PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
JOURNAL
Mar /Apr
2010
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Vol. 07
Number 02, 2010
Mar / Apr 2010, Edition
Penticton Flyfishers
Contents
Box 354, 113-437 Martin St., Penticton, B.C., V2A 5L1 Editor Bruce Turnbull Home Ph:250-493-7386 Work Ph:250-487-2000 Fax 250-487-2049 Email: bturnbul@telus.net (or) bruce.turnbull@raymondjames.ca
President Phil Rogers 250-403-8832 pjrogers@shaw.ca Vice President ???????
Treasurer Ken Baker kbbaker@telus.net Secretary Denis Currie 496-5499 Membership Director Tom Knight twknight@telus.net The Penticton Flyfishers are members of
Page 3— Presidents Report Page 4 & 5—Equipment Review— Float Tubes Page 6 & 7– Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Page 8— Most Endangered Rivers in BC Notice Page 9— Tunkwa Lake Resort Page 10— PFF Annual Dinner, Awards & Auction Page 11— Lake Bugs Page 12— Roche Lake Page 13— What are Trolling Flies by Joan Lake Page 14— Kluane National Park by Gary McLaughlin Page 15— 2010 Fish Out Schedule Page 16— Atlantic Salmon Page 17—Photo Gallery—
2010 AGM
Page 18— Calendar and Classifieds Page 19—Tying and Fishing Techniques Cover —by Bruce Turnbull
BC Federation of Fly Fishers (BCFFF) BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) Federation of Fly Fishers (International FFF) Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA)
Penticton Flyfishers New Website is www.pentictonflyfishers.ca
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Presidents
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Report by Phil Rogers Welcome to the first quarter of 2010. It feels like spring has come early and I think most of us are chomping at the bit for a chance to shake off the winter doldrums by getting out on the water and putting our newly created flies to the test. But first I would like to take this opportunity to thank Angus Cameron for his dedication and guidance as the President of the Penticton Flyfishers over the past two years. Under Angus’s leadership the club has maintained its conservation efforts on Penticton Creek, continued with Family Fish Day and provided fishing opportunities for our members to enjoy the club’s camaraderie at various Fishouts throughout the season. He devoted many many hours to the successful operation of this club. Angus, thank you for a job well done. I would like to thank the membership for placing their trust in me to help lead the Club into 2010. I would also like to thank this year’s Executive for standing
up and helping to ensure this Club continues to be an organization we can all be proud of. I would like to see all of our members make a concerted effort to involve themselves in some aspect of the Club’s activities. Our activities this year will include Fishouts, Fly tying, Raffle, Dinner & Auction and Family Fish Day among others. Please let the executive know if you have a favorite lake you think would be good for a Fishout or an activity you would like the club to be involved in. A couple of years ago two of our members put on a short talk about Link Lake. As a result of that talk, Link Lake is now one of our favorite Fishouts. Your favorite lake could be next. We will attempt to have guest speakers at as many meetings as possible. We currently have Gary McLaughlin presenting his slide show on the Ice Fields of Kluane National Parks, Yukon, and
Jessica Hobden will be presenting a talk on Invasive Plants at the March 1st meeting. We have Tara White from MOE attending the April 1st meeting where she will talk about her proposed “Kettle River Streamflow Protection Plan” and future work in Penticton Creek. If there is any subject or person you would like to see at our meetings please relay your wishes to me or any other member of the Executive. Together we can have an active and dynamic club. Phil Rogers
Your 2010 Executive
Vice Pres ?????????? Treasurer Ken Baker
Secretary Denis Currie
Pres Phil Rogers
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Equipment Reviewby
Bruce Turnbull
FLOAT TUBES
Float tubes are truly a great invention for anyone who enjoys fishing. Float tubes are lightweight, very affordable and ultra -portable. For an angler on a budget and who needs a "floating platform" for fishing on remote lakes or smaller bodies of water, float tubes make an excellent boat of choice. That said, float tubes aren't for everyone. As float tubes are frequently bought by anglers - only to be stowed away in an attic somewhere once the limitations of a float tube have been realized. Hopefully, it will help any person contemplating a purchase of a float tube decide whether they should get one in the first place, and if so, what kind to get and where to get it. So, is a float tube right for you? The question rages on among anglers. Some say a float tube is useless, praising the virtues of a kickboat or a pontoon boat instead. Yet, more than a few float tube owners have taken quiet satisfaction while out fishing as they watch someone go through the steps of assembling a pontoon boat and the grunts and curses that usually accompany it. So, let's figure out if a float tube is the right fishing boat for you. We'll start by going over the different types of fishing that anglers usually find themselves doing - and then look at whether a float tube is the right boat of choice. And if not, what are good alternatives. River Fishing in a Float Tube
