12 October 1999

Lock and Load! Our salmon are here in our west coast rivers and have been testing tackle and breaking rods and line!

The rivers are running low and are easy to wade. My GLX Loomis 8-weight finally broke on the ninth large chinook (King) to be landed and released. Our Vancouver Island rivers are almost done with chinook, but are filling up with coho (Silvers) and chum salmon. With some more rain, all rivers will explode with our strong fighters, coho and chum salmon.

Watch out, as there are still summer steelhead sneaking in with the salmon, as well as the odd freak chinook around.

This is also peak black bear time on the rivers, as they feed on salmon in preparation for their long winter nap. We have never had a problem with bears, but they do have very poor eyesight and they can get caught up in their fishing, so make sure you don't sneak up on them! Along with the bears it's also eagle time, as they clean up the bears' leftovers. Bring your camera along, for some awesome fish and wildlife photographs to treasure.

Check out BC's fishing regulations, as some rivers are allowing coho and chum salmon retention. The Cowichan River has been kicking up Jack Springs for a month now, and we have seen some big boys as of late. We have been finding some nice rainbows and the odd large brown trout as well. Trout fishing will improve with a good rainfall, as will the salmon angling. We are expecting some large coho returns and most swim counts are lean that way. Some rivers already have good numbers of coho in. For any questions, please phone, fax or e-mail the Ex-Stream Team, and we will be glad to help you out.

Big Dreams, Big Fish, Big Smile!

Written by Scott Blewett EX-Stream Steelhead Guide Service Victoria, British Columbia