Winter, a great time for Bulls and Bows

As the remaining Chum and Coho Salmon start to die off and the temperature plummets in the Sea to Sky corridor, the trout keep on eating. Generally whatever is left of the Salmon is food for the Trout, like flesh and eggs. The winter is a great time to fish for big Trout/Char but they are not always hanging out were you expect them to be, especially when the temperatures are extreme. For up to date info on were to fish and what to use, drop by the Whistler Fly Shop or give us a shout

Fishing The Mamquam

Thousands of people drive over it every day and most don't bother a second glance at it, the Mamquam River is perhaps one of my favorite rivers in the Squamish area to fish. If you have ever fished it, Chances are it was during Salmon season for the plentiful Chum, Pink or Coho. Thats usually the extent of most fishing experiences on this urban river. But this river has exceptional Trout fishing as well. During the winter and spring, the Mamquam holds some of the largest sea-run Bulltrout encountered anywere in Squamish, more Cutthroat per Kilometre then the Squamish or Cheakamus, Rainbows, Springs, lots of Coho and even a late run of Steelhead. The Canyon water Holds lots of Rainbows and the reaches above the powerhouse hold Rainbow and bulltrout for almost 20km up the river. Winter tends to be a slower time to fish this river as it is very low and clear, but if you can find a couple nice runs, you can usually get into some larger sea run Bull, sea run Cutthroat and Rainbow trout. When the Cheakamus and Squamish Blow out during high water, the Mamquam usually gets back into shape the fastest. Large flies tend to work well for most species here, especially for the Char, but a simple egg sucking leech, rolled muddler or even a stonefly Nymph will work almost anytime of the year for the smaller trout. If the opportunity arises, don't be afriad to test your skills on the Mamquam.

Winter Sea-run Cutthroat Fly Fishing

The Sea-To-Sky corridor (Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton) is home to some of the best winter sea-run Cutthroat fishing anywere. Sometimes called Harvest trout or Coastal Cutthroat, these ocean-bright but often colorful fish move into the Squamish and Lillooet rivers, along with numerous other creeks, in late fall to overwinter and feed on eggs, flesh and eventually Salmon fry.
Between the months of December and Febuary, the tributaries of the Squamish, upper Squamish and especially small creeks flowing into Howe Sound become the home of these scrappy fish, overwintering and feeding on almost anything resembling eggs and smaller fish.
In Febuary, March and April, the Lillooet system becomes the best place to fish them, using Salmon fry imitations and smaller streamer patterns. They are easy to locate, often using available wood cover to hide near in rivers. In lakes and rivers both, the fish can sometimes be feeding only a few feet from shore. In lakes near creek mouths, they often create quite a disturbance on the surface, gorging on salmon fry. Casting and stripping a Rolled Muddler to boiling fish can be one of the most exciting ways to fish them, especially as they form a wake behind your moving fly and smash it at your feet.
A 4-5 weight rod is usually sufficiant in most streams, but sometimes a 6wt is needed to punch out the line through wind to those fish feeding offshore, especially in lakes. Boats can be used, but often fishing from shore is quite effective. Floating lines are standard but intermediate and type 3 tips are sometimes used.
If your thinking of Fishing in the winter, try the elusive Sea-run Cutthroat.