Stop! If you plan on doing the majority of your fishing in a river, no need to read on. A float tube is most definitely NOT for you. Consider a pontoon boat or inflatable kayak or inflatable raft instead. Float tubes, while they can be used in rivers, are most definitely not the best choice - or even a recommended choice - for river fishing. This is especially so if the river is fast moving, has rapids or has no current at all. Indeed, on fast moving rivers or where there is rapids, a float tube can be downright dangerous - especially if you are wearing waders. Lake Fishing in a Float Tube Go! Well, maybe. Float tubes were originally designed for fishing in small ponds and isolated lakes in the backcountry. Ultimately, in the end, float
tubes are vessels primarily for lake fishing. The problem is, on large lakes, float tubes are hopelessly outclassed by pontoon boats and inflatable kayaks (which are far easier to paddle around). Additionally, float tubes can once again be dangerous on large lakes in the event of high winds. Float tubes are not designed to "ride the waves" like a pontoon boat or an inflatable kayak is. In essence, if you plan on fishing smaller lakes or just along the shoreline on larger lakes (so you can get the heck off the lake quickly in the event of fatigue or high winds), then a float tube will work just fine. Fishing in Remote, Backcountry Waters Go! This is definitely the best use of a float tube. Float tubes are highly packable, far more than even packable pontoon boats. Of course, because most backcountry waters tend to be very cold,
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you'll have to drag your waders along too in order to stay warm. This will add significantly to the weight and bulk that you drag into the backcountry. So, the big question is - to get a backpack able pontoon boat or a float tube for backcountry uses? I vote for the backpack able pontoon boat due to its increased versatility where cost is not an issue. However, float tubes work equally well in backcountry waters (at least ones that aren't of large size), and at a fraction of the cost of a pontoon boat that is "backpack able." What Type of Float Tube to Get? Well, if you've decided that your fishing style merits a float tube, then your next decision is what kind of float tube to get. This can be answered very simply and very succinctly - get a quality PONTOON style float tube .Why Pontoon Style? Simple, they have far more features and are immeasurably easier to manoeuvre. The "round style" of pontoon boats are very fatiguing to manoeuvre as the boat itself creates significant drag in the water. by comparison, a pontoon style of float tube has significantly less drag - making it far easier to manoeuvre (remember, you kick to move a float tube!). Float Tubes Checklist Pontoon Style or Round Style? Pontoon style float tubes are far easier and less tiring to manoeuvre, as they cut though the water far easier than a round style does. Pontoon style float tubes also usually more features. While they cost somewhat more, they are worth it. Check Weight Capacity. Float tubes all have different weight capacities. Make sure you get one that meets your weight/ gear requirements.
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Float Tubes and Rivers Do NOT Mix! Float tubes are designed for small lake/pond fishing. They are not designed for use in rivers...especially rivers with a fast current, or worse, with rapids. If you need a boat to fish the rivers with, get a pontoon boat...not a float tube. Ideal Uses for Float Tubes. Fishing on lakes or ponds that require packing in a boat to reach. Float tubes also work well for small ponds where larger boats are just too much of a hassle to use. Can also be used on larger lakes on calm days near the shoreline. Source:Internet
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
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If you are looking for one location on the planet where fly fishing reigns supreme; Bozeman, Montana should be your destination of choice. It is physically impossible to walk three blocks in Bozeman without running into fly fishing references. Gift shops are overrun with fly fishing Santas, royal coachman bed sheets and carved wooden trout. The town is literally surrounded by its five fly shops and four outdoor sporting goods stores. It seems like one out of 4 locals owns a boat and many of them make their living as fishing guides. Bozeman has the highest concentration of fly fishing and wildlife photographers of any town on earth: flip open your TU calendar or the newest issue of fly fisherman magazine and half of the photos are from Gallatin Valley shutter flies. Realtors’ business cards are adorned with grip and grin portraits of the large fish they have caught on local waters. Montana State University is the de facto institution of higher learning to focus on trout ecology. The Federation of Fly Fishers is located across the pass in Livingston with its International Fly Fishing Museum. The local breweries malted beverages have names like Hopper Pale Ale and Trout Slayer. Want a drift boat?...the best in the world are made at the edge of town at RO drift boats. Want the best waders on the planet?... you guessed it, they’re made by Simms here in Bozeman. Where do the
