Canadian Fly Fisher 10-03

FFC National Championships in Manitoba

AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010 $7.95

West Coast Coho Strategies Fishing Spinner Falls Switch Rods and Why You Should Buy One

Techniques for Arctic

Bonanza on Montréal’s

Lachine Rapids

Grayling How to Select and Fish Egg Flies

DISPLAY UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2010

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Volume 12 • Issue 3 August/October 2010

Contents Arctic Grayling: a Fly Fishing Primer

By Duane Radford How and where to target grayling in Alberta and elsewhere in the Canadian north

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Switching Focus

By Bill Curry Flexibility on the water pays off

28 The Lachine Rapids: Multi-species Fly Fishing in the Heart of Montreal

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By Thibuat Millet Trophy smallmouth, trout, salmon, muskie and walleye in urban wild water

40 Tactics for Fishing Spinner Falls in Rivers and Stillwaters

By Ian Martin A veteran Grand River guide shares his experience fishing spent mayflies

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52

14

features

14

Switch Rods

By Paul Marriner How switch rods can enhance your casting and fishing performance

Techniques for West Coast Coho

By Todd Oishi Insider information on fishing fall coho runs

57 The 8th Fly Fishing Canada National Fly Fishing

Championships and Conservation Symposium

By Todd Oishi Fun fishing, camaraderie, and friendly rivalry in Manitoba’s blue ribbon parkland lakes

61 It’s all about the Next Generation:

22

The 2nd Canadian Youth Fly Fishing Clinic

By Bob Sheedy Turning kids on to fly fishing

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Cover: Duane Radford Photo

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52

regular columns 12

61

44

3 Editorial 6 Potpourri By Paul Marriner 8 Nancy’s News

By Nancy Cairns

11 Gear and Gadgets 12 Casting with Bill:

fly tying

The Single-handed Snake Roll

By Bill Spicer

33 Readers’ Showcase 49 CFF Recommended Guides

68 Wandering Aengus:

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36

Matching the Hatch with Egg Flies

50

Rubber-Legged Waterboatman

Curious Company

By Anneli Purchase

57

By Chris Marshall

By Ken Collins

By Sheldon Seale

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50 2

Shenk’s Laced Hopper

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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Editorial

BY CHRIS MARSHALL

I was delighted to read a news item in The National Post that iconic Canadian actor and Governor General candidate William Shatner is actively involved in the campaign to introduce legislation to remove salmon farming activities, which have a lethal effect on wild salmon progeny returning to the sea, from British Columbia river mouths.

CHRIS MARSHALL

“

Having a ­popular and high profile Canadian ­celebrity join in the fight will add ­considerable weight to the cause.

Shatner wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper last year, requesting that salmon aquaculture operations be located well away from the areas where young wild salmon lingered on their migration to the ocean. He followed this up with a broadcast on June 10, urging Canadians to support a current initiative designed to facilitate this.

The evidence from current research emphatically indicates that salmon farming operations located on or close to the seaward migration routes of juvenile wild salmon cause significant mortality to the migrating juveniles. The problem is that high concentrations of farmed salmon in pens increase the number of sea lice in and around them. Juvenile wild salmon (prior to heading out to the ocean) lingering in estuaries where the aquaculture pens are located are subject to fatal infestation of sea lice from the aquaculture operations. Sea lice are natural parasites on salmon.

Adults can survive them. Juveniles, however, are much more susceptible, and anything more than a couple of the parasites can be fatal.

For a number of years, conservation groups in British Columbia have been working hard to keep salmon farms away from juvenile wild salmon habitat. Having a popular and high profile Canadian celebrity join in the fight will add considerable weight to the cause. I remember enjoying the episode of Boston Legal which featured lawyer Denny Crane (played by Shatner) fly fishing for salmon at a British Columbia fishing lodge, but I hadn’t realized he had a special interest in wild salmon. Welcome news indeed.

Maybe he won’t have a cloaked Klingon Bird of Prey to spearhead the campaign to save the salmon, but that should not deter fly fishers from rallying to his call to join him. After all, protecting wild fish and their habitat is crucial to the future of fly fishing. B

”

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEB SITE

PRICE CHANGE It’s been over four years since we increased the subscription price for The Canadian Fly Fisher and even longer since we changed the newsstand price. But with substantial increases in printing, production and mailing costs, as well as the imposition of HST on magazines in BC and Ontario, we have no choice but to raise our rates. The increases in subscription rates are listed in our subscriber stitch-in card and on the masthead. Current subscribers may continue to renew at the old rates until August 31, 2010.

Some of you will have noticed that our web site and secure server were under construction for most of June.

By the time you read this, we’ll have been back on line, for over three weeks, with a new web-site and more user-friendly secure server.

We apologise for any inconvenience the down-time might have caused.

The newsstand price remains the same for this issue, but will be increased from $7.95 to $8.95 for the November/January issue.

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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VOLUME 12 - ISSUE 3 AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010 PUBLISHER Albion Enterprises EDITOR Chris Marshall ASSOCIATE EDITOR Paul Marriner FIELD EDITORS:

Brian Chan, Rory Glennie, Duncan Hardie, Don MacLean, Jim McLennan, Thibaut Millet, Duane Radford, Bob Sheedy, Scott Earl Smith Saltwater: Duncan Hardie Tying: Sheldon Seale EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Willow Hales CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Glen Hales, Marcel Saring, Mark Krupa CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS:

Allan Hassall, Jim Wenger, Charles Weiss, Richard Vandermeer SALES AND OPERATIONS MANAGER Liz Marshall MARKETING AND SALES REPRESENTATIVE Neil Houlding ACCOUNTS & IT MANAGER Jason Marshall WEB PORTAL OSM Networks ART DIRECTOR Jozef VanVeenen PRINTING Tech Web HEAD OFFICE

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Annually - CDN. $29.95 (Includes GST) US $35.00 USD Articles, news items, and tips are invited from freelance writers, anglers, or by any other interested parties. Please include postage for return of photos, slides, or other materials. The Canadian Fly Fisher cannot be held responsible for lost items. The Canadian Fly Fisher is sold in fly fishing shops and retail outlets across Canada and in the United States. Published quarterly by Albion Enterprises Ltd. All facts, opinions, and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions, or endorsements. No part of this publication can be reproduced in any manner without the written consent of the publisher. Albion Enterprises Ltd. and The Canadian Fly Fisher are not affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers or Fly Fisher magazine.

Éditorial J’ai été agréablement surpris de lire dans un article du National Post que le célèbre acteur canadien et candidat gouverneur général William Shatner est activement impliqué dans une campagne visant à réglementer les élevages de saumon pour les éloigner des estuaires des rivières de Colombie-Britannique. Ces élevages ont en effet un impact mortel sur les progénitures de saumons sauvages qui ­retournent en mer.

Shatner a écrit au Premier ministre Stephen Harper l’année dernière, demandant que les fermes aquacoles de saumon soient obligatoirement situées bien à l’écart des zones de migration des saumons juvéniles vers l’océan. Il a également fait une apparition télévisuelle le 10 Juin, demandant aux canadiens de supporter une initiative à cet égard.

Les résultats de recherches récentes indiquent sans équivoque que les élevages de saumon situés à proximité ou sur les routes de migration de saumons sauvages juvéniles étaient une cause importante de mortalité pour ces derniers. Le problème provient du fait que les concentrations de saumons d’élevage augmentent la quantité de poux de mer autour et sur eux. Les jeunes saumons sauvages qui circulent dans ces mêmes estuaires avant de rejoindre la pleine mer sont ainsi sujets à des infestations de poux de mer fatales. Les poux de mer sont des parasites naturels des saumons, les adultes y survivent bien. Mais les juvéniles, en revanche, y sont bien plus sensibles, et quelques poux de mer suffisent à tuer un jeune saumon.

Depuis plusieurs années, des groupes environnementaux de Colombie-Britannique travaillent fort pour éloigner les élevages de saumon des habitats de saumons sauvages. L’implication d’une célébrité canadienne populaire risque bien d’augmenter le poids de cette campagne. Je me souviens d’un épisode de Boston Legal dans lequel l’avocat Denny Crane (joué par Shatner) pêchait le saumon à la mouche dans un lodge de Colombie-Britannique – j’étais loin de me douter qu’il avait un intérêt personnel dans les populations de saumons sauvages. Bonne nouvelle!

Il n’aura peut-être pas un cloaked Klingon Bird of Prey pour mener la campagne de sauvetage des saumons, mais cela ne devrait pas dissuader les pêcheurs à la mouche de se rallier à sa cause.

Après tout, la protection des poissons sauvages et de leur habitat est cruciale pour l’avenir de notre sport. B

ISSN 1496-1717 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund toward our mailing and project costs. Nous reconnaissons le soutien financier du gouvernement du Canada pour nos coûts d’envoi postal et à ce projet.

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VISUALS

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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Potpourri

BY PAUL MARRINER

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Canada Asymmetrical warfare leads to an unusual dichotomy— Canada is at war, but aside from the families of our troops, civilians at home barely realize it. A terrible, yet almost invisible, cost is the physical and psychological injuries suffered by veterans. Founded in 2005 at the Walter Reed Army Hospital with the help of local TU and PAUL MARRINER FFF volunteers, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing “is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings.” The project has spread rapidly and presently has eighty-six ongoing programmes at bases in thirty-seven states and Germany. Albertan Kerry Pitt organized a Canadian group in 2009, and it presently has directors in five provinces. There will be more about this worthwhile initiative, and how you can participate, in our next issue. Meanwhile, visit their site at www.projecthealingwaters.ca.

Musings

Sitting silently in a boat when you are fishless, but while your partner sadistically utters grunts and shouts of glee with yet another hook-up, is cause for frustration or even justifiable homicide.

Same tackle, same fly, same technique, what’s going on?

Ever consider the direction of rotation?

No, not of the earth, but the trout. On more than one occasion I’ve watched approaching rises turn into takes of the first fly encountered; the ensuing activity usually means the second offering is ignored. Other than swapping ends every so often, I’ve stopped playing second fiddle by changing instruments.

A Booby, or other attractor, fished well below the rises frequently picks up a fellow traveller.

Parachute Posts

Received from a friend, a parachute pattern with an unusual post suggested a few comments. Although rarely seen away from Atlantic salmon rivers, a horizontal-hackled wet fly pattern design has been around for almost fifty years. The Cyclops, created by the late George Maul, featured a dressmakers’ pin (they have a “ball” head), bent at ninety degrees near the head, then lashed to the top of the hook shank to serve as a post. One modern variation uses an ordinary straight 1-866-991-0287 pin with a plastic bead slid up to the head, bent and lashed as before; another, the plas-

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tic t-tabs found holding the price tag in most new garments.

Intended to roughly imitate a drowned stonefly, many of the patterns include “stone” in their name. An example from my latest book is the Ghost Stone. A second pile of “stones” are tied to float on/in the surface film. Large hooks and metal pins don’t contribute to keeping them awash. Instead, a common choice is to tie the patterns on plastic tubes with plastic posts. My gift used a piece of old fly line (reuse and recycle!) with a simple overhand knot at the end to provide the stop. After seeing this, I grabbed some Swanandaze off my bench and produced a credible post/hackle combination.

People tie these patterns because, regardless of what they “imitate,” they work. I wouldn’t be afraid to try them in larger Western trout streams.

Windmill Tilting

A few hours before writing this column I attended a meeting of the local Flat Earth Society chapter, otherwise known as the Zone 21, Atlantic salmon Zone Management Advisory Council (ZMAC). Zone 21 encompasses the rivers of southwest Nova Scotia.

Why Flat Earth Society? Simply because the concept of a management advisory council for rivers that, at their best, are reaching less than 25% of their minimum necessary

THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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GHOST STONE (TODD COCHRANE)

A proven pattern on several salmon rivers from the Quebec north shore to the Miramichi. While the example is on a “medium” double, the materials would still work on hooks several sizes smaller.

RECIPE Hook: Partridge Q, size 8.

Thread: UNI 8/0 black.

Parachute Post: Straight pin with yellow bead, bent to form a post.

Body: Fluorescent green UNI-Stretch.

Wing: Three strands of pearl Krinkle Mirror Flash over white marabou over black squirrel tail.

Hackle: Grizzly.

spawning escapement is as whimsical as continued attempts to prove the earth flat.

So is that bit of evocative brilliance mine?

Unfortunately not. I was taking a few photos of the assemblage at the start of the meeting and, when asked why, commented that it might be the last of its kind. Lowell DeMond, long a tireless worker for the LaHave River, suggested I might be a bit presumptuous— after all, the Flat Earth Society was still meeting after more than 550 years! Nova Scotia once had more than ninety salmon rivers; now perhaps a dozen are meeting their spawning requirements (90% of these flow into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, none in Zone 21). Regardless, it’s always encouraging to see how many people keep the faith, even if recovery awaits the next ice age. B

Nancy’s News

BY NANCY CAIRNS

Goodbye Over the years I have had the privilege of talking to some of Canada’s most passionate fly

f­ ishers. I’ve been honoured to see fly fishers, men and women alike, take this love and transfer it into children’s programs or conservation efforts. I’m grateful and thank you for letting me into your world. However, as my new job in Ottawa has become increasingly demanding, I reluctantly announce that this will be the last edition of Nancy’s News. Tight lines!

NANCY CAIRNS

Ed: As we will still be publishing news items in future issues, but in a different format, keep on sending them in. We’ll miss you, Nancy.

The North American Stonefly Project Marty Seldon sends us this request from south of the border.

David Nelson, a SF Bay Area hand surgeon who heads the FFF Fly Tying Board of Governors and the son of late wellknown tyer Dick Nelson of Aztec fame, is a long-time stonefly addict. He and Lauren Cullen, an aquatic entomology grad student at Dartmouth, have started a fledgling Web site and are trying to combine the great local knowledge of fly fishers and fly fishing guides with the detailed knowledge of the entomologists. The fishermen know where and when the hatches are but are not sure of the exact species; the scientists know a lot about how to identify the species, but little about where they all are found precisely and when they hatch. David and Lauren are doing this without sponsorship. Check them out. Contact David directly if you’d like to participate as a specimen and data collector.

From David: The North American Stonefly Project (NASP), which is at www.Stonefly.US, is one of several related projects on the site. The goal of the NASP part of the site is to gather data about stonefly emergence and occurrence in the US and Canada, to help professional stonefly researchers document water quality and to serve as a basis for future stream preservation. The work is being done in conjunction with Ed DeWalt, PhD, who is with the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Illinois (www.inhs.uiuc.edu/staff/index. php?action=list&user_name=dewalt).

Ed, with a PhD in stoneflies, serves as the head of the Plecoptera Society of North America. His research has centered on documenting stream degredation by comparing current stonefly assemblages with historic records of stoneflies—and he needs the help of the fly fishing community.

Professional entomologists get to collect only a few weeks per year. Fly fishers get to go out on the river a lot more than they do (poor devils!). And that is how we can help.

I would ask that each of you go fishing with a vial of alcohol in your vest pocket!

More specifically, I am looking for volunteers to collect at least one stonefly for the project this season, which is rapidly passing. The golden stones (Perlidae) are the last major emergence of 2010.

Instructions for collecting specimens and recording data can be found at www.stonefly.us/ Instructions_for_Collectors.htm and at www.stonefly.us/Database_Entry_Sheet.htm.

