Ultimate Trout Fishing - Island Fisherman Magazine

Ultimate
Trout Fishing
in the Pacific Northwest
Larry E. Stefanyk,
with various contributors
Harbour Publishing
Copyright © 2011 Island Fisherman Magazine and the authors
Photographs and illustrations copyright © Larry E. Stefanyk unless otherwise noted
1 2 3 4 5 — 15 14 13 12 11
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior permission of the publisher or, in the
case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a licence from Access Copyright,
www.accesscopyright.ca,1-800-893-5777, [email protected].
Harbour Publishing Co. Ltd.
P.O. Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, V0N 2H0
www.harbourpublishing.com
Edited by Dr. Adipose Huxley and Scott Steedman
Cover photograph of a jumping steelhead on the Dean River, BC, by Keith Douglas, All Canada Photos.
Text design by Roger Handling
Cover design by Anna Comfort
Indexed by Marysia McGilvray
Printed and bound in Canada
Caution: Every effort has been made to ensure the reader’s awareness of the hazards and level of expertise
involved in the activities in this book, but your own safety is ultimately up to you. The authors and publisher
take no responsibility for loss or injury incurred by anyone using this book.
Harbour Publishing acknowledges financial support from the Government of Canada through the
Canada Book Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts, and from the Province of British Columbia
through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Stefanyk, Larry E.
Ultimate Trout fishing in the Pacific Northwest / by Larry E. Stefanyk.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-55017-548-6
1. Trout fishing—Northwest, Pacific. I. Title.
SH688.N74S74 2011
799.17’5709795
C2011-900562-X
To my best friend, who has supported me in all of my endeavors for years:
my lovely wife, Janice.
Contents
Introduction ......................................................... 10
By Dr. Adipose Huxley
1: What Can We Fish in the Pacific Northwest? ........... 11
By Larry E. Stefanyk
2: Biology and Range ............................................. 13
By Larry E. Stefanyk
A. Rainbow and Steelhead Trout .................................................................. 13
B. Cutthroat Trout (sea-run and resident) ................................................. 21
C. Westslope Cutthroat Trout ....................................................................... 25
D. Brown Trout................................................................................................ 26
E. Brook Trout................................................................................................. 29
F. Dolly Varden Char (sea-run and resident) ............................................ 30
G. Lake Trout ................................................................................................... 31
H. Kokanee Salmon ........................................................................................ 32
3: Bait Fishing in Lakes .......................................... 34
By Larry E. Stefanyk
4: Learning a Lake................................................. 45
By Larry E. Stefanyk
5: Lake Fishing Tackle ........................................... 51
By Larry E. Stefanyk
A. Terminal Tackle.......................................................................................... 51
B. Fly Tackle .................................................................................................... 64
C. Fishing Tools and Gadgets ....................................................................... 76
D. Clothing and Apparel................................................................................ 84
6: A Still-water Kit Bag ........................................... 88
By Phil Rowley
7: Food Sources for Trout......................................... 93
By Larry E. Stefanyk
A. Dragonflies and Damselflies .................................................................... 93
B. Mayflies ....................................................................................................... 95
C. Caddis Flies................................................................................................. 97
D. Stone Flies ................................................................................................... 98
E. Terrestrials .................................................................................................. 99
F. Waterboatmen and Backswimmers ........................................................ 99
G. Midges: Chironomidae, Mosquitoes .................................................... 100
H. Scuds: Freshwater Shrimp ...................................................................... 103
I. Snails .......................................................................................................... 104
J. Leeches ...................................................................................................... 104
K. Forage Fish: Sticklebacks ........................................................................ 105
L. Baits ............................................................................................................ 106
8: Thirty Great Pacific Northwest Fly Patterns…
and How to Fish Them ........................................... 107
By Larry E. Stefanyk
A. Midges and Mayflies................................................................................ 107
B. Dragonflies, Damselflies and Caddis Flies .......................................... 112
C. Streamers................................................................................................... 115
D. Chironomids: Larval and Pupal ............................................................ 117
E. Leeches ...................................................................................................... 119
F. Backswimmers and Waterboatmen ...................................................... 121
9: Thirty Great Pacific Northwest Lures…
and How to Fish Them ........................................... 122
By Larry E. Stefanyk
10: Lake Fishing for Trout in the Pacific Northwest .... 134
By Ralph Shaw