wave of hip, Warren Miller-esque, fly fishing movies make their debuts? … right here in Bozeman to an always packed house of frothing, fishing crazed locals. Where does Orvis hold its annual Guide Rendezvous? Bozeman of course…seemingly half of the top Montana fly fishing guides live in the state within driving distance. So if you want to live on the cutting edge of art, go to Paris. If you want to hang with the world’s best rock climbers: live in your van in Yosemite. Beach volleyball and Rio De Janeiro, Big wave surfing and Hawaii, baseball and Yankee stadium, pheasant hunting and South Dakota….you get the picture. If you have caught the fly fishing bug, and want to not only experience great fishing, but want to fully immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of modern day fly fishing then you absolutely must spend some time marinating in Bozeman’s angling culture. Perhaps the greatest aspect that impresses me the most is the shear quantity of expert fly fisherman and fly
fishing guides that call Bozeman their home. The area literally attracts the best of the angling world’s best. The sheer density of world class anglers promotes a vibrant exchange of all ideas related to catching trout on flies. Unless you live life with your head buried in the sand, you cannot help but to learn by simple osmosis when you are surrounded by so many great fly fishing minds when in Bozeman. So what serves as the keystone of the fly fishing culture so strongly immersed in this hip western town?....the fishing of course. Bozeman is blessed with an amazing number of the world’s best trout rivers within an hour and a half drive. However one would have a very difficult time traveling two hours from town to fish, because you literally have to drive by so much quality fishing along the way that the urge to pull over and wet a line becomes to great. Seriously, to fish the Kootenai (a blue ribbon river in Northern Montana), you have to pass up the Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson, Missouri, Big Hole, Clark Fork, Black Foot, Bitteroot….not to mention countless small spring creeks, stillwaters, and fantastic stream fishing. Let just say, it isn’t easy! Bozeman is an amazing location because you can actually fly fish
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some of the small creeks right in town and have off the hook fly fishing, stop by one of the pubs in town to wet your whistle in your waders and continue ripping lips upstream afterwards. Drive 10 minutes out of town and you are on the world famous Gallatin river, 20 minutes and you are on the Madison, and 30 minutes gets you to the Yellowstone. It’s a no-brainer that Bozeman has become a Mecca for some of the world’s best fly fishing guides. Expert fisherman realize that being at the right place at the right time far surpasses all of the advance casting tips a lifetime subscription to Fly Fisherman magazine can provide. The beauty of basing fishing trips out of Bozeman is the amazing diversity that our guides have at their fingertips for finding quality water that is “on fire”. Another perk to the Gallatin Valley is the density of fishing options for guided trips is that we are able to play match maker with our guests to find the best fishing scenario that matches what folks are looking for. If you are a beginner angler you can do a nice float trip on one of the stretches of the Madison or Yellowstone that has uncomplicated drift lines or maybe a wade trip on the Gallatin that is loaded with eager rainbows. Adventurous individuals may want to combine some white water with their fishing to experience the frenetic pace of casting into roiling pocket water or perhaps make a hike into the bottom of a wilderness canyon. With such amazing fisheries as the Madison, Yellowstone, Boulder, Missouri, Jefferson, Ruby, Gallatin, East Gallatin, Spring Creeks, small streams, Private ranches and large lakes with a short drive away it is no wonder that Bozeman attracts fly fisherman from around the world! In order to fish in Montana one needs to acquire a license and pay a $10 Conservation Fee. The license can be acquired in a number of ways. For a Non Resident 2 day license its $15.00 and you can purchase more than one two day license at a time. Next is a 10 day license and it
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Funding
costs $43.50 and finally the Annual Non Resident license which costs $60.00. The State finances their Fish & Wildlife Department through a number of facilities. Hunting and Fishing license revenue counts for more than 58% of the total annual budget of $87.9 million. Unlike here in BC where the fish and wildlife portion of the Ministry of the Environment budget represents around $13 million when fees from licenses generates over $30 million for the province. Areas to fish in Montana are varied depending on the species one is after. Fly fishing for wild trout in a mountain river among beautiful scenery is the dream of many anglers. In Montana, that fly fishing dream can become a reality. Montana offers superb fly fishing for wild trout in dozens of beautiful rivers and countless alpine lakes. The scenery is spectacular, and while some waters are quite popular, fishing pressure on most of the rivers and lakes in Montana can be surprisingly low. Unique among other western trout waters, Montana manages most of its rivers for wild trout; meaning hatchery born fish are not introduced into these rivers. Instead, protection of habitat along with catch and release restrictions are used to enhance fishing.