If you are willing to collect a few samples, please e-mail me and let me know the name and location of the streams you fish. David Nelson, Co-chair, Stonefly.US nelsondl@pacbell.net

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Fisheries and Aquaculture

Hundreds of students across the province of Nova Scotia are learning how to sport fish, to help them get outdoors and enjoy the sport with family and friends.

Th e D e p a r t m e nt o f Fi s h e r i e s a n d Aquaculture’s Inland Fisheries Division has helped teach volunteers from the Hants West Wildlife Association and the South Shore Bassmasters how to deliver the Learn to Fish (L2F) program to reach more classrooms. It was delivered to more than 40 classrooms across the province this year, which means another 1,300 youngsters will know the ins and outs of beginner sport fishing.

“Sport fishing is a great way to get out and enjoy our lakes and rivers in a safe and serene family setting,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau. “I’m pleased to see community groups collaborate with us to help teach young people how to appreciate such wonderful resources, making life better for families in every region.”

The Learn to Fish program (L2F) was started in 2006 to help get kids between the ages of eight and 12 to try sport fishing. The volunteers are trained to teach kids about safe fishing practices, how to assemble a rod and reel, and how to identify their catch. The interactive and educational program has a classroom and outdoors component. With the help of the volunteer instructors, the L2F program was delivered to a number of additional communities, such as Yarmouth, Digby, Queens and Hants counties.

For more information about sport fishing in Nova Scotia and the L2F program, go to www.gov.ns.ca/fish/sportfishing.

Fish for the Future On Saturday July 10th, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. it’s the 5th anniversary of Fish for the Future at the No. 2 Road Pier, London’s Landing, Steveston, British Columbia.

Started in 2005 the goal of Fish for the Future is to promote sport fishing and other outdoor activities to youth and families in British Columbia. Each year, they invite families and retailers from across the Greater Vancouver Region to participate in handson activities focused on conservation and education.

Guests will have an array of fishing activities to pick from. They are encouraged to fish for local fish species, try out fly casting, give fly tying a shot, or learn about different fish and bug identification, and much more.

Grand River Spey Clave The annual Grand River Spey Clave on June 26, 2010 at Bean Park, Paris, Ontario had a variety of fly fishing faces instructing several fly fishing clinics, including: Scott Mackenzie, Gordon Macleod, Rick Kustich, Francois Blanchette, Neil Houlding, Courtney Ogilvie, Peter Charles, Marty Tannahill, Larry Halyk, and Doug Swift.

Free hands-on instruction was provided by the presenters and experienced casters.

Admission to the Clave, including lunch, was free. This year there was a silent auction instead of a raffle.

Saskatchewan Government Invests in Fisheries Plan

The Province of Saskatchewan has released its Final Fishing Management Plan to help conserve habitat and work in co-operation with local Native communities. The last provincial fisheries plan was implemented in the early 90s and does not provide the necessary means to address emerging pressures on the fishery resource. Climate change; increasing access to the resource; the development of new technologies to harvest fish; and increased competition among users were not taken into account.

The Ministry of Environment wanted to engage all fish user groups to determine how to best manage the provincial fishery over the next decade.

Consultation with the First Nations and Métis on the proposed provincial fisheries management plan began in the earliest stages of the planning process. From October 2006 to February 2007, the Ministry of Environment conducted 25 public open houses across the province to collect input on fisheries management in Saskatchewan.

More than 400 people attended the open houses and provided over 1,600 comments about the provincial fishery. There were also seven roundtable forums held in 2007/08 with various Native, outfitter, and fishing associations to provide consensus recommendations for consideration in the provincial fisheries management plan.

For more information or to view the report please visit: www.environment.gov.sk.ca/fisheriesmanagementplan. B

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Nancy’s News Coal Tar Classic Bans French Soccer Coach

By Ian Colin James

Hope you enjoy Ian’s tongue-in-cheek summary of this notorious event. Look for a full report in our next issue. Ed.

The 3rd annual Coal Tar Classic, Canada’s biggest, best and only fly fishing for carp event, took place on the last Saturday of May in picturesque Hamilton harbor.

With the subtlety of a pre-dawn police raid, 30 anglers took to the pier and, while their sprits were high, little did they know Lake Ontario was in no mood for giving up fish. When the score sheets were tallied, Steve Hunt retained the CTC trophy and the coveted yellow vest.

Steve’s 28 inch carp was the only fish landed, giving him the winning edge. John Tavernese

lifted the Jo James Sportsmanship Award, commenting, “Other than getting married and having two wonderful children, this could be the highlight of my life.”

In the post event media-scrum Hunt said, “Once the folk in the stands started cheering me on, I stayed focused and just worked the flies as hard as I could. The spectators pulled

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me through. I don’t think I could have done it without their help. The atmosphere on the pier was nothing short of electric.”

Dave “Hammertown” McLeod resorted to desperate tactics, confessing that “after two years of drawing a blank at the CTC, I resorted to using flies tied with the blue rubber bands from the postal system. Thanks to Canada Post, I hooked into four good-sized carp, but I panicked and lost them all.”

Dave’s sentiments were mirrored by Noah Fleming who said, “My brother Wes and I secured our spots for a second year in a row by sweeping the CTC Essex County Qualifier.

I felt confident this was my year to hoist the giant Coal Tar Trophy. Unfortunately, the hours of practice wouldn’t be enough: I had two chances but the fish won the battle both times.

The event pulled in a whopping $1,600 and a pick-up truck full of food for a kids breakfast program run by a local charity. Ron Marini, cofounder and Grand Poohbah of the CTC, said, “The CTC is not just a whack of fun built around a great BBQ lunch from chef Randy Scott. It also brings in some much needed cash to help support local programs for kids.

In total, we’ve raised $3,000 and supplied a large amount of food over the past two years.

In a surprising move, on June 23, the CTC Ethics Committee (CTCEC) imposed a lifetime ban on the French soccer team coach, Raymond Domenech (including family members and pets) from ever taking part in the CTC, for his shocking unsportsmanlike conduct by refusing to shake the hand of the South African coach after the French loss to South Africa, eliminating them from the event.

2010 CTC Results Winner: Steve “Epoxy” Hunt Jo James Sportsmanship Award: John Tavernese

1-888-805-5608 E-mail:info@canflyfish.com

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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Fozzils ThinkFLAT™

BY CHRIS MARSHALL

Zpey Rods

Fozzils was created to solve the age old problem of carrying bulky items from one place to another. The solution…think flat, pack flat. The think flat philosophy carries through their entire line with products that are practical and convenient to use and carry.

Our tester tried out the following two products and found them easy to use, clean up and pack. They were also watertight and durable – and her dog liked the dog bowls!

The Duet has everything two people need in one thin pack. Colour-coded and packed in a flat storage case. Very environmentally friendly.

Pet Bowlz are designed with a wide stable base specifically for pets. Generous sizing and very light, ideal for that fourlegged fishing pal you take with you!

A relatively recent entry in the fly-rod sweepstakes, Norway’s Zpey Systems quickly garnered an enthusiastic following.

Built on the foundation of Norwegian Arve Evensen’s unique, patented, bent handle design, the company employed innovative materials engineering to develop rods with a deep-action/short-stroke-length character resulting in a catapult-like response. Zpey offers four series of switch rods, Z1, Real Steel, True Blue and Lean Green, each tailored to specific types of fishing, from throwing weighted flies in saltwater to size 20’s on a spring creek. Last year the company introduced the Instinct series of longer two-handed rods developed by the outstanding caster, Henrik Mortensen. To get the best of these offerings Zpey has a matched series of lines and completes the outfit with the attractive Zpey Image reels.

Visit the website www.fozzils.com for more information

Find additional information at www.zpey.com.

For Canadian purchases contact Gaspe Imports, 418-392-4575.

Check out the Canadian Fly Fisher Magazine group on Facebook...

Join today and share your photos, fishing ­stories and fly patterns.

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Casting With Bill

How to Perform a Silent Lift

Bill Spicer is an F.F.F. Master certified casting instructor and host of The New Fly Fisher television show.

First, it’s important to understand why a fast lift off the water makes so much noise. Water has a surface film called the “meniscus”, which is what prevents pond skaters from sinking and what a mayfly has to break through in order to emerge.

Unfortunately, it has a similar effect on a floating fly line, so that when you attempt to lift the line quickly, the surface film breaks suddenly, causing noise and spray.

Therefore, in order to make the line lift from the water silently, it’s necessary to break the surface film slowly. However, this presents a problem in creating enough momentum to perform an efficient back cast.

One method I have used to overcome this problem is to use a Spey cast known as the snake roll. This specialised cast was originated by master Spey caster Simon Gawsworth as a way to change the direction of a cast, but it can also be used by dry fly fishers as a technique for picking up the line silently.

BILL SPICER

The Single-handed Snake Roll All of my columns to date have dealt with presentation casts. In this month’s article, however, I will deal with lifting the line up off the water silently. Anyone who has experienced dry fly fishing will know the importance of being silent. Any noise will generally put the fish down, stopping them feeding.

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve observed is when fly fishers rip the line off the water prior to making their next cast. This causes considerable noise and major disturbance on the surface of the water. In the following photograph, I’m deliberately making this mistake.

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

BY BILL SPICER • PHOTOS BY PETER CHARLES

Here is how to perform the single-handed snake roll.

1) After you have finished your drift, allow the line to straighten completely. Begin by lifting the line slowly at first, as this will break the water film.

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The key to executing this cast effectively lies in lifting the rod slowly and increasing speed as you continue.

2) As you lift the line up, increase the speed of the cast and make a

3) O nce you’ve completed the back cast, simply perform a normal

circle motion with the rod tip to complete the back cast. The circle should be counterclockwise if you are casting to the left, clockwise if you’re casting to the right.

front cast. Because the snake roll is essentially a change of direction cast, it will allow you to change directions up to 90°.

The key to executing this cast effectively lies in lifting the rod slowly and increasing speed as you continue. While the snake roll looks complicated and difficult, it really isn’t. With practice and in a very short time you will become proficient.

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Arctic Grayling: A Fly Fishing Primer

ADRIENNE RADFORD WITH AN ARCTIC GRAYLING, TINCUP LAKE, YUKON TINCUP LAKE, YUKON

Canada is home to what some fly fishers fish

­consider their dream fish – the Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). The name, thymallus derives from the grayling’s unique odour (which can’t always be detected) which some considered similar to thyme.

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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Estimated current and historical distribution of Arctic grayling in Alberta ARCTIC GRAYLING DORSAL FIN

Grayling Hotspots in Alberta Easily accessed (stocked) populations of grayling in Alberta occur at Bear Pond, Big Iron Lake, Quarry Lake, Wedge Pond, Sparrow’s Egg Lake and Champion Lake in southern Alberta; Grizzly Lake north of Edson; Peace Pond west of Peace River. The Little Smoky River and the McLeod River and many of its tributaries are popular grayling streams in Alberta’s northwest boreal forest.

Distribution

A fishing trip to either the Yukon or Northwest Territories, both of which are prime locations for this quintessential fish, would not be complete without a junket to catch grayling on a fly rod. They’re also fairly common in northern British Columbia, Alberta (albeit their range has declined considerably in this province), Saskatchewan, Manitoba and much of western Nunavut.

Habitat Issues in Alberta

Sadly, Alberta’s range of Arctic grayling has been shrinking since the 1950s as a result of habitat destruction, dewatering of streams causing stream temperature elevations, blockages of movement due to barriers such as improperly installed culverts, and overfishing.

Grayling are very sensitive to siltation.

Consequently, sedimentation from improper road construction, as well as oil and gas exploration and forestry operations in Alberta’s boreal forest, has significantly impacted their numbers.

Subpopulations are estimated to have declined predominantly in the 1950s to 1970s with 50 percent of Alberta’s subpopulations declining over 90 percent in abundance. These declines probably represent a range contraction of approximately 40 percent of their historical range in Alberta according to a report entitled Status of the Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in Alberta

by Jordan Walker (2005).

As a result of escalating industrial influences related to access development and water withdrawals, officials from the Alberta

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Fisheries Branch are recommending a zero limit on Arctic grayling streams and their tributaries in the Northern Boreal Zone – Watershed Unit NB4 in 2010. They’re concerned that “there is really no surplus capacity for grayling in this area.”

Affected waters include House River, Christina River, Goose River, Jackfish Creek, Birch Creek, Sunday Creek, and Monday Creek, as well as Christina Lake in what was historically one of Alberta’s better areas for Arctic grayling south of Fort McMurray.

Typically, these waters had a limit of three fish over 35 cm. However, government officials now state “These populations are very poorly understood or assessed and, until we can demonstrate a surplus in production, zero limits for the named streams are strongly recommended.”

THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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Arctic Grayling: A Fly Fishing Primer

HANGING CULVERT - A FISH PASSAGE BARRIER

NOTE DEBRIS PILE AT INLET TO CULVERT WHICH WOULD BLOCK FISH PASSAGE

Distribution of Arctic grayling in North America. The two populations in the eastern United States are presumed extirpated (NatureServe, 2004).

Biology & Habitat

0

km

1000

Maps showing the range and distribution of Arctic grayling in North America and in Alberta are available in the report Status of the Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in Alberta written by Jordan Walker (2005). These maps can be accessed at the following link: www.srd.alberta.ca/BioDiversityStewardship/ SpeciesAtRisk/DetailedStatus/documents/Arctic_Grayling.pdf

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Adult grayling migrate from ice-covered lakes and large rivers to small gravel, or rockbottomed, tributaries during the spring break up. Adult males are territorial on spawning grounds and will chase intruding small males.

No nest is built, and the eggs are simply broadcast over rocks and gravel. After spawning, adults return to their summer, autumn and winter haunts in lakes and rivers.

Grayling inhabit clear waters of large, cold streams, and in shallow water (under four metres) in lakes. Adults feed on a variety of invertebrates (aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddis flies and midges), terrestrial insects

DUANE RADFORD, SULKY RIVER, NWT

Grayling tend to school, so when you catch one, others will often be nearby.

They are also very fond of outlet streams from large lakes, especially near the mouth.

ARCTIC GRAYLING-SULKY RIVER, NWT

(bees, wasps, grasshoppers, ants, beetles), small quantities of fish, fish eggs and even lemmings. Food studies on northern lakes indicate that terrestrial insects are their most important summer food, often comprising over half of their diet. Grayling are opportunistic feeders.

Grayling tend to school, so when you catch one, others will often be nearby. They are also very fond of outlet streams from large lakes, especially near the mouth. These are highly productive areas and have a large quantity of aquatic insects, especially filter feeding black fly larvae which often literally blanket the streambed.

Fly Fishing Techniques: General As Arctic grayling frequent both lakes and streams in Canada’s North Country, a variety of approaches are often necessary to ensure a successful fly fishing trip.

Catching Arctic grayling is not necessarily a slam dunk. Itinerant fly fishers had best be prepared for this eventuality and be versatile in their fly fishing approach. There are times when you’ll have to go through your fly box before you select the right fly. Why? Because there are no sure-fire, go-to flies that I’ve discovered, despite many years of

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fishing for this peacock of the ichthyological world.

