PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
JOURNAL
Nov / Dec 2011
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Vol. 08
Number 06, 2010
Nov / Dec 2011, Edition
Penticton Flyfishers Box 354, 113-437 Martin St., Penticton, B.C., V2A 5L1
Contents
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 Phil Rogers 250-403-8832 pjrogers@shaw.ca Vice President Ryan Winstanley 488-8757 doja40oz@hotmail.com
Page 3— Presidents Report Page 4 & 5—Christmas Gift Page 6 & 7— Barometric Pressure Page 8—Open Pen Fish Farming Page 9—Valentine Lake Page 10—Wind Project threatens Birds Page 11— Notice of Annual General Meeting
Treasurer Ken Baker 493-2926 kbbaker@telus.net
Page 12— Barn in a Box
Secretary Peter Kruse 494-0071 p_skruse@shaw.ca
Page 14— Photo Gallery
Membership Director Tom Knight twknight@telus.net
The Penticton Flyfishers are members of
Page 13— 2012 Fish Outs
Page 15—Classifeids and Notices Page 16— Tying and Fishing Techniques
Jim Duncan by Phil Rogers
BC Federation of Fly Fishers (BCFFF) BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) Federation of Fly Fishers (International FFF) Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA)
Penticton Flyfishers New Website is www.pentictonflyfishers.ca
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Presidents
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Report by Phil Rogers
While thinking about what to write for this report I cannot help but look back and ponder what a strange season 2011 was. We were hampered by a very late start to the season due to the cold and wet weather. While we usually get some cool weather in the early spring, most of us were caught a little off guard by the snowstorms and hail in late May at Link Lake. The unusual late start to the season adversely affected the late spring and early summer fishing with high water flows in the rivers and lakes. It delayed our usual Kettle River Float until the end of July and only Tom Dellamater and I were able to go. The high water in the Kettle River system also curtailed the FLNRO tagging project we had hoped to participate in. The six-day project was reduced to two days and only four of our members were able to attend. The Fishout at Idleback was not as productive as usual due to the cold weather and lack of insect hatches. There were some good benefits to the wet and cool weather. It was great to see Sawmill Lake reach close to full pool for the first time in several years and the fishing was very good. I had thought we were close to losing this trophy lake due to low water levels. In September several of our club members were able to assist a FLNRO student in a fish-tagging project at Sawmill Lake. The fishing was slow but we were able to catch the 30 fish needed for the project by the end of the second day. Another benefit to the late start to the fishing season was that we were able to get
some reasonable fishing in right into the middle of August, which is usually the summer doldrums for most of us. Our Salmon Lake Fishout was a great time for those of us that could make it. The potluck dinner on Saturday night with Tom’s ribs was terrific once again. Jim Duncan made it up and his fishing ability put several of us to shame. The high winds that came up each day limited our time on the water but I think most of us had a great time despite the less than ideal conditions. If you are thinking of going up there next year, get your reservations in now as there is very little space left. All the cabins have already been taken. We have several presentations lined up for our meetings in November, December and January. I hope to keep the
2011 Executive Pres: Phil Rogers
Vice Pres: Ryan Winstanley Secretary: Peter Kruse Treasurer: Ken Baker Membership: Tom Knight Past Pres: Angus Cameron
business end of the meetings to a bare minimum so we can devote more time to the presentations. I am really looking forward to Bruce Turnbull’s account of his trip to Africa. We have a tribute to John Watt and a video of our club’s activities for the year thanks to George Graw and Tom D. Jon Pew has promised a presentation on his fishing exploits from this fall. I believe he is presently down south somewhere warm and trying his luck at rooster fishing. It is that time of year for everyone to seriously start thinking about helping run the club next year. The club’s finances are in great shape and we have the new $15,000.00 fund in place to take care of the Penticton Creek maintenance costs. I am at the end of my twoyear term as your president and cannot run again. We need people to stand up and participate in next year’s executive. At this point we need a new president, vice president and secretary. I hope all of you will be able to get out to the upcoming meetings and in the presentations. They should be lots of fun and we may even learn something new such as where and how to beach fish for coho and/or pinks.
