Loop to Loop Sink Tip Connection

The other day I was asked by a fellow angler whom I had seen on the river in the past about what sink tip line I recommended for fly fishing for the chum salmon.  Usually we are fly fishing in just 3ft of water that isn't moving too fast (chum hold in slower water).  I told him that I preferred to use the Type III sink tip lines and a leader not more than 3.5-4ft.  Heavier lines tend to snag too many fish or too much bottom and casting 45 degrees downstream helps prevent both snagging bottom and fish.

With that information he began to change his sink tip line.  I noticed that when he was switching his sink tip to something lighter he made a common error.  He put the loop of the sink tip through the loop of the fly line and then put the tip of the sink tip line through itself.  Putting a sink tip on that way will result in the line cutting into itself under tension especially with a big chum on!

Here is a bit of instruction and a short video I took to show how to properly put the loops together.

Step 1. Put the loop of the fly line through the loop of the sink tip.
Step 2. Put the end of the sinking tip though to loop of the fly line
Step 3. Pull the sink tip through the loop of the fly line until it forms a square knot (reef knot).

The reef knot does not allow the line to cut into itself.  That is when you know you have done it right!
Good luck out there, those chums are strong!

Tight lines,

Clint Goyette

Rewards from Learning to Czech Nymph

Over the past 5 years I have spent quite a bit of time teaching beginner and advanced fly anglers how to employ the method of presenting a nymph to fish on a short line in fast water.  This technique is commonly referred to as Czech or Polish nymphing. It is very effective for fishing fast streams such as those found on the west coast of beautiful British Columbia.

Quite often the fish caught Czech nymphing are in the 10-14" inch range, but in some cases surprisingly large fish take the little #10 to #18 nymphs.

Some flies used when I teach the Czech nymph Technique

Our streams have many of the standard insects such as stoneflies, caddis, and many mayfies due to the pristine water conditions.  Using fly patterns that imitate these insects in their nymph stage is critical to the success of the Czech nymph technique.

Adult Stonefly Size #10 are common in June

When teaching we use various rods specifically designed for Czech nymphing such as Admira, Vision Cult, and Sage 99.

Admira 10' 4wt is an excellent choice for Czech Nymphing

The Sage 99 is a great choice for Czech Nymphing

One of my favorite things about using this style of presenting a fly to fish is you never know what you're going to get so you always have to be prepared and remember your tippet strength!  The normal tippet size is 3X or 4X fluorocarbon in our coastal streams.

This small char fell for a nymph presented using the Czech nymphing technique in the Mamquam River in Squamish BC

If you are interested in learning more about this style of fishing there are many books available including one by George Daniel just published this year: Dynamic Nymphing: Tactics, Techniques, and Flies from Around the World  

and if you want to get some hands-on training you can book one of my guided trips here and learn the technique of Czech Nymphing on our beautiful coastal rivers!

Wild Rainbow Trout

Large fish such as this Bull Trout - Salvelinus confluentus can also succumb to small nymphs presented properly

Team Canada Named for the 31st World Fly Fishing Championships in Bolzano Italy

Fly Fishing Canada is pleased to announce Canada's team for the 31st
FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championship and Conservation Symposium to
be held in Italy from August 27 to September 3, 2011:

John Nishi (Captain)
Terence Courtoreille
Sorin Comsa
Byron Shepherd
Arron Varga
Clint Goyette

The event will take place on waters surrounding Bolzano, Italy and will consist of 4 river sessions and one lake session that will be fished Loch-Style.

More information on the event visit: http://www.sfwc2011.it/eng/index.html

Family Fishing Vacation Accommodation in Whistler

If you are looking for a great place to have a family fishing vacation try Greystone Lodge in Whistler.

End your great day of fishing around the outdoor pool and two hot tubs! Use the barbecue on the pool deck for your meals if you like! What a great way to end a hot Summer day in Whistler!

Greystone Lodge is located on Blackcomb Mountain just 2 minutes from the Whistler Farmer's Market in the Summer months as well as the Blackcomb Adventure Zone!

Lost lake is just a 15 minute walk from the Greystone Lodge and is stocked with rainbow trout annually. Other local lakes include Alta Lake, Alpha Lake, Nita Lake, Green Lake, and Loggers Lake. Note that Alta Lake and Green Lake are strictly catch and release!

Other local activities include golf, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, sailing, Ziptrek and loads more!

Mention Valley Fishing Guides and get 20% off the regular rate! There is also a summer special at Greystone Lodge for 35% off the regular rate for a week long stay!

Squamish / Whistler Fishing Report - March 21, 2011

Updated Mar 21, 2011

Whistler/Squamish Area Lakes: Brohm lake is ice free as is Browning lake (Murrin Park). Whistler lakes are still frozen!
Whistler/Squamish Area Rivers: Fishing over the weekend was slow most likely due to the cold water temperatures. Peak activity was in the afternoon for both steelhead and char. Flies that worked were black and natural sculpin patterns and size #8 fry patterns (sparce). Chum fry were visible on the river edges and lots of merganser activity also indicates that the fry migration is in full swing. Watch for slashing fish! Using an intermediate clear line is advantagious in low clear conditions.

Check out one of the char caught this weekend here: http://www.facebook.com/valleyfishing

Upper Squamish Valley Rd.: Snowcovered with large ruts. A 4x4 with a high clearance is recommended if you plan to travel up there! I give it at least another week or two before the snow is gone.

Tight lines,


Clint Goyette

Supermoon Causes Super High Tides in Squamish

Something interesting is happening this weekend, a Supermoon! With this phenomenon comes super high tides in Squamish - on the order of 15.4ft on Saturday through to Tuesday March 22. I would expect that his would entice more steelhead into our local rivers for the first full weekend of spring steelhead season. Good luck out there and remember to share the river and practice proper river etiquette as it will be busy!

Tight lines,

Clint Goyette

Squamish / Whistler Fishing Report - March 13, 2011

Updated Mar 13, 2011

Whistler/Squamish Area Lakes: Frozen!
Whistler/Squamish Area Rivers: Fishing has been intermittent with the wacky weather we've been having. Rivers levels are increasing due to the rain and the higher freezing levels. A warm stretch of weather is coming later in the week which will increase bug and fry activity. We should see a dramatic increase in this seasonal event towards the end of the week. Slender flies with flash are key in low and clear conditions with increasing size as water colour diminishes. Flies in the size #8 stripped slowly or swung are producing fish in 1-3ft of water. Olive, black, white and naturals are go to colours - add silver flash. Be sure to bring small dry flies for the days that get see a change of 10+ degrees in air temperature. The bugs will hatch at Noon to 2pm! As for the steelhead front a few fish are around now. The full moon, high tides, increase in precipitation and warmer air temperatures this week should bring more fish into the lower river thus kicking off the real beginning of our winter steelhead return.

Upper Squamish Valley Rd.: Snowcovered but melting....I give it at least another week.

http://www.valleyfishing.com/fishingreport.htm

Tight Lines,

Clint Goyette