By Don Daniels
In the early part of April, we had a few days of sunshine and temperatures were hanging around 9 degrees here in Campbell River.
Then the wind and rain arrived to really put a damper on any thoughts of lake fishing or even thinking about taking the boat out and doing some cruising around Discovery Passage. If you check your calendar from last year, we got hit with a snow storm April 22 just like we did last week on April 18. Last Monday a number of people from Campbell River drove from Port Hardy and encountered snow along the way on Highway 19. Roberts Lake is open year around for fishing and all lower elevation lakes are fishable with the best month being May.
Campbell River has a history of tourists coming from all over the world to experience fishing for salmon with the Chinook being the top targeted fish along with coho, chum, pinks and sockeye. We know that regulations have changed throughout the years and each month of the year will have different restrictions on what you can keep. Its all about getting on the water to fish or just enjoy the scenery this area has to offer.
For the out-of-towners there is plenty of choices for accommodation such as motels, hotels and RV parks and campgrounds or staying with friends and relatives. In general, more tourists will be coming to the area and its a wise choice to call ahead and make sure you are not wasting time looking to get a room or park your RV. Gas prices are higher and some people are simply staying closer to home to go fishing around the area.
In general, weather conditions have made things run behind schedule, Echo Lake will be stocked with rainbow trout today around 2 p.m. The hatchery truck will arrive at the day-use area and you can view these fish being put into the lake from the dock area. It is well worth the drive to see these fish being released and it will take about two weeks before the trout get used to being in a new environment.
There will be carry-over fish from last year that can be caught on fly, spoon or worms. At the moment, there will be no insect hatch but trout will feed on the bottom and are eating snails and any bugs that are around. You will see white boxes on the lake, a stickleback study is underway, so leave these boxes alone.
My last fly-tying session for beginners will be held this Sunday at the library starting at 1 p.m. You are welcome to come by and try your hand at learning fly-tying techniques and get out fishing at local lakes and rivers. The session is free to attend and a number of draws will be made for fishing books that have been donated to me this year. I will have dates announced for being at Discovery Pier on a chosen Sunday when the weather gets nicer.