Phil Rogers
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Christmas GiftBy
Ed Blank
Air Pacific is flying again!! It is only a 3 hour flight from Hawaii! Ed Blank's Adventures on the Fly is proud to offer the 250 square miles of bonefish flats surrounding Christmas Island as one of our unique, personal, fly fishing destinations. Our Lodge is the oldest continually run lodge on the island and there is no substitute for experience. The island is famous for its huge numbers of bonefish in the 3-6 pound range with plenty of opportunities to catch double digit bonefish on a fly. Tenthirty bonefish a day are the rule not the exception. These trips are for fly fishing enthusiasts who want to maximize their fishing time and flexibility while visiting Christmas Island. The MiniHotel Kiritimati is the oldest and smallest of the lodges on the island and can take up to 8 fly fishing guests at a time. Our size allows us to do things a little differently than our competition. We fly fish harder and we fly fish longer with no overtime charges. We fish the flats that are right for that day and tide and don't have a rotation schedule. If you want to go back to that killer flat you fished yesterday we can do it. We travel to the flats by boat every day rather than truck giving us more flexibility to move and follow the tides rather than a lodge schedule. After reading this page you may want some more details by using the links found up and to the right of this text, they will overlay a specific detail page.
For more pictures try out our new photo gallery topics also on the right, a little further down the page. Christmas Island is a large atoll in the Republic of Kiribati ( Pronounced "Kiribati" the "ti" is pronounced as an "s"). It is home not only to a huge bonefish population but to several spe-
Christmas Island
Flyfishing
cies of trevally as well (including the giant which runs up to 100 lbs.). Imagine a hundred pound eating machine attacking your surface popper while you helplessly hold on! Then just pray you have enough backing! If that's not enough how about tuna or wahoo, Mahi mahi, sailfish?
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As you circle the runway you will see the flats that have made fly fishing on Christmas Island so famous. Someone from the lodge will meet you after you have gone through customs for the 20 minute drive to the lodge. You may have time to walk out to the flats near the lodge or you can get organized for the six very full days of fly fishing ahead of you. It won't be long until you hear that reel screaming as the backing disappearing from your reel at 22 miles per hour! We are the only lodge that includes unlimited guided fly fishing in their package. Add to this personal service - no charge offshore fishing and it is clear why people who have been to both lodges prefer the Mini Hotel and Ed Blank's Adventures on the Fly. Each day veteran guides will lead you to the best fishing the island has to offer. You and the guides board the catamaran each day around 7:30 am and start out into the lagoon. There are some flats within walking distance of the lodge but we will spend most of our time on the
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
flats that are accessible exclusively by boat. You and your guide will be dropped on the up current end of the flat and the boat will actually head for the other end. You will encounter most fish as they swim towards you into the current. This allows you to cover the most water without having to backtrack with the current to get back to the truck or boat. Maybe you want to hunt for the big bonefish on the edges of a flat with a nice drop-off or you'd rather stalk fish in ankle deep water, customizing the places you would like to fish is a unique option found only at the MiniHotel Kiritimati. Few bonefish packages let the customers design their own trips; ours is an exception to the rule.
Top five reasons to book your Christmas Island fly fishing vacation with us instead of the big lodge: 1. Unlimited fishing time 2. Offshore fishing at no extra Charge 3. We deliver you to the flats by boat not pickup truck 4. We are located at the boat launch not 20 minutes away 5. No set rotation of flats, we pick the best ones at the best times ( tides) for those flats, just because its Tuesday doesn't mean it is a good flat for that tide and that day! 6. Unlimited Fly Fishing (just in case you didn't see that the first time - would you rather fish 11 hours or just 7-8?) Experience what many veteran Christmas Island fishing are learning, this small intimate hotel with top guides, and long fishing hours is the perfect way to fly fish Christmas Island. Join us in the equatorial sun of Christmas Island A.K.A. Fly Fishing Heaven!
