Penticton Fly Fishers September October 2009

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

JOURNAL

Sept / Oct 2009

PAGE 2

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

Vol. 06

Number 05, 2009

Sept / Oct 2009, Edition

Penticton Flyfishers Box 354, 113-437 Martin St., Penticton, B.C., V2A 5L1 Editor Bruce Turnbull Home Ph:250-493-7386 Work Ph:250-487-2000 Fax 250-487-2049 Email: bturnbul@telus.net (or) bruce.turnbull@raymondjames.ca

President Angus Cameron 250-762-4719 haggisscot@shaw.ca Vice President Phil Rogers 250-493-8832 pjrogers@shaw.ca Treasurer Ken Baker kbbaker@telus.net Secretary Denis Currie 496-5499 Membership Director Tom Knight twknight@telus.net

Contents

Page 3— Presidents Report Page 4— Harry Friesen Page 5,& 6— Equipment review - Spey Page 7— Kettle River 2009

Tom Dellamater

Page 8—— George Graw Fly Tyer & Fly Fisherman Page 9 & 10— Eastern Washington State Page 11— Salmon Lake Fish Out 2009 Page 12, 13 & 14– Kamchatka Salmon Page 15— 2009 Fish Out Dates Page 16— Northern Pike Page 17— Picture Gallery Page 18— Classifieds and Calendar Page 19— Tying and Fishing Techniques Kettle River July 09—by Bruce Turnbull

The Penticton Flyfishers are members of BC Federation of Fly Fishers (BCFFF) BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF)

Penticton Flyfishers

Federation of Fly Fishers (International FFF)

New Website is

Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA)

www.pentictonflyfishers.ca

PAGE 3

Presidents

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

Report

by Angus Cameron Since our last edition of the Club Newsletter, the situation around the Central Okanagan was something totally unexpected. The newspapers locally and across the country had news articles reminiscent of 2003 - the tragic wildfires of Kelowna.

Just as in 2003, 2009 was dealt cards similar to mother nature's wild wrath of past years - 2003. In this recent situation, it was the westside of the Central Okanagan who were facing mother nature's reinactment of the fire conditions of the past - only this time it was various locations beginning with West Kelowna (Glenrosa)and quickly followed in Rose Valley, Terrace Mtn., and Fintry. This does not include other areas of the province who experienced the highly dangerous conditions of forest fires and the subsequent numerous evacuation orders for safety reasons.

Why? who knows. The conditions for this recent fiasco of forest fires were there - very dry conditions, unseasonably high wind fac-

tors, extremely high temperatures leading to conditions that were ripe for forest fires in this area as well as others in the province. And most of all, the "hot" weather situations were just waiting for conditions to result in fires that would react with the very dry forest fuel conditions and the Central Okanagan public ultimately faced very serious and dangerous conditions that affected their personal safety and potentially loss of property. Evacuations and alerts were commonplace.

However, potentially the fire crews in concert with favourable weather conditions, the area was spared excessive losses of 2003.

On the other side of this equation, the operative word "hot" had left your's truly with some of the finest fishing I have experienced in years locally. You might ask yourself what is meant by the foregoing. Over the past month or so, myself and some friends fished a myriad of local lakes two or three times a week commencing with Bardolf, Flyfish 1, Wasley, Dardenalles,

Eastmere to name a few. The fishing was nothing short of spectacular as expressed above it was "hot". Normally this time of the year has seen a drought in the summer months but if one can tolerate the fishing of chironomids, then the situation is somewhat different. In any event, it sure as hell made for a different summer this year and continues to do so because your's truly is still pursuing same.

In conclusion, I hope and trust others have enjoyed this past summer as much as I have. It is not late for others to go after these great fish - to catch and release as deemed necessary.

The Best of the remainder of the Summer

ANGUS

Your 2009 Executive

Treasurer Ken Baker

Vice Pres Phil Rogers

President Angus Cameron

Secretary Denis Currie

PAGE 4

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

HARRY FRIESEN

FRIESEN, HARRY BEN:

Born Aug.15/1932 Passed Away July11/2009.