The result is that an angler who seeks to fly fish for wild trout cannot choose a better place to fish than Montana. Excellent fly fishing, beautiful scenery, along with many other outdoor recreational activities, makes a fishing trip to Montana like no other. The State’s fishing section provides detailed information about more than 40 rivers in Montana, from the popular Madison River to the frequently forgotten rivers like the Marias River and the Flathead River.
Source: the Internet, Sate of Montana FWP. And other internet travel sites.
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
The Most Endangered Rivers in BC Mark Angelo and the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORC) are once again requesting your nominations for British Columbia's top "Endangered Rivers". Each year, the Endangered Rivers List is compiled by ORC and released to media outlets across BC and Canada. It receives significant media attention, highlighting the rivers and issues that are most important to British Columbians. The deadline for submissions is March 6th, 2010. Please submit one or two paragraphs describing the river in your region and the issues that are impacting the health of the waterway. The 2010 list is expected to highlight anywhere from 5 to 10 rivers. It will be released in late March. Send your submissions via email to Mark Angelo at Mark_Angelo@bcit.ca.
54rd Annual BCWF Convention Wednesday, April 28th - Saturday, May 1st, 2010 Prince George, B.C. Important Dates December 31, 2009 - Resolution Submissions Due January 15, 2010 - Awards Submissions Due January 15, 2010 - Committee Reports Due January 31, 2010 - Last day for Early Bird Delegate Registration Convention Location Coast Inn of the North 770 Brunswick Street, Prince George, BC Friday Night Fundraiser and Saturday Night Awards and Game Dinner will be held at Prince George Civic Centre,
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Welcome to Tunkwa Lake Resort, one of British Columbia's premier fishing destinations. Picturesque Tunkwa Lake is world famous for it's extra large Kamloops Rainbow trout. And, because of the abundance and size of these trout, Tunkwa Lake was chosen as a venue lake for the 1993 World Fly Fishing Championships. Located in the sunny southern interior Thompson Nicola region of British Columbia, a short drive from Kamloops and Logan Lake, and only a 3½ hour drive from Vancouver, BC, Tunkwa Lake Resort is both a fishing resort and an affordable destination for bc fishing lodge vacations, known for its friendly service. Fishing and Family Vacations We offer clean, waterfront housekeeping cabins, tenting campsites and RV sites. Our housekeeping cabins are rustic but modernized cedar-sided waterfront cottages. Cabins will sleep from 2 to 7 people and have electricity, small fridges and air tight wood stoves. There are no washrooms in the cabins, but the central shower house has flush toilets and showers (no charge). Each cabin has it's own picnic table with firepits on the lakeshore. All tenting campsites and RV sites have firepits and picnic tables. The area where our campsites are located is mostly grass mixed with pine trees. There is plenty of room for even the biggest RV's, for group or multi-bc fishing lodge camping. All tenting campsites and RV sites are close to the lake with 10 sites on the lakeshore. Reservations are required on long
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
weekends only. A Sani-Dump is available. Outdoor Activities Boat rentals are available as well as lots of advice on how to catch those big Kamloops Rainbows. For the nonfishing guests there are miles of hiking and biking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities and a playground for the children. You'll find Tunkwa Lake easily accessible by car and centrally located, not far from the community of Logan Lake and an easy picturesque drive to the City of Kamloops. We enjoy repeat business from serious and non-serious anglers, families, couples both young and old, small groups and bc fishing lodge gatherings. Our guests come to enjoy a quiet relaxed atmosphere, therefore, we do not permit dirt bikes or ATV's, loud music or noisy groups in camp. Tunkwa Lake's elevation is 3,750 feet which can mean cool evenings even in mid-summer but we enjoy about 2000
hours of sunshine and warm days per year and are fortunate to have very few mosquitoes or biting bugs. Our resort is surrounded by Provincial Park lands, adding to the peacefull setting. The surrounding area is a mixture of pine trees and open meadows with many hiking and biking trails leading from the resort, so bring your hiking boots and bicycles. The plentiful bird life includes numerous ducks, geese, loons and eagles. In the hills near the lake are deer, moose and a unique opportunity to view herds of wild horses. There are many wildlife photo opportunities. This area is idea for horseback riding! So, if you have your own horses bring them along . . . we have paddocks available. The Resort store stocks a few groceries and a good selection of tackle, including locally tied custom flies, bait, ice, fishing & hunting licenses and souvenirs. There is a fenced playground for children, horseshoe pits for adults, a boat launch with limited dock space is available at no charge. If you want to take your catch home we have free freezer space. Pets are welcome but please respect other guests. Dogs must be on a leash and under control. Only small dogs are permitted in the cabins.