Story and Pics by Ed Blank
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
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BAROMETRIC PRESSURE This is an article on the theories of the different factors which produce good and bad fishing conditions. The theories aren't necessarily mine, although I've attempted to provide a thoughtful summary of information I have researched, with some modification based on personal experience. I'm not entirely convinced that you should solely base your decision on whether to go fishing, on the measurement of the positive or negative factors based on theory. Although a number of the positive factors may indicate that the fishing will be good at your regular spot, I think to a large degree that the negative factors mean that you have to find and catch the fish in a different fashion than you would normally. Barometric Pressure The effect of barometric pressure on fishing feeding activity is one of the more interesting theories. In short, the theory proposes that a dropping air pressure brings on feeding activity, rising pressure turns the fish off feeding, high pressure results in the fish moving to shallower water, and low pressure results in fish moving to deeper water. This article will provide an overview on barometric pressure, summarize various
theories about why atmospheric pressure affects fishing activity, and then summarize in tabular fashion the generally accepted fish behaviours with various barometric patterns. Barometric pressure is the measure of the weight of the atmosphere above us. A barometer is used to measure air pressure. The earliest barometer consisted of a glass vacuum tube inserted into a container of mercury which was exposed to the pressure of the air. Increased air pressure would force the mercury up the tube in a height proportunal to the pressure. The height was measured in inches (inHg) or in millibars (1 inch = 33.864 millibars). Although new types of barometers are now used, these measures are still in place. In general, 30 inHg or 1016 millibars is considered to be normal air pressure. In normal weather, 30.5 is considered extreme high, and 28.5 is considered extreme low. The measures are taken at sea level, a higher elevation has less atmosphere above it, so a correction factor against the normal measure is needed depending on altitude. It is believed that the effect of barometric pressure is greater in shallow water than deep, probably due to the
pressure of the weight of the water in deep water being so high, that the air pressure above it is not relatively significant. The principal theory, is that the effect of changing pressure on the swim bladders of fish makes them uncomfortable or dis -oriented. In this theory, the fish will move to feel well, or they feel bloated or full. With a lowering barometer, it is believed these fish move into deep water seeking higher water pressure and ride out the low pressure around structures. The theory suggests that just prior to change from a high to a low, fish will bite like crazy until the low hits and then stop. The difficulty with this theory, is that water is 900 times more dense than air, and generates signicantly more pressure than air. In fact,a 3 foot wave will produce a variation of pressure more significant than can be expected from a change in atmospheric pressure through a dramatic change, and the wave effect is happening every few seconds, rather than the hours or days that the atmospheric changes takes to occur. Frankly, given that the pressure of water depth is such a significantly greater factor than the pressure of atmosphere, it seems likely that the weather conditions created by changes in barometric pres-
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
sure, such as clouds, rain and wind, have more effect on fishing than the barometric pressure alone. So in the opinion of the author, barometric change is a good indicator of fishing change, but it's not because of the pressure change by itself, as much as what other weather conditions are likely to occur because of the pressure change.
rize the barometric pressure, and observations on fish activity and fishing techniques.
The following table attempts to summa-
Draw your own conclusions on the
Of course, the longer a period of high feeding activity, the more likely the fish are to stop feeding. And the longer the period of inactivity, the more likely the fish are to start feeding.
effect of a changing barometric pressure on fishing activity. Whether pressure changes by themselves cause feeding changes may be in question, but the patterns seem to be there irregardless. By David Girdwood
Pressure Trend
Typical Weather
Fish Behaviour
Suggested Fishing Tactics
High
Clear skies
Fish seek cover, look for logs, weeds in shallows. If water too warm, will stop biting.
Fish structure close to surface, with shallow crankbaits, poppers, etc..
Rising
Clearing or improving
Fish start to move out of deeper water. After a day or so, go to normal feeding.
Fish with brighter lures and near cover, moving from deeper water to shallower water.
Normal and stable
Fair
Normal activity.
