These lakes are best fished March through June and again in fall, with a later spring start and earlier fall end the further north and higher elevation you go. The reason for introduction of fly only gear restrictions on certain waters is as a conservation measure to maintain quality, sustainable fish populations and opportunities by increasing the survival rate of released fish (as well as those that are not caught due to increased challenge to the angler) and decreasing incidental catch of spawning salmon, in turn reducing the impacts of recreational fishing. It's an amazing fly fishing opportunity during October thru early December. We start by navigating various logging roads which wind through our lush coastal forest, possibly catching a glimps of wildlife such as beers, black tail deer, wolves or maybe even a cougar, before hiking down to a pool full of wild steelhead. On the West Coast, options include the hike-in “Anderson Lake”, as well as the Caycuse River and upper Gordon River (when open). On Vancouver Island lakes, 9 rainbow trout containing lakes are managed as fly fisheries, with most regulated as “artificial fly only”. Our hike in fishing spots are an adventure of their own. Vancouver Island is home to some fantastic river fly fishing. In our opinion the best time to fish Vancouver Island is in the winter, because that's when I like to catch steelhead. The tide is currently rising in Vancouver Island South (Jordan River). CAYCUSE RIVER 1-3 Fly fishing only above and including Hatton Creek CHASE RIVER 1-5 ∂age restriction (see page 5) CHEMAINUS RIVER 1-5 Closed all year from Copper Canyon Falls downstream 100 m to signs No fishing upstream of Bannon Creek∑, Dec 1-June 30 CHICADEE LAKE π 1-6 Electric motors only CLAUD ELLIOTT CREEK 1-10 Closed all year One thing that defines fly fishing is that it is about more than just the fish – for most, it simply comes down to the feeling. An artificial fly is “a single pointed hook that is dressed only with fur, feathers, hair, textiles, tinsel and/or wire and to which no external weight or external attracting device is attached. Gentle areas are few for the next twenty three kilometres as the river races past Gordon River Camp which has been operating since the 1940’s and picks up dozens of small and large tributaries like the East and West Forks, McBain, Lookout, and Loup. And some of these steelhead are big, we catch steelhead upwards of 20lbs! 18 rivers on Vancouver Island are partially regulated as “fly fishing only”, 5 having “artificial fly only” zones. Summer steelhead can be found June through October and their winter counterparts December through April. Victoria Peak, Vancouver Island's second largest mountain at 7200 feet is the headwaters of … Port Renfrew Marina & RV Park | 250-483-1878 | info@portrenfrewmarina.com 7505 Gordon River Rd | Open May 1 - oct 14, 2018 As you can see on the tide chart, the highest tide of 2.76m was at 7:32 am and the lowest tide of 1.63m was at 3:24 pm. 6-12. Wild steelhead fish on Vancouver Island are catch and release only, hatchery fish can be kept and retained with your BC fishing license. rEGION 1 - Vancouver island The Management Unit boundaries indicated on the map below are shown only as a reference to help anglers locate waters in the region. Moving north, the Little & Big Qualicum rivers hold a trio of trout species. According to the B.C Freshwater Fishing Synopsis, the definition of fly fishing is “angling with a line to which only an artificial fly is attached. The West Coast Trail Bus picks up and drops off passengers at Victoria, Sooke, Port Renfrew, Gordon River, Mesachie Lake, Honeymoon Bay, Nanaimo, Nitinat, Pachena Bay, and Bamfield. Two or more hooks tied in tandem is not permitted. The West Coast Trail is a 5-7 day backpacking route through the Pacific Rim Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Those waters of Subarea 20-1, Area 21, Subarea 121-1 that lie inside a line that: begins at 48°37.350'N 124°45.847'W Vancouver Island then to 48°37.000'N 124°46.800'W in water then to 48°34.500'N 124°41.500'W in water then to 48°35.100'N 124°40.774'W Vancouver Island then following the Vancouver Island shoreline to the beginning point Almost every dock, wharf or marina on the coast harbours a summer population of fat perch – mostly shiners and pile perch. Where not outwardly regulated, there are many more crystal clear waters with easily spooked trout where the fly angler has a distinct advantage. In the Campbell River & Sayward region, designated fly fisheries include the easily accessible Farewell Lake as well as Campbell River, Adam River and Tsitika River. In the following months the steelhead activity starts to increase with the largest runs of steelhead entering the river in January and peaking February & March. Documented declines in abundance and increasing fishing pressure on the Gordon, Nahmint, and Heber Rivers raised conservation concerns for these summer steelhead populations. Tłołasiʔ - the “flat” at Fairy Lake was a summer fish camp where salmon were dried. They are hungry and eager to bite! On the West Coast, options include the hike-in “Anderson Lake”, as well as the Caycuse River and upper Gordon River (when open). COPPER CREEK CW. We start by navigating various logging roads which wind through our lush coastal forest, possibly catching a glimps of wildlife such as beers, black tail deer, wolves or maybe even a cougar, before hiking down to a pool full of wild steelhead. 4 coho per day in the aggregate, only 2 of which may be greater than 35 cm and those 2 must be hatchery marked. For more precise ... ASH RIVER 1-7 No fishing from Dickson Lake to signs 200 m below Lanternman Falls, Dec 1-Apr 30 On waters where gear restrictions are not in effect, most of us still gravitate toward our fly rods as our choice way to cast a line. Lizard Lake: Another unique feature of Lizard Lake is the large 80 -100 foot boardwalk pier extending out from the shore.From the pier, extended out on the lake, people can fish, swim and launch canoes. Kwi:sidok’wa? Gordon River Road, Port Renfrew, B.C ... Unbelievable fishing on Vancouver Island for those seeking the finest saltwater fishing getaway. Port Renfrew Fishing Adventures - Halibut and Salmon Fishing - Wildlife Watching - West Coast Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada Port Renfrew Fresh Water Fishing Casual anglers can catch cuthroat trout at the mouth of San Juan River by casting with a spinner or can catch rainbow trout in Fairy Lake or Lizard Lake with worms or powerbait imitation salmon eggs. Just a few years later Gordon met Betty (Mary) Walker who quickly became the love of his life and he ended up marrying in 1957. The middle section of the river, usually just referred to as the Middle Gordon, is certainly the most challenging stretch of the whole river, and it is perhaps one of the most high quality class IV-V runs in the whole southern island zone. Sea-run cutthroats are found almost year-round in the estuaries but are most abundant during the spring and fall. 2017 to 2019. Vancouver Island kids have long known about another form of shore fishing that can occupy them for hours on end. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Guided tours of the “White Ridge” caverns and the underground river are available, or the cave system can be independently explored by even casual cavers. In B.C., waters specially regulated as a fly fishery are designated as either “artificial fly only” or “fly fishing only”. Pacheedaht Beach is exactly what you would hope for in a Vancouver Island, west coast beach. the river. Anglers from around the world travel to the island's fruitful waters to catch trout and salmon in abundance. Kayaking the Triple Crown of the Gordon river at a low flow on Vancouver Island. You can have an amazing fishing adventure using Port Renfrew as a starting point to the Gordon and Caycuse Rivers. We offer gear fishing and for those anglers looking for a challenge, fly fishing is the way to go. These pools are productive in steelhead, with very little pressure due to their remote locations. Toward Tofino is the Toquart River, or toward Gold River, the Heber River, Buttle Lake tributaries or the hike-in Elk River all provide excellent sport for the fly aficionado. At the cement block Qualicum rivers hold a trio of trout species ” at Fairy Lake was summer. 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