Steelhead DIY

[RalphH]

Most people go with the Spey set up these days but the short rods are as good as they always were. I think the 8 wt set up is better for the Coq' but that's 8 to 9 months from now. There is nice water from the train bridge up past the crossing to the On the Way store. Above Tamihi it gets less friendly to the swung fly but there's water up that way too. There used to be - and probably still is some good runs around the old Prison site.

[BCBound]

This is a great thread. I find there is such a fine line these days between "giving away the secret spots" and simply directing someone in the right direction. I've been up to the Vedder once, and have been studying maps / google earth since trying to pick out the more appropriate looking places for nice long swings with the Spey rod.

Of course it's the fisherman who applies his / her equipment and skill set to whichever surroundings they are in that will likely see more success. But when one is still learning, having more ideal water, with wide, sloping, boulder strewn runs with a brisk walking speed flow, sure makes it a lot easier to learn.

Can't wait to get back up there this week.

[Coastrider]

Ive been putting in time on the local Island rivers but so far havnt seen more than 1 fish that was too far off to ID. Still I dedicate time to scouting rivers and putting in the time on Google Earth. Wish Google was a bit more clear though. I have seen some nice pics of some sweet pools while zooming in on google earth

[Speybandit]

Awesome, I agree with the general direction approach especially with Steehead - it's not a zoo, it's the wild and in easily accessible rivers there needs to be a bit of protection for the fish. I'm sure for many of you all on this forum, the experience is a major part of it all. I know that to have searched hard for something (as a Brit, the holy grail is Steelies on the fly) and failed is not a fail... it is simply one outing nearer to success!

On the thought of using Google Earth though, I went to reconnoitre the Chehalis and the river had completely disappeared (behind hatchery) due to a change in river course - found it in the end😊

[BCBound]

Is there a way to tell when the google earth picture was taken?


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[Coastrider]

yeah, it should tell you at the bottom of it

[btree]

Ya, well, with some experience and google earth, one should be able to locate the "good spots" rather reliably. The obvious places pop out - confluences, big pools that seem isloated in the middle of a series of long straight runs, corners of any kind that create a deep slot and a some softer water on the inside. The other spots come with time on the water and knowing what sort of water fish prefer. Got out for the afternoon today and got skunked, but scared a steelie out of 6" of water right on the edge of the bank in a side channel on a very small North Island river. Could have had a chance to catch it with my hands if I was on the ball . Gotta love surprises.

[stimulator]

Just want to bring this to the top again ;-)

Hope you guys have a good steelhead season going right now.

There's only one month left untill I'm bound for BC. I'm gonna fish Van Isl for 5-6 days (from March 26) and I allready have a long list of rivers I'd like try. I'm in a process of narrowing down. My list includes Nimpkish, Salmon, Gold, Stamp, Cowichan and a few of the smaller rivers. Need some help here - that's way too much water for a few days. Know that. But which should I pick?
It might help to say that I prefer small river over large, wild fish over stocked, solitude over crowds, hard wading over easy (less pressure) - but guess that goes for most guys...
PM me if you feel like it - if anyone wants to meet up at a river just let me know where and when. Thanks.

[sixguns]

I'd recommend the fly only section on the Cowichan. It's the smallest of the rivers, has a mostly wild component and you don't have to deal with gear anglers (less pressure). Talk to Kenzie Cuthbert about a guided trip or staying at his B&B.

[stimulator]

So much water so little time seems to be a propriate decription right now. Have extended my trip to Van Isl to 9 fishing days leaving only 3 days to "do" Squamish. It was impossible for me to leave out many of the rivers on the island so I guess I just have to come back some time.

Sofar I'll try to get around these 4 rivers Salmon, Gold, Stamp and Cowichan in my "quest" for a steelhead. Forgive me - but I've been dreaming about catching a steelhead on the fly since I first read about it some 25 years ago. Now it's finaly my turn to give it my best shoot.

Looking forward to cruise around the island in a truck camper and hopefully fish a lot of great waters. If I get one (1) steelhead on the fly it will make my trip a huge success and well worth the effort, time and money.

If you have any last minute advise for me then I'd be very glad if you've PM me.

Thanks a lot for all your help sofar. Only 30 days left...