Over the years, I have fished the Campbell River area with a lot of different people. You can get out in a boat and go salmon fishing. You can take a fly rod or spinning gear and fish the local rivers when the salmon runs begin. There are a number of local lakes with trout and you can get out fishing on shore or go for a canoe, kayak, belly boat and even a paddle board.
When the weather gets warm, the rivers and creeks are full of people swimming or fishing, or even sitting down and cooling off. I see more couples out kayaking around and fishing and a number of the local grandparents who have fished over the years are now taking their grand kids out fishing the local rivers. They are teaching the young anglers fishing techniques and are able to enjoy an afternoon of fishing.
This month, I will drive to Gold River and let the kids try their hand at fly tying at the fishing derby event and they can fish the lake with various patterns that they them selves have made and catch a fish and win a prize. The drive to Gold River is about 90 minutes, but, for me, it will be a chance to scout out fishing opportunities along the way. Graham Kelly took me out fly fishing on the Elk River a few years ago and I plan to wet a fly and hook into a few trout, then head to Gold River and take part in the kids fishing derby on the Sunday.
I had a chance to attend the Rock, Gem & Mineral Show at the Community Centre in Campbell River and was talking to a number of people from around the Island who are ardent rockhounds. They combine fly tying and fishing while they are on the hunt for various rocks around Vancouver Island. The local club gets away during the summer months they search for rocks, camp and as a group have get together and they have stories to share. One of the exhibitors from Comox had made a coho fly and I will try to get my hands on his pattern and give it a try.
I made my way to Echo Lake on June 8, the temperature hit mid 20s, and, to my liking, was a little warm, but it was my first outing since the lake was stocked in March. A family was fishing on the dock and a few people in kayaks were trolling a line. I started rowing from the highway side of the lake and I tried a Carey Special fly that got me no results. There was no bug hatch and no fish rising. The resident eagle could be heard and he was waiting to see if I could deliver a trout. My fly – a Micro Leech – with an orange head with an orange head and black rabbit fur got me results. The eagle circled above me and I lost my fish and the eagle was gone.