Born in Saskatchewan, Harry was raised on a farm in Manitoba. He was the second son in a Mennonite family with 4 brothers and 1 sister. Harry left the farm to become a police officer with the RCMP. He subsequently met and married Nora Frank. Together, Harry and Nora moved to Vancouver where Harry joined the Vancouver City Police. They eventually settled in Coquitlam and raised 3 children. Harry loved to camp and frequently he would take the family to Oliver for their summer vacation. After retirement Harry and Nora moved to Oliver where Harry took up woodworking, fishing and golf. Harry was a very hard worker and a wonderful neighbour. He was always the first to show up for any job that needed doing. After a determined battle, Harry quietly passed away from cancer and its complications. Harry is survived by Nora, his wife and partner for nearly 53 years; his daughter Joan Swan (husband Rob); his oldest son Doug; his youngest son Bryan (wife Nancy) and his grandchildren Ryan, Tyler, Adam, Francesca and Spencer. Harry’s wish was to be returned to nature at his favourite fishing lake.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

PAGE 5

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

Equipment Reviewby

Bruce Turnbull

The River Spey (Scottish Gaelic: Uisge Spè) is a river in the northeast of Scotland, the second longest and the fastest flowing river in Scotland. It is important for salmon fishing and whisky production.

The river traditionally supported many local industries, from the still popular salmon fishing industry to shipbuilding.

The river is also known for the quality of its salmon and trout fishing, including a particular form of fly fishing where the fisher uses a double-handed fly rod to throw a 'Spey cast' whereby the fly and the line do not travel behind the fisher (thereby keeping these away from the bushes and trees lining the banks behind him or her). This type of cast was developed on the Spey.

Speyside distilleries produce more whisky than any other region.

The “Spey” or two-handed fly rod has become the tool of choice for steelhead and salmon anglers looking to swing flies on big rivers. Two-handed rods take the drudgery out of swinging flies by minimizing casting effort, maximizing swing time, and allowing for incredible mending and line control.

Two additional benefits: 1) they can chuck BIG flies and sink tips; 2) they can chuck LONG casts. Best of all, Spey rods are fun. But with all the rod and line options on the market today, it’s hard to know where to begin. So here are some pointers for getting started with two-handed fly-fishing:

1. Commit to it. If you are considering a Spey rod, you need one. If you think you might need one, you probably need three or four. If you are destined to become a Spey junkie, you will probably end up with as many twohanders as you have single-handers.

It’s time to get on the wagon. If money is tight, there are some excellent options out there. If you can budget $500 for your first outfit, you’re home free.

If that’s too high, you can still find a way.

2. Start with a full-sized rod, not a “switch” rod. Budding Spey fishers often fall for the dainty switch rod. The shorter, lighter rods seem like a good transitional step between the old single hander and those really long ones. And switch rods are exceptional nymphing sticks, but they are not the best way to learn Spey casting, nor are they the right tool for most winter or spring fishing. Let go of your fear. The long rod is the way to go.

Purchasing a Spey rod in today’s market is not an easy proposition. Each rod manufacturer now produces anywhere

Spey Equipment from 3 to 23 different Spey rods with varying lengths, line weights and rod actions. With so many options, determining the rod that is best going to fit your fishing needs can be terribly difficult. So how does one go about sifting through the barrage of rods now available? Deciding which rod is best suited for your fishing style, the rivers you fish, and the conditions you are typically fishing in can be narrowed down by asking yourself a few basic questions.

What river or rivers are you planning on fishing? Are these big rivers or smaller rivers? Determining the size of the river you are fishing will help to determine the overall length of the rod in which you are interested. For example, if you plan on fishing the Thompson River you will probably want a rod between 12’ and 14’ in length because of the size of the river. If If you plan on fishing the Methow in Washington Sate, which is considerably smaller, you will probably look at rods that are between 10’ and 12’ in length. If you plan on fishing both you would split the difference and target an 11’ to 13’ rod. You certainly can fish a longer rod on smaller water and shorter rod on bigger water, but we are looking for optimum fishing efficiency. Ultimately, you may end up with a number of rods each specific to the places where you fish.

Using the right tool, or rod, for the job leads to an all-around better experience on the water.

3. Buy two lines for each rod. You will need a Compact Skagit head with a suite of tips (intermediate, type 3, type 6 and type 8), AND you

PAGE 6

will need a Compact Scandi head for dry flies. Follow the rod manufacturers’ line recommendations to make sure you have the right grain weight to match your new rod.