The best fly fishing for grayling is during the summer and especially in the autumn when the action can really heat up as the fish gorge themselves in preparation for a long winter. The good news, however, is that they are usually cooperative from spring until the autumn. They can be hard to locate during their spring spawning season due to their migratory nature, however. This is sometimes the case in large streams in the Yukon and Northwest Territories where they’ll pull up stakes shortly after ice breakup, and head for spawning streams overnight.

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Arctic Grayling: A Fly Fishing Primer

MYLES RADFORD ON THE CREE RIVER, SASKATCHEWAN (COPYRIGHT-DUANE RADFORD)

FOAM FLY ATTRACTOR PATTERNS

Techniques: Rivers and Streams

If you’re after trophy fish, use a sink-tip line with a three foot leader and put on a streamer pattern.

AISHIHIK RIVER, YUKON

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Be prepared to search out grayling with a variety of techniques—dry flies, nymphs and streamers—and to have a variety of rods and fly lines to accommodate these. This is especially the case when you’re fishing remote areas in the North Country. Plan for all contingencies, because you won’t know what you’re up against until you hit the water, and conditions can be highly variable. Streams may be pushing more water than normal due to the runoff and thunderstorms, or they may only be a trickle of their normal flows. Cold fronts might move in and put a halt to insect hatches, or strong winds may arise and make casting a nightmare. Insect hatches are often sporadic throughout the range of grayling in northern Canada. Consequently, it’s unwise to count on ideal dry fly fishing conditions, for frequently they just don’t happen.

If you’re after trophy fish, use a sink-tip line with a three foot leader, and put on a streamer pattern. It’s seldom necessary to fish with fluorocarbon, because most streams are stained with tannins and lignin from muskeg which imparts a brown tinge to the water. Grayling are predacious fish and will attack most streamers with a vengeance, especially the large, dominant adults. Fish streamers in the usual way: start by casting across and down runs and pools. Let the fly swing in a dead drift, twitching it from time to time to make it

If you’re a diehard dry fly enthusiast you may be disappointed in pursuit of your quarry because insect hatches are sporadic where grayling are found, plus fly patterns are rather limited, compared with more southern standards.

ARCTIC GRAYLING, SULKY RIVER, NWT - DARK COLOUR PHASE

porpoise. Take a few steps downstream and repeat the process. I’ve had good results with weighted black and olive Woolly Buggers, brown and purple cone-head Woolly Buggers and Marabou Muddler patterns. Natural patterns are the most consistent producers, rather than colourful, psychedelic streamers.

Should you be interested in just catching grayling, then bead-head nymphs such as the Prince Nymph and Pheasant Tail are old standbys. Use a tapered leader with or without a strike indicator, and fish the nymph in a dead drift. A strike indicator will help you see approximately where the fly is drifting, however. Nymphs can be very effective when insect surface activity is slow or perhaps if grayling are in swift water. If grayling are turned off dry flies because they’ve been lined too often, switch to nymphs to get back in the game. Don’t laugh; this sometimes happens out of northern lodges because guides tend to take clients to the same waters again and again. Check with locals regarding go-to nymphs. For example, in some Alberta foothill streams the Rat Tail Special is often a choice wet fly when other patterns don’t pan out.

If you’re a diehard dry fly enthusiast you may be disappointed in pursuit of your quarry because insect hatches are sporadic where grayling are found, plus fly patterns are rather limited, compared with more southern standards. If there were only one or two flies of choice, they would have to be the venerable Elk Hair or Goddard Caddis, because caddis are

by far the most abundant insect in northern Canadian waters inhabited by grayling. My second choice would probably be a Brown or

Grey Wulff, good imitations of the often abundant midges in grayling water, or perhaps a Black Gnat, which imitates black flies.

Sometimes, the best flies for grayling are foam fly attractor patterns in various colours: Turks Tarantula, Madame X or Chernobyl Ant patterns. It’s a good question how long the foam fly fad will last, but for now they’re my go-to pattern when I first gear up and can be fished all day long, regardless of whether there’s a hatch underway. They work well under all weather conditions. Stock up on these foam flies, and fish them with a tapered leader and a floating line. These large, gaudy patterns are usually dynamite on grayling when fished in a dead drift or skated across holding water. They can be every bit as good as the Elk Hair or Goddard Caddis and Brown and Grey Wulff patterns or Black Gnats, often better because they’re easier to see under poor light.

Some fly patterns will almost consistently get strikes: dry flies—Black Gnats, Elk Hair Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Brown or Grey Wulff,

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Arctic Grayling: A Fly Fishing Primer

The good news is that what works in streams also works in lakes—and in spades.

TINCUP CREEK, YUKON

Royal Wulff, Red or Orange Humpys, Red or Yellow Stimulators, Black Ants; Streamers— Woolly Buggers and Marabou Muddlers; wet flies - Black Gnats, bead-head Prince Nymph and Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear searching nymphs.

Use #12-16 size dry/wet flies with a 9-12’ 4X leader with a short tippet with a floating or sink-tip fly line and #6-14 streamers on a #4-5 weight fly rod to catch grayling.

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Techniques: Lakes

The good news is that what works in streams also works in lakes—and in spades. The only disclaimer is that if grayling are rising and you can’t see any insects on the water, they’re probably after emergers. The Klinkhammer Special, or Klinkhammer, would be a good choice under these circumstances, because of the prevalance of caddis flies in grayling

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waters, whether they be riverine or lentic.

Typically, grayling cruise the shallows of lakes in search of something to eat. If you’re fishing from a boat you can sight cast to cruising fish if you don’t see any fish rising for flies. It usually isn’t necessary to troll flies in lakes to get into some action, but if you can’t locate a pod of fish by this method, there are specific places worth targeting by casting, particularly

ARCTIC GRAYLING, STARK RIVER, NWT

the mouths of inlet streams where grayling congregate to capitalize on invertebrate drift that enters the stillwater. These are almost always prime hotspots. About the only thing which will scare grayling away from such areas is the sudden appearance of a lake trout with intentions of making a meal of the local grayling—and that’s the time to switch to a big streamer to lure the predators.

finger and thumb with your free hand. Put a smile on your face to record the moment.

Have the photographer set the fill flash on the camera in the on position beforehand, to minimize shadow under the peaked hat of the model. This is the signature picture that caps the joy of fly fishing for grayling.

Savour the moment. Take a few photos just to make sure you get the image you want for your scrapbook; then gently release the fish to be caught another day! B

Photo Ops

When you land a grayling and want to capture the special moment with a photo, take heed of the following advice. Grayling tend to be slippery and can be hard to hold. First, wet your hands. Then, at the count of three, remove the fish from the water and rest it in the palm of your hand. Gently raise its dorsal fin by grasping it between your index

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On-line: info@canflyfish.com Write: 256 ½ Front St., Belleville, ON K8N 2Z2

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WAITING FOR THE SALMON TO SHOW…SHOULD I SWITCH??”

SWITCHING FOCUS “Whoa– I’ve never seen a trout that aggressive,” Norm said as the three pound sea-run brookie went for a third lap around the small pool. “Just think, I’ve been casting and casting for salmon for three days, and here we are catching and releasing dozens of the biggest brook trout I’ve ever seen, and only a couple of miles from the salmon pool!”

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Norm, my father-in-law, and I had been fishing for Atlantic salmon on the rivers of the northern peninsula of Newfoundland for the past three days.

The fishing, while in a gorgeous setting, had yielded not much in the way of salmon thrills, as we had hit an unseasonably wet spell, causing the river to run higher and a bit warmer than normal. Our guide, and local friend of the family, Ian, asked if perhaps we’d be interested in some sea-run brook trout fishing instead of spending the next day futilely pounding the salmon pools. Norm and I agreed, but with some hesitation—after all, we’d come to Newfoundland to fish for salmon, not trout.

Ian encouraged us, suggesting that the fishing could be quite good for the trout, as the high water would likely bring on some nice hatches of mayflies.

The next morning, Norm and I were ferried in Ian’s small motorboat across the lake at the top of the system we’d been fishing the day before, about three miles upstream. We landed and walked downstream about a half mile, to what the locals call a small pond, or what we might term a tailwater pool. The river poured down over the large boulders and into a pretty pool that became still about 100 yards out, before descending into another

fast run over larger boulders about 300 yards downstream.

The first thing we saw was the only other angler we would see that day—an older local woman, who was fishing down near the outflow of the pool and was fast on to a big sea trout when we got near enough to see what was going on.

“Scum of the earth, I spit in your face,” she shouted, as she violently tossed the fish back into the water.

Norm and I exchanged surprised glances.

“She’s only wanting a salmon,” Ian explained.

As we took our places well above the angry salmon-focused angler, we immediately noticed the mayflies on the water. There were at least three different species hatching, and the trout were eagerly sucking them down just below the point where the rapids entered the pool.

Norm quickly tied on a Picket Pin style Muddler Minnow he could fish dry or wet, while I tied on a Royal Coachman dry, for I could see the flies on top of the water.

Instantly, Norm was into a fish that would come to hand at over three pounds. While he was still playing it, another about the same

NO MONSTER, BUT VERY WELCOME IN THE ABSENCE OF SALMON

WITH SALMON UNCOOPERATIVE, SWITCHED TO SEA TROUT IN QUEBEC

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SWITCHING FOCUS There are also other alternate species in Nova Scotia to switch to when the action from traditional species lags. In the last two weeks of May, gaspereau (the local name for alewives, also called Kiacks here in Nova Scotia) enter the streams to spawn. This totally messes up the bass fishing, as the gaspereau breed in the same shallow water that bass like at that time of year. However, the frustration is offset by the simultaneous run of the gaspereau’s larger cousin, the Atlantic shad. Shad runs in Nova Scotia are not long, but when they are in the rivers, it can be an easy thing to hook and release dozens of three to seven pound fish in a day’s fishing. The shad’s nickname, “the poor man’s salmon,” is well deserved, and many clients, once they’ve experienced hooking into one of this game species, book another trip with just shad in mind.

Points West

THE SWITCH TO TROUT PAYS OFF

size rose to my Coachman, and we had a double going.

Over the next two hours we caught dozens of the big sea-run brook trout, with the largest brushing four pounds. All the time, the salmon-focused local woman doggedly fished on, and although she caught a number of big sea trout, she always seemed more irritated than pleased. No salmon rose to her flies.

The Art of Switching

That day I learned a very valuable lesson: sometimes it is best to think outside the box, allowing current conditions, when necessar y to initiate a fundamental change in focus. What I learned on that Newfoundland salmon trip has stayed

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with me, and I have repeatedly used it to my advantage ever since.

As a guide in Nova Scotia, I have had many clients come to me intent on fishing for Atlantic salmon (it’s why many fly fishers come to Nova Scotia), but when I suggest that there may be other fish worth pursuing, I am often met with blank stares. However, the anglers who take me up on the suggestion, are rarely disappointed.

The concept of switching focus is not just limited to fishing for trout when the salmon fishing is off. I have many clients who come here to fish for other species, including a new interest by many in smallmouth bass—a relative newcomer to Nova Scotia rivers, which is resented by some, but provides a viable alternative.

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Switching focus is not just an East Coast thing—it works just as well elsewhere. For instance, while fly fishing Atlantic salmon on the Matapedia River in Quebec, I found searun brook trout there similar to what I found in Newfoundland. Again, few people were actively fishing for them, although they were ready and willing while the salmon were not.

On another occasion, while I was on a trout fishing trip in northern Ontario, my guide suggested that I might have some fun fly fishing for walleye. It was late spring, and the spawn was on. He took me to a small bay where walleye spawned in the shallows. Around sunset, the whole bay came alive with boils as walleye started feeding on mayflies.

A pheasant tail nymph proved to be just the ticket, and so once again the “chance” paid off.

Further West

On a trip to fish for the legendary big browns and rainbows of Alberta’s Bow River, I was surprised when the friend I was visiting proclaimed, “Let’s go up to Banff—there’s good trout fishing there, too.”

I’d come to Alberta to fish the Bow, particularly for the big trout just downstream from Calgary. However, the idea of fishing in the mountains was appealing. The next day, I knew I’d made the right choice as, inbetween the rain showers, we caught dozens

Being prepared to take advantage of switching focus does take some advance preparation. Often, the switch means that you find yourself targeting a different species than what you planned for, which means having a variety of outfit weights, leaders and flies on hand.

SALTWATER SWITCH FROM TARPON TO SNOOK AT SUNRISE IN FLORIDA

Gearing up to Switch

SWITCHING TO SHAD PAYS OFF IN NOVA SCOTIA

of rainbows, cutthroats and even some small brown trout. All that, and an amazing rainbow in the sky at sunset, seemed to fulfill the promise that life is good when you are willing to switch focus from time to time. Sometimes, you just have to change the location in order to make the switch work.

In the Salt

Switching focus also works in salt water. In the winter I often fish in Florida. A few years ago, my guide, Terry, suggested we try something other than the tarpon we’d been fishing all morning. This was a hard switch to make, as we had been trailing around behind two 100 pound plus fish without success.

Terry was very convincing, so I took him up on his suggestion that we target snook

instead. So we found ourselves fishing for snook on light tackle in very shallow water.

Some of these powerful fish were large enough to make me forget all about the tarpon.

On another occasion, I fished with a guide in the Indian River area, a man who had been referred to me by a friend (also a guide, but who was tied up and could not take me during the week I had for the trip).

This switch had me in a boat without a trolling motor. This alone, made me skeptical.

However, it turned out that the guide really knew his stuff and simply allowed the boat to drift over the flats of sea grass, enabling me to fish in three or four feet of water all tide. We caught and released over 50 fish and chalked up a half dozen species, including ladyfish and blues.

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Being prepared to take advantage of switching focus does take some advance preparation. Often, the switch means that you find yourself targeting a different species than what you planned for, which means having a variety of outfit weights, leaders and flies on hand.

In addition to the basic gear for handling the species which are the primary targets of your trip, take along, as a backup, a 7 weight outfit (rod and reel with backing line and leaders). A 4 piece 7 weight rod doesn’t take up much space, and a 7 weight, while a bit light for, say, a big saltwater trip, is passable, and can make the difference between catching not much and switching to take advantage of alternative target species. Flies are not usually a problem, as they can be bought locally, and most guides carry them anyway.

Of course, asking in advance when planning a trip about all the possibilities is your best way of making sure you’re prepared. Guides will really appreciate someone who has done some homework and who knows the variety of fish available, and will be very ready to make suggestions if they think you are open to hearing what they have to contribute.

A Cape Breton Switch Experience Gary was very apprehensive when I suggested we stop chasing after the trout he’d come to Cape Breton to fish. The run simply wasn’t in yet. I’d told him when he contacted me that

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SWITCHING FOCUS

he was a tad early for the main “strawberry run” of big sea-run brookies, but his time was limited, and he only had these two days to go fly fishing.

We fished three rivers hard on the first day, without success, so I suggested that we shift to a different river and a different focus.

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A SUCCESSFUL SWITCH TO SMALLMOUTH

Sometimes when I do this, it’s to get a client onto any fish, and in Cape Breton that means taking a client to the Highlands to go after the numerous, but small, native brook trout up on the plateau.

This is a particular favourite with kids who really don’t care what they catch, they just want to have some fun fishing—and this means hooking something, anything, for them. In Gary’s case, though, he was set on hooking a large fish, as the biggest fish he’d ever taken on a fly was the relatively small trout in his home state of Virginia.

