Living in Campbell River we have a long fishing season but it tapers off in October and the coming months will be hit or miss although there are still opportunities to get out and go salmon or trout fishing.

Recently I had the chance to speak with a few fishing guides who work in various lodges and they are hunting right now, around the province of British Columbia and especially in the north; then they will venture to Alberta for the deer and the birds.

I checked my fishing calendar and remembered catching salmon in mid-December as the snow was falling and the fish were biting. This was my first chance to fish for salmon in the winter and I hope to try again in December.

One of the experienced fishing guides, Gibran White, informed me that the resort he is based on on the west coast is closed but day trips are available from Victoria and Campbell River. Accommodations are available and you can bring your own boat to try your hand at winter salmon fishing on the West Coast.

On my weekly trip to Sayward there was little action on the Campbell River and the Salmon River was high but fishable. The coho is open on the Quinsam until December 31st and the fish are dark. On the spinning gear, the golden or blue spinning mills have worked and the fly fishermen will have the possibility to throw green or blue streamers without barb or simple hook. Signs are posted with posted rules and regulations.

The Vancouver Island Hatchery completed stocking the lakes in early October with catchable size fish, 255 gr. at 260 gr. Local lakes had been delayed, but the truck will go here to Courtenay and Campbell River lakes which are supplied twice a year. You can choose a sunny day and try your hand at shore fishing using different colors of PowerBait and on the fly the black patterns of hooks 12-14 work.

If you can find the deep water and reach the bottom with a leech or woolly bugger, it is possible to hook a carry fish. Weather permitting, Beavertail Lake is a good fishing lake at this time of year. The higher elevation lakes are still accessible, but that will change as the weather cools and snow arrives in the area.

It has been almost two years since beginner fly-tying took place in Campbell River and plans are underway to continue the sessions, but with some changes due to the COVID pandemic. In the past, the sessions were for 20 people, but I will keep it in small groups this year.

I have dates scheduled for the Seniors Center card room in the Ironwood Mall. I have a list of names and I will contact these people in advance and inform them of the times and dates of each session. The sessions are free and for more information you can email me at [email protected] or send an SMS to 250-895-1691. The dates of winter Sundays remain to be determined.

Campbell River Fishing