Mastery Spey Skagit Deluxe Line This line evolved on the winter steelhead rivers of the Pacific Northwest, where casting large flies long distance with little back-cast room is common. The Mastery Spey Skagit Deluxe was first introduced by Steve Choate, while fishing for winter steelhead on the Sandy River. Steve is one of the most talented long distance Spey casters in the Pacific Northwest, and he can show you how to fish areas of the river that had never been probed with a fly before. His ability to cover water that was beyond everyone else's reach really got our attention. The Mastery Spey Skagit Deluxe is technically a changeable-tip shooting head which comes with four tips. You must add a shooting line to complete the system. Some suggest GuideLine Shooter as a perfect option. "Skagit style lines" and "Skagit style casting" are fairly new concepts; first becoming popular in the mid-1990's. As such, equipment and

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

techniques are still evolving. The Mastery Spey Skagit Deluxe is the newest "Skagit style line" to hit the market. It offers some features worth your attention. First the finish is silky smooth, and the loops are very streamlined and in-line with the rest of the line for smooth passage through the rod guides. The heads are heavy and designed to bend a rod deep for maximum power. The taper is designed to work at all ranges, especially long ranges.

4. Spey Reel. What size reel do I need for a spey rod? Most Spey reels fall somewhere between a 9 weight reel and a 12 weight reel. The capacity of the reel is important due to the extra length and diameter of Spey lines and the necessary backing for steelhead and salmon fishing. For most 5, 6 and 7 weight rods a solid 9 or 10 weight reel will provide adequate capacity and weight to balance the rod. It is important not to employ a very lightweight reel because they often won’t balance out on a spey rod. It is typically better to have a slightly heavier reel than one that is too light. For 8, 9, and 10 weight

rods look for a nice 12 weight reel. A few manufacturers are now offering reels that are even larger for long belly lines on long rods but for all practical purposes these extra large reels are too large for most rods.

It is important to have a good drag mechanism. By no means does this require that you have a saltwater compatible reel; you just need a reel with a reliable drag that can handle a hard run. Another important consideration is finding a reel with a drag mechanism that works well in cold weather. Some saltwater reels do not function properly in cold weather. The cork will freeze to the spool or the drag will vary as the temperature increases or decreases. It is best to look for a drag mechanism that is completely enclosed.

5. Debarb your flies and wear eye protection. Until you become intimate with Spey casting, barbed hooks are not safe.

Source: Internet, Wikipedia, and other internet sources.

PAGE 7

KETTLE RIVER 2009

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

by Tom Dellamater

My trips to the Kettle River have come and gone with only 3 days on the river. The first weekend, the Saturday was a great trip and Sunday was even better. The fish I saw were in the 12” to 14” range and lots of willing ones in the 10” to 12” range with lots of smaller ones. George can testify to the smaller ones but one thing he did catch was a lot more of the bigger fish than I did. And when he was unable to go on Sunday he did give me his fly box to take down the river. Later he said he felt sorry for me and hoped this would help me catch fish.

We had a Turnbull reunion with Glen, Jim, Bruce and Glen’s daughter Natasha out numbering George and I. If you have ever fished with Bruce and listened to him around the fire at night now just add two more brothers and the fun begins. The stories from their childhood kept us in stitches way into the night. We had the space station and satellites with all the stories that go with them.

Jim and Natasha had not been in a pontoon boat on a river before and did quite well for the first time. We all had fish and the runs produced over and over again as our flotilla went through.

Here is Bruce being kind and showing his brother Jim how to fish one of the better holes along the river. Being the founding father of the BTRA (Bruce Turnbull River Association) he is going through the hole first leaving his brother with the leftovers. It is not that he is picking on Jim, he treats all of us the same.

We think Steve Mathews may have been correct that the larger fish we normally catch were washed out of the higher lakes and were not the native river fish. Bruce did get into some larger fish but not the numbers we have seen in past years. The low snow levels and low run offs must have contributed to a lack of larger fish. I have heard that Nick from Trout Waters did much better than I did.

On Sunday Bruce, Jim and I drifted the river with good success as the fish were holding in the same spots as the day before. The next Saturday Bruce and I went over on a day trip and found the river down quite a bit. The holding spots had ½ the water in them but the biggest thing was the food seam had moved out about 2 feet so the fish had moved. They were holding in the rocks and boulders in the river with the fast water before and at the tail out of a run producing the better fish. It is too bad we only get such few days to drift the Kettle as it is so much fun. We will have to look for more rivers to fill our free July and August weekends.