A. Tactics for Successfully Angling Lakes ................................................. 135
B. Suggestions to Improve your Catching Skills ...................................... 138
11: Rainbow Trout................................................. 145
By Joie Coe
12: Steelhead Trout ............................................... 155
By Dr. Adipose Huxley
13: Cutthroat Trout................................................ 162
By Frank Dalziel
14: Brown Trout .................................................... 172
By Kenzie Cuthbert
15: Brook Trout .................................................... 178
By Bill Luscombe
16: Dolly Varden ................................................... 185
By Dr. Adipose Huxley
17: Ice Fishing ..................................................... 188
By Ron Thompson
18: Which Watercraft to Choose ............................... 194
By Larry E. Stefanyk
19: Knots ............................................................. 202
By Larry E. Stefanyk
20: Catch and Release: Do It Properly ...................... 210
By Larry E. Stefanyk
21: Non-native Species .......................................... 214
By Larry E. Stefanyk
Appendix 1
Select Lakes of the Pacific Northwest ...................... 217
By Larry E. Stefanyk
A. British Columbia...................................................................................... 217
Region 1: Vancouver Island ...............................................................................217
Region 2: The Lower Mainland.........................................................................220
Region 3: The Thompson / Nicola....................................................................222
Region 4: The Kootenays ...................................................................................224
Region 5: The Cariboo .......................................................................................225
Region 6: The Skeena..........................................................................................227
Region 7A: Omineca ..........................................................................................229
Region 7B: The Peace..........................................................................................230
Region 8: The Okanagan ....................................................................................232
B. Washington State ..................................................................................... 233
West Side ..............................................................................................................233
East Side ................................................................................................................234
Appendix 2
Fishing Checklists ............................................... 235
Index ................................................................ 238
10
Introduction
Lawrence
fishing Spider
Lake on
Vancouver
Island.
I first met Larry E. Stefanyk at BC Outdoors and BC Sports Fishing magazines. I
was editor. He was in sales. Both of us were into fishing.
The office of the magazine was in downtown Vancouver, on Beatty Street. Our
residences, however, remained on Vancouver Island. Lawrence (as I call him, much
to his chagrin) lived in Parksville with his lovely wife Janice and I lived in Campbell
River. That awkward commuting arrangement was good for one thing—long talks on
the ferry from the mainland to the island, and back again.
Lawrence was mad about fishing. So mad in
fact that I thought Janice might be equally as mad,
although with a different application of the word.
I soon found out that they both loved fishing and
anything to do with fishing. The only thing she got
mad about with Lawrence’s fishing was when he
went without her.
It wasn’t long before Lawrence picked up on a
niche that needed filling. He became the founder
and publisher of Island Fisherman magazine, which
he now publishes out of Campbell River seven times
a year with a healthy distribution and an ardent
following of readers. I soon returned as Publisher
and Editor of the Campbell River Courier-Islander newspaper, something I have done
lovingly, off and on, for over twenty years.
During that time at BC Outdoors, we were both greatly influenced by the late Bob
Jones. His books, magazines and other published titles, both as editor and writer, and
his incredible capacity for good single malt, left us in awe. We both owe him a debt we
can’t repay. Except, of course, with a book like this.
Bob would have loved it. He would have picked out small details we may have
missed here and there. He would have suggested a sharper pen for both editor
and writer. He would have growled about the layout, barked about deadlines and
complained about style points. But he also would have come upon sections of the
book and, while tugging his famous white beard, said, “Mmmmm, that’s interesting.
I didn’t know that.”
I think that’s what Lawrence wanted and I think that’s what Lawrence has achieved.
In this book I am sure you too will stop and say, “Mmmmm, that’s interesting. I didn’t
know that.”
And if it helps you catch an extra trout or two, I think that would please Lawrence
even more.
Dr. Adipose Huxley
November 7, 2010
What Can We Fish in the Pacific Northwest?
Larry E. Stefanyk
1
11
What Can We Fish
in the Pacific Northwest?
B
ritish Columbia contains more than 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of coastlines,
25,000 lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, which are
home to more than eighty species of freshwater or sea-run wild native fish, and
many of which support an impressive array of recreation angling opportunities for
which the province is world-renowned.
Our freshwaters are also home to non-native fish species that have been introduced
across the province to create new and augment existing fisheries.
Whatever method you use to fish, you can fish here and have spectacular results.
Depending, of course, on regulations.
Fly-fishing, spin fishing, single-action casting or bait fishing—it’s all here.
Apple Point on
Brewster Lake
near Campbell
River, BC.
Small rainbow
trout caught on
a black knat fly.