Therefore, because there had been a freshet recently caused by heavy rain, I suggested we try for salmon. It was a long chance,

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but when we got to the pool I’d selected, the water was running through very quickly. On his third cast, Gary lifted his rod, exclaiming, “I felt something.”

Knowing what “that something” likely was, as not many fish would hold in that current, I told him to wait a couple of minutes. He looked at me quizzically, but took the advice.

After five minutes he asked if he could cast again. I nodded my head. On the first swing through the pool, Gary was into a 20 pound plus salmon.

Switching focus had yet another convert. B

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Shenk’s Laced Hopper

Recipe: Hook: TMC 300 or Mustad 79580, sizes #10 - #4 Thread: 6/0 Wing: Deer hair flanked by turkey feather sections Tail: A section of bootlace. You can vary the colour and pattern by varying the brand.

Body: Ice Chenille, various colours Hackle: Brown dry fly.

John’s Fly Materials Lots of Goodies!

Well known fly tyer, Dave Shenk, showed me this pattern at the Izaak Walton Canadian Fly Fishing Forum this past April. It demonstrates his usual inventiveness with “found” materials and it’s a relatively easy tie.

It’s also very durable.

Tying Steps 1. Run the hook point through a section

4. Tie in a section of turkey feather on each

of bootlace, so that the tail end extends about 75% of the hook shank length past the hook bend. Wrap the thread over the section along the hook shank to secure it in place. Seal the tail end by melting it with an open flame.

side of the clump of deer hair. Anchor the deer hair and turkey feather sections firmly with thread

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5. Tie in the hackle feather at the root of the wing. Then dub Ice Chenille forward to the eye.

2. Dub the Ice Chenille body forward from the bend of the hook about 2/3 the length of the hook shank.

6. Wind the hackle forward over the dub-

3. At this point, tie in a sparse clump of

7. Whip finish and apply a drop of head

deer hair, with the points extending to the end of the tail.

cement.

bing to the eye.

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W H O L E S A L E O N LY I

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The Lachine

: s d i Rap

Multi-species Fly Fishing in the Heart of Montréal

The Saint-Lawrence is by far the largest, mightiest river in the entire province of Quebec, and the Lachine Rapids form a formidable whitewater section, right in the middle of Montréal. As a matter of fact, French explorer Jacques Cartier was the first European to encounter the rapids, while searching for the Northwest Passage to the riches of Asia through the Saint-Lawrence waterway. When his expedition bumped into this dangerous and impassable piece of water, he met with the local Hochelaga tribesmen—exactly where modern Montreal sits today. The story is that they thought China lay just beyond these rapids, hence named the Lachine Rapids—the “Chinese rapids” in French.

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ost Canadians are familiar with Montréal as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city known for its joie de vivre and quality of life. However, not many are also aware that the SaintLawrence River within the city limits offers a fantastic, urban yet wild, fishery in what is the most densely populated region of Quebec.

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PASCAL MOREAU WITH SMALLMOUTH BASS AND THE MERCIER BRIDGE IN THE BACKGROUND

The massive volume of water moving swiftly through the rapids has kept the area wild and relatively preserved. The water is well-oxygenated (that’s an understatement!), and its quality is improving again, thanks to cleanup efforts in the Great Lakes system.

Consequently, the rapids provide excellent habitat for a number of fish species, including trophy smallmouth bass, pike, muskie,

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and walleye. There is also the possibility of hooking a monster trout, steelhead, or even Pacific salmon which have dropped down from Lake Ontario.

There are basically three options for fishing the rapids, and none of them are particularly easy. All three require caution in and around what is often treacherous water—there are waves the size of a truck in places!

SUNSET ON THE LACHINE RAPIDS, WITH MONT ROYAL AND MONTREAL DOWNTOWN IN THE BACKGROUND

The massive volume of water moving swiftly through the rapids has kept the area wild and relatively preserved.

As well as the Lachine Rapids, many other DYI opportunities are widely available in the St. Lawrence above or below the rapids, and there are also numerous access points in and around Montréal to a variety of other waters, either by foot or by boat. All you need is to get one of the maps available at sport and fishing shops in Montréal to enable you to start exploring this huge territory on your own.

THE MOST COMMON ENCOUNTER IN THE RAPIDS: CHUNKY SMALLMOUTH BASS

From the bank While a boat is necessary to explore some sections of the rapids, it is not an absolute necessity. There is public access on both banks of the rapids: the récréoparc in Côte Sainte Catherine on the south shore, and the parc des rapides in Lasalle on the north shore. The récréoparc provides the longest

Contact information: Jean-Louis Bachand (514) 994 1086 jlbachand@hotmail.com

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GUIDE JEAN-LOUIS BACHAND FISHING FROM THE ISLAND AT SUNSET

THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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The Lachine

Rapids

CHUNKY SMALLMOUTH BASS

PIERRE PIZEM, FIGHTING HEAVY SMALLMOUTH …

OR CONTEMPLATING THE VIEW OF DOWNTOWN MONTREAL?

wadable stretch, as it gives access to a large, flatter section of water which is filled with productive currents and hungry fish, especially smallmouth bass.

This section of the rapids also used to provide very productive rainbow and brown trout fishing, as the Ministry of Fish and Wildlife used to stock tens of thousands of trout fry there every year. Because of the productive nature of the St. Lawrence, trout grew large and fast. Specimens of several pounds were commonly caught, even from the bank. However, this expensive stocking program was, unfortunately, stopped after 2004. Consequently, although trout can still be caught there, they’ve become much harder to find. Early biologist inventories and the experience of knowledgeable anglers indicate the likelihood of a residual, self-sustaining population of resident trout, as some fish may find their way to a few adequate spawning grounds scattered around the islands.

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Today, however, most common encounters in and around the rapids are with smallmouth bass, walleye, sucker, pike or muskie. Trophy smallies, in particular, are virtually everywhere, so it pays to explore!

A word of caution before you jump into the water: the sheer size of the river and its strong current can be quite intimidating for wading anglers. Studded soles, a wading staff and a life jacket are essential for safe wading to cover an optimum area of water.

Using your own boat

For anglers with boats, there is a boat launch at the marina in Verdun. A regular aluminum fishing boat equipped with an outboard engine allows access to the lower reaches of the rapids, as well as to a lot of water downstream, towards and past the busy Champlain Bridge. You will find aggressive smallmouths, many of them bruisers, at virtually every promising boulder, patch of broken water, and

THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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riffle. There are also large muskies regularly caught by dedicated and knowledgeable anglers. Most boaters float the relatively “safe” sections of the rapids, as it is almost impossible to anchor anywhere due to the fast current.

However, the closer you get upstream to the base of the islands in the rapids, the limitations of a regular aluminum fishing boat quickly become apparent. Throughout this section, there are sharp, shallow reefs, powerful whirlpools, enormous waves, and dangerous currents, which are inaccessible to conventional boats with outboard engines.

Only jet boats operated by people who know the river well should be used for tackling the shallowest reaches and some of the fastest currents. Visiting fly fishers who are unfamiliar with the rapids should not venture into these dangerous places alone. As there are more than enough fish, particularly lunker smallies, outside these treacherous waters, it is not worth risking your life by trying to get into the whitewater by yourself.

With a guide

Just like any water one does not know well enough, the best way to fish the roughest water in the Lachine Rapids, is to hire an experienced guide. Unfortunately, knowledgeable guides equipped with the right kind of craft to fish the rapids are as easy to find as an ice cube in the Sahara. I looked unsuccessfully for such a guide for many years, and I had almost resigned myself to limiting my fishing to the safer water above and below the rapids when

WALLEYE ARE WELL REPRESENTED IN THE RAPIDS, AND OFTEN CAUGHT ON THE FLY

I met Jean-Louis Bachand, almost by chance.

Jean-Louis probably knows more about fly fishing the rapids than anyone. He grew up on the rapids, surfing and kayaking its whitewater for years. He is also an ex-competitive boat racer, and he used his knowledge of hull design and jet boat engines to build himself a remarkable custom-made boat, specifically designed to handle the rapids. This incredibly stable craft designed with fly fishing in mind, combined with Jean-Louis’ intimate knowledge of the rapids enables him to skillfully maneuver in and around the most turbulent stretches of water, where very few (if any) other anglers can go. As a fireman, Jean-Louis is also the one who’s called when there is an emergency situation in the rapids—a very reassuring fact.

AUTHOR ENJOYING BASS FISHING – FLAT STYLE

June and July are some of the most productive months to fish the rapids. Although trout usually move to deeper pockets and holes further into the river and become more difficult to find, there are a myriad of other

predators to be caught on the fly. First and foremost are the smallmouth bass which feed actively both on the surface and below. There are also walleye, suckers, pike and muskie to be caught on the fly. That’s the beauty of fish-

Seasons Technically, the St. Lawrence River in Montréal remains open year-round. While the winter months provide some fishing for the diehard anglers, when fishing the edges of the ice build-up with streamers may tempt a cruising fish (perhaps a trout) to strike, it is not until early spring arrives toward the end of March, that the St. Lawrence’s rich habitat comes back to life. The river gradually becomes free of ice, and towards the end of April, water levels make it more easily fishable. Caddis and stoneflies awaken as the water warms, bringing opportunistic fish onto the shallows.

Then, around the second half of May, the St. Lawrence really begins to show its incredible productivity with one the heaviest caddis hatches imaginable. Millions of caddis flies emerge and magically fill the air above and around the rapids. I often witness these bugs on my office window, on the 32nd floor of an office building located in Montréal’s downtown core!

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

I 31

The Lachine

Rapids

The variety of water, of fish species and of techniques all combine to make fly fishing the rapids a formidable and unforgettable experience.

PASCAL MOREAU HUNTING FOR BASS IN THE RAPIDS

ing the rapids: the next fish you hook could be just about anything!

Smallmouth bass aggressively feed until the first cold nights of October, which at some point abruptly turn them off for the rest of the cold season. However, from September through December, a few trout may come back to the shallows, and muskie fishing is at its best.

Gear

Fly fishing the St. Lawrence requires relatively heavy tackle for casting heavy flies into the frequently strong wind and for handling good size fish in heavy currents. An 8 weight rod is a good all around choice. During calm days, it’s possible to use a 6 weight to cast smaller dry flies or mini-streamers. For covering vast expanses of water more easily, a light twohanded rod from 11 to 14 feet is ideal. My personal favourite for fishing the rapids is an 8 weight, 11 ft switch rod, which has the backbone to handle just about anything, yet is light enough for me to enjoy

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THERE ARE ALSO LARGE MUSKIES IN THE LACHINE RAPIDS

the fights with scrappy smallmouths. Fly lines can vary from floating to 400 grain (or more) sinking, depending on the strength of the current and the type of fly being fished.

A good tactic when you fish from a boat is to rig two or three different rods, which enables quick adaption as you move through a variety of types of water.

I usually take a 6 weight floating outfit for dry flies, surface flies (such as small poppers) and small streamers (e.g. Clouser Minnows) when the wind does not blow too hard. The next is an 8 weight rod with either a floating line for big surface flies,

THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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or a 200 grain sinking line (or sinking tip line) to fish moderately deep runs with a bigger fly such as a rabbit strip streamer. To round out the trio, I also take a stout switch or two-handed rod with a heavy 400+ grain line for fishing the heaviest water and the truck-size pockets—which is where the biggest fish usually hang out.

The variety of water, of fish species and of techniques all combine to make fly fishing the rapids a formidable and unforgettable experience. And best of all, this uniquely wild destination is literally available at our doorstep, only a stone throw away from Montréal’s downtown and residential areas. B

PRESENTED BY

&

Hugo Savard shares his summer memories of Alberta’s Bow River.

Daniel Erasmus of Prince George, BC caught and released this fine bull trout while fishing from an anchored jet boat.

Loretta Parent was fishing with her guide on the Northwest Miramichi near Red Bank, NB when she landed and safely released this monster salmon measuring 42 inches.

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

I 33

Nick Lafreniere, last month’s Guideline winner, christened his new outfit this spring with this beautiful cutthroat.

Nick Lafreniere photo

Another shot the upper Bow, one of the most glorious trout streams on Earth . Hugo Savard photo

Steve Buesink took this colourful 20”+ rainbow on the Guideline combo he won in our subscription renewal draw.

Releasing another fine rainbow . Shane O’Hara photo

For your chance to win great gear from Guideline, keep sending your entries to showcase@canflyfish.com or via Canada Post to: The Canadian Fly Fisher Magazine, 256 1/2 Front St., 2nd Floor, Belleville, Ontario K8N 2Z2.

Please send only pictures showing fish in good health. Keep checking future issues of CFF to see if your entry has been published.

Good Luck & Tight Lines! - The Canadian Fly Fisher Team

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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PRESENTED BY

This issue’s winner is,

Hugo Savard

Jim Gillis of Bright’s Grove, Ontario shares his opening day success on the Maitland River.

A colourful cutthroat on a new rod . Steven Busiak photo

Mark Hunt sends us the photo of his wife, Lili, with her first Spey rod steelhead, taken on BC’s Thompson River.

Shane O’Hara of Winnipeg shows off this huge channel cat he caught on the fly on Manitoba’s Red River.

Stuart Lorriman, a guide at Ontario’s Kesagami Wilderness Lodge took this impressive 42” pike on a fly, though he tells us that the biggest fly-caught pike at the lodge was a whopping 48”.

Brian Primeau sends us this shot of Ben Leger with a magnificent 20” Grand River brown taken at Fergus, Ontario.

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F L Y

T Y I N G

I B Y K E N C O L L I N S W I T H S T E V E M AY

Matching the Hatch with Egg Flies Egg flies tend to be underrated by many steelhead fly fishers. I find this hard to understand, as steelhead get focused on eating eggs, and matching the “hatch” with egg patterns is a consistently productive method of fishing for them.

I like catching steelhead on a swung, attractor wet fly. The patterns are fun to tie, and a fish jolting your bones during the middle of a tight line swing is an addictive fly fishing event. So, when the conditions are right, swinging flies is what I automatically do. However, when the chips are down and I need to get a client a couple of fish to warm up a cold fall afternoon, out comes the bobber and a hook with a colourful bit of yarn on it. It is tough to argue with the success of this type of fishing for oversized rainbows in the Great Lakes, or even out West.

Some fly fishers consider fishing egg flies for steelhead somewhere close to knuckle dragging. Contending that swinging flies is the only proper way to go, and that egg patterns don’t even qualify as flies, because they are too simple and they’re best presented using a strike indicator and split shot—a no-no in the traditionalist’s books.

Eggs flies are perfect fish food to match with fly patterns. In the fall and spring, rivers

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are often full of spawning fish dropping vast quantities of eggs. The excess eggs are the ultimate protein snacks for fish. They are incredibly nutritious and easy to eat, as they don’t swim away.

It’s all in the Leader

My guides and I have developed an unconventional, easily adjustable leader system which enables a natural drift in the deeper, faster flows where steelhead usually hold.

The leader has a solid and stiff butt called the glide section—a three to five foot section of 40lb test monofilament attached to the fly line with a loop to loop connection.

A Thill Ice & Fly strike indicator is placed on this glide section with a loop-through connection, which securely locks the indicator in place until you choose to adjust it manually.

To complete this attachment feed the leader through the top of the indicator. The Ice & Fly indicator is particularly effective for this rig, as it is durable, streamlined, visible, and very buoyant.