A good time was had by all and fishing with the Turnbull Clan is quite an experience but you have to be prepared to laugh.

Tom Dellamater Proud Supporter of the BTRA

PAGE 8

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

George Graw – Fly Tyer & Fly Fisherman George has become one of the better fly tyers in the club and is always the first one to help someone out with pattern problems or techniques. His credentials are impeccable as he was trained by Chris Cousins with his attention to size, detail and materials proving his training. While on the river he always opens his box to help someone out and does not charge the usual $5.00 per fly on the water. George has branched out with some of his alterations on traditional patterns to increase his versatility as a tyer.

George is now doing some custom tying and runs his own classes for beginners. He goes to the schools to teach with 30 kids signed up which keeps him on his toes. George heads our fly tying sessions for the club on the second Thursday of the month during fall, winter and spring months. If you have a fly or problems with tying materials just contact George and it will be in one of our tying sessions this fall.

George’s skill and desire to share this skill with others helps make our club one of the better clubs in the area.

Thanks George.

Regards, Tom Dellamater Ps: 4 dozens flies for Bella Coola

PAGE 9

EASTERN

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

WASHINGTON

STEELHEAD Eastern Washington State fly fishing is some of the best in the U.S. The fishing is good because of the cold clean waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries.

Rainbow trout and other favoured fish species thrive in these waterways.

For salmon fishing Washington State’s majestic Columbia River is a good bet.

On the streams of Washington fly fishing is the best way to catch salmon.

Other species caught in the Columbia include sturgeon, walleye, shad, smelt, and trout.

T he majestic Columbia is also a great place for steelhead, one of the world’s most prized game fish. Steelheads are rainbow trout that have adapted to salt water life, then returned to freshwater.

Eastern Washington fly fishing has become famous for its steelheads. Steelhead season generally runs through the winter months.

The Methow Valley is one of the better sites for eastern Washington fishing.

Methow Valley fishing is ideal for steel-

RIVERS

head (from October to March) and for rainbow, brown, brook, and other freshwater trout (from June to September).

The Methow Valley is one the most beautiful areas of Washington State.

Located in the northeastern part of the state in the scenic Cascade Mountains, the Methow Valley WA is an area of relatively untouched natural beauty. In

recent years, it has become a major attraction for fans of outdoors or extreme recreation: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, horse riding, rock climbing, fishing, white-water rafting, and other activities.

The Methow River , a tributary of the Columbia River, is known as a Mecca for Washington fishing. Fly fishers flock to the Methow River Washington for its salmon, whitefish, steelhead, and various species of trout. Fishing on the Methow River is open between June 1st and September 30th (August 15th on select sections).

The "Met" boasts healthy numbers of summer-run steelhead and is a favorite river to swing a floating line with skaters, damp flies, or wets for steelhead.

The alluring, gin clear water, scenic backdrop, large boulders, and aggressive population of wild and hatchery Steelhead make this a tough river to beat. We wade and float this river depending on water levels and strategy. Overnight ac-

PAGE 10 8

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

commodations in the Methow valley are utilized for this trip, and we encourage multi-day itineraries. *NOTE: Steelhead seasons on the Methow are managed on an annual basis after returning adult steelhead runs are counted on the Columbia River. If there are plenty of fish, then the season will open on short notice. Typically the season run from early October through March The Wenatchee River has long been regarded as one of the best fly fishing steelhead streams in Washington State, but it has been closed for more than a decade. 2007 has been the grand reopening and we are excited about fly fishing float trips on the Wenatchee River.

It is open from Leavenworth down to the confluence of the Columbia River in Wenatchee. Locals like to refer to this trip as "steelhead fishing in the Alps" due to the amazing mountainous backdrops and the Bavarian feel of the Leavenworth area. The only thing better than steelhead fishing, is steelhead fishing followed by some great German food and a stout ale in Leavenworth!

The river itself runs very clear and offers great opportunities to swing for steelhead on spey rods. It is a broad stream ideally suited for float style trips in drift boats, pontoons or rafts. It is a very unique opportunity to fly fish the Wenatchee River and hopefully in years to come it will remain open for us all to enjoy.

The Klickitat is an extremely wild and scenic river, pouring directly from the glaciers of Mt. Adams in South Central Washington. It boasts great returns of large wild steelhead and some hatchery fish as well. Sometimes your only companions are eagles, turkeys, black bears, and deer.... what company!