Tunkwa Lake Resort P.O. Box 1218, Logan Lake,
B.C., Canada, V0K 1W0 Phone: (250) 523-9697 info@tunkwalakeresort.com
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS ANNUAL DINNER, AWARDS & AUCTION
SATURDAY, MAR 27th at the
ELKS HALL, 343 Martin St.,
Bar at 5:30pm, Buffet Dinner at 6:30pm Tickets $20.00 from the Exec and Tom Dellamater Auction Items Would be Appreciated
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
LAKE BUGS Have you noticed that each week it seems like there's a different large swarm of bugs by the lake? One week it's dragonflies, one week it's mayflies, one week it's midges, and so on. The swarms are massive, and then a few days later they're all dead on the ground. These are aquatic insects that actually emerge out of the lake. Aquatic insects are insects that live in a lake or stream for some part of their life. Aquatic insects are very diverse and abundant in lakes, although you usually don't notice them in the water. Don’t worry, the bugs in the water rarely bite or affect humans at all while swimming! In fact, most of them live burrowed into the sediments at the bottom of the lake. Most people only notice the adult forms of aquatic insects flying around by their porch lights at night, crawling on their boats or by lake vegetation during the day. Dragonflies, damselflies, mosquitoes, midges, mayflies and many more insects live in the lake during their immature life stage (nymphs and larvae) and fly on land in their adult life stage. You can think of the immature life stage and adult life stage as the equivalent of a caterpillar and butterfly. Water beetles
such as whirligig beetles and water bugs such as water boatmen, water striders live in the lake all their life. The reason it seems like there is a different mass swarm of bugs every week and then they die has to do with the aquatic insect lifecycle. The aquatic insects that live in the lake as a larva (caterpillar) often spend a year or more in the water eating and growing. When the adult emerges out of the lake, the large swarms you see are mating swarms. Once the adult mates, it dies a day or two later. Some aquatic insects such as mayflies and midges don't even have mouthparts as adults because they're only adults for a couple days to mate and then they die, so they don't even need to eat. Aquatic insects play a major role in the lake ecosystem. They help break down and decompose the dead material at the bottom of the lake such as leaves, dead fish, and other organisms. They are also a major food source for fish, frogs, birds and other animals. Without insects in the lake, it wouldn't be a very nice place to fish or swim!
Aquatic insects are good indicators of water quality and habitat quality in lakes because they have a wide range of tolerance to pollution. Some insects can live in any type of water, even green lakes with high algal concentration and a mucky bottom (midges). Other insects can only survive in water that is very clean and clear and has a high concentration of dissolved oxygen (mayflies and stoneflies). Still others are in between (caddisflies, dragonflies). By collecting insects from the lake and identifying them to see which type they are, we can draw conclusions about the water quality of the lake. If there are a wide variety of insects in the lake that can only survive in very clean water, we can conclude that the lake is in good condition. If only a few types of insects are found and they are the ones that can tolerate poor water quality conditions, we can conclude that the lake has poor water quality. If you would like to see pictures of these aquatic insects and their names, you can visit: http://www.entomology.umn.edu/ midge/VSMIVP.htm.
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Roche Lake Roche Lake is one the more high pro-
cess from Roche Lake West.
file BC fishing lakes that consistently produces for all anglers. Enjoy your fly fishing vacation at the provincial park campsites (2), any of the rustic campsites at the surrounding lakes or spoil yourself at the fabulous Roche Lake Resort. Fishing for rainbow trout is the only fishing available on the lake. Roche was cleared of coarse fish a number of years ago (30+) and is stocked only with rainbow trout. This lake is not a designated fly fishing only lake so you can expect to share the water with trollers and spincasters. There are a few restrictions for fishing on the lake and I would suggest that you consult your British Columbia Freshwater Fishing Regulations before venturing onto the water. The lake is located approximately 16 kms from the main turn off of Hwy 5A, 35 kms south of Kamloops. Access is along a maintained but busy gravel road where even your car will suffice. The main road leads through the main Roche Lake Provincial Park onto the Roche Lake Resort where it ends. Roche Lake West, the other provincial campground is accessed via the Horseshoe Lake turnoff, just before you reach Rose and Tulip Lake. This road is very bumpy but an holes have a hard bottom. Stay left on this road when you come upon the Horseshoe Lake turnoff (almost immediately when you make you initial right turn off the Roche Lake Rd) and follow it to the end.