Experiment with your favorite baits and lures.
Falling
Degrading
Most active feeding.
Range of different methods. Surface and shallow running lures may work well.
Slightly lower
Usually cloudy
Fish seek deeper water, with water Use deep running lures at a modtemp maybe also slowing them erate speed. down. May need to settle before feeding again.
Low
Rainy and stormy
Fish move to deeper structures, may not feed.
Fish deep structures, vary your methods.
African Safari—Botswana and Namibia
Thursday, Dec 01~ Guest Speaker ~ Bruce Turnbull Wildlife Photography and Stories ~ Time 7 pm.
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
OPEN PEN FISH FARMING & DESEASES OTTAWA — The Harper government, which on Thursday described as "inconclusive" tests showing British Columbia wild sockeye salmon have been infected with a potentially devastating virus, isn't taking the matter as seriously as top politicians in the U.S., the House of Commons was told Thursday. The New Democratic Party drew attention to a statement issued earlier in the day by three American senators who have made a bipartisan appeal to U.S. government officials to probe the possible spread of infectious salmon anemia. The senators, describing the disease as "the Canadian salmon virus," are calling on the National Aquatic Animal Health Task Force to analyze the risk of it spreading. "We need to act now to protect the Pacific Northwest's coastal economy and jobs," Washington state Senator Maria Cantwell said. "There's no threat to human health, but infectious salmon anemia could pose a serious threat to Pacific Northwest wild salmon and the thousands of Washington State jobs that rely on them." NDP fisheries critic Fin Donnelly said the Canadian government isn't taking seriously the news earlier this week that two underweight sockeye tested positive for the disease. Simon Fraser University fisheries statistician Rick Routledge said the
infected fish were among 48 smolts sent to the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island at the suggestion of B.C. salmon biologist Alexandra Morton, an outspoken critic of the fish farm industry. It has been described as the first time the disease has been detected on the West Coast, and Routledge said the only "plausible" source was fish farms. Morton has alleged that the virus also likely is to be found in B.C. farmed salmon, though the government and aquaculture industry said there's no evidence of that. "The U.S. recognizes the urgent need to protect their coastal economy and jobs, but this government is mute," Donnelly said during question period. "Don't they understand the scale of this new threat? Will the minister tell Canadians exactly what emergency actions he'll take?" Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield read out a statement saying the disease has "never been found" in B.C. farmed salmon and that his department has tested wild salmon three times this year. All three tests were negative. Ashfield said the positive results for the two salmon from B.C.'s Rivers Inlet, a popular salmon-fishing area on the central coast, are "far from conclusive." He said his department will conduct
further tests. The virus found on the two smolts has been identified as the European strain of the virus, which has been found in Atlantic wild salmon. B.C. has imported more than 30 million Atlantic salmon eggs over the past 25 years from the U.S. and Europe, according to the federal government. The same virus pummeled Chilean fish farms in 2007-08, killing millions of fish and resulting in several fish farm and processing plant closures. The three U.S. senators are Cantwell, a Democrat, and two Alaskans, Republican Lisa Murkowski and Democrat Mark Begich. The Alaskan senators used the news release to contrast their state's policy of promoting the wild salmon fishery against the government-supported B.C. aquaculture industry. Consumers need to know "that wild salmon is still safe and one of Alaska's most delicious natural resources," Murkowski said in the joint statement. Begich said the B.C. virus is a threat to Alaska, "the world's premier producer of wild salmon." poneil@postmedia.com Twitter.com/poneilinottawa Read my blog, Letter from Ottawa, at edmontonjournal.com/oneil Š Copyright (c) Postmedia News
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Valentine Lake
Valentine Lake is a high elevation recreation lake situated in the wilderness back country forest located west of the community of 100 Mile House, BC, Canada. The lake is a popular fishing and wilderness camping destination situated at an elevation of 1219 metres (4000 feet). The alkaline lake is one of the many lakes in the region popular for fishing Rainbow Trout. The lake is stocked annually because the lake is heavily fished. Most find trolling to be the most effective method of fishing when on Valentine Lake. In the wilderness campground is a roof top boat launch accessing the lake. Only electric motors permitted. Many arrive at the lake, boat in tow, to spend a few days staying at the wilderness campsite located on the west side of the Valentine Lake. Most of the campsites rest on the banks of the lake providing beautiful lake views while others stay hidden in the trees providing privacy. In total there are 10 campsites, most with a picnic table and a fire pit. The road to the lake is gravel. But unlike other gravel roads in the region leading deeper into the forest, the road to Valentine Lake is in reasonably good shape suitable for RVs. The trick is to keep an eye out for road markers leading to the lake. The main road to identify leading to Valentine Lake is the 800 FSR (Forest Service Road).