WENATCHEE

RIVER

The river is about 4 hours from Seattle and about 2.5 hours from Portland. The nearest towns are Goldendale and Klickitat and the season runs from June 1 - November 30th.

The glacial nature of the Klickitat makes summer time water clarity somewhat unpredictable so people tend to focus their fishing efforts towards the months of October and November, but July - September during periods of cool weather the Klick will produce great warm weather KLICKITAT steelhead fishing. You can drift 5 - 12 miles in a day depending on strategy.

Nymphing onthe-go generally produces the most hook -ups but you can swing flies with a spey rod as well.

A Washington State fishing license is required for both residents and visitors alike. Contact the Washington State Department of Wildlife in Olympia

Washington for information regarding fishing rules and regulations, current license fees, and fishing seasons.

Whether for eastern Washington fly fishing or ocean salmon fishing Washington State has great angling opportunities for all types of fish species.

These are just a few of the rivers one can easily get to from the South Okanagan.

Off season rates at motels are really easy on the wallet and sharing the experience with a fellow fisher makes it very cost effective. If you like river fishing be it walk and wade, drifting in a boat, or even guided, there is plenty to choose from and the best part is they all have fish.

There are numerous web sites on Eastern Washington State. Several of those web sites were the sources for this information.

Also Red’s Fly Shop on the Yakima River, a truly great trout river and a very very nice fly shop with guide services.

PAGE 11

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

Salmon Lake Fish Out September 11 to the 13 Saturday Night Rib BBQ Order your rib dinner from Tom Dellamater as soon as possible so he can order the ribs in. Very important to do. Price is $10 per dinner.

PAGE 12

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

Kamchatka Salmon

UTKHOLOK RIVER BIOLOGICAL STATION, Russia — The wild salmon still rush the dark Utkholok and other rivers here in Kamchatka, one of the last salmon strongholds on earth. They surge in spring and come in pulses for months, often side by side in run after run.

All six native species of Pacific salmon remain abundant on this eastern Russian peninsula, scientists say, appearing by the tens of millions to spawn in its freerunning watersheds. Even in October’s chill they come: coho and a trickle of sockeye, mixed with sea-run trout and char.

Now, in a nation with a dreary environmental record that is engaged in a rush to extract its resources, the peninsula’s governments are at work on proposals that would designate seven sprawling tracts of wilderness as salmon-protected areas, a network of refuges for highly valuable fish that would be the first of its kind.

Encompassing nine entire rivers and more than six million acres, the protected watersheds would exceed the scale of many renowned preserved areas in the United States. Together they would be more than four times the size of the Everglades, nearly triple that of Yellowstone National Park and slightly larger than the Adirondack Park, which is often referred to as the largest protected area in the lower United States.

These areas would be pro-

tected from most development, the government of Kamchatka says. Their purpose would be to produce wild salmon — for food, profit, recreation and scientific study, and as a genetic reserve of one of the world’s most commercially and culturally important fish.

If approved, the plans would push Russia toward the centre of international efforts to prevent the remaining wild Pacific salmon stocks from suffering the declines and population crashes that have beset sturgeon, bluefin tuna and the Atlantic Ocean’s salmon, halibut and cod.

“Having weighed everything from the perspective of the economy, I have convinced myself that we have to have

a different future, and that salmon must be allowed to return to spawn,” said Aleksandr B. Chistyakov, Kamchatka’s first deputy governor, in an interview in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the region’s capital.

Kamchatka is selecting protection zones not to create wildlife reserves, Mr. Chistyakov said, but because fish runs are the best foundation for the peninsula’s economy. Oil, gas and mining sectors will be developed, he said, but will provide a comparably brief revenue stream. Sustainable fishing, he said, can last generations.

The government’s position, set forth in documents in August, has surprised even the scientists and conservationists who have lobbied to protect habitat from the development pressures of post-Soviet Russia. They have rallied behind it.

“This initiative is magnificent,” said Dr. Dmitrij S. Pavlov, director of the A. N. Severtzov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences, in an interview here. “It is important not only for people who live today, for contemporary people, but for future generations.”

Andrei Klimenko, who directs programs on Kamchatka for the Wild Salmon Center, an Oregonbased organization working internationally to conserve salmon runs, said the proposal could become a milestone in the management of a beleaguered re-

PAGE 13

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

with some estimates valuing illegal harvest of salmon and other marine species in Kamchatka's waters at more than $1 billion U.S. annually.

