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[Plainswalker]

I decided to take up fishing this year, and I just bought my first rod and reel recently (two weeks ago!). Little did I know, I just missed the rainbow trout stocking season  . Me and a buddy went fishing at Lafarge last week, hoping to at least learn how to cast. It was hot, and slow, and we came home with just a few nibbles. It was also very fun (!), so I've decided to stick with it and see if I can't learn enough this year to bag a salmon or two .

Next stop, Ambleside and the Capilano River mouth. I've heard that there's a few coho lurking around there, and we're going to try our luck. If not, well, there's always coarse fishing to learn from.

Question though, are we pressing our luck aiming for the salmon runs as a learning experience? Should we stick to coarse fish to learn first?

[ali2pali]

I don't think aiming for a Salmon or 2 is pressing your luck. Might as well aim high right. I'm pretty new myself and was lucky enough to catch a couple my 2nd week of trying....it can happen!!

[lude98r]

Keep trying and talking to people, I find if you show an interest that most people will help out.

Good luck

[mistermongz]

ya all ya gotta do is get out there and learn most people will and willing to lend a helping hand...i just started my self...and it has been pretty good...i started with salmon fishing...it was fun...enjoy...

[Plainswalker]

Ha, to be honest I was going to suggest going to the north arm of the Fraser to try some coarse fishing but my friends wanted to try the salmon . Well, it'll be interesting for sure! And if we do catch one, I'll be sure to tell you guys .

I did find that the people fishing at Lafarge were quite friendly, so yes, definitely, I will try to learn as much as I can from other people.

[Rodney]

Lakes around Vancouver like Lafarge will be stocked again in mid September (depending on how hot the weather is) so you only have a couple more months to wait until you get another chance. That being said, if you give these lakes a go in the evening time, you should still be able to catch some. Lafarge is pretty heavily fished so the fishing would in fact not be as good as some of the other lakes around here. It might be worth trying Buntzen and Sasamat in Port Moody, or Alice and Edith in Squamish, or Lost in Whistler. The setting at these lakes is also nicer, not that Lafarge is bad, it's just a bit urbanized.

For salmon, it's never too early to start since we do have plenty of them around during certain time of the year. The learning curve would just be a bit steeper than urban trout fishing. Ambleside and Capilano River mouth are definitely a good bet for the rest of this month and August, but you need to be there early in the morning. Your chance is also bigger if a outgoing tide coincides with sunrise. Get some spinners, buzz bombs and make sure you have the appropriate rod and reel that allow you to cast far and handle these fish. Your trout fishing setup might be adequate for smaller coho salmon, but it can be too much of a challenge on large coho salmon and chinook salmon if you encounter them. Light tackle can also be too stressful on larger salmon if they have to be released in the end.

For coarse fish, it does not hurt to try that either. After fishing for salmon and other what most anglers regard as "elite" species, I still enjoy wetting a line in the Fraser River on a hot day like this. The action is constant, it's relaxing, it's close to where I live, so can't really complain.

Good luck.

[Plainswalker]

Thanks for the detailed reply Rodney, much appreciated. Buntzen was actually my first choice but I heard it was flooded out due to a turbine problem, so I switched to Lafarge. Good to know!

Unfortunately we've made plans to go to Ambleside in the late afternoon Friday (see what I say about not knowing anything ) but I hope we have some luck. And I'll try to follow your advice about early morning next time . I got 10lb test line on my reel, so I expect it should be good for the coho. If I do get into chinook, I'll probably have to upgrade my rod, but we'll see when I get to that point.

[Bavarian Raven]

despite being flooded, buntzen is a good place to go. especially if u can get your hands on a canoe. it is worth the effort of carrying it down to go trolling. ford-fender and a dark red wedding ring, with worms, trolling slowly along either shore (not to close, dont wanna snag the bottom), and you will catch something sooner or later. this time of year, the earlier the better. there seems to be a feeding frenzy around 6:30am-ish,, 8:30am-ish, and 10:30am-ish. and there are still some massive trout in that lake.

if you are willing to drive a ways out, some of the lakes in the coquihalla (like falls lake) are a beginners paradise. worms, float combi or a fly will work wonders. this time of year its hard NOT to catch fish there =D cheers.

[Plainswalker]

I'll definitely try to put Buntzen back on the list then. Lots of good places to fish!

One thing I want to ask though - I heard from someone that only First Nations are allowed to fish at the Capilano river mouth... is this accurate? I certainly don't want to get into any trouble fishing, but I can't see any mention of this in the Area 28 regulations.

[Rodney]

The eastern side of the Capilano River mouth is Squamish First Nation's land so access is restricted to the public.

The western side is available to you for fishing. You can access it by parking at the lots in Ambleside Beach area and walk over there. There is a group of regulars who fish the area on a daily basis between now and fall. Some are very friendly and always willing to give advice to newcomers. If you are going there for the first time, stand back and take a look at what others are doing.

Although early morning is best, I have had success in the evenings when I first started fishing this area many years ago.

Regarding Buntzen Lake, although most floating docks are underwater, you can hike along the trails on the east side of the lake and find some spots that are very accessible.

http://www.fishingwithrod.com/blog/?p=170

[Plainswalker]

Oooh, that makes more sense. Yeah, we'll be there in the evenings, so hopefully we get lucky! Thanks Rodney.

[Plainswalker]

And the newbie report continues...

Went to Ambleside Friday evening, but I instantly lost 2 lures (1 on rocks, 1 to a knot coming undone). Third one didn't catch anything. I think it being high tide had something to do with it. I went back Sunday at noon just to reconnoiter and now I realize I was casting in very shallow water. I'll definitely try it again, but I'll come early in the morning. What is more important, it being an outgoing tide, or morning time? Sometimes low tide coincides with evenings (which is great for me).

Other than Buntzen, are there any places an hour's drive around Vancouver that would still have good fishing this deep into the summer?

[Fish Assassin]

I prefer mornings.