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A small barrel swivel is tied to the end of the glide section, with a midsection of fluorocarbon tied to the other end. This midsection should be no longer than one-and-a-half times the depth of the shallowest water you intend to fish. Use as heavy a test as conditions allow, because big fish in high flows can make short work of a leader that is too light.

Our favourite is 3X, but if the water conditions warrant, we often go with 2x.

Next, tie on another small barrel swivel, leaving a three to four inch tag from the knot.

This is where you will attach split shot. Put an overhand knot at the end of the tag to help keep the shot in place.

To the other end of this swivel attach your tippet material. Use one size smaller than the midsection of the leader. Occasionally, I use the same size tippet and a knot that is just a little weaker than attachments further up the leader. I regularly use a Trilene knot on the midsection, an improved clinch on the tippet connection and a standard clinch on the fly.

This progressively weaker series of knots makes for less knot tying and less material left behind on the river bottom at day’s end.

For tippets, about 18 inches is a good starting point. If the water is extra clear, stretch it out to about 24 inches and, if it is dirty, 12 inches will be fine. This is shorter than many people would recommend for steelhead, but it helps to better control the presentation and avoid foul hooking.

Rigging and Adjusting the Leader Use about twice as much shot as you think you will need and then add one more for good measure! On an average steelhead run that is five feet deep with walking speed cur-

MATCHING THE HATCH WITH EGG FLIES Bead it up Two flies are often better than one.

But with steelhead this presents other issues.

Having a tumbling steelhead get foul hooked on your dropper usually results in losing the fish, as well as a couple of flies. Running two flies is also illegal in many steelhead waters.

Therefore, to get the same effect of running two flies but using only one, I use an Alaska trick, which involves stringing a bead on the tippet and putting a Glo Bug or other egg pattern a few inches below the bead.

rent, I usually start with three 3/0 shot or half a dozen BB sized shot. In areas where lead split shot is illegal, I use the Tobees system or a slinky with steel ball bearings.

This leader is easy to adjust for different stream conditions. Depth is controlled by sliding the indicator up or down the glide section, and weight is fine-tuned by adding or removing shot. Personally, I like to weight the rig up heavily as it gets it to the fish more quickly and it slows the drift slightly, with the shot dragging and bouncing on the bottom checking the drift of the fly.

Ideally, the indicator will travel downstream slower than the bubbles floating around it on the surface. This lets you know that the fly is moving closer to the slower water speed found on the bottom rather than the faster flow on the surface.

Heavier weighting with shot makes the rig drift vertically in the water, avoiding obstructions such as boulders, and also lessening the chance of inadvertently foul hooking fish. In addition, the shorter distance between indicator and the shot transmits bites and bottom contact more quickly.

Presenting Egg Flies

Egg flies are, obviously, most effective in water where the fish are concentrated and are used to feeding on eggs drifting by.

Runs and pools downstream of faster water are always good bets, especially if there is

nearby cover in the form of wood or boulders, or if there is good gravel and spawning fish. Work your fly systematically through deep current seams, around boulders and along the bottom of deeper glides.

The special leader we’ve devised allows fly fishers to replicate the bottom bouncing technique used by float fishers. However, a fly rod with line which is easily mended is a more effec-

tive method than float fishing, with its vertical presentation and ease of adjustability for depth.

As the indicator drifts, it should do so with regular small bounces, which confirms that the fly is drifting close to the bottom and that the shot are ensuring the fly is matching the drift speed there. It is important to adjust weight (err on the heavy side) and the distance between shot and indicator to achieve

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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F L Y

T Y I N G

I B Y K E N C O L L I N S

this perfect drift, enabling the fly to arrive at the fish before the shot or the indicator.

It is helpful to control your line by making upstream mends and maintaining a high rod tip to keep the line behind the indicator. A longer rod, such as a switch rod, is the ultimate for assisting with line control on big waters.

Favourite Egg Fly Choices Frammus

This is a fancy egg pattern that many use because it is a more traditional fly with a rib, wing, and body. It is especially effective in deeper runs because it sinks well and has a bit of fish attracting action, flash and contrast.

Sucker Spawn

The use of Angora yarn gives this pattern a nice transparency in the water. Don’t throw them into a compartment fly box, as they will create a nasty tangled mess.

Glo Bug

Don’t leave home without a good assortment of these. This is the bread and butter egg fly pattern—easy to tie and very effective. I like to tie mine a little less dense than many people, which gives them a bit of transparency and allows them to drift nicely just above the bottom. A bright accent dot is a good addition, and is easily applied with fabric paint or a permanent marker. I use standard Glo Bug yarn for larger sizes and the more vibrant colours, and McFly Foam for smaller sizes.

Blood Dot

Scrambled Eggs

Some fish like things scrambled. This pattern imitates a cluster of eggs that can attract a lot of attention when fish are actively spawning and greedy fish prefer a bunch of eggs rather than singles. This is a south shore of Lake Erie favourite.

Canadian Nuke Egg

My friend, Steve May, got this one wrong and right at the same time. He followed a written description for tying a hot new Michigan fly called the Nuke Egg. Either because the instructions were vague or because he misread them, what he produced is very different from the Michigan original. Nevertheless, the fish sure like it. It’s a superb clearwater performer and is super easy to tie.

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Canadian Ripple Crush

Crystal Meth

This is a great spring pattern, which attracts steelhead in both clear and dirty water.

THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

This pattern was developed by Pennsylvania steelhead expert Jeff Blood. It’s similar to the Scrambled Egg, but smaller, which can often be effective when larger patterns draw a blank.

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Michigan’s steelhead guru Matt Supinski came up with the original Ripple Crush that combines multiple colours and subtle and flashy materials to excellent effect. My friend, Steve May added a white veil to tone it down somewhat, and Canadian steelhead seem to like this variation of the original Michigan pattern.

MATCHING THE HATCH WITH EGG FLIES

TDMR (Too Darn Much Red)

This is a mainstay pattern from Nicholas Dean Lodge on British Columbia’s Skeena system. It works on all salmon and steelhead, especially when there are eggs in the water. They don’t call it an egg pattern, but it looks like a cluster of sockeye eggs, is the same size as a cluster of eggs, and works when eggs are in the water.

Troutfitter Spey

This is another pattern that bridges the gap between the egg fly and the traditional swinging pattern. It has a collar hackle, a body, and a bright colourful ball of Estaz that works wonders in off-coloured water under an indicator or on a swinging sink tip.

Tigani Egg Cluster

One of my guides, Dave Tigani, showed me his special steelhead treat that utilises small plastic beads and monofilament thread to produce a small cluster of eggs. A wrap of small Estaz completes this wonderful pattern, which can work when other patterns fail. B

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

Superfly - No fly No glory - CFF1 1

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Tactics for Fishing Spinner Falls in Rivers & Stillwaters

At the end of the gravel lane I stopped the truck. Dust hung in the air, and a mosquito buzzed me as soon as I stepped from the cab. Good signs. The sun was already low in the sky, highlighting the mayflies that danced over Dave’s pond, and a couple of little brook trout splashed on the surface, anticipating the spinner fall. Can trout anticipate? Well, certainly I was doing just that: a warm evening in June, little wind, spinners dancing, and already a rise or two dimpling a pond nestled in the hollow, ringed by cedars.

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pinners, in the case of mayflies properly called “imagoes,” are the terminal and reproductive stage.

The mayflies have moulted for the last time and now have clearer wings and usually longer tails and legs than do the duns.

Male mayfly spinners have a pair of caliperlike claspers under their tails for holding the

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female during mating, and larger, more prominent eyes for spotting that likely mate. Both sexes shed their dun or “subimago” skins in the stream or lakeside vegetation in the day or so after emerging. They have no functional mouthparts and the clock is ticking; they will die soon, and the mating urge is all they have left. The males are out first on this warm eve-

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ning, and they do a vertical dance, fluttering skyward, then parachuting down on spread wings—an eye-catching display for the egg laden females just coming out of the bush.

As I rigged up, spinners danced over the reflective paintwork of my truck. It’s red, and a poor imitation of clear water, but nobody ever said mayflies were all that smart. I swat-

TWO FEMALE HENDICKSON SPINNERS WITH A MALE IN THE MIDDLE

MALE BROWN DRAKE SPINNER

ted with my hat, knocking a couple of spinners out of the air. Slim, gray bodied, wings clear and black in a near checkerboard pattern; almost certainly Callibaetis, a common stillwater genus across much of Canada. A few more rises dimpled the pond as I walked quickly down to the shore. “Feel free to use the canoe!” Dave had said. I flipped the canoe and slid it into the water. Paddle? A minute’s search located paddles—I could see them clearly, through the window of the locked shed. Good fish were rising steadily now, about a cast-and-a-half off shore. I searched wildly for a paddle, finding only a leaf rake.

What’s a guy to do?

Only thirty feet past the bow of the canoe in mid-pond, a rainbow sipped in a Callibaetis spinner. Feeding at leisure, the big trout’s tail wiggled tantalizingly above the glassy water after each rise. I focused on its movements, watching it swim a nearly straight course angling away from me, rising every four feet or so. Now the tricky part. False casting and watching the progress of “my” riser, I lengthened line and dropped the fly about tworises-worth distance down its feeding line, and held my breath. Of course, the fish took a natural about six inches from my fly, then rose again four feet further down the track.

At the limit of my casting now, I made a last chance presentation as the fish angled away.

This time the rise was to the fraud fly, and as I tightened into the fish it shot across to my left, spinning the canoe, and sought the depths.

Changing direction quicker than thought, the next instant it went airborne, the spray lighting up in the low angle light. Finally I brought the silvery rainbow to net and backed out the barbless spinner imitation to release it.

KEN MACAULAY WITH A FIN RAINBOW TAKEN DURING A SPINNER FALL

A couple of smaller rainbows and brook trout followed, and as night closed in, my last cast brought a hook-jawed brookie, ornamented with black, white, and orange like some fearsome clown. The icing on the cake.

I picked the leaf rake up out of the bottom of the canoe and began paddling back to the dock.

Simulate the Spinner

Whether on streams or stillwaters, one of the features (and problems) with spinner falls is that it can be a bit too much all at once. The female spinners tend to oviposit and land on the water en masse, or the activity may come in several large waves of egg laying. Males

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sometimes join the females on the water, but in some instances have smeared the windshields of airplanes, thousands of feet in the air. With the food so thick on the water, trout can become hyper selective, and a single artificial floating amidst a raft of naturals may not get a rise, if only because it is so vastly outnumbered.

Take a close look at the spinners floating past you on the water, not just to match body and wing colour and hook size, but also to look at the way the naturals have fallen on the water. Certainly sometimes the water surface is littered with the perfect tee-shape of spent-wing spinners, but other times they may mostly fall with both wings to one side.

My Half-Round Spinner pattern is simple to adapt to these circumstances; I just squeeze the hackle up into a more upright configuration, or trim another quarter of the hackle disc off one side. Matching the hatch, or in this case simulating the spinner, is the fly angler’s watchword, but sometimes, just sometimes, it pays to try a larger version of the same fly, one that will stand out from the crowd. And then there are the “hatch breaker” flies, like Royal Coachman, hoppers, and ant patterns, but can we all just agree that’s a bit of a cheat? Mind you, I might just have one or two of those in the fly box—just for emergencies, you understand?

Reading the Drift; Avoiding Drag Getting the fly in the feeding lane of a rising fish is paramount. The heavier the hatch, the narrower the feeding lane; for a trout, there’s no point moving to take a fly if it has to pass

THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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Tactics for Fishing Spinner Falls

THE AUTHOR PLAYING A FAT, SPINNER-CAUGHT RAINBOW

by a bunch that are closer. I can’t count the number of anglers I’ve put on rising fish, but who either can’t drop the fly in the feeding lane, or are unable to recognize the feeding lane after the rise form has dissipated. In streams and rivers, watch the foam or the naturals drifting downstream to the fish in order to locate the feeding lane. When you’ve done this, let your eye follow that current line back upstream, well above the fish, to find your casting target. In a lake, or in slow stretches of river with cruising fish, it’s pure geometry and interval timing, as long as the fish swims straight. Don’t make the mistake of dropping your fly where the fish just rose, but try to identify a single fish and its cruising line, then drop the fly on that line at (hopefully!) the right distance from the last rise.

Fish rising at the edges of a flow present a special challenge, but have been some of my most satisfying catches. For these feeding lanes watch very closely the line the current takes coming down to the riser. Often,

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I find that the current whorls break off into the slower bankside water, and the spinner sipping fish—frequently a big one—is rising only when a certain type of current tongue or whorl goes past, delivering another order of wings to a fat and lazy diner. The specific current that does the delivery will occur at intervals, and I find that I need to drop the fly into that particular current formation when I see it forming, in order to drift over the rising fish.

Drag is a drag. Not so important in most stillwaters, but forever the bane of river anglers fishing a spinner fall. These bugs, like Monty Python’s Norwegian Blue parrot, are pining for the fjords; they have ceased to be.

Their eggs delivered, they no longer struggle against the water, but float at the whim of the current, placidly awaiting their fate at the jaws of a trout or the whitewater of the next rapids. When we all learned to fly cast, it was the straight line and straight leader cast that we tried so hard to make, and that’s a laud-

THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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able and necessary skill. When, however, we’re trying to deliver a fly that will drift naturally, there is no substitute for slack line and, even more importantly, leader. Reach mends, done in the air just before the line settles, are a great tool, much more useful and controllable than textbook curve casts. A parachute cast, where the delivery is underpowered and the fly flutters to the water next to coils and squiggles of leader is good too, as long as the wind doesn’t undo your slackery. A long tippet of 5X (or finer as required) is a good way to build slack into your leader. Putting your feet in the right place to start with is still the most effective way to make a good presentation.

When my spinner pattern can be clearly seen, I’ll opt for a near cross-stream to slightly downstream presentation. Although the utility of this presentation varies with conditions, it often gives the longest drag-free float if I cast enough slack into the line. As an added bonus, a downstream presentation allows me to skate the fly into the feeding lane if I’ve

IAN’S HALF ROUND SPINNER: HIGHLY VISIBLE AND ADAPTABLE TO MATCH MOST MAYFLIES

BRUCE BOLSTER SEARCHES FOR THAT PERFECT MATCH

overcast, but must quickly be followed up by throwing downstream mends of slack into the line to continue the drift. A cast quartering upstream is a good presentation if you are casting across slow water and into the faster water, such as at the head of a pool or from a side eddy into the main current. A classic mistake is casting from the tailout of a pool almost directly upstream. It’s a recipe for instant drag, as the water speeds up at the tailout, and drags your fly downstream over the fish. Quietly wade above the fish and cast down to “feed” the spinner into the trout’s feeding lane. When low light makes it tough to see where the fly is dropping, a tiny ball of strike indicator putty on the tippet can help you locate your fly amongst the naturals.

Moving nearly downstream of a rising fish at dark and casting to almost “line” the fish ensures that your fly will drift down its feeding lane, though as I mentioned earlier, this sharp angle is not always the best for avoiding drag.

Giving in to the Dark Side

Although not all spinner falls happen at night, it seems that the magic most often happens on those warm, mosquitoey evenings, and goes on well after dark. Make sure you’ve got the bug repellent and a cap or vest light (turn away from the fish when you turn on the light to change flies). A few years ago I hit an epic spinner fall of Brown Drakes (Ephemera simulans). The spinners swarmed upstream like a river in reverse, and the water boiled with big fish, small fish, everywhere a fish, fish. When I cast, I slaughtered spinners by the dozen with each casting stroke.