Especially alarming is the harvest of salmon caviar. Russian newspapers and eyewitnesses have reported MI8 helicopters taking tons of salmon caviar from protected areas such as the Kommandorsky Islands Biosphere Reserve and South Kamchatsky Nature Reserve. Officials with Kamchatrybvod, Russia's federal fisheries management agency, report that overfishing- including caviar harvest-has already caused declines in several important rivers, including the Kamchatka, Bolshaya, and Avacha rivers.

source. “It will be a precedent,” he said.

“There is nothing else like this anywhere else.”

Each year, Russian and American scientists say, a sixth to a quarter of the North Pacific’s salmon originate in Kamchatka, a peninsula about the size of California.

Its endurance as an engine of sea life is attributed to geography and politics. Until 15 years ago it was a closed Soviet military zone, untouched and almost without roads. Today, it remains a remote region of volcanoes and glaciers, ringed by forested slopes and tundra laced with aquatic habitats where salmon spawn and their young grow.

Since Soviet authority evaporated, however, Kamchatka has faced intensifying pressures.

Prospecting has begun, mines have been dug, roads have been cut and poaching — from subsistence harvests to industrial-scale egg-stripping of salmon for caviar — is nearly unchecked. There are plans to develop oil and gas wells offshore.

Twice in the last two months the authorities have seized shipments of red Kamchatka caviar — weighing 20 tons and

10 tons — from airplanes landing at a Moscow airport.

Kamchatka is pristine today, but danger looms on the horizon. From June through October of last year The Wild Salmon Center was contracted by the United Nations Development Program to conduct a "Fisheries Needs Assessment" for Kamchatka. This assessment is part of an ongoing effort by the United Nations to attract international support for the protection of Kamchatka's biological diversity. In the process of developing the needs assessment, we conducted dozens of interviews with Russian fishery scientists, managers, environmentalists, international experts and others. This is what we found: Russia appears to be losing the war against illegal fishing. Until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, Kamchatka's fisheries were relatively well protected. But as Russia's economy has deteriorated, so has the capacity of fish management agencies to enforce laws regulating harvest. The illegal trade in adult salmon and salmon caviar is now estimated to comprise at least half the total harvest,

Russia's only steelhead stocks occur on the Kamchatka Peninsula, where they are listed in Russia's Red Book of Endangered Species.

Kamchatka steelhead have declined dramatically since the 1970s, mostly as a result of illegal harvest in estuaries and lower river segments. For example, steelhead in the Kovran, Mitoga and Utka rivers in western Kamchatka have been damaged or lost from illegal netting.

If history is any guide, Kamchatka will move down the same path that has resulted in the disappearance of native runs of salmon along both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It just has not happened yet in Kamchatka, which was protected from outside development by the Soviet Union until 1990. Today, Kamchatka is at the same cross-roads other once-salmon-rich regions crossed a century ago: protect wild salmon resources for long-term sustain-ability or sacrifice them for short-term exploitation. Tragically, almost without exception, these nations have chosen exploitation over conservation.

If one reviews the declines of salmon in Europe and the northeastern United States, and salmon and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest, a pattern emerges: Once the threats to wild salmon are underway (mines, dams, forest harvest,

PAGE 14

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

etc.), triggering a severe decline in original runs-to extinction or levels close to extinction-restoration is difficult or impossible. Unfortunately, we have not yet learned to restore self-sustaining runs of wild salmon and steelhead to their native rivers once they have disappeared. Despite billions of dollars and the hard work of thousands of biologists, the wild salmon of the Columbia, Sacramento, Connecticut, Rhine, Loire and hundreds of other rivers around the world continue to slide toward extinction.

Fortunately, salmon are extremely popular in Kamchatka, and Russia has good laws protecting salmon and their habitat.

For example, Russian salmon streams are protected on each side by a one kilometer buffer strip- a world record. Russia's fishery biologists are among the best in the world; our Russian colleagues have graciously welcomed our assistance. Yet the irony is not lost on them that we, having done such a miserable job of protecting our own salmon resource, are now offering to help the Russians protect theirs-a resource which, for the most part, has been doing fine so far.

