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Author Topic: Salmon on the fly  (Read 2239 times)

E

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Salmon on the fly
« on: August 26, 2014, 04:28:11 PM »
Hey guys,

This is officially my first "salmon season" in BC and I'm pumped to get out and try my luck. I was out off West Van in mid July with no luck and have been in the interior on vacation since then pulling out nice trout in the Clearwater area - on the way back I noticed 100s of guys out around the Hope area fishing for what I can only assume to be salmon.

I was hoping for some pointers on salmon fishing in/around Vancouver or within a few hours drive. I will have some time this weekend and am hoping to make a solid effort at catching my first salmon on the fly. From my understanding the majority of guys are bar fishing right now... I'm not sure if there are areas that are "good" for fly fishing at this time, or whether I need to wait it out a bit longer.

My only real source of information is going into a fly-shop... at which point I spend way too much money.. so your responses are appreciated (feel free to PM me).
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blackskull

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Re: Salmon on the fly
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2014, 04:37:09 PM »
The hundreds of peeps you saw fishing by Hope have sockeye fever.  That is what they are 'fishing' for.  They will most undoubtedly all be bottom bouncing for the sockeye. 

If you really want to enjoy fly fishing for salmon, wait until the coho return late Sept.
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TheLostSockeye

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Re: Salmon on the fly
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2014, 06:13:48 PM »
if we get a return of fish like they say we are going to get you shouldn't have a problem flossing them on the fly.
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Knnn

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Re: Salmon on the fly
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2014, 09:54:39 PM »
You can catch socks on fly without flossing them, but you have to search for clear water which is tough to find on the Fraser, otherwise you will have to floss them.  Trouble is, where you find good flossing water, you will find lots and lots of people 'ing and they will not be pleased to see you swinging flys and there would be lots of tangles etc.

You are a little early for all the other species, although I caught my fist chum of the season today, which is very early.

Your best bests are as follows:

Keep trying Ambleside for Coho.  You would have been a little early in July.  You will have a better chance now as more fish stack up.  Keep trying until it start to rain heavily, then fish the cap, but you have to be ultra early to beat the crowds (as in at least 1 hour before sunrise).

Explore the Fraser and its tributaries and try and find some clear water to try for Socks.

Mid to late September try for Coho, Chinook in the Vedder, followed soon after by Chum.

Late September, the Squamish becomes a good option again for Coho and Chum with less fisherman, because it's mostly catch and release.

The Stave is a great place to try for Chum in October and coho are also caught there (again go very early for the coho)

I hope you have a robust fly rod, chum can be beasts ( I hope you have at least an 8 wt).

Good Luck
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E

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Re: Salmon on the fly
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2014, 10:01:21 AM »
Thanks for the help guys.

Knnn - awesome tips, thanks a lot! I don't think I'm in to "flossing" as it seems a bit unnatural to me. I enjoy the hunt and landing the fish is a bonus. I will also be steering clear as far as possible from the crowds; I'd much rather catch a few less fish, but actually enjoy my time and peace out on the water.

I do have an 8wt rod, so I should be OK. It also has a lifetime warranty so I'm not too worried.
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