Occasionally, I have been asked how I managed to lure and land tyee -- spring salmon weighing 30 pounds or more -- in streams with my fly rod.
I must admit there was a learning curve, as well as the challenge of coming up with a fly pattern and the proper equipment to do the job.
There were heavy weight big-game rods available but the thought of battling one of those beasts, for six hours or more, was at first unappealing.
I opted to assess workable strategies. My first clue came from Haig-Brown's writings in his book, Fisherman's Fall.
"Then I was over the tyee... great, powerful, bronze fish of 30 and 40 and 50 pounds, scattering in every direction from my drift all concentrated near the bottom in the line of the heaviest flow.
"No fisherman would really expect to move a heavy fish up to a fly through such water, nor could he have any serious hope of being able to work the fly down near bottom. Only when the big fish approach maturity and move out to easier, shallower water is there likely to be any great change in their responsiveness."
Finding the type of water Haig-Brown recommended required hunting for it.
When that water held tyee, stealth and casting accuracy were essential if my presentations were to be accepted. My challenge was rewarded with success.
As a rite of passage, I had data of my first two tyee tattooed on my right bicep. My fly of choice was Flat Black.
Never let the naysayers tell what you can and can't do.
If it is fish you want, then let the fish be your judge.
THE REPORT
Fishing on our Lower Mainland lakes is good.
Try Coachman, American Coachman, Professor, Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach, Sixpack, Dragonfly Nymph, Halfback, Doc Spratley, Baggy Shrimp or Zulu.
Our Lower Mainland bass and panfish fishing is hot. For bass try Wooly Bugger, Big Black, Clouser's Deep Minnow, Zonker, Bucktail, Dolly Whacker or Crayfish in sizes 8 to 4.
For Crappie or Pumpkinseed try Wooly Bugger, Big Black, Micro Leach, Bucktail, Dolly Whacker, or Clouser's Deep Minnow.
Fishing on our Interior lakes is good. Try Wooly Bugger, Micro Leach,
Egg Sucking Leach, Pumpkinhead, Dragonfly Nymph, Halfback Nymph, 52 Buick, Doc Spratley, Green Spratley, Souboo, or Baggy Shrimp.
The Fraser River is fishing well for spring, chum and cutthroat.
The Stave River is fair for chum and coho.
The Vedder River is good for spring and coho.