Source—Internet various articles

Notice to Members Club’s Gazebo Style Tent The club has a gazebo style tent that members can use at no cost other than to repair any damage that might occur during use . If you would like to borrow the tent you are welcome just contact the Executive. The tent is 10 x 14 feet in size and has three side panels to reduce wind and sunshine if necessary. The picture here is of a similar model. Ideal for weddings, parties etc. Easy to put up and take down and it is in pretty good shape.

PAGE 15

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

2009 FISHOUTS

Link Lake May 22,23 & 24

Darke Lake May 30

Headwater Lake Early May date to be arranged

Salmon Lake Sept 11 to 14

Kettle River July every weekend

Idelback Lake June 27 & 28

Ripley and Madden Lakes early May- Date to be arranged

Leighton Lake and Tunkwa Lake Aug 8,9 & 10

PAGE 16

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

Northern Pike Northern pike are most often olive, shading into yellow to white along the belly.

The flank is marked with short, light barlike spots and there are a few to many dark spots on the fins. The lower half of the gill cover lacks scales and they have large sensory pores on their head and on the underside of the lower jaw which are part of the lateral line system. Unlike the similar-looking and closely related muskellunge, the northern pike has light markings on a dark body background and fewer than six sensory pores on the underside of each side of the lower jaw.

A hybrid between northern pike and muskellunge is known as a Tiger Muskellunge(Esox masquinongy x lucius or Esox lucius x masquinong), depending on the gender of each of the contributing species). In the hybrids, the males are invariably sterile as well are the females.

Another form of northern pike, the silver pike, is not a subspecies but rather a mutation that occurs in scattered populations. Silver pike, sometimes called silver muskellunge, lack the rows of spots and appear silver, white, or silvery-blue in color. (Craig, 1).

Pike grow to a relatively large size; lengths of 150 centimetres (59 in) and weights of 25 kilograms (55 lb) are not unheard of.

The heaviest specimen known so far was caught in an abandoned stone quarry, in Germany, in 1983. She (the majority of all pikes over 8 kg or 18 lb are females) was 147 cm (58 in) long and weighed 31 kg (67 lb). The longest pike ever recorded was 152 cm (60 in) long and weighed

28 kg (61 lb). Historic reports of giant pike, caught in nets in Ireland in the late 1800s, of 41 to 42 kg (89 to 92 lb), were researched by Fred Buller and published in "The Doomsday Book of Mammoth Pike". The British Isles have not managed to produce much in the way of giant pike in the last 50 years and as a result there is substantial doubt surrounding those earlier claims.

Currently, the IGFA recognizes a 26 kg (55 lb) pike caught by Lothar Louis in Lake of Grefeern, Germany, on 16 October 1986 as the all-tackle world record northern pike. Northern pike in North America seldom reach the size of their European counterparts; one of the largest specimens known was a 21 kg (46 lb 2 oz) specimen from New York state. It was caught in Great Sacandaga Lake on 15 September 1940 by Peter Dubuc. There are reports of far larger pike, but these are either misidentifications of the pike's larger relative the muskellunge, or simply have not been properly documented and belong in the realm of legend.

Pike are found in sluggish streams and shallow, weedy places in lakes, as well as in cold, clear, rocky waters. Pike are typical ambush predators; they lie in wait for prey, holding perfectly still for long periods and then exhibit remarkable acceleration as they strike. The fish has a distinctive habit of catching its prey sideways in the mouth, killing or immobilising it with its sharp teeth, and then turning the prey headfirst to swallow it.

It eats mainly fish, but on occasion water voles and ducklings have also been known to fall prey to pike. Pike will aggressively strike at any fish in the vicinity, even at other pike. Young pike have been found dead from choking on a pike of a similar size, an observation referred to by the renowned English poet Ted Hughes in his poem 'Pike'. Northern pike also feed on frogs, insects and leeches. It has often been suggested that pike optimally forage on prey that are from 25 to 35% of their body length.

Fishing for pike with a fly rod can be something special. This is a very powerful fish and can run a fly line out very quickly. Rods of 7 weight or heavier would be necessary with lots of backing. Remember it’s a big fish and you are chucking very big flies. Floating line and very short leaders with the tippet being 20 lb twisted steel strand wire with a swivel. All of the large fly line manufacturers make a special PIKE line. Check them out.

Source—Internet—Wikipedia

PAGE 17

Picture Gallery

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

= IDELBACK

LAKE

PAGE 18

PENTICTON FLYFISHERS

CLASSIFIEDS

CALENDAR of EVENTS

For Sale—15 ft Sage graphite Spey rod, line weight 10, 8 3/4 oz, 4 piece, used only ten times.

