Each March, John Bigbooty (aka Swamp Donkey from FishBC) comes down to the Lower Rainland from Vernon so we usually do a few fishing outings together. Swamp Bigbooty... Um... John Donkey... No, John Bigbooty and I have known each other before we started fishing together as we used to work together in cycling. Today we decided to venture up to the Squamish River, and let Floon and Deb from FishBC to tag along as well.
Last year, our March outings were blanketed by heavy rainfall, but we did quite well during each trip. Today's sunny morning was a pleasant contrast, but was the fishing going to be good?
The day started out with the usual meeting at Tim Horton's. As Chrome Mykiss, Itosh and I arrived in the parking lot at 10am, I saw Clint from Valley Fishing Guide making his way through the drive-through, getting a head start.
After We collected our grub, the FishBC trio soon arrived and off to the Upper Squamish we went.
The gravel road ride was something. Floon can tell you about this part.
As generous hosts, we showed the FishBCers where Chrome Mykiss and Itosh put on a show a few weeks ago (by the way, second part of the Bull Trout Madness will be on the website on Wednesday
). The run was slightly shallower but still very good. Meanwhile, Chrome Mykiss and Itosh headed upstream to find some new waters, I followed soon after.
While CM and Itosh were fildding around with their fly rods further up from me, I flicked my gooey bob that was dressed with a bit of yellow and chartreuse yarn into a tight slot between two log jams. Seconds after the goody landed in the water, the Drennan Zeppler bounced a couple of times before being pulled down. Skeptical (me, catching fish? Come on...), I gently tugged the line and the rod tip began to bend furiously.
The excitement didn't last long, as the fish wasn't on properly and came free easily.
Frustrated, I made another dozen casts into the same slot with no success.
After the brief action, I walked up to where Itosh was scouting. The far steep bank of the next run was perfect. The edge of the water was covered with exposed roots. The water depth was great. The overhanging trees created a patch of shade. It had fish written all over this section of the run.
I stood back, making sure my feet were no where near the water as the fish could easily be spooked with this low water condition. The cast sent the Drennan all the way across to the other side of the river. It drifted along the edge of the shade at walking pace. When it came out from the shade, the Drennan was buried completely! I set the hook, and saw flashes under the float while the rod kicked away. This fight was not meant to last, the fish came off even before I had a chance to reel.
I screamed at Itosh to let him know what had happened. He didn't seem surprised.
I made more casts into the same area as Itosh made his way down to me. A dozen or so casts later, the float was once again buried at the exact same spot! This time I had the timing dialed perfectly. The hook set was good, and I actually had a chance to reel.
Meanwhile, Itosh came down and we started discussing whose camera we should use as I fought the fish. Sure enough, the fish decided to be camera shy, and a pop meant the fish swam away freely again.
Zero for three, well... That's better than hooking nothing like my other five companions.
The other highlight today was when CM and I reached a large run and saw a good size fish rising at a tailout. We rushed up there and found the fish was rising in only two to three feet of water. Standing back, we carefully drifted our presentations through the section where the rises were seen. Unfortunately it was not interested.
Slow fishing, but the scenary did not disappoint us once again. The food at the pub tonight was excellent (Shady Tree was the name?). I saw two other fishermen today other than our group today.
If you are interested in heading up, it's a catch and release fishery. The fish have a tendency to move around quite a bit, so don't spend too much time at one run. Good luck.
Caption of attached photos1. While we were sitting and waiting for CM and Itosh to cross a side channel, CM went for a swim.
We didn't even hear it, otherwise the cameras would be out on full force during the swim.
This is the result of the swim.
2 & 3. CM working through a run.
4. Deb and Bigbooty fishing a beautiful run. I like the snowy mountain on the far background, and the moss-covered trees on the other side of the river.
5. Itosh working his way through a pool. Look at it, tell me there are no fish in that water.
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Topic: Squamish River March 12th (Read 6171 times)