Some of the other recreation lakes in the area to consider fishing and exploring include the Edmond, Exeter and the 12 lakes in the Moose Valley Provincial Park. In the winter months the trail systems to make note of include the Helena and Begbie Snowmobile Routes. The region is heavily treed, mostly consisting of jackpine forest. Some of the wildlife in the region and on the lake to keep an eye out for include loons, ducks, deer and moose. How to Get to Valentine Lake: From the community of 100 Mile House, BC travel north on Highway 97 to the Exeter Road turn off. It will be on your left. Continue down the road until it connects to the 1100 FSR. From here on in, pay attention to the directional signs pointing to Valentine Lake on the 800 FSR. Valentine Lake is ap-
proximately 19 kilometres from 100 Mile Report from Larry Martin
Valentine Lake: only 15 kilometers west of 100 mile house on good gravel road. The lake is stocked with triploid blackwater rainbows, has a two fish limit and is fly fishing only. Access and pictures on anglers atlas indicate a max depth of about 50 ft. There are showls around the entire lake. We were the only boat on the lake October 13th. Calm conditons and the lake is very clear so we had to go with sink tip and probably should have gone to full sink. Fish were jumping in middle deeper portions of the lake but did not see any in the shallow water I think due to the clear day as we could see the bottom and no weed cover. I'm not sure if it is a characteristic of the Blackwaters but these gals hit fairly lite but when hooked they charged the boat so had to strip in or get on the reel fast. At the boat they headed for the bottom and under the boat rather than run. We lost several due to slack line, shortley after the take until we figured it out.
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Wind Project Threatens Birds, Green Group Warns. 10/10/2011 10:23:55 PM CBC News An internationally recognized "Important Bird Area" is being threatened by a wind power development, a Canadian conservation group alleges. Gilead Power Corporation hopes to build a nine-turbine wind farm on the south shore of Prince Edward County, a huge peninsula that juts into eastern Lake Ontario. Nature Canada worries the project will kill untold numbers of migratory birds because it is right next to a National Wildlife Area used by hundreds of thousands birds as a stopover point on their yearly journeys north and south.
"It's
like a highway. Sort of like the equivalent of the Trans-Canada or the 401," said Ted Cheskey, manager of Nature Canada's bird conservation programs. Cheskey says that it is unusual for his organization to get involved in a fight like this because they are a national group and this looks on the surface like a local issue. But he felt they had
no choice because this project is located in an "important bird area" (IBA). IBAs are a designation given by Birdlife International, a global partnership of conservation organizations that works to protect birds and their habitats. Allowing a wind power project on the south shore of Prince Edward County would set a bad precedent, Chesky said. Gilead Power's Ostrander Point project has split the community of Prince Edward County down the middle. Those in favour of the turbines say wind power is one of the best ways to combat climate change and a few dead birds is a small price to pay. Those against the project agree with the arguments about climate change, but say the location is all wrong. "It's just open season. Wherever a turbine corporation wants to go, they go. And no one is telling them, 'not there. Go over here'," said
Mirna Wood, spokeswoman for the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists. But Gilead doesn't agree. The company has conducted four years of environmental studies examining the migration patterns of birds flying through the county. The company points out that the south shore of the county is 27 kilometres long and their project will take up less than one per cent of that length. "The objective of this project is not to have any impacts to the birds at all. But in the event that it's necessary, Gilead's committed to shutting the turbines down during the migratory period," says Mike Lord, Gilead's vice-president in charge of project development. The wind power company's renewable energy application is currently under review by Ontario's environment ministry. If it is accepted, Gilead hopes to begin construction in October
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Annual General Meeting and Election of Executive and Directors for 2012 Feb. 02, 2012 at 7 pm. Nominations are Open for All Positions Positions that need to be filled for 2012 are
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Membership Chair Newsletter Editor Directors
The Club is seeking Members who would be willing to fill these necessary positions. The work is not onerous nor that time consuming. Bring your ideas to the table. Your Club needs you so please contribute.