Eventually the spinners were gone from the air and, as total darkness settled in, several huge fish found their second wind and cruised around the quiet water of a large pool sucking down the Brown Drakes that still littered the pool. Each fish had its own rise accent. I could follow individual trout as they moved, and settled on one monster as it moved up towards me. In complete dark-

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ness, there was no hope of seeing my fly or where it might be in relation to the big brown. I waited until the fish was passing upstream of my position and cast several times at a sharp upstream angle. This way, I was guaranteed to float my spinner down over this true trophy brown. When casting across stream in the dark it’s too easy to persistently overcast or undercast when estimating distance without the usual daylight visual cues. On my third cast, as the fish was nearly out of range, I heard the tell-tale accent of its rise, and struck. No explosive rainbow, this big brown shook its head several times, then swam steadily down and across stream, well into my backing.

I couldn’t follow across the deep pool in the dark, but heard it thrash around amongst the boulder strewn shallows at the other side of the pool. After a few agonizing seconds, the line went slack.

Some days you can’t win, but at least I got to play the game. B

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Switch Rods With multiple meanings in various grammatical forms, “switch” is one of those words guaranteed to drive non-English speakers to distraction. Regardless, in the lexicon of fly fishing only two meanings, ­separated by more than a century in common use, are important. In one of the seminal angling books of the 19th century, A Book On Angling (1867) by Francis Francis, the author advises to “switch the line” in windy weather or when in difficult places. The description is of what we would call a roll cast. By 1901, George Kelson, of salmon-fly-tying fame, in his much ­lesser-known book, Tips, recommends the “switch cast” for circumstances where a Spey cast isn’t ­possible.

It, too, is a roll cast, but with some added touches including a rod-tip ­rotation called “The Peter” to help reposition the line. Almost a century later, “switch rods,” appeared in the market—more about the name later.

COMPLETING THE FORECAST.

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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PAUL MACDONALD APPLIES TWO-HANDED POWER ON THE BACKCAST.

North American Switch For this article I had three trial rods. A Zpey 11’, 8-weight (270 grains) Z1, a Bob Meiser/Mike Kinney designed TFO (Temple Fork Outfitters) Deer Creek 11’, 8-weight (400 - 600 grains), and a Heritage 10’ 6”, 7-8-9-weight.

As can be seen in the images, the Zpey rod is equipped with a unique lower handle developed

by Norwegian Arve Evensen. The handle puts the hands into a more comfortable position for making a compact stroke emphasizing the lower hand. For single hand use the removable handle is replaced by a standard butt piece. While all the rods can be used singlehanded, for reasons already given I only made a couple of casts in this style and, therefore, my comments are predominantly based on twohanded casts.

Modern short two-handed rods aren’t quite as new to North America as might first be suspected. For example, I recall the late Jim Green, noted caster and rod designer, perhaps thirty years ago recommending a 12’ model for those, like himself, with shoulder problems. Regardless, the father of the current incarnation is unquestionably Bob Meiser, now of the Rogue Valley in southern Oregon.

“I first became interested in short twohanded rods while beach fishing for coasters on the south shore of Lake Superior,” Bob told me. One day in the 70s, he and his friends were double-hauling with single-hand rods when Bob began watching another angler throwing a long line with much less effort. A tackle conversation ensued, revealing that the other angler, a Scot, was using a 10’ 6”, two-hand, Hardy bamboo salmon rod with shooting heads. Intrigued, Bob decided to try and build one for himself. “We were lucky to live close to the St. Croix Rod Company factory where we could get inexpensive cold-stock rod sections,” Bob said.

He and his friends began piecing six or seven sections together to yield 3-piece, 11’ - 11’ 6” long, rods with various actions in a search of the best profiles. Bob began building them for friends, but in the mid 80s, he began having custom blanks built for his new shop, R. B. Meiser Fly Rods (www. meiserflyrods.com). “The first proto blanks for our short two-handed rods were done in exactly the same way that we do our present

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generational blank development: through a redundant process of power and flex trial and error, to determine a targeted grain window,” he explained.

“So where did the name come from?” I asked him.

His response was a surprise. “I was fishing with some friends on the lower Rogue River and we hit a good run of jacks. My rod was a 10’ 6” two-hander and because the action was so good we began to [switch] rods and try different lines. One of the group suggested calling mine a “switch rod,” and the name stuck. Most people assume the name comes from the fact that the rods can be used single-handed as well, but that’s not the case.”

Switch rods weren’t an overnight sensation, but garnered fans steadily, helped no doubt by Spey rods and casting becoming a West Coast phenomenon. “Our first short two-handed rods were primarily saltwater rods built for mid-Atlantic striper anglers, West Coast salmon, and Gulf/Baja shallow saltwater anglers,” Bob wrote. While a 12’ two-handed rod can reasonably be termed “short,” it can’t easily be used with one hand.

So, the generally accepted working range of switch rod lengths is 10’ - 11’.

Lines for Switch Rods

At least until a few years ago, most fly fishers who tried to gain facility with the longer two-handed rods found matching lines to rods wasn’t easy. As Bob described, the same applied to switch rods. “We had to build all

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Switch Rods TIM HILTZ, WITH FARLEY FOR COMPANY, SHOWS HOW TO SWITCH ROD CAST FROM A CANOE.

of our lines for the early models as there were not any off-the-shelf lines available that were suitable for short two-handed rods. This was universally true for most all two-handed rods at the time. The most common lines available for our early two-handed rods were long-belly, double tapers. Our very first shooting heads were made from cloth covered lead core trolling lines and cut-up high grained double tapers. Then came poly impregnated braided core lines like the high-speed, high D line systems and Teeny Heads. These early lines were all overhead systems, not suitable for anchor point delivery.”

Switch Rod Casting Styles

Bob’s use of the phrase, “anchor point delivery,” is apt. With the increasing popularity of long two-handed rods, the term “Spey casting” became an umbrella under which many styles of on-water casts sheltered. When considering short two-handers, full classic “Spey” moves are less effective. An arguably more useful style, called “underhand casting,” originated in Scandinavia. The name itself is an amusing mistranslation. Rather than “underhand,” which for English speakers conjures up an image of tossing a ball underhand, it should be “lowerhand” because it refers to placing an emphasis on the lower hand during casting. As a general term encompassing all these styles, anchorpoint casting is very descriptive.

While beginners quickly learn overhead casting with a short two-hander, experienced casters might have more difficulty. Used to

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using the upper hand to control the stroke, the tendency is to ignore the lower hand. This is a counterproductive approach, because, to generate the tip speed needed to replace the haulgenerated line speed, one needs only apply minimal energy with power sourced from the lower hand. However, once learned, the style translates quickly to anchor-point casting providing one has the correct line(s). According to Bob Meiser, “Efficient anchor-point lines (other than correctly grain matched floating double tapers) are a relatively recent introduction to these casting tools. The successful application of the short two-handed rod utilizing anchorpoint delivery on rivers further evolved (and became more popular) in direct relation to the availability of suitable line systems that would efficiently perform, and enhance this delivery style. The introduction of both Skagit and Scandi shooting heads to the general fishing public made the short two-handed rod a much more useful and viable anchor-point tool.”

Why Buy a Short Two-hander?

The first reason is mundane, but vital for an increasing number of anglers. Casting twohanded, if done properly, takes much of the strain off the dominant arm. After almost fifty years of casting, sometimes for many thousands of hours in a season, my arms have developed a few cranky bits. Switch rods have reduced this problem and have kept me salmon fishing. Moreover, anglers coming to fly

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fishing later in life, particularly if targeting species requiring extended casts, will find a short two-hander far easier to handle.

But, of course, one doesn’t have to be doddering to take advantage of these useful tools.

Consider fishing from a float tube, pontoon boat, or canoe. Long, or sometimes even medium length, casts can be challenging because of reduced backcast height and the awkwardness of a haul. A short two-hander, properly lined, will deal with this problem, and, even though it’s an uncommon tactic in Canada, casting from a downwind drifting boat is made easier. On the shore, one has the already-mentioned advantage when surf casting or when searching saltwater flats. River anglers will be even happier. True, these rods won’t produce the prodigious casts of their 16’ two-handed cousins, but when hard up against the bank in medium rivers, an anchor-point cast will cover the water while keeping the fly out of the trees. Short line nymphing and working the edges from a driftboat will also benefit. Several other circumstances come to mind, mostly focused on a need to roll cast (or similar adaptations).

However, there are situations where switch rods are unsuitable. Upstream dry fly fishing, for instance, with its frequent false casts and rapidly changing line length is an obvious one, because even when cast single-handed, the extra weight and length can quickly become

TIM HILTS SHOWS HOW TO USE A SWITCH ROD FROM A FLOAT TUBE.

tiresome. Small-stream/short-rod casting is another. For me, unless 90% of the casts are made two-handed, they’re a detriment.

Regardless, those without physical issues can make full use of this feature.

The Mysterious World of Grains If you find those grain ranges confusing, join the club. The Heritage 7-8-9-weight is opaque, so I contacted the rod’s design consultant, Jim Rusher, for some precision. His numbers are 300 - 400 grains. For overhead casting, an Airflo 40+, 8-weight, performed well (40’ “head” + 10’ Polyleader for a 370 grain total) on all rods.

However, the TFO rod did even better with a 9-weight (420 grains total, near the minimum of the grain range). Nevertheless, this “head” is

too long for consistent anchor-point casting. As Bob Meiser says, “short heads work with short rods.”

To understand the dictum, recall that all anchor-point casting involves repositioning the line, and the shorter the rod, the less line can be lifted from the surface or repositioned using a specialist cast. The problem is multiplied if all or part of the line is sunk.

The usual formula for longer two-handers is 3.5 times rod length. For the short two-handers Bob recommends 2.5 for Scandi heads and 2 for Skagit heads. Both types are floating heads. Scandi heads are generally used with PolyLeaders to control depth and fare better where there is room to form a “D” loop. Skagit heads are short and heavy, intended to be capable of moving longer sinking sections and delivering in tight conditions.

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So why does the TFO rod carry a greater and higher grain-weight range even though labeled an 8-weight? Because that range is for two-handed overhead and anchor-point casting with heads. Surprisingly, the listed Zpey number is for single-hand use (performing beautifully when I cast one that way last year), so needed experimental clarification. Given all this, it’s easy to see why anglers have matching difficulties for the various casting styles.

I did my anchor-point testing with Beulah shooting heads. A Beulah Tonic, 20’ head, 450 grains (Skagit length), and the Beulah Elixir, 30’ head, 420 grains (Scandi length) properly loaded the two “8-weights.” These were approximately the weight and length recommended by Bob Meiser for the TFO rod.

For the Heritage, Jim Rusher recommended 350 - 400 grains for Skagit lines, and the new Wulff 8-weight Ambush (375 grains including a 46 grain Polyleader) performed well for an experienced friend.

That’s a whole bunch of numbers—my desk is littered with scraps of paper recording line, leader, etc., weights from an accurate balance scale—particularly since they refer to specific rod/line combinations. Regardless, I felt some specific examples would help clarify the following generalizations. For overhead singlehand casting, even with the fuller-flex taper design, switch rods are about as accommodating to line weight variations as single-handed

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Switch Rods ing, thus a Skagit head is optional. Besides, I found it clunky for any but the intended use.

Conversely, the Beulah Elixir Scandi head yielded target-reaching overhead throws as well as the designed anchor-point casts. So, absent unusual circumstances, an appropriate Scandi head appears a logical choice as the all-round line. These are available as shooting heads or fully integrated lines.

TIM HILTZ PREPARES TO MAKE A TWO-HANDED CAST WITH A ZPEY SWITCH Z1 ON NOVA SCOTIA’S LAHAVE RIVER.

FORECAST COMPLETE.

rods; so using the listed line weight will likely be no problem. However, for two-hand overhead casting, a shooting-head style is strongly recommended. Long-belly lines will certainly cast, but demand considerable line outside the tip for relaxed throws. But for anchor-point casting, treat marked line-weights with suspicion.

A grain window (a Bob Meiser innovation) is a big help, bearing in mind the principles given previously. For more information on grains, check out www.meiserflyrods.com/what-isgrain-window.php.

Final Thoughts

One should not assume that two-handed overhead casting with these rods will suddenly produce crowd-stunning casts—that’s not the point. Rather, the style reduces the energy expended for medium to long casts, particularly that by the upper arm.

I found the unique Zpey handles particularly useful in positioning my hands naturally for a compact stroke. One can get a taste of the underhand method from the master,

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FOLLOWING THE SWING.

Henrik Mortensen, at www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=MX2h4fX0v1o&feature=related or www. youtube.com/watch?v=H5V1vxR2cr0&featu re=related (with a longer two-hander). For an extended look, The Scandinavian Spey Cast II, a DVD featuring Henrik on Gaspé salmon rivers, not only instructs but offers plenty of eye-candy too.

So, does one need multiple line types?

Depends upon your typical fishing conditions. I rarely, if ever now, need to throw heavy-weight gear with anchor-point cast-

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Despite comments that switch rods are simply the latest fad, they have potentially extended my fly fishing life for several species, not only salmon. And although my testing included only “heavier” line weights, lighter models are widely available. I see a 5-weight in my immediate future!

Paul Marriner is our Associate Editor.

His latest book is Atlantic Salmon: A Fly Fishing Reference (www.galesendpress.com).

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F L Y

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Rubber-Legged Waterboatman STEP 2

As we all know, fish are generally opportunistic feeders. That is, if ­something comes by that looks edible, a fish will sample it. If fish didn’t do this on a regular basis, anglers wouldn’t catch many of them. As fly anglers, we are perhaps a little more aware of the feeding patterns of the fish we target compared to other anglers, but sometimes only a little more aware.

There are times when fish feed selectively on waterboatmen. At this time, anglers need something close in size, colour, shape and behaviour if they hope to catch. As fly anglers, we refer to any event that encourages selective feeding as a “hatch,” and we have learned to “match the hatch” in order to be successful.

In spring and fall, especially, but also during the warmer months, fish in ponds and lakes feed on waterboatmen from time to time, sometimes quite selectively. If you have ever witnessed what appears to be a rainfall on a pond during a calm, cloudless, sunny spring or fall day, you have probably witnessed a waterboatman migration. During these times, the waterboatmen disperse about the various water bodies either to breed or prepare for winter. They fly between water bodies and dive into the water leaving small ring forms on the surface. This also occurs when they rise in the water column to breathe air at the surface. When they are moving like this, it can be tough to catch fish on anything but a waterboatman pattern. Here is my favourite:

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Tying Steps STEP 1

2. Tie in the upper shellback first. You may want to use two widths by forming a narrow ‘V’ of the tinsel. In any case, use the widest material you can get. Tie in the lower shellback next. In both cases, the material should point back over the bend of the hook, ready to be pulled forward after the body is dubbed .

STEP 3

1. Slip a bead on the hook before mounting it in the vice. I like to weight the fly now with a few wraps of lead wire pushed into the back of the bead. Start the thread behind the wire and build up a ramp of thread before wrapping it over the lead wire. You should use only enough thread to make sure it won’t move .