12
Ultimate Trout Fishing in the Pacific Northwest
Species include:
CHAR
TROUT
Dolly Varden
Brown
Rainbow
SALMON
Steelhead
Kokanee
Brook
Coho
Bull
Pink
Lake
Chinook
Coastal Cutthroat
Chum
Westslope Cutthroat
Sockeye
The main keys are: identify your species, identify your methods, make sure they
are within regulations and, finally, enjoy.
DORSAL
Dorsal fin
Nares (nostrils)
Operculum (gill cover)
Lateral Line
Eye
Adipose fin
Caudal fin
Mouth
Pectoral fin
ANTERIOR
Vent
Pelvic fin
Peduncle
Anal Fin
VENTRAL
POSTERIOR
Biology and Range
Larry E. Stefanyk
2
Biology and Range
2A: Rainbow and Steelhead Trout
Rainbow Trout
Small black spots mostly restricted
to above the lateral line
Radiating rows of spots on tail
No teeth in throat at back of tongue
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Lass: Actinopterygii
Order: Salmoniformes
Family: Salmonidae
Genus: Oncorhynchus
Species: O. mykiss
Common names: Kamloops trout, Gerrard
trout, coast rainbow trout, redband trout,
redsides, Pacific trout, steelhead, silver trout
These highly regarded freshwater game fish are indigenous to the Pacific slopes,
from California to Alaska. This trout is a species of salmonids native to tributaries of
the Pacific Ocean in North America. The oceangoing (anadromous) forms (including
those that return for spawning) are known as steelhead.
13
238
Ultimate Trout Fishing in the Pacific Northwest
Index
African nightcrawlers, 37–38
Alabama jumpers, 38
Alice Lake, 218
Alouette Lake, 219–20
Andrade, Lisa, 151
ants, 99
backswimmers, 99–100, 121
Badger Lake, 229
bait, 16, 20, 44, 50, 106, 138, 139
artificial/soft, 36, 50, 62, 63, 125,
128, 136
for ice fishing, 190
regulations, 152
See also worms
bait casting, 122
bass, 134, 137, 211, 215
black crappie, 214
Blackwater River rainbow trout,
16, 17
bobbers, 35–36, 191
Boulder Lake, 226
Brewster Lake, 11, 218
brook trout, 29, 144, 178–84, 188
Browning Lake, 219
brown trout, 26–28, 172–77
caddis flies, 97–98, 143
artificial, 112–15
Canadian nightcrawlers, 38
char. See Dolly Varden char; brook
trout; lake trout
Charlie Lake, 225–26
Charlotte Lake, 223
Cherry Lake, 221
chironomid, 100–102
artificial, 117–19
clothing, 84–87, 189–90
coastal cutthroat trout, 162, 163,
165
coastal rainbow trout. See
steelhead trout
Coe, Joie, 147, 150, 153
Comox Lake, 218
Cowichan Lake, 217
Cuthbert, Kenzie, 172, 173
cutthroat trout, 21–26, 46, 62,
162–71
Dalziel, Frank, 162
damselflies, 93, 95
artificial, 112–15, 182
Derish, Jack, 85
Derton, Andrew, 156
Dolly Varden char, 24, 30–31, 134,
185–87
dragonflies, 93–95, 142–43
artificial, 112–15, 182
Drover, Dan, 160, 161
Dugan Lake, 134, 222
Echo Lake, 226–27
Edith Lake, 178, 179, 192
Eena Lake, 224
Elk Lake, 217
Eskers Provincial Park, 225
European nightcrawlers, 37
Eve River, 148
Fishfinder, 138
flies (artificial), 16, 63, 74–75, 100,
139, 146, 147, 151, 167, 174–75
Adams, 97, 107–8
backswimmer, 121
Black and Silver Chironomid,
118
Black Bunny Leech, 120, 175
Blood Leech, 120
Blood Worm/Midge, 117–18,
141
caddis fly, 97, 98, 112–15,
143–44
Carey Special, 97, 114
Chartreuse Wooly Bugger, 120
chironomids, 101–2, 117–19,
141–42, 153
Corixis Waterboatman, 121
Dalziel salmon egg, 167
damselfly, 95, 112–15, 153, 182
DDD (Dave’s Delectable
Dragonfly), 181–82
