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Fishing
Reports - South Island, Victoria and the Gulf Islands
23 March 2000
Steelhead
fishing on the Cowichan River has been very productive through
March. Both hatchery and wild stocks have returned quite strongly
and have been providing legendary battles for fly and gear anglers.
Water levels and clarity create constantly changing variable,
which will affect anglers success on the river. Throughout this
past month we have had very unsettled weather, and the river
conditions reflect that: one day it's raining, then sunny and
warm the next. As the river heights and clarity change, so does
the behaviour of the Steelhead. By noting these changes and
altering fishing habits, the otherwise unsuccessful angler can
score big in somewhat adverse conditions.
Reduced visibility will increase the security of fish holding
in the shallow water. With the security of murky water, it is
not uncommon for fish travelling the shoreline to be drawn into
fairly small side channels. As long as there is adequate water
flow and security, side channels will provide safe and easy
passage for any Steelhead coming up the river.
With water levels steady, or perhaps falling, most fish will
continue to be on the move using the safest shoreline routes.
Resting will usually be done in tailouts, riffles or in any
convenient depression. The regular pools usually provide unproductive
water until the river drops and clears. In the meantime, concentrate
angling efforts on water that the fish will travel through,
rather than the areas where they typically rest.
 Our
large brown trout are seeking hardy meals, as we have been successful
with leeches, muddlers and zonkers swung deep. The upper Cowichan
River is in great shape, and hiking trails get you to awesome
fly water.
Mayflies are starting to hatch, with the warmer weather, so
keep some dry flies handy for afternoon excitement. The aggressive
rainbows are smacking just about anything that's buggy, and
sea-run Cutthroats are in the lower reaches of the Cowichan
River.
Ocean
fishing is picking up for Halibuts, so watch for favourable
tides and get those "barndoors". The Winter Springs are getting
bigger, and action can be non-stop somedays.
Seventy year
young Jim Wynne (right) shows one of his Cowichan hatchery steelhead.
Shake off the cobwebs, tune up your motors and drop those crab
traps before heading out.
Five things you won't hear in a drift boat:
" I sorta feel guilty about calling in sick."
" We'd better go. I want to get home while it's still light
enough to cut the lawn."
" Do you have any fat-free snacks."
" It's kinda lonely on the river. I hope some more boats show
up soon."
" I'm tired of catching these large fish, could we find some
smaller ones."
If you need more information, have a question or need a guide
service, we're on the Internet at www.ex-stream.com.
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