Recommended Flies and Lines: Roche has prolific chironimid and mayfly hatches early in the season (after May 1st - opening day) which are best fished on floating lines with or without a strike indicator. I make sure that my chironimids are weighted so that they can get me to the desired depth as soon as possible. Also try a bloodworm, micro-leech or damsel nymph fished the same way. I prefer not using a strike indicator with the micro-leech or damsel nymph. Wet line fishermen do well with a big black/brown/green leech or a dragon fly nymph fished parallel to the weedbeds or shoal dropoffs. Try casting or trolling and vary the retrieve or speed of your boat. Early June to mid-July can bring on moderate sedge hatches that the rainbows will take eagerly in the mornings and evenings. The heat of the summer can slow fishing down. Go deep except late in the evening (even when it's dark) when you can stalk large rainbows that come in to the shallows to feed for migrating dragons, damsels and caddis nymph. A small (#12) weighted black spratley fished along the shoal on a dry line can be deadly. The fall can bring a mass of activity where many flies and lines can be used. The Roche Lake Area lakes usually host a tremendous 'waterboatman' flight anywhere from late August to early October where the fish frenzy feed. Chironimids (all sizes but mostly tiny - #14-#18), dragons, leeches and snail patterns can be productive.
Approximate Size and Elevation: Roche is the largest lake in the group at 134ha and sits at an approximate elevation of 1135m (3723ft). It is best navigated in a small boat and motor but a pontoon or belly boat will get you into some prime areas especially if you ac-
Special Notes: Roche gets very busy so I tend to visit the other lakes in the area. Most of my
fishing on this lake has been on the southern half of the lake accessed via Roche Lake West. The bay where you launch seems to produce well with a leech. If you continue south to the next bay on your right (west) you will find what I call '5lb Bay'. It has marl shoals, bullrush, sub-surface weedbeds and a consistent bottom depth of about 12'-16'. Diagonally across from the Roche Lake West campground is the island(s) where big fish can be found year round. There are some restrictions in this area and we recommend that you check your provincial fishing regulations. The far south end of the lake, past Electric Island, tapers into a marl shoal 3'6'deep) and is particularly productive in the fall using a small shrimp patterns on a floating line or a micro-leech on a floating line with a strike indicator. There are motor restrictions in this area... Electric Motors Only and or course, you can row. Roche Lake itself is stocked annually with, on average, 55,000 rainbow trout yearlings, and is an excellent producer of fish between 1 and 3 pounds with the odd one stretching the scales to 8 pounds. Roche Lake Resort—camping $30 per night, tents and RVs. Cabins range from $158 to $223 per night depending on number of people. Roche Lake Provincial Park—Fee is $10 per night. Has all the facilities except hook ups. No reservations accepted. Source: Roche Lake Resort web site and Parks BC. Internet.
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
W ha t are Tro l l i n g Flies?
By Joan Lake Republic Washington
Trolling flies are flies designed to attract trout in lakes at the trout's resting depth, and to mimic the trout's natural food sources. It is no small chore to create lures that mimic the natural food source while being pulled through the water at the end of your fishing line. How do trolling flies attract trout at their resting depth? The most important ways to attract trout are by using their own natural characteristics. What are some of these characteristics? The trout has a voracious appetite at all times. It will actively hunt or at least investigate anything that could possibly be considered prey. This is an instinct so strong that nature has taken a hand in preventing a trout from completely annihilating its natural food sources by causing its natural prey to become invisible to the trout under varying condition throughout the day. Of course this same natural phenomenon also prevents the trout from seeing the trolling fly or any other bait during these times. Many of our trolling flies take this into consideration, as you will read later in this article. Another natural characteristic of the trout is its good vision; it can spot objects more than 100 feet away in clear water. This can be reduced to just a few inches when water is very murky. They have a wide field of vision and can see in all directions except straight down. This good vision enables the trout to detect prey almost instantaneously and to detect your trolling flies. Trout can distinguish brightness and color; they have receptors in the eye similar to that in humans. Another natural phenomenon that occurs deep where fish rest, is the leaching of color due to the filtering out of light as depth becomes greater and greater. The first color that is leached out is red, then yellow, then blue. This is an extremely important characteristic to know when using trolling flies. Lateral line nerve endings that are found along the sides of fish help them detect motion, and the speed and direction of any detected movement. This sense not only helps the fish find food, but also to escape from their predators. This sense is not too important in the design of the trolling fly itself but it is important in the use of spinner attachments that may be used with trolling flies. Another way that trolling flies attract trout is by mimicking the natural food source of the trout. They do not mimic it by becoming exact replicas of the food source you see in dry fly fishing, but by approximating the look of the natural prey. This is fortunate because a nymph pattern, which has a long, slightly slender body with a short hackle at the head to signify legs, can mimic a multitude of the hatching nymphs of may, damsel, dragon and stoneflies. The approximation of the leech and woolly patterns are just as effective. The