Vancouver Fresh: The Overlooked Action

Vancouver Island's justly famous for it's saltwater fishing with five kinds of salmon, superior steelhead, halibut and shoals of bottom fish. However, locals know that, besides the stream fishing for salmon and steelhead that's seasonally wonderful, there's a great deal of year-round freshwater fishing in lakes, ponds, streams and rivers that many locals and all tourists miss.

You've a wonderful choice of rainbows, steelhead, both landlocked and sea-run cutthroat trout, colorful Dolly Varden, brown trout kokanee and even smallmouth bass. If your budget's up to it you can try some of the amazing fly-in fishing in lakes and rivers on some of the islands off Vancouver Island as well.

I note the above as the ocean off Vancouver's West Coast up in the Queen Charlotte Islands gets very rough. So when the ocean gets rough, I stay on freshwater.

The best way to access this action is to hire a freshwater guide who's equipped with the right boats or rafts to reach the action. Check www.islands.bc.ca for more details on the fishing, additional referrals to guides and all the food and lodging information anyone can use. Best of all, you enjoy about a 33% discount on the exchange rates. For specific guide recommendations after you've narrowed your choices contact the BC Fishing Resort and Outfitters Association website at www.bcfroa.bc.ca.

Perhaps the best freshwater introduction to Vancouver Island River fishing with a float trip on rivers like the Cowichan or Gold where rowed drift boats put you on the action. These waters and 40 more require special licenses and control access to protect the fishery and improve the results of those who enjoy it. Otherwise you just need the usual license and close attention to regulations so you're in compliance.

Gear need not be anything special. If it works in the "lower 48" it'll work on BC. I normally tote #5, #7, and #9 weight fly outfits. I include an ultralight spinning rig, a medium rig for streams and a ten-foot steelhead outfit for longer casting.

For saltwater I add a 25 pound test conventional spool rod and reel and a 12 foot surf stick. Frankly, fish in BC aren't usually that picky, but I always buy some lures and flies in local tackle shops and get bonus tips on fishing hot spots. TIP: Mention you're only there for a single day so dealers and such know you're not going to camp out on prize waters, and you may get a great recommendation or two.

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