Doc Spratley, 94, 114–15
dragonfly, 93–95, 112–15,
142–43, 182
Egg-Sucking Black Marabou
Leech, 119
Elk Hair Caddis, 98, 111
fishing with, 101, 139, 152–54,
167, 168–69, 175, 190
Glass Bead Chironomid, 119
Halfback, 111
Hare’s Ear Gold Ribbed Nymph,
112
leech, 74, 75, 96, 105, 119–21,
140–41, 175
Light Cahill, 109
Limber’s Black Wizard, 167
Limber’s Pink Candy epoxy
fly, 168
March Brown Soft-Hackle, 110
Matuka Sculpin, 116
mayfly, 96–97, 107–12
Michaluk Sedge, 169
Micro Leech, 96, 121, 140
midge, 107–12, 117
Montana Stonefly, 114
mosquito, 102, 109
Muddler Minnow, 115–16,
168
Pheasant Tail Nymph, 110
Royal Wulff, 109
scud, 103–4
stickleback, 166
Stimulator, 111–12
stonefly, 98, 111–12, 165
Tom Thumb/Humpy, 104,
112
Two-Tone Green Chironomid,
118
tying, 74–75, 100, 115, 107–21,
182, 186
Ugly Pink Fly, 158–59–60
waterboatmen, 121
Wizard, 167, 168
Wooly Bugger, 105, 120, 167,
168, 181
Wooly Worm, 113, 143
Zonker, 116
Zug Bug, 112–13
See also lures
floats, 35, 57
Fraser Valley domesticated rainbow
trout, 18
Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC
(FFSBC), 16, 18, 134, 180
Gerrard rainbow trout, 15, 18
Gibbons, W.P., 14
grasshoppers, 99
Hadden, Dave, 159–60
Harrison Lake, 219
Hart Lake, 224
hatcheries, 16
Hathaway Lake, 222
Healy, Tom, 28
Heffley Lake, 192, 220
Hidden Lake, 227
Hobson Lake, 225
hooking worms, 39–40
hooks, 34–35, 41, 50, 59, 61, 63, 79,
103, 105, 117, 125–26, 184, 211
Hunt, Ryan, 34
Huxley, Dr. Adipose, 158, 186
Inga Lake, 226
Jewel Lake, 227
jigs, 60, 125, 139, 191, 193
Jones, Bob, 10
Index
Jones, Lynette, 148
Kalamalka Lake, 227
Kamloops, lakes for ice fishing
around, 192
Kamloops Lake, 221
Kathie Lake, 225
Kathlyn Lake, 224
Klein Lake, 219
kokanee salmon, 32–33, 134
Lac Le Jeune Lake, 220
Lakelse Lake, 223
lakes, 45–48, 103, 166, 170
in BC, 11, 217–28
fishing in, 135–38, 149–50
and ice fishing, 190, 192, 193
in Washington, 228–29
lake trout, 31–32
leaders, 41, 43, 59, 73–74, 89–91,
124, 147, 203
leeches, 104–5, 140. See also flies:
leech
licenses, 20, 76–77. See also
regulations
lines, 35, 43, 50, 58–59, 68–73, 89,
142, 147, 173–74, 189
strength of, 35, 210–11
Louise Lake, 228
lures, 50, 59–62, 105, 122, 146,
150–51, 167–68, 169, 177, 181
Aglia Shallow Runner, 130
Apex Kokanee Special, 131
Apex Trout Killer, 133
Black Fury, 129
Brecks International Inc., 128,
129, 130, 131, 176
Cowichan Lake Troll, 139
Croc, 177
Deadly Dick Classic Fishing
Lures, 129
FlatFish F-4 Frog, 49, 129–30
FlatFish F-4 Skunk, 128, 169
Gibbs/Nortac, 127, 129, 130,
131, 132, 139, 157–58, 177
Gypsy, 129, 130, 132, 146
Hot Spot, 131, 133
Humpy, 129
Ironhead, 130, 157–58, 187
Kenzie’s Eyes-n-Tubes Muddler,
177
Krocodile, 128, 130, 168
Kwikfish Fire Tiger, 132
Len Thompson Original Series,
132
Leo’s Flies and Tackle, 129
Les Davis Sun Flash Fex-i-Troll,
136
Little Wolf Silver, 131
Luhr Jensen, 128, 130, 132
Mepps, 61, 129, 130, 131
Mister Twister Night Crawler,
130
Mooselook Wobbler, 131
Panther Martin, 168, 181
Rapala Countdown CD-5
Rainbow Trout, 127–28
Rhys Davis/Baitrix Trout, 128,
136
Rondell Flasher Wedding Band,
129
Rooster Tail, 123, 128
Ruby Eyed Wiggler, 127
Spin-N-Glo, 133
Thompson-Pallister Bait Co., 132
Tomic Lures Casting Spoon, 132
Tomic Plug, 61, 132, 139
Tomic Spoon, 133
Trophy I and II, 128