reason these flies do not need to closely resemble the look of the original prey is because of the movement of the fly while trolling. The force the water exerts on the fly as it is propelled through the water changes its look, streamlines it and makes it into what a fish expects to see in deep water. Many trolling flies look slightly messy out of the water. The hackle of leech and woolly patterns is long and thick as it tries to give more substance and density to these flies. You will see a lot of chenille used on trolling flies. Chenille is important because it absorbs a lot of water and cause the fly to be heavy and balanced. The heavy fly will present to the trout on a straight plane, which is what the trout expects to see in deep water. Color is one of the more important design features of the trolling fly. The brightness of the fluorescent colors, such as fluorescent orange, fluorescent green, and fluorescent pink will remain visible to the fish when other colors are rendered invisible by natural light changes and become visible again sooner than other colors when the light again allows prey to be seen by the trout. This gives the fish a greater window of opportunity to feed than natural conditions allow. The natural leaching of color that occurs as the fly is presented deep is a decided challenge to the fisherperson. What we see when we choose colors for flies is not exactly what we get when it is presented to the fish. The fish however does know what it likes, so it is worth the effort and money to keep a multitude of colors and patterns in your box, and keep trying them until the trout tells you what is popular that particular day.
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
2010 FISHOUTS Members we need fishout ideas and dates for 2010
Link Lake May 28, 29& 30
? Idelback Lake June 26 & 27
Darke Lake May 15
?
Fish Out Ideas are Required for 2010
Columbia River in August
Kettle River July every weekend
Leighton Lake and Tunkwa Lake Sept 10-12
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Atlantic Salmon Atlantic salmon, known scientifically as Salmo salar, is a species of fish in the family Salmonidae, which is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into the north Atlantic and (due to human introduction) the north Pacific. Most Atlantic salmon follow an anadromous fish migration pattern, in that they undergo their greatest feeding and growth in salt water, however adults return to spawn in native freshwater streams where the eggs hatch and juveniles grow through several distinct stages. Atlantic salmon do not require salt water, however, and numerous examples of fully freshwater ("landlocked") populations of the species exist throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, the landlocked strains are frequently known as ouananiche. The freshwater phases of Atlantic salmon vary between 1 to 5 years, according to river location. While the young in southern rivers, such as those to the English Channel, are only one year old when they leave, those further north such as in Scottish rivers can be over four years old. The average age correlates to temperature exceeding 7°C. The first phase is the alevin stage. During this phase, the fish stays in the breeding ground and uses the re-
maining nutrients in their yolk sack. During this developmental stage, the young gills develop and they become active hunters. Once they are able to do so, they reach the fry stage. The fish grows and subsequently leaves the breeding ground in search of food. During this time, they move to areas with higher prey concentration. The final freshwater stage is when they develop into parr in which they prepare for the trek to the Atlantic Ocean. During these times, the Atlantic salmon are very susceptible to predation. Nearly 40% are eaten by trout alone. Other predators include other fish and birds. When parr develop into smolt, they begin the trip to the ocean, which predominantly happens between March and June. Migration usually acclimatize to the changing salinity. Once ready, young smolt leave, preferring an ebb tide. Having left their natal streams, they experience a period of rapid growth during the 1 to 4 years they live in the ocean. Typically, Atlantic salmon migrates from its home stream to an area on the continental plate off West Greenland. During this time in the salmon's life, they face predation from humans, Greenland sharks, skate, cod, and
halibut. Some dolphins have been noticed playing with dead salmon, but it is still unclear whether they consume them. Once large enough, Atlantic salmon change into grilse phase where they become ready to return to precise fresh water tributary in which they were born. After returning to its natal stream the salmon will cease eating altogether prior to spawning. Although it is largely unknown how they return to the same spot, it has been suggested that odour — the exact chemical signature of that stream — plays an important rôle in this process. Once above around 250 g, the fish no longer become prey for birds and many fish, although seals do prey upon them. Seals that commonly eat Atlantic salmon are the Grey Seal and Common Seal. Survivability to this stage has been estimated at between 14 and 53%. Its very important to learn about this species as its introduction to BC waters in fish farms and their subsequent escapes means more of these fish will be caught by anglers fishing for native salmon species along the coast. Of grave concern is that they will out muscle native species for prime spawning areas. Source: Internet Wikipedia
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Picture Gallery
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
= AGM Feb 2010
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
CLASSIFIEDS
CALENDAR of EVENTS Mar 04—General meeting with our new Executive at the helm. Time 7 pm
For Sale—15 ft Sage graphite Spey rod, line weight 10, 8 3/4 oz, 4 piece, used only ten times. Call Ken Cochrane 250-8609128 or email at kencochrane@shaw.ca
Mar 11—Fly tying night. Time 7 pm. Pattern to be discussed at general meeting.
