Fishing Report Sponsored by Whatcom Counties Fishing PRO Shop.

 

Freshwater Fishing      Saltwater     BC, Canada

 

FISHING REPORT

July 1, 2011

By Ken Shagren, Fishing Pro Staff, Dave's Sports Shop 

"Remember to check the official WDFW regulations before going out!"

Welcome to the Dave’s Sports Shop fishing report. Check in with us as we attempt to keep you informed on where the fish are biting and what is working to catch them. We will try to keep the information current so that we can help you decide where the best opportunity for success will be located.

NORTHWEST WASHINGTON

FRESHWATER         

Local lakes are still giving up a few trout for those who put in the  time. Silver lake has been fairly good for trollers looking for cutthroat. Triple Teasers and Dick Nite spoons fished deep have been the ticket here. Toad lake still has a few willing planter trout that will take dark colored Wooly Buggers and Power Bait. Anglers who experiment with adding live bait to their Power Bait presentations are finding good results at Lake Padden and those who are trolling spoons and adding scent are finding some nice trout at Cain lake.

Lake Samish is still fishing well for Kokanee. The fish are being found at 35 to 60 feet and are taking Wedding Ring spinners, pink mini squids, small Apexes, and pink flies behind a Sling Blade or small 4/0 or 3/0 dodger. Baker Lake on the other hand has been a challenge with anglers reporting little reward for their efforts there. However, if you are looking to put kokanee on your menu, you can also find them in Lake Whatcom, Lake Padden, and Toad Lake.

Bass fishing could best be described as spotty. The cool spring into summer has made large mouth fishing a challenge. Lake Terrell, though not consistent, has given up some nice fish. Anglers who often fish Lake Terrell haven’t seen the number of spawning beds that they normally have seen in recent years. Dark colored plastic worms, spinner baits, shallow running plugs, and top water baits such as poppers and jitterbugs are suggestions for local bass. Small mouth bass fishing at Lake Whatcom is in full swing. Look for the fish to be around structure.

Its time to start getting prepared for Pink salmon returning to the Nooksack river. Approximately 70,000 Pinks otherwise known as Humpies are predicted to return to the Nooksack which will be enough to create an open season for them on July 16. So, stop by Dave’s Sports Shop to get the latest information and load up on pink spoons and jigs.

SALTWATER

Anglers are anxiously waiting for the salmon opening in Area 7 on Friday, July 1. There are significant positives to look forward to this year. Although the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife predicts Chinook totals to resemble 2010, it does predict that over 300,000 more Coho will enter Puget Sound this year. Also, this is a Pink salmon “Humpy” return year and nearly 6,000,000 Pinks will be coming back to Puget Sound area rivers not to mention another 18,000,000 returning to the Fraser River. 

The Dungeness and Rock crab opening in Area 7 South will be July 15. Be sure to check the boundaries that define Area 7 South as the remainder of Area 7 does not open until August 15. Make certain that all floats are clearly marked with your name and address. Each person is allowed two crab pots and each pot must have an escape lid that is tied down by biodegradable (100% cotton or equivalent) cord. Check the WDFW rules pamphlet for additional regulations.

 

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

FRESHWATER

The Fraser River will open for the retention of Chinook “king” salmon on Saturday, July16. The limit is 1 per day with a minimum length of 30 cm (11.8 inches) and a maximum of 77cm (30.3 inches) until July 28. Between July 29 and August 31 the daily limit is 4 Chinook of which only 1 may be over 50 cm (19.7 inches). From September 1 to December 31 the daily limit is 4 and only 1 can be over 62 cm (24.4 inches).

The Fraser River is running quite high and fast with lots of debris floating downriver as a fairly deep interior snow pack begins to melt and head downstream. Sturgeon fishing has been good, but high water will make it more difficult and a bit hazardous with debris coming downriver. Water conditions have all but shut down cutthroat fishing on the Fraser with Harrison Bay being the only possibility left to explore. 

The Vedder River will open up for red Spring Chinook “Kings” on Friday July 1.The river is running very high so it would be best to try the lower river with cured salmon eggs and bright colored corkies and yarn.

Reports from Kamloops area lakes continue to be good. Chironomids, micro leeches, and shrimp patterns are the choice of fly fishers in this area and wedding band spinners, small spoons or flatfish type lures are the choice of trollers. Merritt and 100 Mile House area lakes have been reported to be fishing very well also. If you are fly fishing in the BC interior be sure to bring a wide assortment of flies. It’s a good idea to carry chironomids, mayflies (dries and nymphs), damsels, dragons, caddis (dries, nymphs, and pupa), ants, leeches, boatmen, and scud patterns. A good selection of beaded and non-beaded micro leeches is also indispensable as they can imitate leeches, scuds, damsels, juvenile dragons, and mayflies.

SALTWATER

Fishing out of Ucluelet and Bamfield has been consistent all spring and early summer for migratory Chinook “Kings” working their way to the Columbia river and other river systems to the south. The anticipation is for the mid summer run which is forecast to be very good for numbers. These fish also tend to weigh into the 30 or 40 pound class. Guides and sportsmen are reporting having success using four inch green and blue nickel Coyote spoons and also T-Rex and purple Haze hootchies with a 42 inch leader behind a glow Hot Spot flasher. Those using anchovies are attaching them to a purple haze, chartreuse, or glow army truck Rhys Davis teaser head.

 

 

 

This Fishing Report is Sponsored by Dave's Sports Shop in Lynden. Check them out for all of your fishing and hunting needs. www.DavesSports.com

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