Each year a select group of addicted fly fishers look forward to the beginning of the season, especially fishing trout with chironomid patterns. I have long been an adherent of this fascinating type of fly fishing, and was fortunate to be a student of the late Jack Shaw, pioneer of wet line chironomid fishing and practised by thousands of anglers today.
Last Monday I took the day off from gardening and house renovation routines to have a go at some fishing in Spider Lake – in truth it is my work – My! Oh! My! What a glorious form of work.
When launching my punt on the lake it didn't look too promising with a low cloud cover and light rain bordering on a cloudy mist – no matter, I was going to work. I chatted with a fellow angler who said it was slow the day before and he wasn't too optimistic for our chances today.
As is my custom when starting the day I usually mooch a couple of flies on wet lines while trying to decide where to concentrate my efforts. On Monday there was a small black micro leech on one line and a pumpkin-head nymph on the other. During my slow trip around the lake no action occurred on my lines or any of the other anglers from
what I could observe.
For my lunch break the boat was anchored in about 20 feet of water and this old man just studied the universe. A mink travelling along the shoreline entertained me as did the silent stare of the eagle waiting for me to oblige him by catching a nice fat trout for his lunch.
At about this time things began to happen – there were small rings appearing on the waters around my boat (from this season's stocking of catchable trout) as they started to feed, and a few violet green swallows appeared and proceeded to pick emerging chironomids off the still waters.
A small, ghostly voice entered my conscious as the memory of the late Jack Shaw said, "Time to get down to business with a wet line chironomid outfit, Ralph."
My first fish was a prime one-meal trout taken on a #14 green chironomid. When I examined the stomach contents they contained small green types about #18 patterns in size. My closest match was a slim #16 and for the next three hours this old-time wet line chironomid fishing addict enjoyed this sensitive type of fly fishing.
My pattern was not an exact match of the hatch, but it was close enough to keep me and the eagle well entertained. The picture with this column is of three prime Vancouver Island rainbow trout that are so like their interior cousins who are their ancestors. They are nestled on an old burlap sack cooled off with a small ice pack to keep them fresh until I get home.
These are second-year fish that were stocked in the lake two years ago by the Freshwaters Fisheries Society of BC, a Crown corporation that looks after the stocking of our freshwater lakes in the province. They do a wonderful job and a special thank-you for making my day such a success.
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Starting on Wednesday, April 26 and running through to Saturday night April 28, the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF) is holding its annual convention in the Valley. They are hosted by the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association.
Sessions are open to members of the BCWF and you are encouraged to attend. This province-wide organization has a long history of fighting for the rights of ordinary fishing and hunting folks. They have a long, respectful conservation history cutting across many issues that affect the fish and wildlife resources of this province. As a past vice-president of the BCWF I take great pleasure in welcoming the BCWF to our Valley. For off-Island delegates we have some good oyster tides during your visit plus all kinds of fishing – stay awhile.
The 56th annual Fundraiser and Dinner is open to all and is worthy of your support. It takes place tonight starting at 5:30 in the Comox Valley Sports Centre on Vanier Drive. Tickets are $30 and are available from Gone Fishin', Tyee Marine and the clubhouse. Conservation is an endless challenge and needs your support.
Ralph Shaw is a master fly fisherman who was awarded the Order of Canada in 1984 for his conservation efforts. In 20 years of writing a column in the Comox Valley Record it has won several awards.