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3. Tie in a short length of Uni-Flexx, so that it sticks out at right angles to the hook shank. I simply tie it on with an overhand knot right in the middle of the hook. You can trim the legs to about a body length at this point, or once the fly is finished.

RUBBER-LEGGED WATERBOATMAN Rubber-Legged Waterboatman Hook: Wet fly, sizes 10 to 14 Bead: Black Thread: Black 6/0 Tail: None Shellback: Lower, black or brown rafia or goose quill slip pulled over the body Upper, pearlescent tinsel, large (may require 2 strips) Legs: Uni-Flexx in brown or black (in the past, I have used a small diameter elastic) Body: White or yellow (yellow has been more successful for me) dubbing (seal’s fur or substitute), weighted with lead wire wraps

Fishing notes

STEP 5

5. Pull the lower shellback forward and secure it just behind the bead. Pull the upper shellback forward and secure behind the bead. Trim any excess material and tie it off just behind the bead. Put a little head cement on the thread and the pattern is complete. The tinsel upper shellback reflects light imitating the air bubble trapped there by waterboatmen to enable them to breathe while submerged.

This pattern can be fished in many ways. One is to use a long leader with a floating line and to retrieve the fly in short, jerky strips. You can also fish it on a sinking line with a short leader in much the same way. However, my preferred way is to fish it under an indicator (one that is large enough to support the weight of the fly). I use about 2 metres (6 feet) of 3X tippet tied to a very short leader butt.

I put an indicator at the tippet knot before I tie on the fly. I cast the rig and let the fly hang vertically under the indicator, and then I retrieve it with four to five 15 to 30 cm strips in rapid succession. This causes the fly to rise in the water column. If the fish are focused on waterboatmen, you will get hard, confident takes. B

STEP 4

RODS REELS

4. Dub the body around the legs. Make sure you secure the legs well. The body can be reasonably full but shouldn’t be so wide that the shellback won’t cover the top.

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PREDATOR FLIES

CHECK IT OUT! I

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Techniques for

West Coast Coho A GROUP OF FLY FISHERS WORKING A LARGE BACK EDDY

Here in southwestern British Columbia, where many of our coastal rivers and streams are blessed by the annual return of several species of Pacific salmon, for many coastal anglers, the arrival of the coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the fall marks the beginning of one of the most ­popular and highly-anticipated angling opportunities of the entire year. Although gear and bait fishermen are generally quite successful at targeting these fish, it is often the fly fishers, armed with their long, flexible rods, single-action reels and colourful flies, who achieve the greatest level of satisfaction and angling success.

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ully-mature, three-year-old coho range between four and ten pounds, but those fish which spend an extra year in the ocean are capable of reaching nearly twenty pounds. A small percentage of male cohos sexually mature after just two years, and return to spawn with the older fish. More commonly referred to as “jacks”, these significantly smaller males (25-35 cm) are fully capable of fertilizing the eggs that are laid by the much larger females. As a result of the constant battle for territorial and spawning rights, the jacks become quite agitated and defensive, which might explain why they seem, at times, to be more aggressive and willing to chase flies than the larger males.

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It is just shortly after their arrival into our coastal rivers and streams that coho provide the greatest sport and challenge for freshwater fly fishers. The power and strength of a coho in its prime, often puts equipment, skills and nerves to the test. Few things in the sport of fly fishing can compare to the level of excitement from watching the surface of the water as it literally explodes right before your eyes, with the fly line and backing peeling off your reel at an alarming rate.

Equipment

The ideal fly rods for targeting coho are between nine to ten feet in length. The extra length provided by a ten foot rod helps to

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elevate and carry the fly line on a higher casting plane, which helps to reduce the chances of the fly becoming entangled in the tall grass or dense brush along the river banks. The added length also enables an extended drift and improved management and line mending.

Fast action, seven and eight weight rods are ideal for playing and handling the larger coho. Their power and faster reaction times enable a much quicker and efficient hookset, and a significant reduction in the time it takes to gain control over and land the larger salmon. A large arbour fly reel with an adjustable disc drag system is also a great asset.

COHO FISHING AT FIRST LIGHT

A YOUNG FLY FISHER WITH A BRIGHT COHO

Lines

There are three line types which are used to cover most coho fly fishing situations: floating; clear, intermediate full-sink; and clear, intermediate sink-tip. Selection is determined by the river’s flow rate, clarity, and depth in the slower stretches, which are usually the most productive water.

Floating lines are extremely versatile, as they enable successful covering of the water column from top to bottom by simply varying the weight of the fly and/or the speed of the retrieve. The floating portion of the fly line also serves as a strike indicator, as well as helping to avoid snagging sunken logs, branches, and other debris that collects on

A COHO RISING IN A SLOW FLOWING SECTION OF FROG WATER

the bottom of some of the more productive stretches of the river.

Clear, intermediate full-sinking, and clear, intermediate sink-tip lines are generally considered to be the two most effective lines for presenting flies to coho in the slowest sections of most rivers and sloughs. Their slower sink rate (1.5 – 2.0 ips) enables much longer effective presentation at the same depth as the coho are holding, and their transparency makes them far less visible and threatening in situations where stealth is a critical factor— especially in heavily pressured waters.

As a general rule of thumb, slow-sinking lines are the best choice for the slower water, as a slower rate of descent enables optimum

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experimentation with the depth of presentation and retrieval rate. Whereas, faster sinking lines generally dictate the depth of the presentation, as well as requiring a faster retrieval rate to avoid hanging-up on the bottom.

Leaders

The breaking-strength and length of the leader is determined by both water clarity and the size of the fish targeted. In many situations, a nine foot length of 6 to 10 pound-test leader material will suffice.

Nowadays, many fly fishers are leaning more towards using fluorocarbon rather than monofilament, mainly because fluorocarbon possesses a much greater “strength to diam-

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Techniques for

West Coast Coho

STALKING COHO IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

AN OLIVE SPARKLE BUGGER IS A VERY RELIABLE PATTERN

A WOOLLY WORM WORKS WELL FOR COHO

utilize materials that give the impression of movement and provide some level of flash.

Others incorporate beads in their design in order to enable the fly to be successfully presented at the same depth as the fish.

The forward weight design that results from the addition of beads causes these patterns to undulate and flash as they are stripped through the water. Coho generally find this winning combination quite hard to resist.

ing grounds. During such times, it can be far more productive to target dammed rivers and river systems whose headwaters haven’t been recently or extensively logged, as they generally tend to provide clearer water conditions and more consistent flow rates.

MURRAY’S ROLLED MUDDLER IS ALWAYS A CONSISTENT PRODUCER

eter ratio” than monofilament, and its light refractive index (which is quite similar to that of water) makes it far less visible. But in my opinion, one of fluorocarbon’s best qualities is its low stretch characteristic, which not only improves line sensitivity, but also helps to facilitate a slightly quicker and more efficient hook-set.

Although tapered leaders work reasonably well for coho fishing, a level leader (uniform diameter) can be far more effective and less costly. When constructing a level leader, it is highly advisable to use a stronger-rated knot (such as a Trilene knot) to attach one end of the leader material to the braided or welded loop at the end of the fly line, and a slightly lowerrated knot (such as a clinch knot) to attach the other end of the leader to the hook. This will greatly reduce the amount of leader material that is lost as a result of snagging bottom or when breaking-off on large fish. In both of these scenarios, the weaker knot will typically fail first, preventing loss of the whole leader.

Flies

Although there are dozens of “tried and true” coho fly patterns, a truly successful pattern is one that allows the fly fisher to experiment with retrieval rates and depth of the presentation. Many of the more productive patterns

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The Importance of Timing

October and November are by far the best months for targeting coho in the Fraser Valley’s rivers and streams, when heavier coastal rains significantly raise the water levels of the smaller rivers and streams, allowing the coho safe passage to their spawning grounds.

Timing your arrival to these rivers so that it coincides with the peak of the coho runs can significantly increase your overall angling experience. Keeping journals and communicating with local fly shops or fishing forums are very helpful for identifying the prime times for each of our river systems.

Immediately after a heavy rainfall and during times of high water, coho are often less interested in chasing flies and will generally bypass their preferred holding water as they migrate further upstream closer to the spawn-

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Locating Coho in Rivers and Sloughs Depressions, cut-banks, deep pools and slots that time and water have carved into the backwaters and side channels of the Fraser Valley rivers and sloughs tend to hold the highest concentrations of coho. Using higher vantage points, such as hills, trees and bridges, along with polarized sunglasses, will allow you to identify these locations and spot the highest concentrations of fish.

The ideal water for targeting coho with a fly is the deeper, slower flowing or nearly stagnant “frog water” that is typically found within the low gradient stretches of the Fraser Valley’s rivers and sloughs. Keep a look-out for coho porpoising or breaching the water’s surface, as these are an obvious sign of fish that might be willing to chase a properly presented fly.

Coho are extremely light-sensitive creatures and tend to be less responsive to the

CUTTHROAT TROUT ARE OFTEN CAUGHT WHILE TARGETING COHO

USING A SOFT COTTON NET CAN GREATLY REDUCE THE STRESS ON THE CATCH

fly during sunny or brighter conditions. For the angler, the most productive part of the day is first light, that magical hour right after the break of dawn. The action slows down gradually and quite significantly as the sun rises higher in the morning sky, illuminating the river. Later in the day, as the sun begins to fade into the horizon, and in the final hour or

two of daylight just prior to dusk, the action picks up again.

Slow Water Techniques

The aggressive nature of coho makes them highly susceptible to the charms of an erratically stripped fly. They will often pursue a fly for great distances if it has the right amount of

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flash, movement and appeal—in many cases following it right up to the tip of the rod. When this happens, it is critical to maintain a consistent and steady retrieve, for even slightest deviation in the retrieve may cause the fish to turn away and abort its mission.

The coho that are generally the most willing to strike at a fly are usually the ones that

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Techniques for

West Coast Coho

TODD’S VAMPIRE LEECH

A LARGE MALE COHO

can be observed rising or porpoising on the help improve your overall angling success, surface. These fish tend to strike at the fly just especially when coho are active but seem to after it hits the surface and begins to sink. For be less than enthused with your offering. this reason, it is critical to remove all slack from Keeping your the fly line and leader at the very moment that it makes contact with the surface of the water.

Once the fly line and leader are straight, using a slow, but steady, figureof-eight retrieve will help to keep them taut, allowing you to maintain a direct contact with the fly during its descent. Using the countdown method (seconds counted times sink rate of the fly line equals depth of presentation) allows you to identify and regulate the depth of the presentaA MALE COHO SALMON tion. Whenever you detect a strike, it is important to make a mental note of the time it took for the fly to reach that rod tip low, barely an inch or two above particular depth. The countdown method the water’s surface, will greatly improve your is also useful for determining how long the ability to detect the subtler bumps and strikes, fly can be left to sink before it hits and drags which, in many cases, might feel like little more along the river bottom. than a slight resistance or an upwards flick of I have found that a rapid series of six to ten the fly line during the retrieve. inch strips is usually one of the more effective Once a strike has been detected, it is best retrieves for enticing the coho to bite in slower to react with a quick strip-strike with your flowing water. However, a slow, but steady, stripping hand, followed with a firm, sideways figure-of-eight retrieve (hand-twist) can outstrike with the rod once the weight of the fish perform a faster retrieve in brighter conditions, has been felt. Another solid tug with the rod is or when targeting heavily pressured or wary then required to further ensure that the point coho. Experimenting with the retrieval rate as of the hook has been firmly embedded into well as the type of retrieve can significantly the corner of the coho’s mouth.

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Holding the rod at a low, sideways angle to the fish reduces the amount of upwards force exerted while playing fish. The lower positioning of the rod tip also reduces the amount of rod shock and recoil that occur when the coho violently shakes its head when it becomes airborne. This also reduces the amount of stress and pressure that is placed on the hook and mouth of the coho, which will ultimately reduce the frequency and number of broken-off fish and the consequent heartbreak.

When angling in British Columbia, it is very important to always check the local angling regulations and limitations, as they can vary greatly between river systems. It’s also important to be aware that our angling laws require that all wild coho (identified by the presence of an adipose fin) must be released unharmed, and that the use of single, barbless hooks is mandatory in all of our rivers and streams.

All fish, regardless of their status (hatchery or wild), and their habitat should be treated with the utmost of care and respect, in order to ensure that this natural resource will be available for our children and for the future generations of anglers who one day might visit and enjoy the wonder and splendour of our beloved coastal rivers. B

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The 8th Fly Fishing Canada,

National Fly Fishing Championships & Conservation Symposium

The 2010 National Fly Fishing Championships (NFFC) and Conservation Symposium were held in Roblin, Manitoba during the third week of May. This year’s championship took place on five lakes that are situated within the heart of Manitoba’s Parkland Region. The decision to hold the NFFC in this region provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the world-class angling and hospitality that can be experienced in this part of Canada. The harsh, unsettled prairie winds were relentless during the week of the NFFC, which not only tested the boating and angling skills of the competitors, but also elevated the degree of difficulty for this year’s competition.

BLUE SKIES AND HIGH WINDS

EAST GOOSE LAKE, ONE OF THE OFFICIAL VENUES

The venues that were chosen for this year’s championship were such a popular choice that registration filled up quickly, with sixty fly fishers from across Canada and several from the United Kingdom signing up to compete.

Several of Saskatchewan’s and Manitoba’s finest fly fishers also threw their hats into the competitive fly fishing arena and really put on quite a show.

PATTERSON LAKE, ONE OF THE OFFICIAL VENUES

The list of international competitors that attended this year’s NFFC included Alisdair Mair from Glasgow, Scotland (one of the Scottish coaches who helped Team Canada bring home a medal from last year’s WFFC), and a team from the United Kingdom that was registered under the name “Soldier Palmers - Quantum Ream”.

The Soldier Palmers consisted of five

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soldiers from the British army, who possessed a wealth of knowledge in the art and sport of competitive fly fishing. These five, fine gentlemen openly shared their vast experience and knowledge with their fellow competitors and graciously helped to coach the kids who attended the free Youth Fly Fishing School held on the weekend prior to the NFFC.

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T H E 8 T H F LY F I S H I N G C A N A D A , N AT I O N A L F LY F I S H I N G C H A M P I O N S H I P S & C O N S E R VAT I O N S Y M P O S I U M

TODD OISHI AND AARON VARGA AFTER FISHING A SESSION

A PRIME EXAMPLE OF MANITOBA’S ENORMOUS RAINBOW TROUT

A LARGE BROWN TROUT

FISHING LOCH STYLE

The species of fish that were eligible for scoring at this year’s competition included: rainbow trout; brown trout; tiger trout; and walleye. The minimum lengths for recording points were set at 20cm for trout, and 30cm for walleye. The official venues for the competition were: East Goose, Tokaryk, Patterson, Spear, and Twin Lakes, with West Goose, Corstorphone, Pybus and Sandy lakes used as the official practice venues.

The majority of the competitors who attended this year’s NFFC had never fished this region of Canada before, but everyone was equally enthused over the prospect of targeting the hard-fighting rainbow, brown and tiger trout, which grow huge as a result of the incredibly rich biomasses of these lakes. Like many of the other competitors, I was really looking forward to the experience of catching my first tiger trout and walleye. Since two out of the five competition lakes possessed

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healthy populations of both of these species, I was very hopeful of finally turning this dream into a reality....