Sharps "SCOTTIE", a 4" Perfect style Salmon reel. Has almost all of original lead finish, Bronze line guard, slightly filed foot $400.00

Sept 3—First General Meeting of the fall. Come out and see and hear what has been going on with members over the summer months and also see what the club has planned for the fall session. Time 7 pm.

Sept 16—Executive meeting at Phil Rogers house. Time 7 pm.

3 1/2" Hardy Perfect, no line guard, long alloy foot, Ivorine handle, with a Hardy drawstring bag. An early model which, unfortunately, has been refinished. 2 small cracks, one on a pillar the other close by on the frame. They should not affect the reel for fishing. $550.00

Oct 01—General Meeting Time 7 pm.

Oct 8—First fly tying session of the fall. Time 7 pm.

Hardy Marquis Salmon #1 Saltwater with twin handles, slight paint loss around rim only, Hardy case $400.00

Oct 14—Executive Meeting at Phil Rogers house. Time 7 pm.

Hardy Salmon #1 spare spool (Not a saltwater spool) $100.00 Hardy St. John Some paint loss around rim. $250.00 Hardy Marquis 8/9 spare spool all grey model $65.00

www.bcfff.bc.ca

Hardy "Wathne Collection" #8 Numbered edition #248 & spare spool Basically same reel as a Golden Prince except for finish, Grey frame, Silver spool. Cases for both. Reel and spool are in as new" condition. I do not think they have ever been fished. $330.00 Hardy Perfect 3 7/8" leaded finish straight line writing no line guard. $330.00

www.pentictonflyfishers.ca

Call Ken Cochrane 250-860-9128 or email at kencochrane@shaw.ca

For Sale—John Watt's 12 ft Harbour Craft boat $800 35 lb thrust Motor Guide electric motor. Ph 250-493-0451

www.bcwf.bc.ca

www.troutwaters.ca

Tying and Fishing Techniques

STRIKE INDICATORS One of the most effective ways of catching trout in a river is with a strike indicator and a nymph. Trout feed below the surface most of the time so it just makes sense to fish for them below the surface.

Most of the nymphs trout feed on, live on the bottom of the river where the current is slower because of friction and turbulence. Also most are very poor swimmers. As a result our flies must stay near the bottom of the river and move at a speed slower than the current at the surface. This is what we refer to as a drag free drift.

The best way to get this drag free drift is by using a properly positioned strike indicator and just the right amount of weight. Positioning the indicator is determined by the depth of the water. You want to place the indicator 1 1/2 to 2 times the depth of the water. Add just enough split shot to get the flies to the bottom. You should occasionally get stuck on the bottom. If you get stuck on every cast then you are fishing too deep

—

RIVER FISHING

or with too much weight.

There are many different types of indicators. The most common are foam, yarn or some type of balloon. The most important things to consider are castability and flotation. You want the indicator to have enough flotation for the amount of weight you are using but at the same time not be too wind resistant to cast.

The most common technique for fishing with a strike indicator rig is to cast well above where you think the fish will be holding to allow your flies to get down near the bottom as they drift into the most likely looking water. As your indicator drifts downstream you want to use the rod to lift your fly line off the water and place it on the upstream side of the indicator. This is known as mending the line and it will prevent the line from dragging the indicator and your flies downstream faster than the current.

There are many variations on this basic

technique. Everything changes when the water conditions change. Most of the time it is usually just a matter of adjusting the amount of weight or the position of the indicator to get your flies back into the feeding zone. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Good luck out there.

Bruce Turnbull Bruce Turnbull

The Penticton Flyfishers meet the first Thursday of every month except July and August when we meet at nearby fishouts. Club meetings begin at 7 pm at the “OLD CPR” Train Station on Hastings St., and everyone is welcome. Membership costs $40 per year (Junior membership is free) and includes membership in the B.C. Federation of Fly Fishers, the B.C. Wildlife Federation, The Federation of Fly Fishers (International), and the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA).

The club is registered as a society and its function is to promote the sport of fly fishing, to educate, and to conserve and protect the environment.

The club is actively involved in conservation projects throughout the Okanagan and surrounding areas. If you would like more information about the club, its membership, projects and programs, please call any member of the Executive (see inside front cover).