For Sale—Sharps "SCOTTIE", a 4" Perfect style Salmon reel. Has almost all of original lead finish, Bronze line guard, slightly filed foot $400.00
Mar 17—Executive Meeting at Phil Rogers home. Time 7 pm.
3 1/2" Hardy Perfect, no line guard, long alloy foot, Ivorine handle, with a Hardy drawstring bag. An early model which, unfortunately, has been refinished. 2 small cracks, one on a pillar the other close by on the frame. They should not affect the reel for fishing. $550.00
Mar 27—Annual Dinner, Awards & Auction. Tickets from Tom. $20 per person. Look for more details. April 01—Yes April Fools Day. So what. There is a meeting…. time 7 pm .
Hardy Marquis Salmon #1 Saltwater with twin handles, slight paint loss around rim only, Hardy case $400.00 Hardy Salmon #1 spare spool (Not a saltwater spool) $100.00 Hardy St. John Some paint loss around rim. $250.00
www.bcfff.bc.ca
Hardy Marquis 8/9 spare spool all grey model $65.00 Hardy "Wathne Collection" #8 Numbered edition #248 & spare spool Basically same reel as a Golden Prince except for finish, Grey frame, Silver spool. Cases for both. Reel and spool are in as new" condition. I do not think they have ever been fished. $330.00 Hardy Perfect 3 7/8" leaded finish straight line writing no line guard. $330.00
www.pentictonflyfishers.ca
Call Ken Baker 250-493-2926 or email to kbbaker@telus.net
For Sale—John Watt's 12 ft Harbour Craft boat $800 35 lb thrust Motor Guide electric motor. Ph 250-493-0451
www.bcwf.bc.ca
www.troutwaters.ca
Tying and Fishing Techniques Early Season Flies
As we approach the start to another season I thought I would touch on patterns that I use for early season fishing. That being nymphs, leeches, shrimp and of course chironomids. Its not complicated and they are very affective. I usually set up two rods or more with different patterns on ( yes I know you can only have two rods fishing with one person in the boat but you can have several rods strung with different patterns and then alternate through them but yes only two rods fishing). One rod I will rig up for chironomid fishing with a very long leader tippet setup and also a strike indicator. I will set the chironomid so that it will be about a foot off the bottom. To do this I clip on my haemostats to my line and lower it over the side of the boat and let it go to the bottom. This will give me the leader and tippet length that I will need in order
to suspend the fly just off the bottom. Set the strike indicator so that this is accomplished. Toss it out as well as you can and let it sit. On another rod I will set up a sink tip line with about a 10 to 12 foot leader tippet combo and then a nymph pattern. My fav is a Pheasant Tail nymph. I will chuck this out let it sink and then strip it in all the while watching the other rod for any action. If this fails to generate anything I will then change the nymph pattern over to a leech or streamer such as a Carey and see how that performs. Make sure you change up your stripping action occasionally. Again keep an eye on the rod with the chironomid. Should the leech fail to attract a strike, change again and try a shrimp or scud pattern. Toss this one towards the shore or weedy areas to see if there are any trout cruising the shallows. Of all the things you will need in early season
fishing its patience and ample warm beverages to keep out the coldness of the day. Bundle up well and keep a close eye on that strike indicator and be ready to set down the one rod and pick up the other should the indicator go under.
Bruce Turnbull Bruce Turnbull
The Penticton Flyfishers meet the first Thursday of every month except July and August when we meet at nearby fishouts. Club meetings begin at 7 pm at the “OLD CPR� Train Station on Hastings St., and everyone is welcome. Membership costs $40 per year (Junior membership is free) and includes membership in the B.C. Federation of Fly Fishers, the B.C. Wildlife Federation, The Federation of Fly Fishers (International), and the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA). The club is registered as a society and its function is to promote the sport of fly fishing, to educate, and to conserve and protect the environment. The club is actively involved in conservation projects throughout the Okanagan and surrounding areas. If you would like more information about the club, its membership, projects and programs, please call any member of the Executive (see inside front cover).