This past week has been more than a little disruptive in many respects, largely due to uncertain weather. Chuck Ashcroft and I cancelled a trip to Port Hardy due to storm predictions. As it turned out we made the right decision because we would have stayed on the shore and looked at the weather.
Cancelling a planned trip has implications beyond the inconvenience of the cancellation because things put over for the trip have to be completed and your fishing plans for the following week are further complicated – such is life.
One day last week I joined Bryan Allen and Gordon Compton on a Good Samaritan fishing trip organized by Bryan, who is chairman of the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association (CDFGPA) fishing committee. He is actively promoting a system where members help new members or seniors get on the water with the purpose of shortening the learning curve for new waters. The guests share the costs of the trip in the usual manner.
Our day on the water was a success, with Gordon taking the best fish of the day. If you are interested in getting involved as a local angler to help or are new to the Valley, give Bryan a call at 250-338-0091. (To be involved with this program you must be member of the CDFGPA.)
Salmon fishing has been superb in several locations over the past few days, if you can get on the water. The waters off Tribune Bay continue to produce good catches of feeder chinook around 10 pounds and some larger mature fish. Kitty Coleman has slowed down. Coho point and Texada have produced some nice chinook. One of the current hotspots is Grants Reef which is producing good catches of chinook. These fish are largely prime red-fleshed feeders.
Rocky outcrops in Area 14 continue to give up nice lingcod in the 70- to 75cm class at about nine to 10 pounds. I had a surprise piece of fresh local halibut taken in Area 14 waters that was an unexpected gift from the sea. Our special thanks to caring friends who look after old fishers.
I haven't been on Spider Lake for a few weeks, however I know that lake anglers are doing well on still waters in spite of the cool weather that tends to slow down insect hatches. The cool weather has the added effect of keeping the trout in prime condition throughout the month as insect hatches increase.
During the month of June we experience some of the highest tides of the year coming after day time lows in the two-foot range. These high tides occur from June 12 to 20, with the highest tide predicted at 17.4 feet at 9:25 p.m. on June 15.
The daylight lows are great opportunities to gather clams and oysters if you enjoy this type of seafood. The lack of hot weather means the oysters will still be in good shape. These tides are the opposite to the tides we get in December with night-time lows and they also produce strong currents in local waters due to the huge exchange of water.
June is a month full of activities at the CDFGPA grounds and clubhouse that involve the general public. During the weekend of June 7-8 the club hosts the 22nd annual Outdoor Show that involves thousands of visitors each year. The show is run by a small committee and an army of volunteers. Entry fee is a non-perishable food item for the food bank. The theme of this year's show is “Get involved in Our Great Outdoors.” My column next week will give final details.
Other important activities at the CDFGPA grounds and fish pond include the Fishing Forever Program. This is one of the most inspiring programs of the club. Seniors and handicapped people enjoy several days of sponsored fishing in the pond stocked by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC.
The Family Fishing weekend takes place on June 13-15 when all licences are waived for the weekend. The CDFGPA hosts a two-day free fishing event in the club pond on June 14-15. Details to follow.
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.