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
For More Info see Larry Martin
www.pentictonflyfishers.ca
www.bcwf.bc.ca
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
2012 FISHOUTS
Link Lake ??
Salmon Lake ??
Idelback Lake ??
Harmon Lake ??
Time to Plan Fish Outs for 2012
Kettle River July every weekend
??
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Picture Gallery
PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
Salmon Lake Fishout
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PENTICTON FLYFISHERS
CLASSIFIEDS
CALENDAR of EVENTS Nov 3—General Meeting. Time 7 pm followed by a presentation. Everyone welcome. Nov 10—Fly tying night. Come out and watch, participate, or teach a pattern you like. Everyone welcome.
Place Your Classified Ad Here. No Charge
Nov 16—Executive meeting at Phil Rogers home. Time 7 pm. Dec 1—General Meeting. Time 7 pm followed by a presentation by Bruce Turnbull on his recent trip to Africa. Dec 8—Fly tying night. A pattern to tie will be decided upon ahead of the session so those interested can bring the necessary materials and learn another great pattern. Dec 21—Executive meeting at Phil Rogers home. Time 7 pm.
www.bcfff.bc.ca
-HUNTING -FISHING -BOWS -SUPPLIES
www.troutwaters.ca
Will Carnell Ph 250-492-4963 2012 Main St., Penticton, BC, V2A 5H4
Tying and Fishing Techniques
Fly Tying Bench The fly tying bench is a practical and time saving tool that all fly fisherman should have. It gives them portability to design their flies in various locations and has plenty of nooks and crannies for storage. A tying bench can be made of different types of wood such as oak, walnut or even teak. They have trays carved in them for hooks, beads, eyes and finished flies. There are tool holes in varying sizes to increase proficiency and speed while tying; there are tapered entrances on smaller holes to help in putting tools away. Some have holes predrilled for a swing lamp and they all offer storage for tools and supplies. Fly tying benches can be bought at most sporting good stores and they can also be found online. If you want to try to find a used one, you can check out sites such as eBay to see if they have them, or if you want a new one go to a search engine such as google and type in the key words fly tying bench. The prices for new ones range from $150 to $400, with some of the specialty benches costing even more. A tying bench is a practical and timesaving
tool that any fly fisherman would love to have. It gives him the flexibility to work where he wants to (yes, even in the living room ) with all of his tools and materials stored there in the bench. For a man that has absolutely everything, a fly tying bench an absolute. Of importance is to have a bench that you can move around and perhaps even take with you on nearby trips or to tying classes the club puts on. Manufacturing your own bench can be very rewarding and the internet has many designs and instructions on how to go about building your own. First you need to determine what should find its place on your bench, following these points, which your bench should fulfill. Holding the most commonly used tools, different kinds of spools of threads, tinsels and wires, head cements as well as some hooks. Giving some space to hold the currently used tying materials. All things not in use are located next to me in a steadily growing material bag. Having enough space to place my tying
lamp on it (I'm thinking already about a fixed giraffe type lamp to enlarge the usable area). Having enough space to rotate the bobbin cradle 360° while the vise is located in its regular tying position. Also we need a size, which allows us to store the equipped bench somewhere while not in use without any problem. Visit the Intenet and look for many different plan styles to find the one right for you.
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).