Wedding Band, 129, 131, 136,
151
Yakima Bait Company, Worden’s,
49, 128, 129–30, 133
See also bait; flies; jigs; plugs;
spinners; spoons
Mabel Lake, 227
MacKinnon, Kole, 85, 163
Marin, Brent, 156, 160, 161
mayflies, 95–96, 110
artificial, 96–97, 107–12
McGlashan Lake, 45
midges, 100–2, 153
artificial, 107–12, 117
Mike Lake, 219
Milburn Lake, 223
Miller, Brandi, 127, 154
Mohl, Jay, 20, 139, 159
mosquitoes, 100–1, 102
artificial, 102, 109
Moss, Tom, 49
Murray, Tom, 142
Northern Pike, 215
North Star Lake, 221
Nulki Lake, 225
Oncorhynchus clarkii clarki. See
coastal cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii. See cutthroat
trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi. See
westslope cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss. See rainbow
trout; steelhead trout
Oncorhynchus nerka. See kokanee
salmon
Paul Lake, 220
Peckhams Lake, 222
Pennask Lake rainbow trout, 17
Pinantan Lake, 220
plugs, 49, 61–62, 132, 139, 211
Quality Lake, 225
Quartz (Rockbluff ) Lake, 222
Quesnel Lake, 222–23
rainbow trout, 11, 13–19, 46, 48,
85, 90, 127, 145–54, 188, 199
Rawlins, Graham, 159
Red Lake, 220
red wigglers, 37, 125
reels, 42, 49, 54–57, 66–68, 78,
145–46, 155, 167, 176, 189
regulations, 24, 76, 134, 135, 152,
192, 214–16
bait, 16, 20, 44, 138
hook, 59–60, 126, 135
for specific lakes, 217–29
See also licenses
Rice Lake, 218
Richardson, Dr. Meredith, 14
rivers, 20, 147–49
rods, 41, 51–54, 77, 145, 147,
174, 189
fly-fishing, 64–65, 66, 70, 168
trolling, 42, 48–49
Rosebud Lake, 221
Ross Lake, 223
Round Lake, 224
Ruszel, Tristan, 155
salmon. See kokanee salmon
Salmon Lake, 15
Salmo trutta. See brown trout
Salvelinus fontinalis. See brook trout
Salvelinus mala. See Dolly Varden
char
Salvelinus namaycush. See lake
trout
Samuels, Ryder, 138
scuds, 103–4
sedges. See caddis flies
Segal, Rebecca, 173
Shaw, Jack, 141, 196
Shaw, Ralph, 134, 144, 196
Sheedy, Bob, 199
shrimp. See scuds
shore fishing, 138
Silver Lake, 228
snails, 104
Spider Lake, 217
spinners (for fishing), 60, 61,
122–23, 128, 129, 131, 150–51,
168, 177
spoons, 60–61, 124–25, 128, 130,
131, 132, 132, 139, 146, 152,
157–58, 177
Sproat Lake, 217–18
239
240
Ultimate Trout Fishing in the Pacific Northwest
steelhead trout, 13, 23, 19–20,
155–61
Stefanyk, Janice, 45
Stefanyk, Larry E., 10, 126, 176
sticklebacks, 105–6, 166
stone flies, 98, 111–12
strike indicators, 74, 101, 117,
121, 142
Summit Lake, 221
Sundance Lakes, 226
Swan Lake, 226
swivels, 41–42, 60, 79, 91, 123, 124
Tachick Lake, 225
Tarboo Lake, 228–29
Tchesinkut Lake, 224
temperature, measuring water, 46,
81, 212
Ten Mile Lake, 222
tides, 77
Tiefenbach, Petra, 169
tippet, 73–74, 81, 89–90, 142, 146,
147, 156, 174, 180, 203, 212
triploidy, 18, 29, 180
trolling, 40, 42–44, 48–50 60, 105,
135, 138–39, 151, 160–61, 169,
179, 183
tackle for, 53, 55, 58, 124, 128,
132, 133, 136, 146, 152, 168
See also worms
Tyhee Lake, 223–224
Tzenzaicut Lake rainbow trout,
17–18
Vaida, Tom, 84
von Brendel, Bill, 171
Walbaum, Johann Julius, 14
walleye, 214, 215, 216
Wapato Lake, 228
waterboatmen, 99–100, 121
westslope cutthroat trout, 25–26,
165, 166
Williams Lake (USA), 228
Willing, Peter, 133
worms, 34, 36, 41, 36–42, 44, 78,
125, 138–39, 150, 190. See
also bait
Yellow Lake, 227–28
Yellow Perch, 214, 216