The Venues: Nestled deep within the forests of the Duck Mountains, Twin Lakes provides a unique catch-and-release fishery for tiger trout.

These spectacularly beautiful trout are a cross between brook and brown trout that possess an eerie golden hue with a series of irregular, darker markings that forms a zigzag pattern along their sides. They are extremely hard fighting trout which definitely lived up to their name.

Patterson Lake is considered by many to be a true trophy lake. This venue was by far one of my personal favourites, as it offered a variety of larger rainbow and brown trout,

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which left me constantly guessing as to what was pulling on the other end of my fly line.

This lake has a reputation for producing fish up to 75cm long, but my personal best was a gorgeous brown trout that was just slightly over 60cm.

West Goose is a smaller, community-based lake, which is located only a stone’s throw away from the town of Roblin. It is a fantastic little lake that offers spectacular fishing for trophy-sized rainbows, browns and walleye.

It also possesses a very large population of perch, and, given the ease at which they could be caught, I tend to agree with the organizers’ decision that excluded them from the list of eligible species for the NFFC.

Tokaryk Lake: After my experience on Tokaryk Lake I can tell you with certainty that it has rightfully earned a reputation as being

T H E 8 T H F LY F I S H I N G C A N A D A , N AT I O N A L F LY F I S H I N G C H A M P I O N S H I P S & C O N S E R VAT I O N S Y M P O S I U M

A FEW OF MANITOBA’S FINEST

THE CROWD AT THE OFFICIAL MEET & GREET

CLOSING CEREMONIES BANQUET HALL

2010 NFFC’S CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM

regarded as one of the finest stillwater fisheries in all of Canada. Its enormous rainbow and brown trout have a reputation of pulling fly rods right out of boats and snapping even the strongest leaders. The shattered pieces of a fly rod that belonged to one of the more experienced competitors, now bears witness to the power and savagery of the infamous “Tokaryk Take”.

Spear Lake is a fairly large reservoir situated near the town of Russell. We were told that it is a very prolific fishery for rainbows, browns and walleye, but unfortunately the harsh prairie winds hammered Spear for the duration of the competition, which left its waters churned-up and virtually unfishable due to strong winds and extremely poor water quality (silty and less than three inches of visibility). Only a single fish was recorded on Spear, and everyone agreed that catch-

ing a fish under conditions such as these was somewhat comparable to winning a lottery!

Conservation Symposium:

The line-up of the guest speakers that gave presentations at the conservation symposium was very impressive to say the least. Ian Hagenson (Regional Fisheries Manager with Manitoba Water Stewardship) spoke about the aeration and stocking programs that the Manitoba government has implemented to ensure the health of the fisheries and lakes within the Parkland region. Brian Joynt (Regional Wildlife Manager and chairman of Fisheries Enhancement Fund) explained how funds are distributed and allocated for enhancing and promoting Manitoba’s worldclass fisheries. Steven Erikson (president of Manitoba Fly Fishers Association) discussed some of the conservation and rehabilita-

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tion projects that his association has been involved with in the past. Representatives from FLIPPR (Fish and Lake Improvement Program for the Parkland Region) explained how their research and the valuable data that they have collected have helped to sustain and ensure the quality of the fisheries that exists within the Parklands.

Closing Ceremony and Awards Banquet The awards banquet, auction and closing ceremonies were held at the North Hall in Roblin. During the awards ceremonies; Terence Courtoreille, of the Northwest Territories, was crowned as the Individual Gold Medalist and was awarded the Doug Austin Memorial Trophy for being the “Top Rod” at the 2010 NFFC. Shane O’Hara, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, finished second place and was awarded the

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T H E 8 T H F LY F I S H I N G C A N A D A , N AT I O N A L F LY F I S H I N G C H A M P I O N S H I P S & C O N S E R VAT I O N S Y M P O S I U M

Team Results: Team Gold Medal: Team Cormorants Terence Courtoreille John Nishi Rob Stroud Chris Pfohl Todd Oishi

Team Silver Medal: Team Equipe Airflo John Beaven Randy Taylor Donald Thom Mark Andersen Alisdair Mair

TEAM CORMORANTS - GOLD MEDALISTS

Bronze Team Medal: Soldier Palmers – Quantum Ream Robbie Bell Ronnie Christie Andrew Croucher Pete Mumford Graham Lumsden

Epilogue INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS

Individual Results:

Individual Gold Medal: Terence Courtoreille – Hay River, NWT Individual Silver Medal: Shane O’Hara - Winnipeg, Manitoba Individual Bronze Medal: Todd Oishi - Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Individual Silver Medal. Todd Oishi, of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, finished in third place and was awarded the Individual Bronze Medal.

After the prairie dust had finally settled (and I mean that literally) Team Cormorants had finished in first place overall, and were awarded the Team Gold Medals, as well as the Robert H. Jones Memorial Cup for finishing as the top team at the NFFC. Team Equipe Airflo finished in second place, and its members were presented with the Team Silver Medals.

Soldier Palmers - Quantum Ream (The British military team) finished in third place and humbly accepted the Team Bronze Medals after the crowd showed their respect and appreciation with several standing ovations.

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Later that evening the crowd was kept entertained by a live auction that inspired some very serious and generous bidding along with some friendly bantering, which in the end helped to raise some much needed funds for Fly Fishing Canada’s youth fly fishing programs and conservation projects. The crowd was overwhelmed by the generosity that was displayed by the British military team, whose contributions alone helped to raise well over $7,000. The evening concluded with a lively mix of country and rock music that was played by a very popular local band named The Robert Allen Wrigley Band. A great time was had by all, as the music and celebration carried on until well into the wee hours of the morning.

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Fly Fishing Canada and the competitors who attended this year’s events would like to express their deepest and sincerest appreciation to the wonderful people and communities of Manitoba’s Parkland for hosting this year’s National Fly Fishing Championships and Conservation Symposium and for making us all feel so welcome! An event of this size and magnitude simply would not have been possible without the support and dedication of the volunteers, sponsors and organizing committee, who worked selflessly, sacrificing their own vacation time and time with their families, in order to ensure that this year’s event was a great success and a memorable experience.

I would also like to personally acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the individuals and organizations that are responsible for developing and sustaining the world-class trout fisheries that now exist within the Parklands. The quality of these unique fisheries, as well as the cultural diversity and natural beauty that exist within this region will surely draw fly fishers from all across Canada and the United Kingdom for many, many years to come.... B

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KYLE SNARR LINES UP TO PRESENT DOWN THE RIP AND EXTEND HIS CAST WHERE FISH ARE LIKELY TO HOLD

It’s all about the Next generation:

the 2nd Canadian Youth Fly Fishing Clinic The 2nd Youth Fly Fishing Clinic was held at Sandy Lake, Manitoba on May 22nd and 23rd. The date was chosen as a kick-off to the 8th Canadian National Fly Fishing Championships which ran from the 24th until the 29th of May. The instructors for the occasion were no less than the Soldier Palmers Reams, a group of British soldiers (some Afghanistan veterans) heavily involved in fly fishing, who had flown over to compete in the Nationals and share their expertise in specialized, loch-style fly fishing.

We didn’t expect large numbers of youngsters since the clinic was held on the May long weekend when folks are busy with many other things which compete for parental time and travel. In the end, even a few who pre-registered failed to attend, as a result of catastrophic weather—the now legendary 2010 Manitoba Monsoon (still ongoing as of this writing) was spawned on that very morning. Several more locals returned home after a look at the weather and conditions on Pybus Lake. On the second day, it got even worse—so bad, in fact, that even the Team

Palmer boys, who are used to casting their flies on impoundments in England during savage North Sea blows, decided safety was the primary issue.

Four of the lads had traveled long distances.

Niko Macoritti and dad had flown in from Toronto. Zachery Southgate, Ryan Dean and Kyle Snarr from Calgary. Tough as nails, Cody Robinson, from Brandon, Manitoba, had no rain suit, but, in spite of this, demonstrated his true fly fisher grit by sticking it out throughout that wild, wet, and dark May morning—and he’d never held a fly rod in his hands before.

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The Saturday morning session went well, despite the wind, although boats tended to pass over the fly line rather too quickly, even though they deployed drogues to slow the drift. However, by afternoon, the wind picked up even more, and all boats began to take water on their windward sides. By Sunday, the weather had deteriorated still further, so that Mac Stark, Don Lamont and the stalwart Soldier Palmers decided to shut it down for the afternoon.

Nevertheless, when we all gathered for the Saturday evening classroom sessions, the

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the 2nd Canadian Youth Fly Fishing Clinic F L Y

F I S H I N G

C H A M P I O N S H I P S

I BY BOB SHEEDY

KYLE SNARR DEMONSTRATES HOW TO UTILIZE A HIDDEN ROCK TO BREAK UP THE CURRENT PRESSURE WHILE CZECH-NYMPHING A RUN.

ZACHERY SOUTHGATE SHOWS OFF HIS FLY TYING ABILITY

youthful voices fully reflected the enthusiasm generated from what was learned on that day.

The evening was spent with the boys and parents, showing them various fly fishing tricks and tips and watching the instructional video to which only members of the Canadian Youth Team have access. As official Youth Team Coordinator and Coach for Fly Fishing Canada, I was the evening instructor and answered many questions on what was expected of those who might one day represent Canada at a World Youth Championship.

Although the Youth School is just that, a school for a weekend, open to all Canadian youngsters between the ages of 13 and 18, such clinics are also good opportunities for young folks to demonstrate their skills and potential as future competing team members.

For most, it becomes a time to get together

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with other young people who share their passion for the sport and to learn from each other.

They also have the opportunity to learn from veteran fly fishers who love to pass on their rich experience and expertise to the next gen-

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eration—epitomized by the Soldier Palmers.

A respite in the foul weather on Sunday the 23rd, allowed a brief period of on-water instruction on Pybus Lake before the monsoon turned to a mini-hurricane, while I took

LEFT TO RIGHT – BACK ROW – ROBBIE BELL, GRAHAM LUMSDON, RONNIE CHRISTIE, PETE MUMFORD, ANDY CROUCHER, RAY FREY FRONT ROW: LEFT TO RIGHT –CODY ROBINSON, NIKO MACORITTI, KYLE SNARR, RYAN BEAN, ZACHERY SOUTHGATE

two of the boys to the Shell River for stream instruction, where we planned to perfect the art of stealth, reading water and Czech nymphing.

We spent the morning and afternoon in the relatively protected environment of the beautiful Shell River Valley, fishing in high, turbid water and watching both forward and back casts blown into the trees by sudden blasts of wind. Both Zachery and Kyle demonstrated their ability to learn and to wade safely, as is expected for team members.

When the clinic ended, Kyle Snarr, Zachery Southgate, and Niko Macoritti were selected

to become members of the Canadian Youth Team, which will represent Canada at the world event in Italy in 2011. The other team members for that international occasion are Emily Bruneau, Alexandria Revill and Captain Colin “Jeeves” Huff.

At their annual meeting during the youth clinic, the directors of Fly Fishing Canada decided to hold future youth clinics during the week of National Senior competitions only when it is advantageous and appropriate for the area. Instead, they concluded that youth clinics should be held in a variety of locations across the country, in order to mitigate travel

expenses for the participants and to make best use of local instructors.

During their attendance, all the youngsters who participate in a FFC Youth Fly Fishing Clinic, are treated as members of the Canadian Youth Team, although there is no guarantee that they will actually be selected to compete in an international championship. However, they get to keep the moniker—which comes with a tacit life-long commitment to pass on what they’ve learned to others. I always joke that “the only way to leave the team is when six of your fellow members pick up the handles on your casket and bear you away to your final resting place”. For those reasons, alumnus John Bransfield will be instructing at a clinic in Western Canada and David Nonomura the upcoming event in Ontario in 2010.

The first regional Fly Fishing Canada Youth Clinic will be held at the Franklin Club, near Mount Albert, Ontario, in the summer of 2010.

No firm date has yet been set due to Emily Bruneau’s basic training commitments for the Canadian Navy. When that is clear, the date will be announced. In the meantime, interested youngsters (between the ages of 13 and 18) can contact me (Bob Sheedy) at flyfisher@ mwflyfishing.net.

Finally, we wish to thank especially thank Soldier Palmers Robbie Bell, Andy Croucher, Graham Lumsden, Peter Mumford and Ronnie Christie for their dedication to youth and making the youth school a memory of a lifetime for all involved. Team Palmer rocks! B

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THE CANADIAN FLY FISHER • AUGUST/OCTOBER 2010

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Wandering Aengus

Curious Company

BY ANNELI PURCHASE

Returning home along B.C.’s rugged coastline after the salmon season, the commercial fisherman anchors his troller in a remote bay. He stands on deck in the cool morning air and stretches. The sun is up and promises to burn off the low mist that hangs over the calm sea. A raven’s chuckle echoes among the trees along the beach. The only other sounds are made by the waves washing the beach clean and … fish jumping! Coho waiting for rain to swell the creek.

The fisherman removes the number 8 graphite fly rod from its aluminum tube.

With his saltwater rod and reels and an assortment of flies, he climbs into the eleven-foot tender skiff and rows towards the creek mouth. As he anchors in about three feet of water he wishes he had his chest waders.

The floating line doesn’t work. Quick! Switch to a reel with a sinking-tip line. Tie on a bright green minnow pattern, and out it goes.

Immediately, a coho snatches the fly, but the thrill lasts only for seconds before it spits the hook. The fisherman is still retrieving the line when the second coho hits. Oh yes. This is going to be good. All around him coho are finning and jumping in the crystal clear water.

But now a slight movement on shore catches his eye. He has company. Speechless and in awe, he continues to fish while covertly watching two wolves watching him. They stare intensely. The larger of the two, a light tan, steps forward in hesitant stalking mode; the smaller smoky gray one holds back slightly. Seeming more inquisitive than afraid, the wolves watch the visitor. The fisherman knows not to make eye contact or they might leave. At the same time, he is no longer wishing for his chest waders.

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Five pups romp out from their hiding place behind the logs. They have enough baby fat left on them that their playfighting antics have them tumbling to the ground awkwardly. They wrestle and tussle with each other, practicing the survival skills they will need as adults. One pup leaves the others to begin a new game with the large wolf, nipping at his ears and tugging at the longer fur of his throat. The adult wolf stands statuelike, tolerating the play without complaint.

In contrast to the carefree behaviour of the

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pups, the adults never waver in their watchfulness.

Meanwhile, the coho continue to hit the flies regardless of colour or pattern.

Never has the fisherman had so much backing running off his reel, as he brings in one coho after another. As he releases them he wonders if any of these same fish will become future offerings to the wolf family once the creek waters rise.

A l ow, m o a n i n g h ow l snags his attention. He stops to watch and listen as the adult wolves throw back their heads as if to serenade him. The eerie howling sends goosebumps down the back of his neck. The tension is broken seconds later when the pups join in with their little heads thrown back, yipping and yelping in concert with their parents.

For about forty-five minutes, the wolves watch the fisherman, tolerating his presence as he respects theirs. Then they herd the pups away from the shore and return without them. Effortlessly, the adult wolves lope over the rocky beach with lightning speed, leaving no doubt in the fisherman’s mind as to their hunting prowess.

On their return, they collect the pups and disappear into the timber.

The fisherman savours the rare experience; a careful visit, man and wolf silently assessing each other, drawn together by curiosity and the pursuit of fish. B

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