fact of life. The problem is that lots of fly fishers don’t really have a good grasp of how to match the leader and tippet to the fly. This article is here to help.
Bass have been introduced in many lakes on Vancouver Island. Most of these lakes are easily accessible by paved road or good two-wheel drive gravel road.
I’ve found that over the years I take about 40% of my fish on leeches and 40% on nymphs. The other 20% are taken on dries and chironomids...
May on Vancouver Island brings with it almost every insect hatch that occurs on the island. March and April see the midges start and they are still going gangbusters on the lakes and ponds.
Every year I plan the flies for Fly of the Month for the year. One of the things I hear when I am on the water is what are you using. This year I will share with you my flies that I use, and how to fish them. Enjoy!